Mark and Vivian Shady, International Workers in Mostar, Bosnia, visited with EHA and The Grove families last month. The House interviewed them for this article.

We were able to pray for Mark and Vivian and their ministries.

Where did you grow up? Educational background?

Mark grew up in Burkina Faso and went to Toccoa Falls College and Denver Seminary. Viviane grew up in Indonesia and went to Toccoa Falls College and Missouri State University.

How did you come to know the Lord?

Mark went to a boarding school for missionary children and understood the gospel for the first time as a 7-8 year old. Viviane gave her life to the Lord at an M.K. boarding school.

How did you come to meet each other?

Viviane’s husband Matt died in Oct. 2001 and Mark’s wife Libby died Dec 24, 2003 on her 36th birthday. Libby’s parents were concerned about Mark returning to Bosnia alone and suggested that he start dating some of the eligible ladies from the church where her father was pastor. Viviane’s name was at the top of the list!

How many children do you have?

Viviane has 3 children—Melanie, Maria, and Maxwell. Mark has 2 children—Naomi and Esther. Melanie and her husband Jeremy Bill have 2 children. Maria is married to Loren Ellenberger. Esther is graduating from TFC and will be marrying Daniel Berry on May 30. Naomi is finishing up her Masters and Max has one more year at TFC.

What led you (Mark) to Bosnia and to the Bible school in Mostar? What subjects do you teach there?

The Shady's were able to share at a dinner event Sunday evening.

Mark was always interested in teaching and the Bible School in Mostar needed a teacher. The timing was right and the fit perfect. Mark mainly teaches Bible survey classes and doctrine classes. He is also director of the school. Viviane followed Mark

Vivian, what led you into women’s ministry there and what ministries are you involved in?

I really evolved into my ministries doing things that I was already interested in doing and made ministry out of it: aerobics, a lot of cooking, leading a Mother’s Prayer Group for our children.

How long have you been there?

Mark and Libby went to Bosnia Herzegovina in August 2000. Mark and Viviane went in August 2005.

What are some of the challenges of ministering there?

The language is very difficult. There are not many evangelical Christians in Bosnia and Herzegovina and there is a real need for workers to help start new churches and adequately staff the current churches. The greatest challenge for Viviane is being away from our kids and grandkids.

What are some of the joys you’ve experienced there?

One of Mark’s greatest joys is seeing former students, now pastors, teaching a new batch of students. Viviane's greatest joy has been leading the Mother’s Prayer Group and meeting unsaved ladies through our aerobics classes.

How can we be praying for you and the ministry there?

Pray that we will be able to facilitate a smooth leadership transition for the directorship of the Bible school. We really want to see a Bosnian worker take over that role. Pray for us as we leave children and parents behind. Pray for the salvation of the children that we are praying for in our group.

Where are you serving while in the United States and when do you return to Bosnia?

We are currently International Workers in Residence at Toccoa Falls College in Toccoa, GA. We serve as sponsors for the Student Missions Fellowship and Mark teaches 2 classes. We plan on returning to Bosnia in August 2015.

Get To Know Mark And Vivian Shady