Quick update!

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog once again after a fairly long break since the last post. I have been working on a much longer post sharing my testimony which I still need to touch up a bit. That will be next time! So it has been quite awhile since the last post and I apologize for that!

As far as what I am up to currently, I have continued to work with the homeless at Living Grace in the mornings and with my kids in Ocean View in the afternoons. If you happened to read my previous post you know a lot about what goes on during my time at Living Grace and at Kids Club. I have been asked to speak to the people at Living Grace several times now. This consists of preparing some kind of sermon-like message about 15-20 minutes long for about 50 people. It has been a wonderful opportunity to share a little more of myself with the people there and it has been great practice for preaching on short notice in the future. On Monday I was asked to speak about 5 minutes before everyone arrived... Great practice!

It was a little unsettling to have to intelligently speak for such a period of time on such a short notice but I felt as if it was the most relevant and quality message I delivered. I’m not really sure if its a good thing that I speak better with less preparation than with hours of it... It is so true that preachers often need to hear and learn from what they are speaking about than their audience. It has been such a blessing to have to dive into God’s word on a regular basis searching and listening to what He might have to say. I just hope I can communicate it in a somewhat understandable and interesting manner!

Many of my friends/volunteers have now left S.A. and are back in the States... And yesterday we returned the car we have been renting for two months. Life is much different now. There is a lot less to do but at least I have plenty of time to read. I read Letters From Iwo Jima and am now worried I may run out of books before heading back home! Buying new books here is a major expense. For example, I was planning on reading Nelson Mandela’s autobiography A Long Walk to Freedom, until I saw the price. It was 302 rand... Which is about 45$. -- 45$ for a book!-- I’m sure you are not surprised to learn that I decided to read something else!

My time with the kids in the afternoons has continued to be great! I really love playing soccer with them every day before we start our lessons. It is my rare opportunity to do some kind of exercise here! The worship, singing, and dancing before the Bible story has also produced some of my favorite moments during my time here! The weather has been much warmer here as of late, which is a real blessing. I can’t stand the cold and I can’t wait to get back to the hot summer weather!

On a very positive note: All of the money has finally been raised to cover this trip! It took longer than I had hoped but I am so thankful to my God, church, parents, grandmother, and all of you who have done so much for me, not just financially but also in thoughtful prayer! I know I could not have experienced what I have experienced and be where I am right now with out all of the above!

New blog post coming soon!

God Bless,

Josh Shep

Living Grace

Hello to everyone who actually reads this little blog, thanks so much for checking it out once again! The past week has been such a blessing and I’m looking forward to sharing just a little bit of it with you over the next couple of paragraphs.

Now that our four week “holiday club” is finally over, things are a lot less stressful! Instead of spending about 5-6 hours a day with the kids, whether playing soccer or doing crafts and stories, we only meet from about 3-5 everyday. The kids are now back in school and it is a nice change to have a little more time to be apart of other forms of ministry while down here. This past week, and for the rest of my time here, I have been assigned to work for Living Grace. Living Grace is a homeless center here just outside of Cape Town. My day consists of waking up at around 6:45, grabbing a shower then heading over to the center where we start singing and devotions at around 8:15. After finishing up at Living Grace we grab lunch and then head over to Ocean View where I get to spend more time with the awesome kids there.

When I started this past Tuesday, I was surprised to see and hear all of these homeless people singing hymns and praising God before their breakfast. I’m sure that the main reason any of these men and women come to the homeless shelter is because of the free food, but who can blame them? But the thing is they don’t have to sing, yet many of them choose to and boy do they sing. It surely isn’t the best singing you’ve ever heard but it is certainly entertaining. We have about 25-35 people that join us in the morning for devotions and breakfast, then about 50 people that join us for lunch. In between serving the people breakfast and then serving them lunch, much of the time we spend preparing the food for lunch. I am getting so very good at chopping up onions, potatoes, meat, you name it! I am pretty much the only guy volunteer working at Living Grace that the men can talk to, so I’m usually the guy they talk to if they need someone to talk to. I have certainly had some interesting conversations ranging from the spiritual to the down right crazy (not everyone is 100% here mentally).

