This one is going to need a couple of tissues to read.  It is the true story as happened to Hanli’s Mom and Stepdad.  When there is too much darkness in our country, we sometimes fail to see the light that shines - here is your reminder for Christmas: 

Dear Jules and family; Avo family

“…and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

Last night Danelle phones me. She’s Zak’s niece.

“Erna, your ‘phone is going to ring tomorrow morning at a quarter to seven. I cannot tell you why. But make sure you’re awake and sitting next to the receiver”.

I set my alarm for 06:30. I’ve just had my morning coffee when the ‘phone rings.

“Good morning Erna. This is Jeremy Mansfield of 94.7 Highveld Stereo. I believe your partner, Zak, needs a very costly operation, and you’ve been doing some fund-raising. Tell me, how’s it been going?”

I know what this is about! It’s the RAW Christmas Wishlist program! They want to give us money! What to say? My innate greed fights with my conscience: just answer vaguely, don’t be too clear. See how much you can get. Why not? They want to give it away… don’t spoil the program. But honesty prevails, and I hear myself saying,

“Jeremy, you know, people have been wonderful! Within ten days of sending out the first email in which I asked friends and relations for help, the cost was covered. And even then, people have kept on giving. They’ve said they’re sure there’ll be hidden costs, and we’ll need more that we think.”

“Erna, that’s great, but I believe that some of the money comes from life savings?”

“Yes, my 90-year-old father-in-law’s savings. He did not want me to cash in my retirement annuity.”

“Well, Erna, I have someone here who does not want you to use those life-savings. Stephen Kloppers of MedTronics is on the line. Stephen then told me that his company, who distributes the device Zak needs, had decided to donate it - all of the ZAR 96 301,50 of it - plus the services of the expert technicians who do the adjusting!”

I tried very hard to concentrate on what he was saying, but I do not think I heard it all properly. I was dumbstruck, and shaking like a leaf. This was just TOO MUCH. Afterwards, when I started coming to my senses, I called Danell. She giggled gleefully. “Wonderful, isn’t it. Now listen. I sent in both your emails. The one asking for help and the one thanking people for their contributions. They already knew that you’ve collected sufficient funds. But Stephen Kloppers told me that that is why the company is willing to donate the device. If you did not have the funds to cover the costly back-up after the operation - rehabilitation, physio-therapy and so on - the device would be wasted on Zak. So relax!”

Hmmmm… yes…. I see. God knows what we need, better than we do ourselves. I do hope I remember that the next time I’m tempted to complain about anything.

My prayer for you this Christmas is that you, too, will know that “… my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

With love from my grateful heart!

Erna