Ramona, Ek wil net een ding se. Ek wens my Afrikaans was net so goed as jou engels.
In fact I wish my English was as good as yours.
I felt extremely heartsore for your whole family as I read of what must have been a terrible ordeal at the time. Not easy to understand and certainly not easy to get over.
I know that the Lord will always draw close to all of you. Please accept the little support I can give and Yes! I also believe that such incidents will not change the Grace and Mercy of God our Father towards his children.

Briefly. As a young man of 18 I went into the Fire Department in East London, while there I became a Christian in 1958. After a couple of years I received a Calling and went to Theological College. From there I took up a Post as Superintendent of a Rehabilation Centre for Alcoholics, the name of the Centre was called Northlea and had 30 to 50 Inmates at any one time. It was completely self contained in that the men stayed there for approx 6 months. It had it's own hospital, Doctors, Social workers, counsellors and Nurses.
Not wanting to be too long winded and also not to use too many of "I" and "I" - I finally landed up as a Manager for an American Bank in S. Africa called CitBank. I headed up their communications section and found myself travelling all over the world every three or four months.
Because they are so large, they have branches in almost every country and all those who were responsible for the communications had to continually meet at conferences to make sure we were all doing the same thing. Earlier in life I had no enterest in travelling overseas. I was always scared that it would cost me a fortune to go and when I arrived there I would say: "Ag nee man, die plek lyk net soos Vereeniging."
Anyway at no cost to myself and staying at First class hotels wherever I went, it was quite an experience.
I retired in 1996 and we went Caravanning around the country from JHB where our home was. Eventually we moved to Port Edward. (Bad mistake) and here we are.
We have three sons and their wives plus 2 grandsons and 4 grand daughters. All dedicated Christians.
The Lord has truly blessed us all.

Ah! Almost forgot the Church, we are at the Baptist Church here in P.Edward, but quite comfortable amongst any evangelical denomination.
Gene used to be a trained nurse, is of Jewish extraction and I must add that when a Jewish person
finds that Jesus is Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, they really go overboard and put us all to shame in their devotion and love for Him.

Did you know Ramona (Just a point of enterest while on the subject) that they have discovered through DNA testing that the Jew has one part of their DNA that only people of Jewish extraction have. But here comes the surprise. Through a voluntary test made on the DNA of a large group of people and also looking at records that they have. They have found that there are at least 22 million people who do not know that they have the same DNA line as Jews. If they were to apply for citzenship in Israel as Jews, and presented their DNA test, they would not be rejected. So much for the lost tribes of Israel.

OK my love to you and Cornelius plus your loving family.
Ron and Gene

You know there is no place on this Earth that I have prayed for more than South Africa for the last 25 years. I felt the Lord speaking to me about a great revival that was going to come to Africa in a morning prayer group that I was in at the time. God is already starting that revival and I will leave you a video about it that is only obout 5 min. long.
Thank You Father God for the hunger you have placed within my sisters heart for revival to touch her land. Father hear her cry and let her see a mighty out pouring of the Holy Spirit come to her town, her city, her country, her land in the name of Jesus. Bless you dear sister for now.
Bob

My Dear Sister,

Kindly allow me to thank you for all you do for us jointly here at AAG. Your writings always bless my soul to the uttermost for there is always the push of the Spirit behind each. Please don't be disappointed if I cannot reply all because internet access and time are at times the problem.

I am happy to see you are already friends with my friend Bob Bushman. He infected me with the bug to love and hold dear South Africa! Like him, I am convinced that the greatest revival that will engulf the whole of Africa will eventually come from that land of GOLD...it is a land of God!

I will endeavour to create time to know you more. Hope you wont mind for I admire the spiritual plane you are in. Please, assist me in praying for the demolition of religious barriers in muslim-engulfed Indonesia! This is the cry of my heart.

Thanks once again for all you do here and may He add graciously from wherever you take. With Christ's love-Pst. Bernhard C.

My liefste Vriendin
Baie dankie vir jou briefie. Moenie my "u" nie - ek is jou jy en jou jou..(smile) Ek stuur vir jou 'n spesiale gediggie - dit het my opgelig en lekker laat voel...

