The Sheppard Family
January 2025
Dear Friends:
First, a big thank you! We miss everyone so much and appreciate all the love and prayers!
As we enter the new year, we reflect upon this past year. Life has been full of joy and also full of challenges. We continue to be missionaries for World Outreach Ministries and members of Mission Flights International (for supply distribution). It is difficult, but God is bigger! We are continually amazed by the Lord opening doors and making a way when there seems to be no way (Isaiah 43:16-18).
Haiti: This amazing country of our heart continues to struggle. We know God has not forgotten Haiti. Due to JetBlue, American and Spirit Airlines all being struck by bullets within a 24 hour time frame, the FAA has placed a ban on any planes landing in Port au Prince. Our beloved Bernard Mevs Hospital was burned to the ground just 2 weeks ago. LeAnne and her family have taken in an abandoned infant. Linda continues to counsel individuals who have been traumatized by assault, kidnappings, fleeing their homes, and loss of loved ones. Our Kia truck continues to run (Praise God!) and transport food from the villages to the city amidst gangs and fuel shortages. Please keep LeAnne, Stephana, Vildens, Osner, Jean-Marc, Tiana, Rudy (and their families) in prayer!
Guatemala: We continue to bring in medical teams, mental health services and provide trauma training. Linda traveled this past year and was able to help in quite a few of the elderly homes run by our long time friend Angelo who does an amazing job! Angelo has been a friend for many years and with projects in the villages over 15 years ago.
North Carolina: We continue to serve in local ministries to support the community. We are blessed to own Union County Gymnastics. Linda leads the County Special Olympics Gymnastics program and the gym also hosts the Cheerleading program. Christelle, Melissa and Phuong are all a part of the programs. Naomi is becoming a Unified Partner and is a Volunteer. Melissa was honored to be one of only two athletes in the State to carry the torch at the State Games in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Georgia: Bear Lodge Cabin is up and running. Yay! We are hosting our first ladies missionary gathering the first of January. Our hope and prayer is that this location can be a place of healing, restoration and retreat for prospective missionaries, restoring those currently on the field, and a support to families struggling with the challenges of parenting children from trauma.
Ron continues to do drafting, coordinates Haiti projects, and assists in gym management. Linda is recovering from another back fusion surgery. The kids are growing up with only 4 left at home. Eight of them are residing in North Carolina, David is in France and the rest live on the west coast. God is good and we are very blessed! We pray the Lord blesses each and every one of you this year and the years to come! If you feel called to donate, please consider making a contribution to our programs in Haiti, Guatemala, and the USA. We greatly appreciate your continued love, prayers, and support!
In His Glorious Name,
Ron, Linda, and the entire Sheppard Family 
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