Hey,
I just realized that with everything happening so quick this week, that I failed to update Faithlife with what is happening. Below are the posts that I put up on the facebook group, along with a list of prayer requests that I put out yesterday.
"Fam,
Please pray for me as I fly out in the morning to San Diego, and please especially pray for the San Diego congregation and Noah's wife Gabby. This is the email that Ryan, our Clerk sent out this evening.
Brothers,
I am grieved to send this email. You all received notice that our brother, Noah Shepherd, was in critical condition at an undisclosed hospital in San Diego. This news was delivered to Mark Greene who owns the Shepherd’s house and was asked to check on them by Noah’s father. After talking with Eduardo late this evening, I learned there was a reported accidental shooting and Gabby, Noah’s wife, went willingly to the police station. We are unable to get any more information from the authorities, but local news reports indicate a man was accidentally shot by his wife and later died at the hospital. Aspects of the reports match what we have learned but certainty of this story being about them is not yet sure. Colin or I will let you know more details as we have them. We were told that Gabby’s mother has the children.
Colin and I are flying to San Diego in the morning to be with the family, Eduardo, and the church. Lord willing, we will be able to have more answers. I know you will all be praying for this entire tragic and heartbreaking situation.
Ryan
Pastor Ryan Hemphill
Treasure Valley RPC Mission"
"Hey Fam,
First off, I want to thank everyone for your support and your prayers, and your willingness to drop everything to help in this situation. I am thankful that we are a Church that reflects the self-giving love that Paul outlines in Philippians 2:1-4. This is truly a sign of the Spirit of Christ being at work within us. Just to update you all on a few things, so that you can know how to be supportive and in prayer:
1. Currently Gabby is expected to be charged with 1st degree murder. I'm not sure upon what basis they are charging her, but that is what the news reports are saying right now. She will be arraigned tomorrow, but it's expected to be delayed by the public defender. We plan on being at the arraignment. Please pray that either way, the truth would be known, and that justice would be done, and that all those affected would be sustained in what will most likely be a drawn out process.
2. I stopped by the detention facility to try to meet with Gabby, but was not able to per their quarantine policy. A Sheriff kindly took my info and said he would pass it to her to call me. I believe she tried to call me yesterday, but I missed it. I'm swinging by today to ask the Sheriff to do the same, and tell her to try again. Please pray that she calls either myself or Shanna.
3. Noah was an only child. I had a chance to speak with his mother last night. It was a heartbreaking conversation, but encouraging. At one point I told her that Ryan and I are the preachers, but she was the one preaching to us! She is a member of Macarthur's Church and is headed down today to get Noah's animals, and to possibly retrieve Noah's body (Shanna is going to help her round up the cats today - pray that goes well). She desires the funeral to be here, but cannot afford it. We are offering to have the Church cover everything. Please pray that things would come together for the funeral arrangements, and for Terry (Noah's mom).
4. Pray for Gabby's family. I met them last night. They are hurt and understandably angry. They currently have the children (Sam - 2, Joel - 1). Pray for them, and for the little ones. Sam seems very confused. I'm not sure what the long term plan is.
5. Finally, pray that Ryan and I, and the other elders, will have wisdom in supporting the Church at our prayer meeting this evening. The media keeps showing up everywhere, so there is also the issue of demanding privacy while also possibly using it as an opportunity to make the Gospel known. They have already asked for a live interview at the arraignment, which I am not agreeing to. Pray for wisdom there.
Two other things. I know I mentioned before the "documentary" that Bob Hackett was going to make. Thankfully, the member of Bob's new Church that was going to make it, has publicly posted that he decided not to make it weeks ago, and will definitely not do so now as he doesn't want to add the pain. I'm thankful for this sign of grace and charity in such a difficult time. Noah was very distraught about the documentary, it is what he would want.
Also, I'm deciding whether or not I should stay for the weekend or return. A big part of that is deciding what to do for the congregational meeting. One way or another it will happen soon, but I will keep you all posted. Thanks again.
-Rev.
"7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh."
The New King James Version. (1982). (2 Co 4:7–11). Nashville: Thomas Nelson."