Missionary will be sorely missed
The nonagenarian worked until shortly before his death.
WELL-known missionary Raymond Charles Oosthuis (99), who was based on the South Coast for many years, died last week after a long battle with cancer.
Ray, as he was best known, spoke nine African languages fluently. Over the years he served as a missionary in different areas of the country and was still active in this work up to a few months before his death.
Born in the Harding area in 1923, he could speak to his Zulu friends in their language before he could converse in English. He met his wife, Rona at the Bible Institute of South Africa in Kalk Bay , Cape Town and the couple were blessed with more than 60 years of marriage.
Ray and Rona’s missionary journey started in Pondoland in the 1950s. Their mission work also took them to Johannesburg then to Klerksdorp in North West Province where they established ‘Christian Ministry to Miners’, an organisation that ministered to gold mine hostel residents. In the course of time, branches of this organisation were established in Evander, Johannesburg and Rustenburg.
In the late 1980s Ray and Rona retired to Port Edward and then to Manaba, although Ray soon set up his new mission, Oosthuis Media Outreach, continuing with this work until shortly before he died.
All who knew Ray were touched by his enthusiasm, warmth and love of people and he will be sorely missed. His family thanks everyone who assisted with his care and treatment.
He is survived by his wife Rona , three children , six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His funeral service will be at the Norwegian Settlers’ Church on Tuesday, September 10 at 11am.