My first morning at Living Grace I got to pray with one man. It was one of the first times this trip I had the opportunity to pray with another man who could actually understand what I was saying (at least it felt like many of the kids did not understand!). What a blessing it is that I am even able to pray for others and to have God work through my speech to heal and encourage many who are in fairly desperate situations. I am just so thankful I have had this opportunity. This morning I got to speak to all of the homeless people there as part of the morning devotion. I got completely lost in my notes and basically rambled for 10-15 minutes but I trust that God can and did use all my mess ups and lapses of memory to communicate something important and encouraging to some of those people. This past week at Living Grace has been all about building relationships with the men and women who volunteer, work, or simply visit Living Grace everyday. It has really been such a wonderful thing to be a part of and I look forward to developing many of these relationships over the next couple of weeks that I have left here.

Please pray that God presents opportunities for His word to be shared with the people at Living Grace and that He can find a way to use my ministry to the betterment of His commission. Thank you once again for all of your prayer and support!

Jshep

A Brighter Corner

Hello again everyone! Last time I wrote you, I talked briefly about some of the unpleasant realities many people have to live with down here. I wrote that often times life feels hopeless and that is still true. But I hope that simply because we see the problem of poverty, AIDs, and sex trafficking as too big for us to handle, it doesn’t mean that with Gods help we can’t make progress. My dad tells me my grandfather always used to say: “we can’t make the entire world a better place but we can make our corner a little bit brighter.” And if everyone starts making their corner a little brighter then there is hope for the world. Today I’ll share with you a couple opportunities God has blessed me with to make this corner of the world just a little bit brighter.

Two fridays ago I was given the opportunity to do something called Samaritans Feet. Samaritans Feet is an organization that provides disadvantaged kids with shoes along with the presentation of the Gospel. When the day began, I was placed in the “story” section. The kids would have to go through a couple stations before they received their shoes and the story section came right after the registration table. I had the chance to share this story with several groups of kids as they came through.

--This is much abbreviated--

The story was about a man named Manny. Manny was a poor kid who lived in Kenya (I think) when one day some Christians came to his village. They started basketball clinics in his area where he learned what basketball was and eventually, how to play it. But Manny had no shoes. This often made it difficult for him to play. At the end of their clinics the Christians gave him and all the other kids shoes, along with the message of Jesus. It was here that Manny began his relationship with Jesus and found hope in those shoes, since they were his first pair. He then grew to love basketball and used his new shoes everyday to practice and eventually got very good. So good, in fact, he received a scholarship to play college ball back in the States. He used this opportunity to get a business degree and became very wealthy. God then used Manny to use his wealth to do the same for other children.

And to conclude the story we would say something like: “And Manny has provided the shoes which you are going to receive today because of the hope these shoes represented in his life found in our Savior Jesus Christ. Manny was a poor kid who thought he had no future but Christ used him to accomplish great things and these shoes represent that same hope you can have in Christ for your dreams.”

(and this was not the “prosperity gospel” either, for those of you who know how much I hate that)

After telling the story several times, I then received an even greater opportunity to wash the kids feet and to talk with them one on one. Washing the kids feet was more for the symbolism than for cleanliness. Although, it is true that many of these kids hadn’t taken a shower/bath for good while. I’m not a big fan of feet honestly. Especially dirty ones. So it was a little out of my comfort zone for me to go and touch these kids dirty, smelly, feet! But I don’t think I’ll forget the experience.

While washing their feet we were to ask them questions. Questions like: “What story did you just hear? What did you think about Manny? What kinds of dreams do you have (which often resulted in them telling me about their dreams when they sleep and not for the future!)?” And then asking them about Jesus. Many of the kids were too young or shy to talk to me, but there were several who were able to.

