Late in September, Isaac and Sheila Balie had dinner with us before their departure to Europe where he had opportunity to minister in three countries. On October 16, we traveled to Genadendal in order for Tony to minister there in Isaac's absence. We arrived on Friday afternoon to enjoy a little rest from our busy routine in the Cape. That evening, while I tidied the kitchen of the Balie's guest house and Tony went over his message, we were surprised by the arrival of guests since we thought no one knew we were there! The Gertses, long time friends of the Balies, came to make our acquaintance. We enjoyed several hours of fellowship over tea with this godly couple. The next day Iris stopped by to bring me flowers 
and on Sunday, Tony posed with John in his lovely garden 
when we stopped to greet them on our way out of the village.
The Saturday of our Genadendal Getaway, Tony and I started down this lovely path for a morning's hike.
We thought were traveling the right way. Even when we came to a shallow riverbed, we continued on because we could see that the path continued on the opposite bank. After a brief attempt to place large stepping-stones in the water, my gallant husband decided to make quicker progress on our way. In true knight-style, he got his own feet totally submerged sloshing through the current with me on his back! On the return, after we discovered we were NOT on the right trail at all, Tony spent more than a half an hour building a footpath of large stones, 
so that I (and others who may later pass that way) could pass over with dry feet. (If I write Tony's biography someday, could I call it: A BUILDER OF BRIDGES? :-) When we'd retraced our steps, we located the correct footpath, which was narrow, rocky and steep! But we were rewarded with beautiful views when we reached the summit. 
It was worth all the toil and trouble! So it is with our Christian journey. The glories of heaven are not to be compared with the light afflictions we endure here.
and on Sunday, Tony posed with John in his lovely garden when we stopped to greet them on our way out of the village.The Saturday of our Genadendal Getaway, Tony and I started down this lovely path for a morning's hike.
We thought were traveling the right way. Even when we came to a shallow riverbed, we continued on because we could see that the path continued on the opposite bank. After a brief attempt to place large stepping-stones in the water, my gallant husband decided to make quicker progress on our way. In true knight-style, he got his own feet totally submerged sloshing through the current with me on his back! On the return, after we discovered we were NOT on the right trail at all, Tony spent more than a half an hour building a footpath of large stones, so that I (and others who may later pass that way) could pass over with dry feet. (If I write Tony's biography someday, could I call it: A BUILDER OF BRIDGES? :-) When we'd retraced our steps, we located the correct footpath, which was narrow, rocky and steep! But we were rewarded with beautiful views when we reached the summit. It was worth all the toil and trouble! So it is with our Christian journey. The glories of heaven are not to be compared with the light afflictions we endure here.On Sunday, the 18th, I took this photo from the doorway of the meeting hall, 
during the singing before Tony's message on labouring for God's approval from Matthew 25. Unfortunately, the photo doesn't show the faithful group men who make up about half of the assembly, because the men sit at the front and along the right wall of the meeting hall. During Tony's message, I had the privilege of sharing a Bible lesson with these 20 children. 
Jason and Cedric preached in Eindhoven and in Northpine the Sunday we were in Genadendal.
during the singing before Tony's message on labouring for God's approval from Matthew 25. Unfortunately, the photo doesn't show the faithful group men who make up about half of the assembly, because the men sit at the front and along the right wall of the meeting hall. During Tony's message, I had the privilege of sharing a Bible lesson with these 20 children. Jason and Cedric preached in Eindhoven and in Northpine the Sunday we were in Genadendal. 
1 comment:
Dearest friends... even though I do not know you, I sense that in a way I do know you. This blog and particularly, this post, attracted my attention largely because I spent a substantial part of my life in Genadendal and Isaac Balie was my teacher up till my graduation from high school and his ministry in my life played a pivotal role in grounding my faith in those early years. Living in Washington DC, I return for a brief visit for work in Johannesburg at the end of November and Cape Town for the first week in December. It's been 30 years exactly since I graduated from Emil Weder High School and a couple of us are making a trip to Genadendal over the weekend of 4-5 December. Thanks for your ministry.
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