Lief vir jou en mooi bly - geniet jou vakansie - dit is van korte duur. (Dog jy is nog by jour vriendin).

Baie liefde en soentjies in Jesus
Ramona P.

Chasing
I think that as a child, God was chasing me,
Wanting me to know him and have life eternally,
He let me meet some people, who loved his life within,
But I didn't allow him to touch my heart, I didn't let him in.

As I grew up, my life went from good to bad,
Then when I turned 20, it's the worst time I had.
The Lord's enemies took the joy of life from me.
So I went looking for my Lord, but found myself deceived.

New Age and Psychics were thrown in my path,
Little did I know that it stirred up God's wrath.
So there I was, lost, lonely and confused.
Talking to God's enemy, not knowing what to do.
I thought it was God but little did I know,
That nothing satan does allows good fruit to grow.

When I finally realised that I was not on God's track.
I submitted myself in humbleness and asked for my life back.
I pleaded for forgiveness and when it was granted.
Things started to improve, my real life had started.

He loves me you see, so He came to my aid.
He picked me up and brushed me off
And walked with me that day.
And ever since then, I've changed from within.
He's let me be the person I was to begin.

He's revealed in me the truth of how life should be lived.
He's opened my eyes anew, not living as I did.
He let me touch his heart, and I let him touch mine,
I look for him as silver, a precious thing to find.

My new life has just started and I know I'll win this race,
Because with Jesus at my side, all things I can face.
So if you're feeling lonely, lost or confused,
You have a friend called Jesus, He will always see us through.

Copyright? Kylie Welch

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My sussie dankie vir die spesiale boodskap inderdaar net vir my bedoel. Aangesien ek self lief is vir borduur,sal ek nooit weer aan 'n lappie werk sonder om aan die te dink nie, wat 'n mooi gedeelte.
Baie geluk met Mari se verjaarsdag,ag kinders is sulke wonderlike geskenke uit die Here se hand!. Ons bid dat Pappa Jesus Jessica se vinger gaan herstel sodat sy haar beste sal kan lewer, Hy is die Geneesheer.
O maatjie van die werk sê ek niks....... 'n enorme gebedsaak!!
Dankie vir jou as vriendin in my lewe inderdaad 'n ligstraaltjie op die pad!!! Jesus het jou lieflik saamgeweef sodat ons kan vreugde put uit jou liefde!!
Mooi dag my vriendin. Lief jou!!

Sister Jacobsz,

You are an admirable woman...if for nothing else, but for your consistency and warmth in serving Christ!

My wife Mary is fast becoming an ardent admirer of you...or rather "of Christ at VISIBLE WORK in your life." You see, I always print out most of the touching mails brethren share with us here at AAG and take them home to share with my wife who has not the privilege of being availed a pc...and she just drinks and drinks from the little you share so liberally.

I was surprised today that just before I left the house, she called me out and reminded me, " Please don't forget to bring me something more from Sister J". I half-heartedly told her I will for I couldn't know for sure whether there 'would be something more'...but praise God, when I opened my page there was not one...but two:'So You Want To Be A Success?' and 'STEVIE'. I am happy for I won't dissappoint Mary when I go back. Doesn't that speak volumes about service in simplicity? May God bless you my sister.

I know that true Christianity cannot be limited to geographical boundaries. But sometimes I just wonder because many are the times when people from a certain geographical location display similar traits (even in spiritual matters, hey!) that can only leave us wondering. I say this because for long time now I have witnessed relatively above-board spiritual maturity in our colleagues down in South Africa. I totally agree with my Bro. Bob Bushman that true revival in Africa will emanate from down South! Don't I have spiritual giants there already?...my darling mom Nienie, my sister Tessa, my brother Ron Payne, my struggling sweet sister African Angel...and now you, my dear and beloved of my wife!

God bless South Africa! I am not trying to impress...am just being modest...may God be glorified!!

Please know that the little you do for all of us are appreciated...and that peoples' lives are blessed even beyond the Net immediate family. Will you please see with me what Christ can do? I love Christ Ramona!!! He is indeed in all, through all and ABOVE ALL...