I remember asking this one girl what her dreams were and she said that she wanted to be a waitress. I responded by saying that I used to work at a restaurant last summer and then proceeded to ask her which/what type of restaurant she would like to work in. She responded by saying: “I have never been to a restaurant but they sound like they would be a great place.” It caught me a little off guard, and I’m not really sure why it did, but it still did. I was surprised to know that this 13-15 year old girl had never been to a restaurant in her entire life. I had probably been to five in the past week! The things I take for granted...

I did get to share the gospel with these kids one on one for the first time since I’ve been here and that was a real gift. I enjoyed asking them who Jesus was and having almost every single one of them point up to the sky. “Yes, He is the Son of God,” I would say, “but he’s not just up there, he is right here next to us.” I even got a little choked up when I told this one boy about how the God who created him and knew him before he was born loved him so much that he would come down out of paradise to be executed on the cross for his sake. I thought about how beautiful the idea is, how beautiful that reality is, and now I think about the hope that this means for the kids here who suffer like my friend Jason (who I wrote about in the last post). --his picture in a "protection vest" is to the left-- We can’t fix the world but we can make our corner a little brighter. And the looks I saw on so many of those kids faces confirms that light in my heart and in theirs. Thank God for that.

Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that He is the “light of the world.” I am so blessed to see that light in those kids smiles. Jesus says that no one lights a lamp only to put it under a cover. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have this light inside of us, found in the Holy Spirit’s presence, which should never be covered. We are to be like this lit lamp, a fire burning in the darkness for the Lord. But if our fire is placed under a cover, it while inevitably be choked of oxygen and fade. But when uncovered and placed near others it catches the others on fire and spreads uncontrollably. I pray that we chose to spread our fire rather than choke it. Lets live as lights and make our little corner, wether it be in Cape Town or Birmingham, shine a little brighter.

God Bless,

Jshep

The Lord is Our Refuge

“Dear Father, please protect the children in Ocean View and the surrounding areas. Don’t let the children’s abusers even think about using them physically, mentality, and especially sexually. God, I hate that these kids are suffering the things they do and I pray that you shield them from it. I pray that you convict those who do it and encourage the kids who are abused to tell someone about it. I can’t really even describe the hatred and sadness that flooded my heart when I saw Jason this morning. Protect him. Protect these kids so they don’t grow up and carry the same acts to others in their future. I pray for those who do these things, because I don’t know what may have happened in their past to scar them in such a way they have now grow to be so full of perversion and evil. Father, give the kids the strength to endure and to shield themselves with their faith and reliance in you. Never leave them. Holy Spirit you can do all things, so please be the ultimate comforter and enduring crutch. Jesus hold them in your arms as they should be held. And Father show them how a true father should act. Protect them tonight and always. Amen.”

Guys, aside from the occasional break, its been an energy draining and stressful month here. But so rewarding. Tonight I prayed a similar prayer to the one above and I can’t really capture in words how consumed with hatred I was this morning when I heard that a kid, Jason, had hickeys all over him. The rest of what happened and commonly happens here I will spare you of the details. I’m guessing he is about 5 or 6 years old and he is a sweet kid. Crap like this happens commonly here and I miss or rarely notice it. Many of these kids suffer from infant alcoholism syndrome (which produces physical and mental defects), HIV, physical and sexual abuse, and much much more. Sometimes I get frustrated with a certain kid or two and have even noticed myself being a little happy when one kid decided not to show up to Kids Club one morning because he was such a problem the day before. But the sobering reality is that I have no idea what lead that kid to develop such behavioral issues or what may have prevented them from coming that morning. Jason experienced more trauma yesterday than I have in my entire life. This morning helped me realize how important much of the work we are doing here is. We are simply getting many kids out of their miserable home situations. No matter how lame the songs and dancing may be at kids club it is immeasurably better than what happens all to often to these kids.

