Two Birthdays and Good Friday

"The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places . . . Psalm 16:6"

What a joy to be a part of our "son" Jason's 21st birthday celebration on 27 March. His parents made it a very special occasion. Tony brought a message from Joshua 1 on how Moses is remembered as the servant of the Lord. He challenged Jason to live for the commendation that he was a servant of the Lord and to seek to hear the Lord's "well done."

On Monday, March 29 I almost ruined the surprise party that Tony planned for my birthday! I was watering the lawn while Tony made a visit with Jason in Delft. Tony was to make it home in by 7:30 to meet with Bradley and Oriel for the mentoring classes at our home. I never noticed cars that were arriving on our street and parking away from the house. Meanwhile in these cars, friends were saying, "WHAT IS SHE DOING OUTSIDE??" Bradley and Oriel arrived as Tony returned from Delft. After he parked in the garage (with a vehicle loaded with people, I asked him to make some popcorn since we'd not yet had any dinner. When I came inside after putting away the garden hose, Bradley and Oriel were in the kitchen with Tony. After the popcorn was popped, Tony and Bradley went into the study where they usually meet and Tony said he would come get their popcorn in a bit. He first wanted to let Bradley discuss something. In a few minutes, Tony returned to the kitchen and told me that Bradley needed to talk over some matter with me. As I was racking my brain to think of what Bradley would want to discuss with me, I opened the study door and was SHOCKED to see the room overflowing with friends from 3 churches! Within moments the table was loaded with refreshments that everyone brought. This beautiful cake was made my Theresa. (Sorry that you must lean your head to the right to read the cake's message!)

Later in the evening, we all gathered in the lounge and enjoyed Petra singing and playing her violin. Then three of my "daughters" (below, Oriel in pink, Caren with Jeep top and Lydia holding Micah) gave very special words to me. One can almost "hear" Oriel laughing (below)as she tells about how I was asking her when Bradley and Tony went to the study, if she knew what Bradley needed to discuss with Tony! I am very blessed to have so many who expressed so much love to me!The one who continues to show me year after year the love of Christ is my dear husband! On April 1, he took me for a lovely al fresco lunch at the historic Lanzerac estate in Stellenbosch. We remembered the Lord's death and celebrated communion on Good Friday at Eindhoven Baptiste Kerk. It was our joy to have a joint service with the folk from Northpine since their pastor was away.
Other visitors from Delft were Celeste, Monique, Norlene and Megan. After the service we enjoyed juice and "resurrection cupcakes."

After the service, we had brunch with the Pillays. Here I got to enjoy another sweet hug from Azura! As always, the fellowship was sweet and the time too short!

Good Friday came to a PERFECT close by spending the evening in the lovely home of our dear "children in the faith," Kevin and Lydia! Lydia planned and prepared a special dinner of the traditional pickled fish for my "extended" birthday week!!! It was the greatest joy of the week to have those special hours of fellowship together with these faithful servants of the Lord at Immanuel Baptiste Kerk.