More power to you dear-Pst. Bernhard C.

I can't wait to see these who are the least here like Stevie will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
That is also a good reason to bless them.
My friend you are a special addition to this site, I have known you for such a short time, but you have touched my heart so much. Thanks for being here and sharing your relationship with the Lord with us all. In the love of Christ.
Bob

Here have a Jesus hug!!!!

Hallo my sussie,
skiesie ek moes nog gister jou verduidelik hoe werk die leestekens... jy moet kyk dat jou num locks aan is en dan druk jy alt en kode bv 136 om die leesteken te kry, (dis nou op 'n gewone pc hoor,ek glo 'n laptop sn werk anders, ek sukkel nog met dit... wys maar net weer, nooit te oud om te leer nie!!)
Hoop jou daggie was vol vreugde!! Ek het my hand styf on my Pappa sn en is honger vir 'miracles' uit Sy hand!!!!
Hoe het dit gegaan met die kleingoed se kompetisies in PE? Laat weet hoor!
Ek gaan vroeg af vanaand want my oudste meisiekind is terug van sendingwerk in Swaziland, syt vanaand saam haar sussie (en bietjie hulp vd boetie) heerlik vir ons kos gemaak, tafel gedek en het saam met die groot liefde gery om dvd te gaan uitneem dat mamma kan saam ontspan.... Ag my sussie ek is so gebless met my kinders, die Here het my omtrent bederf!!! Ek is Hom elke dag dankbaar!
Lekker aandjie my liewe vriendin
Vrede, vreugde en seën
Liefdetjies

My liewe dierbare sussie
Sêvir Jes hierdie tannie al ken sy haar nie sê baie geluk! Is trots op haar!! SA kampioen!!wel dit wil gedoen word ne!
O my sussie ek geniet haar maar die tyd is net te min!! Het die ete gisteraand vreeslik geniet, syt har mamma verras, ekt gedink sy kan nie 'n eier kook nie en daar kook sy 'n hele ete (miskien is eiers kook dalk te ordinêr)(lol)
Ja kinders so onder druk te plaas vir kompetisies en wen is nie vir my gesond nie,maar lyk my dis al of dit van almal verwag word!
Het jy 'n gewone rekenaar vriendin? maak seker jou numlocks is aan. druk dan alt (hou hom in) en 136 dit gee die kappie op die e. hoop jy kom nou reg! maar dit is nie so noodsaaklik ek verstaan!
DAnkie vir gebede my sussie, veral nou... Ek wag vir Pappa se MIRACLES, soos een liedjie sê, I am awaiting a mighty move of GOD!!!
Lief jou baie my vriendin!!
Jesus liefde
Nienie

I get unhappy when the system does this to me. I posted a reply to you about Hanover, but it never informed me if it had been sent. It just seemed to be locked up. Also it is not the first time. I never know whether I should re-write again.
Ramona can you let me know if you received my reply on the Hanover story. Soentjies - Ron

AAh! Ramona, what's that rhyme about "Sticks and Stones?" It does not bother me at all, yet I must add that I have had to settle some, in the backyard who continued to use the name in a very malicious manner even after I had asked them to stop.

Regarding the replies I sent to you, not being delivered. I find this very frustrating when it happens.
The time spent on writing a reply does not worry me, but sometimes a cry for help has come and I have been personally asked to help. When the message delivery is questionable, then I sit there totally frustrated and in fear that if the message has not been delivered and the person will think that I just don't care. It also creates another problem. Do I rewrite the mail that might have taken an hour agonizing over the use of the right words, will I remember the exact phraseology? etc. So I sit back frustrated and make stupid promises about "The next time that happens."
I'm truly sorry that you did not receive my replies especially about C.S Lewis for which I thank you.
His history you sent us was well presentd and must have taken up a lot of your time. I wanted you to know how much I appreciated the insight to his life, which I never knew and found it extremely enteresting Baie Dankie. Jou Broer in Christus - Ron

Hi Sister Ramona.
Read your comment on my brother Brateng's page about your prayer for my health. You said it with so much faith in Christ so here now I would like to let you know that I AM HEALED ALREADY SISTER from 180/100 to 120/90 just over one night only. IT IS A MIRACLE FROM MY JESUS!!! HALELUJAH!!! HE answered your faith prayers sister. Thank you so much and know that I LOVE YOU SISTER. JUST BE BLESSES ALWAYS.