This morning and this evening as I am writing this, life feels hopeless. You want to trust in God but things like this make me doubt. I wish I could come up with some awesome solution to why God allows these things to happen but another sobering reality is that there is no definite answer this side of eternity. I trust God though and do my best to believe that He will rescue humanity from themselves. But if I truly believe this, I and these kids, have a reason to hope. It sounds cliche, but as genuine Christians we should know to seek refuge in our Father. Jesus Christ really is the only hope for this world that has often gone to hell. Today has shown me that. If there is no God, and Jesus was just a nice guy that got carried away with himself, then life is a cruel joke. Everything is hopeless and meaningless. The gospel was written in vain and my and your existence is utterly void of meaning or purpose.

But thank the Lord, our Father, for Christ. With Him life couldn’t be more meaningful. The Gospel is not a collection of vain and meaningless attempts to invent one’s own worth. Christ was not a liar. Christ was not a Lunatic (just read through the gospels and you will discover this). Christ is one with the Father (Jn. 10:30) and invites us to be with them. The Lord is a strong tower and the righteous man finds refuge in Him. I realize that this post isn’t the most encouraging or uplifting post ever but tonight I chose to be real with those of you who read this. This is very serious and these kinds of things simply cannot be ignored because they make us uncomfortable to speak of. Being comfortable is something we as Americans easily become contented with. But it breaks my heart to know that this stuff is happening 10 minutes away from me this very moment and I am powerless to stop it. The Lord is their refuge. Everyone, please pray for these kids and their protection, not because I am asking you to, but because your heart cares for them. My heart breaks for Jason and those like him. Pray for him and others if yours does too. I doubt the Lord desires our half-hearted prayers. These are real people living real lives and just because we live thousands of miles or 10 minutes from them doesn’t make a shred of a difference. I dread the day I become contented in my comfort again, caught up in the hassles of life, and act as if this doesn’t happen to thousands (maybe more) every single night we lay down to sleep. Thanks be to God that we can take heart because our Savior, Jesus Christ, has already overcome the world (John 16:33)!

Thank you for your heartfelt prayers and love,

Josh Shep

“The Lord helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.”

Ps. 37:40

The Beautiful Game pt.2

Wow, it is pretty hard to believe that an entire week ago I was getting ready to leave for my first World Cup game in Port Elizabeth. Time just flies by here! In order to go to that game, my two friends, Ronnie, Justine, and I had to drive approximately 8-10 hours across what is called the “Garden Route.” This is a famous and scenic drive across the coast, mountains, and flats of South Africa. I don’t think I will ever forget portions of that drive. It was certainly the most beautiful road trip I’ve ever been apart of. But then again I usually just drive from MD to AL! The drive went very well and was surprisingly easy not only enduring the amount of time it took but to find where we were staying.... Well almost surprisingly easy to find where we were staying. Actually now that I’ve written that, I’m wrong, it wasn’t very easy at all! After dropping Ronnie off a hostile in Jeffery’s Bay (one of the more famous surfing places in the world) me and Justine had yet another adventure in a foreign and unknown city in a rental car! After driving through and out of P.E. for about 30 km or so we realized we had missed the entire city... Yes the city. We drove into, through, and out of it without realizing we were out of the city for 10 minutes. Thus began a long journey of calling the people we were staying with and stopping a local petrol stations which all eventually led to our safe arrival in P.E.

We were staying with the grandparents of some missionaries Justine knew from her past in the mission field. Very random but awesome at the same time. We got to stay in an absolutely beautiful apartment where they were living. It was a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment, so we slept in the living room. This is the view that we had from the window though! We could even see Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium from it! And we got to stay with this lovely couple, who even made us breakfast in the mornings, all for free! On Saturday morning Justine and I got to explore some of the city. Thankfully we were staying within easy walking distance of the boardwalk. So we walked around for a couple hours and had an awesome lunch with a view of the ocean for around 9$. Good deal my friends.

