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quick exit . nto the next world, this world was

forgotten. The salt had become tasteless. Is

it

any wonder that when you have a blocked view

of

the future, goal-setting and strategic planning

for victory go out the window. Ted Baehr with his

Legion

of

Decency

is

attempting to get back into

Hollywood, and he is beginning to have some

success. Why don't you write and encourage him

and find out how you can help? He publishes the

newsletter Movieguide and can be reached at Good

News Communications. 2876 Mabry Road N.E.,

Atlanta, Georgia 30319., (404)

2 3 7 0 3 ~ 6 .

ersonal iary

from

South frica

Friday, March

2

1990:

One week ago today

we

left Atlanta for South Africa-what a

full week it has been. Compared

to

so many days in my past

which I have squandered in self-interest, this week, spent with

so many who are living out their faith consistently, has

humbled me. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for bringing me here-

thank you for the friends whose generosity made

it

possible

for me to come, for those here in South Africa who welcome

our ministry and receive us as family, for three children who

are good and trustworthy and who pray for us, for those who

are "stoking the home ftres" and praying faithfully.

Lord, especially, thank you for Joe--one, who

in an

ever

changing, immoral; unstable world, is constant, good and

true; a lode star in a darkening sky. You have given me a

noble man, Lord, with a heart for you and your earth. His

passion is to see your kingdom come in all its fullness. It

transcends all he

is

and does. After 25 years, Joe, you are still

my

example, my dearest companion,

my

best friend. I

am

sorely conscious that I do not deserve the honor of being your

wife but I am grateful.

Tonight we attended a banquet in Johannesberg

at

the Civic

Center. There were 2000 in attendance, black and white, to

proclaim C uist's Lordship over South Africa atld pray for His

mercy on their nation. The program

of

singing and speeches

demonsttated a sincere desire to resolve their struggles and

tensions. The theme of the evening was well-stated in a song:

"God bless Africa, guard her children,

guide her leaders, give her peace."

By far the highlight of the evening for Joe was meeting

President de Klerk He

admonished him to rely on God's

principles and not to "cave in"

to

pressures from within his

country or ours. A very popular and beautiful lady, named

Wendy Millen who is a TV producer and hosts programs on

the radio,

met

us afterwards and made plans to interview Joe.

We also enjoyed an elegant luncheon today with several

stimulating friends of Claude Moeller

at

the "Allegeo''

restaurant in the State Theatre building in Pretoria. Somerset

Markel (or "Somie"

as

his friends call him) was our excellent

host. Those present were as follows: Claude and Elna Moeller

of

"Family Focus"; their secretary Hanlie

du

Preez; Vallie

Gilfillan . a last year theology student at the Universtiy

of

Pretoria; Professor Johan POtgieter, a profes

sor in

Private

Law

at the University; Dr. Fanie (Stephen) Van Huyssteen, a

pastor who has studied nouthetic counseling under Jay Adams

at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia; ol Nic Potgeiter,

Secretary

of

State Security; Rev. Chin Reddy, an Indian

(Asian) pastor whom we were delighted to learn haS preached

at a church in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, very near my

hometown of Haysi; and Somerset Morkel, with the

Departmentof Foreign Affairs. Affairs

of

state were discussed

up and down the beautifully appointed table

as we

enjoyed

our

wonderful meal; but the dominant theme on the lips and in the

hearts of all present was the Lordship of Christ as the

necessary hub

of

all

of

life--whether personal, family

or

state.

I can't imagine a luncheon conversation

of

this nature taking

place with people

of

like-status

in

America God, grant

us

repentance and a return to our godly roots.

It's now about midnight,

and

Joe

is

beginning to develop

chills and fever. I'm afraid he is going to be really ll by

morning

S a t u n l ~ ~ a r c h

3:

As predicted Joe is very s t c y ~ w e can't really pinpoint a

cause--maybe . fatigue combined with rapid changes in

temperatures and foods.

He

has started

on an

antibiotic we

.brought along. Lord, please make

him

well soon, according

to

your will, so that his nlission here can be carried out.

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Saturday eyenim:: _

we drove about 2 hours from Pretoria into the "veld"

grasslands,

to

a lovely

fann

owned

by

members

of

Elna

Moeller's family. Claude, who

is

a superb cook, made us a

wonderful Afrikaans stew

and

"braie"

orharbeque

ofsausages.

The fresh fruit is wonderful-nectariries, peaches, grapes, guava

and guava juice--rich

and

thick Umm

I'm

eating with little

regard

to the weigh t-consciousness I've developed

over

the

past

six months To worry about gaining weight here would be

slighting

God

's wonderful provision We are

so

enjoying the

fellowship

of our

fellow-campers--the Gilfillan family, Vallie

and Ann

and

their 3 energetic sons, Maurits, George and.

Adrian all

of whom

(including

Heike

Moeller) are attempting '

to teach

me

a little basic Afrikaans Hemiette, also

came

tonight. Joe

is

bravely attempting

to

come out and

fellowship occasionally but feels Wretched.

I'm

so

sorry for

him. l wish I could take his illness--Lord, heal him soon, if

you will.

