About Us

     Jeff is the son of a retired Air Force officer, and as such moved around the world as a child.  Within the US, he lived in Arkansas, Ohio, Montana, Illinois, California, Alaska, and Virginia.  From 1st through 3rd grade, he was blessed to live in Athens, Greece, a very formative time in his life.  Jeff was baptized into Christ as a young teenager at the Fairview Heights Church of Christ in Illinois.  He attended Harding University in Searcy, AR, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, with a minor in History.  Jeff has taught in two Christian schools; for six years he was at Christian Academy of Greater St. Louis in St. Louis, MO, and for four years at Nashville Christian School in Nashville, TN.  While in Nashville, Jeff earned a Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching (2007) and a Master of Theological Studies in Old Testament (2011), both at Lipscomb University.  Jeff plays trombone, euphonium, and trumpet, has performed on stage in many theatrical roles, and enjoys cooking, gardening, woodworking, racquetball, and Ultimate (frisbee).  Jeff currently also serves as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 359 in Sofia.

     Lisa is the daughter of a rocket scientist.  Really!  She moved around quite a bit as a kid, too, living in Virginia, California, Arkansas, and Minnesota.  Lisa attended Harding University where she got her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics, then went to the University of Memphis and got her Master's degree in the same.  Lisa has taught as an adjunct professor at Harding, Florissant Valley Community College, and Middle Tennessee State University.  She has worked in various capacities for hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, and schools, and served as the Director of Foodservice and Housekeeping for Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital.  Lisa is a flute and violin player, and enjoys reading, baking, and making bracelets of various types.

     Avery is 12 years old.  Our "math nerd," Avery won the county-wide math competition for 4th grade, and has been on stage several times as an actor.  Avery is a 2nd Class Scout with BSA Troop 359 in Sofia.

     Elise is the reason we became interested in Bulgaria in the first place.  She was born in Turgovishte 11 years ago, but was placed in an orphanage when she was just a year old.  Elise is a beautiful and spirited young girl with an infectious giggle, and in the three years since we brought her home, she has made amazing progress integrating into our family.

     The Shepherd family currently resides Sofia, Bulgaria in the neighborhood Mladost 1A.  They have been on the ground since August 2013.