And then it was game time. When we first arrived in Cape Town a bunch of us decided that we wanted to go to a World Cup game since we are here during the World Cup. Easy decision. We ended up getting Category 1 tickets at around the 60 yard line, only 18 rows up. I will never ever forget walking into that stadium for the first time. Truly unforgettable. The game was between Uruguay and South Korea and the atmosphere was like I was dreaming. 40,000 people who wanted to watch, talk about, and blast their vuvuzelas as much as I did! Still seems pretty surreal. I have tons of pictures and videos of the match but I can’t really upload those until I get home in August. Later that night we went to an “American Diner” where we watched the U.S. v Ghana game and I ordered two meals again. I eat much more than average person and my roommates constantly remind me of this fact! I’m going to be so fat when I am older...

The U.S. ended up losing to Ghana and I wanted to cry. Not really, but it was pretty disappointing. I guess I’ll cheer for Ghana now since they are the only African team left and it would be great to see this continent

rally around those guys. The next morning we all got up and headed back towards Cape Town, but we had to make one stop. This stop was so that a couple of my friends could jump off the worlds largest bungie. Pretty insane. I wish I could have done it, and I most certainly would have if it were cheaper! The jump is around 900(?) ft I believe. Just crazy stuff my friends. After my

friends jumped from the bridge on your right we continued our journey back home where I saw one of the most stunning things I have ever seen. I caught a glimpse of myself in the rear view mirror.

Actually I saw the moon rise out of the flats in the dark night. The moon was as yellow as the sun but obviously not as bright. It really did look like cheese, but so much more astounding. It is really indescribable and I can’t really say much more than that. I just kept looking and staring at it for as long as I could. Unforgettable. I didn’t even try to get a picture of it because it wouldn’t even begin to capture it.

The thing I most regret about this trip was not bringing a high quality camera. I have a little handheld thing but I wish I would have done everything I could (loan from the bank or something!) so I could capture these types of moments. They happen all the time here and I always have to miss them. The whole ride back, I wished I had this camera so I could show you how beautiful it was because it was truly a blessing from God for me to see it. And yes I just talked about how yellow the moon was for a couple paragraphs and how it was a blessing. Cheesy huh? (pardon the pun ;)

So on Tuesday morning I got a call. It was someone offering me a ticket to that night’s game in Cape Town. It was the game between Spain and Portugal! Two of the top teams in the world were playing that night and I got a fairly cheap ticket to go with some friends from church. I couldn’t turn it down, sorry Mom and Dad! We were dropped off in down town Cape Town and got to walk the Fan Mile all the way to the stadium. The Fan Mile is this exhilarating walk with thousands of soccer fans down a street with music blasting and parades. Just classic. After a fairly stressful wait in the security line we made it to the stadium. We walked in as the flags were coming out for the opening ceremony. The stands were already filled when we got there, and since we were sitting towards the top of the stadium I got to see how gorgeous the whole thing was. The atmosphere was even better than the Uruguay v S. Korea game

that I went to. The fans were insane and the vuvuzelas never stopped. I even got a chance to be a part of the massive wave that was going around the stadium. I am incredibly thankfully that I got to be there for that game with 62,000 other soccer fans. At half time we moved down to the first category hoping to sit in some empty seats, and we did. We ended up seated at around the top of the Spanish box where I was less than a hundred yards from Ronaldo. He stood there the whole time and occasionally walked. (See picture on right) I booed at him the whole time and loved watching every minute of that game. He proved to the world and himself, that night, that he is not the best player in the world.

So there you go. An unforgettable weekend and Tuesday night. Don’t worry I’m still doing mission work down here, just have the weekend and some nights to explore this incredible country. I love it here. I could live here. Mom and Dad, I am transferring to Cape Town University! -- Just kidding.

Tomorrow we are doing something called Samaritans Feet. Where the kids that regularly come to Holiday Club will receive the Gospel and a pair of brand new shoes. I will be washing their feet and handing them new shoes. I am truly blessed to be a part of this kind of thing. Please pray that God works tomorrow through me and through everyone participating. Thank you so much for your love and support! I’ll let you know how it goes!

God Bless,

Josh