July 19, 2006

Dear friends,

We’re writing to thank you for your support. We celebrate the privilege of being able to serve in Congo through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We feel that our work educating the future pastors of the Congo is important to God’s mission in this devastated country.

Let me elaborate a little on this work in this “devastated country.” We are working with people who have been brutally abused economically, politically, educationally, physically and spiritually. Now the people are given an opportunity to hold open elections, the first time in 40-plus years. Are they ready for this? Are they ready and willing to take responsibility of their situation, both individually and as a nation? Some are, and many are not. The years of dependence and corruption have been catastrophic on this incredibly wealthy (resource-wise!) nation. We are here to do what we can to encourage and pastor the international community of non-governmental organizational (NGO) people and also to train the future leaders of the Congolese Presbyterian Community. You don’t have to send money to be a part of our team. Let us know if you would like to get our updates via e-mail and pray for us!

We have had a quiet summer without teaching at the seminary, enjoying having the kids at home, swimming at the school, and beginning to learn Lingala. We will be starting with a teacher tomorrow who will come twice a week. The teacher is a very dear woman who is Congolese and is about to get her masters in English! So we’re looking forward to that.

With elections on July 30, a Sunday, we’re not sure how much unrest there will be after that day, and when they have counted the votes, the two men who are closest in number of votes will have a run-off. There are 33 candidates for president, 9,000 for national deputies (out of which 500 will be elected). The other day as Walt was driving, he heard people yelling, “Chalupa, Chalupa!” It turns out that he actually looks like the one white candidate for deputy! We had a good laugh over that! Please pray for everyone’s safety, the peace of this country, and especially for the new president and the beginning of ridding the government of corruption. There are thousands of Christians praying for this country and we are encouraged to see and hear of special prayer meetings, so we know our God who is able to turn this country around is listening and working His perfect purposes out.

We are thankful and anticipating what He will do! May you be blessed also as you follow this awesome God.

With love,

Val and Walt

The 2006 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p .

To support our ministry financially

The best way to support us is through Directed Mission Support (DMS). Part of Basic Mission Support, DMS is a way to “direct” contributions to mission co-workers such as ourselves.

To support our ministry through DMS, please fill out a pledge form. Or you can email Anne Blair and she’ll send the latest brochure, which includes a pledge form. You’ll need to know that our DMS number is D507098. For contributions, write the title (Walter and Valerie Shepard) and the DMS number (D507098) on the subject line of the check and put it on your cover letter, too. Send a copy of the cover letter to Africa Office at 100 Witherspoon St. Louisville, KY, 40202-1396.

Contributions from individuals may be sent to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Individual Remittance Processing, PO Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

Contributions from churches should be sent to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Church Remittance Processing, PO Box 643678, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3678.