With love in Christ: Christy Gabriel B

Beloved Ramona,

Thanks for your all-abiding love. Your messages always bless my soul and that of my family. As a matter of fact, we have openned a folder named "RAMONA" in our house where we save all those uplifting messages you share with us.

If you can care to ask my mom Nienie, there are no hugs I cherish more than hugs from sweet down South Africa! I welcome yours and loss myself in them for they are the out-stretched arms of Christ.

I salute you sister for the consistent work you do for the Lord here...and to all of us. God bless you to the hilt dear. Love you-Pst. Bernhard C. Delete Comment

Thank you for your kind comments, Ramona. We are glad you are here and sharing your faith in our Lord Jesus!

You are truly a sower of encouragement!
Bob

Hello Romana. I wanted to say hi. I will see you around the services. You are a sweetheart. God Bless you in the highest. You are blessed.

I hope this this blessed Psalm 23 touches your heart in a fresh new way as your watch this video.
In the love of Jesus.
Bob
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Hello Dear,

Thanks for all! This is all I can say honestly, for I deserve not the slightest goodness, yet you have been blessing my life daily...at no cost! You rank alongside wonderful women like Nienie and Actual Maureen. You are a blessing to this generation.

My sermons shall be lively and life-changing, thanks to Christ...and your lively teachings too. We learn from friends most of the time...and pass whatever we receive to others, as long as we are honest enough to acknowledge the source. You are an enviable grannery of Jehovah's goodies. Indeed a granny with valuable expreriences and pearls of the living word.Have a lovely weekend and service too...and best love to your people...and great grandchild! Kenyan-African hugs you get in return my friend-pst. Bernhard C.

hello
I know that you still enjoy the love of God . You have a dream eveyday to be with him .
i realy feel happy about you duies with Him.
God bless you and eveyone
regards

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Romona, I really like that name. I posted this video. It is from a band called Petra from the 80's. They have some new material. Antway please when you get sad or feel alone that thier is nothing more I'd like to do then to be with and endure with Jesus. I'd also love to spend time with all my Brothers and sisters in Christ.

I Luv you Romona P. always and always. You really made my morning today. But now it is time for sleep.
I wish above all else that God may bless you overly and abundantly far above all that you can ask of Him.

hello
it is something great that somebody from miles .... miles .... miles.... miles .... away, to hear , to say hello..it is the our God who pours power upon us to have this wounderful oppertunity
God bless us
regards

hey missed you

Thank you, Ramona. God bless you as you serve as the hands and feet of Jesus in South Africa!

It would seem the stuff of faith is facing the fire, and like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we say, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18 NIV)
I have found this resolve in my own life as I am facing a serious physical problem in my life. I know God can deliver me, but if He doesn't I will not bow to the god of dispair and hopelessness.
Bless you Ramona for all you do every day to encourage us.
In the love ove Jesus.
Bob

Hello Dear,

What would we really do without your love and direction Ramona? My week-end was awesome as you suppose...and Christ's messages through my lowly hands both powerful and earth-shaking! Will it surprise you that my wife mentioned your name severally over the service ( I counted ten references to your name...and yet I lost some)? She did...because she was recounting all that we have been drinking through you, halellujah!

A friend of mine (Indiegirl) just pointed out to me that in my writings I use a lot of exclamation marks. This surprised me...for i didn't know I do this.I don't really know how to take this...as a compliment or (how my nice sister Actual Maureen would put it)...as an attitude check. All I know is that I only wish that all those exclamations could be turned into clubs to demolish the walls built craftily by satan to check the advance of God's children. Then, we could be talking of VICTORY!!!

