Beautiful beautiful autumn

Two months down the line and I write again a few words.

Today 5 years ago I reached the pyramids of Giza for the first time. It was one of the biggest moments ever for me.

It is a huge battle to write. Two weeks ago I had an operation on my brain. Prior to that a friend had to complete all the forms on my behalf. I was so shaky that my handwriting looked like that of a grade 1 learner.

The doctor decided to stop the chemo and return to radiation first. That should start within the next three weeks. I would be lying should I say that I look forward to the chemo experience again. That was by far one of the worst experiences of my life.

So, I am shaky, bump into many things, have a memory like a sieve, BUT:  Have a look at the following photographs and read the following stories. What a wonderful world we live in!

We have a cancer support group here in Naboomspruit. Those ladies are angels. Here is their vehicle in front of the Magrietjie office in Naboomspruit.

Two of the ladies in the office. They are volunteers who don`t get paid. I plan to do a fundraising effort for these ladies after the chemo treatment has ended. It is going to be a “WE” project and not an “I” project. I am going to need your help.

My two German colleagues Petra (left) and Nicole  (right) flew out to South Africa for a few days to come and visit. In the middle is Alta, one of our South African colleagues. Suzanne, our other colleague, was in Gauteng at that moment. Loyal up to the end.

Andrea, who urged me to go and see a doctor last year, has shaven off her hair on the day I had the brain operation two weeks ago. She followed in the tracks of Willie, Suzanne, Marius Venter and all his wonderful people at SABest who also shaved off their hair earlier the year.

By the way, Marius and a friend of him went on a very adventurous bike ride through the Kalahari and Namib deserts in March in support of cancer patients. Read on SABest`s website about this marvelous team of people.

A German friend Anja Lubbe visited South Africa in February with another German friend Anne Rebstock. I got this beautiful cake for my birthday.

Two biker friends from the bush war era came to visit. Thanks Marinus and Pieter!

Riaan van Rooyen from Johannesburg left on his ride around Africa on March 9. His ride should take about 9 months. His first stop was in Naboomspruit. Riaan, go well! We wait for news from your side.

A couple of bikers, 30 plus in total, stopped in Naboom a few weeks ago. They were on a ride to hand out Bibles to communities without access to even Bibles. Their ride took about 8 days. What a privilege to have met these ladies and gents.

A few friends joined the ride. Ewald (Bileam se donkie) not excisting anymore (that is the donkey), and Marietjie and Philip of  Naboomspruit.

I had so many surprises and good experiences the last few week. Thank you so much to:

My three sisters who keep on showering me with their love and support.

Cathy and Willie with all the food they brought over.

Marius and Marianne Venter who put in so much effort so that their good friend and singer Helena Hettema came and sang Rooiwynliefde to me. Now I know what kind of music to expect in heaven one day.

Estelle and Tanja for driving me around.

Kuni Ditira for “Life is Like Music”.

To everyone that I know and who knows and loves me. I gather my strength from you and our heavenly Father.

Time to stop. Today I miss the scent of the tundra and taiga of Finland of last year. I miss the huge expanses of green with uncountable blue lakes in between. I miss the friendly people who invited me for pancakes and coffee so often. I have to go back one more time, if God will. I have to see the aurora lights.  If God will.