Sunday. March 4:

Anne Elizabeth Morecraft is 16 today How

1

wish I could be

with

her

to celebrate this very special anniversary. Annie-girl,

I hope you feel in your heart the special love I've had for you

since I fust

saw that

strawberry-blond

head

appear and that

. adorable dimple crinkle up at the corner of your o u ~

We

r e t u r n ~ from the fann tonight--Joe is feeling rotten. A

doctor actually made a house call

to

check him He can fin

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pilgrims came to America. They left France during the

persecution of the Protestants, when godly Protestants were

being slaughtered by the thousands. Many fled to Holland and

from there came to South Africa, bringing their stalwart faith

and their knowledge of winemaking, combining the two to

God's glory. It was a delightful day, spent with the Theron

family (Hugenot descendants themselves ) under bright blue

African skies. We stood in silence and respect as we visited

the monument to the Hugenot people who so bravely faced

life in South Africa and fought to establish lives honoring to

God here. We also visited a unique monument erected to

honor the Afrikaans language. The modem design of the

monument depicts in its varied lines and curves the integration

of

the various roots

of

the language-German, French, Dutch

and Malasian, etc. into the most modem language in the

world.

March 12;

We were escorted around

the

school sponsored by "Family

Focu

s

at Crossroads black township by Hanta Theron. I was

impressed with the materials being used and the attitude of

students and teachers- the children lined up and sang for

me

and then I sang one of "Miss Judy's" songs for them. They

couldn't get over Joe's size

We enjoyed a delightful visit with the family of Prof. Danie

Louw who teaches

and

authors books at the University of

Potchefstrom. He has a heart for God and wants to come to

America to do further studies. He lives in a beautiful old

home with wonderful gardens around

t

He is also a

wonderful artist.

March 13;

How delightful to renew our friendship with Dr. Victor

d'Assonville, his wife Therese and their son Victor.

We

grew

to

love this precious family when we were here last time. Dr.

d'Assonville is associated with the University ofPotchefstrom

who sponsored

our

last trip to South Africa. Therese teaches

music to gifted students and always has lovely things to share

with me in this field of mutual interest. I must tape more

of

Dr. Karl Haas "Adventures in Good Music" for her.

Joe spoke at the University to a group of theological students

and Army Chaplins. I sang at Victor's request but before I

sang, I took out my camera and asked all those single,

unengaged men in the room to raise their hands so I could take

a picture back to my beautiful daughter and give her a chance

to choose a prospective husband They cooperated nicely,

Anne, with a big laugh, so you can see if anyone interests

you

Victor drove us back to Pretoria after an exciting visit to an

army base where Joe spoke. He then drove a big cannon,

called the G-5, around. I got a bit nervous that he might find

the button that fired t but we survived unscathed On the way

back, we stopped by the home of Victor's lovely sister where

we enjoyed an exchange of stories--she writes histories as

much as you, Mama: and her wonderful pastries and tea"

Rockssiters (like syrupy French Cruellers) and Rooibos( red

bush) tea Ummm. I m spoiled and I freely admit it

We

enjoyed a unique experience today, thanks to Anne

Gilftllan. Joe

spoke, ftrst to the faculty, then the student

body, and I sang at a public school. We spoke unreservedly

about Jesus Christ and life lived according

to

His

Word

for

His glory and received commendation and applause Not only

that, but the students themselves sang gospel songs for

us

which they had learned

in

school. Amazing It was a thrilling

experience.

arch 15:

Only two days left. I cannot believe the time is nearly up.

This trip has been so wonderful. The only improvement

would be for you, dear friend, to come, too. Joe speaks today

to an important meeting of military leaders

and

will tour a

building that houses military equipment. I opted to stay here,

rest, pack and shop a little.

Tonight

we

met the world record-holding shot-put champion,

John von Reenen, a real giant of a man. He makes Joe look

tiny and me like a speck

of

dust He is a committed Christian

who has lived in America. done movies in Hollywood and is

now back in South Africa working in sculpture and art

We

also met a man who brought tears to our eyes and stabbing

guilt to our

hearts

for our cowardice at life's inconsequential

problems.

He

was literally blown apart in the war in Angola

and through 30-odd operations, though having lost his arms,

faces life with a warm smile

and

firm testimony

of

God's

gracious dealings with him. He has a lovely wife and two

precious children. God, give

me

the grace to trust you as this

servant does, whether you send joy or grief.

March 17:

It's time

to

bid farewell to South Mrica. I have left so much

unsaid. This has been not only a journey to minister, but for

me, a journey to be ministered unto by those who were

unaware of my need and their supply.

Thank you, Almighty Father, for the grace bestowed on this

people. Please rend the Heavens and come down to South

Africa, Lord Jesus. And from here, extend your coming to our

needy land. But please, keep coming till your great kingdom

covers the earth as the waters cover the sea.

E p i o ~ e :

God gave Joe and me more in South Africa than we knew.

Far more.

For

in his grace

and

mercy we were delighted to

learn that we

had

"smuggled back" a new child, conceived in

South Africa. to

be

born to us, by His mercy in early to mid

November This baby will be here to help me celebrate the

41st year

of

my life and our 21st wedding anniversary at the

end of November. "His mercy endureth forever."

We

all

covet your prayers.Q

The Counsel of CbaJcedon August-September, 1990 Page 21