You say you have been thinking of me? I am greatly humbled and I believe you for I see it in your words and deeds. On my part, I live meditating on Christ's words and your teachings. Can I confess something Ramona? The first time you called your Mari 'a church mouse' I did not fully comprehend what you were alluding to. Now I know and I thank God for both her saintly life and Pastor Roedolf's ministry. They are truly God's Achievers...the same way you are. One day I will tell you why I think I might have just been cut from the same cloth with your son-in-law Roedolf. Care to hear the tale? Please let me know. That story is a master-piece...the one you gave us titled God's Achievers. Mary will delight when I reach home today for she will wait as usual for the goodies from Sister Ramona...and Christ!

Thanks for painting my world...and sermons brilliant. God bless you always. Please don't forget to let me know whether I can relate to you the comparison. I just want to hear whether I can qualify to be placed alongside proven God's achievers. We all have our illusions, you know.

Though our South africa is now cold and wintry as you say, I delight in your warm, Christ-like hugs. I hug you back my dear, and rub off some warmth to share with Mary!-Pst. Bernhard C.

Hello Romona, Im sending a warm song by Amy Grant. Love ya dearly with a big warm hug too.

2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses,...with distresses,...with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Sadhu Sundar Singh, a Hindu convert to Christianity, became a missionary to his people in India. Late one afternoon, Sadhu was traveling on foot through the Himalayas with a Buddhist monk. It was bitterly cold and the wind felt like sharp blades slicing into their skins. Night was fast approaching when the monk warned Sadhu that they were in danger of freezing to death if they did not reach the monastery before darkness fell.

Suddenly, on a narrow path above a steep precipice, they heard a cry for help. At the foot of the cliff lay a man, fallen and badly hurt. The monk looked at Sadhu and said, "Do not stop. God has brought this man to his fate. He must work it out for himself. Let us hurry on before we, too, perish."

But Sadhu replied, "God has sent me here to help my brother. I cannot abandon him."

The monk continued trudging off through the whirling snow, while the missionary clambered down the steep embankment. The injured man's leg was broken and he could not walk, so Sadhu made a sling of his blanket and tied the man on his back. With great difficulty he climbed back up the cliff, drenched by now in perspiration.

Doggedly, Sadhu made his way through the deepening snow and darkness, barely discerning the path and exerting himself to the edge of fainting many times. But he persevered, the task seeming to give him strength somehow, beyond a merely physical adrenaline rush. Finally, he saw ahead the lights of the monastery.

Then, for the first time, Sadhu stumbled and nearly fell. But not from weakness. He had stumbled over an object lying in the snow-covered road. Slowly he bent down on one knee and brushed the snow off the object. It was the body of the monk, frozen to death.

Years later a disciple of Sadhu's asked him, "What is life's most difficult task?"

Without hesitation Sadhu replied: "To have no burden to carry."

...Luke 14:27...

"WHOEVER DOES NOT CARRY HIS OWN CROSS AND COME AFTER ME CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE."

Hello Romona, thanks for the word of encouragement,I need it too. This below is a post from my friend Matthew. Most of my blogs are written by my him but I dont think this one is he just sent it to me a while ago. I hope this helps. Thier are more on my page that are good to read

Thanks for praying for my mother, Ramona! She is doing well after her surgery, although she is frusterated by the recovery. Please keep praying that she will have a good attitude and stay positive while she heals!

In His Love,
Maureen

Dearest Ramona,

There are a few times in life when I am lost for words...and fewer events and personalities who give me reason to lack words...especially 'adjectives', you know...descriptive words. You are such a personality and I thank, and thank, and thank...and thaaaaaank my God continually for you because of simply one fact: you personify Christ whom I love beyond measure...and nobody can gag my mouth about that...nobody!

I have met many people of God from whom I have learnt pearls of wisdom from the High seat of God. Everyone has his/her style of presenting Christ, for we are all HIGH commisioners in the strictest sense of the word. Few of them have learnt about the necessity of simplicity in preaching Christ...an art that you perfect without lessening the incisive cuts of the double-edged sword (the word!) itself. It is astounding and nothing less than a gift (and fruit!) of the Holy Spirit Himself I see in you increasingly, each day. Every word you write...every episode you relate even...all have the push of the spirit behind them. They are simply sermons (and episodes)seeped in deep prayer before presentation. Because Christ is the Wonderful Counsellor the Bible attests to, He has wonderfully counselled you my precious friend.

