Day 11 - Richmond to Elandspoort (Murraysburg)

Marais was the first to be out of bed this morning; feeding the horses, waiting for the rest to get up.. JanPaul then chatted with Richard for a while, giving him a Bible; even writing a message in the front personally.. JanPaul and Marais set off alone again; whilst Hans and Gert packed the last stuff, loading Braveheart and then setting off to Gerrit Viljoen’s farm, Elandspoort.. Passing the two on horseback, who was keeping up quite a good pace, they arrived on the farm; with only the workers present at the time.. Boetie, one of the workers, showed us where we can put Braveheart; and was he glad.. It was a long lucerne field; where he ran around like a yearling, before settling down to divulge into the lush green..

The farm was abundant in water; with a stream flowing through it, spanned by a suspension bridge, bordered by willow trees and abundant reed.. The yard was filled with all different kinds of animals.. From boerbokke, Angoras, cattle, Merino rams, Koekoek hens, ducks, geese, ostriches, dogs, cats, tortoises and even dassies.. The majority, we later found out, owned by their two boys.. (who was 2 and 6 years old respectively).. Kobus, the eldest, also had a 50cc quad bike; that he drove like a proper farmboy, with no fearful bone in his body..

JanPaul and Marais arrived; and shortly after so did Gerrit.. Carla followed soon after.. We each sat with a tall glass of ice-cold Coke.. Gerrit then proceeded to show us his farm; taking feed to his sheep and game at the same time.. He has a beautiful farm; with prize Merinos, springbok, tsetsebe and an over-abundance of tortoises.. Also on the way we stopped at his father's house; a very interesting old Karoo farmer with a full white beard.. We went back to feed the horses; and after that went up to the workers’ houses; where we spoke to each family, supplying Bibles to those in need, giving balls to the kids, and praying with them.. One of the workers, Gift, is also a Malawian; and as luck would have it, is a family member of Richard; the groundskeeper at the sport club in Richmond..

Back down at the house, the flames were already high; and we all sat outside for quite some time, while Gerrit was braaing a huge amounts of chops and wors.. We went in for supper; which was incredible, even with ice cream for dessert (scooped from a 40L tub).. After supper, one-by-one everyone took a shower, and went to bed (Marais initiating this turn of event obviously)..

Gert and Gerrit though sat talking into the wee hours of the morning.. Discussing everything from studying to farming, happiness to sorrow, hard work to holidays, fitness to illness, race to religion.. Way past midnight; they also took leave and went to bed (Gerrit already admitting that he will be taking a nap the next day under a tree somewhere)..

Inspired by these two’s friendliness and hospitality; as well as their great parenting of the two busy boys; we could only get excited about what the future may bring, hoping to be as kind and generous as these two, who opened up their doors (and pantry) for us.. May God really bless this family in years to come..