I left CCFm around 9-30am this morning and popped by a shop to by a couple of loaves of bread for my step mom. I also bought some chips and chocolate!
I got to the airport at 10-37am and got in a LONG queue for my 11-40 flight. By 11-40 we were still waiting to get on the bus to board. Eventually we left 25 minutes late but made up time in the air. One good thing was that I was able to book my luggage right through to Harare, freeing me up in Johannesburg to meet my sister Anne for coffee. With all the airport chaos I didn't have too much time to dwell on the reason for my flight.
We took off in a southerly direction & although I had an aisle seat I was able to catch sight of Ou Kaapse Weg and Marina da Gama. Also saw the whole of the Cape Point Peninsula in the distance. What a sight!
While on the flight I also set out to write what I was going to say at my dad's funeral.
When I think of my Dad, so many memories flood my mind. He once took us on holiday to Durban & he took me overseas. He paid for me to emigrate to South Africa and he encouraged me in all my nursing endeavors. He walked me down the aisle and Miriam - my step mom - played at the wedding! Wonderful memories. Throughout my teen years my dad gave me free gifts. The first was that he loved me unconditionally. I always knew that no matter what I did, he loved me. The second gift was respect. And the third gift was trust. He allowed me to do things that he wasn't sure I should be doing because he trusted me and I always appreciated that. And when I came to look for a husband, those were the traits I looked for and found in my husband Mike.
There is an even greater legacy that he left all his family and that is his prayers. He has prayed for all of us from as far back as I can remember. One significant memory I have of him concerns his prayers for me and a Bible. When I was 14 years old, my Dad asked a local minister to invite me to a youth group. I didn't want to go, but was eventually persuaded. On going to the youth group I enjoyed it, so I kept going. One night we were divided into small groups and the leader of my group was told to ask each of us a specific question. He started asking the other children first. I was so pleased because I got to hear what the question was and I could plan my answer! So eventually he got to me and he said 'Helga, what about you? Are you ready to die?' I was 14 years old and being asked if I was ready to die! What was I supposed to say? Of course I wasn't ready to die. So I said yes! I knew I had lied and I didn't feel good about it! I had learn t that God loved the world (including me) so much that He sent His only Son (Jesus) that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). The Bible says that to all who received Jesus, to those who believe in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God, children born not of human decision or a husband's will but born of God (John 1:12-13). I knew that in order to be ready to die, I needed to receive Jesus. So a few days later on 17th July 1979, I received Jesus and became a Child of God. That single decision has impacted my entire life as I have had Jesus directing my path.
About a week later I was looking in the drawer of my Dad's desk when I found a Brand New Bible, still in the wrapping. I took it to my Dad and I asked him about it. He said he had bought it to give it to the first of his children who received Jesus and he said 'I think that's you!' So I got the Bible. For years my Dad prayed that all of us would receive Jesus. And I'm sure that it would be his prayer for you today as well. My dad may not be with us on this earth but he was ready to die and one day when I die we will be reunited and what a great day that will be. I thank the Lord for the life of my Dad - he will never be forgotten and his legacy of prayer will live on. As I was typing this I shed a few tears which was good.
When I arrived in Joburg, my sister Anne was there to meet me and we had an hour long chat. She gave me her piece for the eulogy and we reminisced about my Dad and shed a few tears. I said goodbye to her and headed for the international departure lounge. The leg to Zimbabwe was most interesting. The plane was TINY. 13 rows of 3 seats each - it could seat only 39 people. There were about 27 passengers on board. It's SA airlink and has only 5 steps going into the plane and they fold up into the plane! I had a seat over the wing. The wheels felt very near by. We rose through the clouds and soon were in bright sunshine with acres and acres of thick cloud beneath us. With a stiff tailwind we arrive in Harare 25 minutes early. I cleared customs with no problems, collected my luggage and was through, 45 minutes before my family were due to collect me! I really didn't want to wait. There was a nice lady at the cell phone shop. She allowed me to use her phone and I phoned my stepmom and in no time I was arriving at their home to no electricity and no water! I arrived at about 6pm. I was really tired, having been up since 4-45am.
My stepmom Miriam is doing well and trusting the Lord. It is a great comfort for her to know that my Dad is with the Lord. In candlelight we discussed the arrangements for tomorrow's funeral. It will be at 2pm, Tuesday 19th August. Initially it was planned that we would have the graveside service immediately afterwards, but there is a problem with the grave diggers! So now we are having the service on Tuesday and the burial on Wednesday. Not ideal, but this is Zimbabwe. You take what you can get!
We unpack the 25kg of food I've bought and Miriam is excited! After chatting a bit longer, suddenly the fridge springs to life & the electricity comes on. Wow! We make coffee and I quickly get this blog typed up before we are again cast into darkness.
Things here are ridiculously expensive - small packet of corncurls, the equivalent of R15. Jelly powder = R45!! Tiny packet of lemon creams = R19. Prices are crazy.
With that I'm saying goodbye. I'm off to have my 'shower' with the jug and bucket system!
God bless you and if I can write again, I most certainly will.