I know there are people who have accused me of 'over-praising' people. If only they knew how wrong and hollow that sounds! I uplift men and women of God simply because I know that Christ lives-and functions-in them, period. Show me a man who is not ready and willing to lay credit where it is due...and I will show you a hypocrite and a person whose heart is at parallels with Christ's. The same way I can never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ is the same way I can never forsake to thank you in Christ's name for whatever positive ingredient you have impacted in my life and ministry. If I dilly-dally in uplifting my friends...in the same vein I drag my foot when it comes to shining Christ's light. I your goodness work for me...and I wish everyone could draw closer to Christ and your likes everywhere, so that together we horn our spiritual armory ready for to par the enemy's fiery darts.

As I was stepping out of my gate today (on my way to work) I asked Mary "Should I pass Sister Ramona your love?". Know what she told me? "I was just about to call that after you!" Your name lives in our lips...because of Christ who made us know each other, see?

I know for sure that I am not fit to be compared to David-and-the-five-stones-and-a-sling before a giant dearest, but all I know that we all can be...(we are infact) if we are humble and (with the patience) sit at the feet of tried-and-tested forerunners like you sweet Ramona. God bless you through and through.

I leave a basketful of warm hugs received from my wife Mary, my kids (and how happy I am...your grandchildren now), our church members and my treasured friends and confidants here at AAG. No winter in South Africa can smother that many warmth ma'am, can it? Thanks for praying for Christy too. You are a darling!-Pst. Bernhard C.

Ramona we all need a good laugh some times. My brother-inlaw sent this to me and it cracked me up.
Enjoy
bob

Hello Ramona,just thought I would drop by and see if you would mind me asking you to be my friend.I recieved a text from Brateng the other day and he mentioned what a special person you are.After having a bit of a browse at your site I can see where he was coming from, I can see you are really in touch with the ''Big Fella''.Anyway it has been nice to write to you,and it would be even nicer to hear back ,Gods speed for now Andrew.

Ramona I have been acused of having the gift of hugs. I have people come to me every Sunday for a hug. My dad never was saved until he was 62 and never had love and I remember hugging him and it was like hugging a tree, but I kept it up and also told him I loved him. I remember hearing him say I love you too and it was a great day. Now he is with the Lord. I hug my grown sons and kiss them and always tell them I love them to this day.
Bless you and may God send hugs your way this day and may the Holy Spirit hug you also,
Bob

hello
nice to hear
have you been to INDIA
here in our place it is raining
things are going nice here
regards
prayer in jesus

Dear Godparent,

Thanks for praying for Christy Gabriel...and for doing a little more (a hug and a kiss each!) for your brood under my care as you have listed, myself included...

I always feel lonely when the week-end sets in because it means two whole days away from lovely people like you! The only thing that makes it bearable is the spiritual food you stoke-pile on us all week long that we are happy to share with the body of Christ at our humble places of prayer. my Mary already 'placed a bookmark' on your tale about the bamboo plant and the fern. aren't you just a sweet pace-setter? Can there be a worthier ministry my dear? I think not...and I am happy we have you.

Yes dear, nobody should be LOST. We have no excuse...and we must work extra hard knowing that the blood of the lost will be demanded from our hands...if we were careless stewards that is, which you are not...and you spur me on...to do even more...always!

Only today, good old Bob Bushman sent me a video titled "Thank You". I don't know whether he posted it for you...but I am certain that you ought to watch it too. Please visit my page if you can for it...I will remember to "plead with him" to send it to you.

I am happy because though with pain, Ron Payne is back. Let's just continue lifting him up in prayer.

Will miss you a lot. Have all the best that God can grant a faithful, selfless servant.

With all my love-Pst. Bernhard C.

My precious friend
I have not been to India but I have many good Indian (Christian) and also non-Christian friends whom I love very dearly. In our church we have quite a few converted Hindu's and they too are so precious.

Enjoy the rain and God bless you and your loved ones
Ramona P.