SOUTH AFRICA Happenings.....

SOUTH AFRICA!!!!  

Since Shelby doesn't have access to a computer she has given me (her mama) info to pass along on her blog for an update so I will try my best to tell it as she has told it to me.

The team has been in SA for 41/2 weeks now.  The first 3 weeks they were in a tourist and farming area called Mosselbaai  which lies on the Indian Ocean side of SA.  While there they developed relationships with the locals, evangelized, ran children's programs, and ministered to the community.  They spent Christmas and New Year's here and had opportunity to celebrate it South African style with their YWAM Montana base director's and her family who lives in this community. They have seen many salvations, witnessed physical healings - specifically of a woman blind in one eye-and been able to minister to many.  One of her "fun" experiences was petting, feeding and posing for a picture with Sam the elephant.

They left Mosselbaai on January 2 and went to a small farming village for 5 days.  They spent time here mostly working with the children, doing open air worship service and evangelism.  The accommodations were "different" as they took up residence with many bugs and even saw a snake or two.

They continued on their way to Muizenberg, Capetown (Atlantic Ocean side) and stopped to do a safari.  Giraffes, zebras, antelopes, etc but no lions.....they were there but remained in hiding.  She loved every second of it!!  When they arrived to their destination they discovered their housing arrangements had fallen through to no fault of their own so they had the challenge of waiting patiently for God to work it all out and boy did He!  They were able to stay at the YWAM Muizenberg base for a night, a local hostel for a few nights and then moved to a surfing hostel for the rest of the week. YWAM Muizenberg has been taking great care of them by feeding them 3 times a day. Oh the excitement of having an actual bed to sleep in for a week has been over the top!  Meanwhile they found a house that they will be moving into Monday for their remaining 2 1/2 weeks and they will be sharing it with a YWAM team on outreach from Kentucky.  How cool is that?!   She was glad to be back in a big city. They continue to do home to home evangelism/visits, prayer & worship services, children's programs, and leading church services. They have seen people set free from addictions and struggle, salvation's, and have met some people in the culture that love Jesus. This area is very different from where they have been.   Shelby has seen the extremes of poverty and wealth all in this area within blocks from each other.  They are spending time in 2 townships that are extremely impoverished where 95% of the population are abusing drugs/alcohol, many without food, living in scrap metal and wood lean-to's with no running water. The smell of trash and fluids is so strong.  HIV is extremely prevalent in the area.  She has learned that SA has the most HIV people in all of Africa. She is heartbroken by what she has seen but is so very excited about people coming to know Christ, encouragement, and building up of the body.   The team is working well together without any major issues and she loves everyone of them so much!    

On the lighter side:  all the food rocks!, Seafood is unbelievable, they have pineapple flavored Fanta, she has had lamb and likes it, the weather is a little cooler on this side of SA, and she is thrilled to finally have access to wifi so she can connect with home a little!

She is beginning to get a little homesick and excited about her return. She asks that you all please continue to pray for her team these last few weeks -that they stay healthy, safe, that they finish well and that many continue to come to a saving knowledge and relationship with Christ.  She has written her journey and cannot wait to share her thoughts, feelings, and experiences with you when she returns.......and this mama is counting down the days!!!   Feb 9