Helen Keller once wrote that the best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen nor touched, that they need to be felt with the heart.
Due to all the holidays and rainy weather in April, a smaller than usual crowd of guests gathered at Stonecroft‘s Morning Tea but this did nothing to dilute the joyous spirit that filled the walls of the Shelly Beach Methodist Church.
Having attended both speakers and the musician’s wedding, some time back now, a rekindling of old times and long friendships could be felt between chairlady, Vanessa Howard-Tripp, speakers, Basil and Monica Woodhouse, and musician Louis Boshoff.
Monica Woodhouse, the CEO of Give a Child a Family for the past 35 years, gave an account of their humble beginnings and a donation of R20 that propelled both her and her husband Basil, to seek God’s mission for them and obediently, follow it.
This took them down some slippery roads and having to obtain permission to live in the areas they were trying to reach out to. Monica was no stranger to mission work, having grown up with missionary parents but as they learnt, it is not what happens to you, but how you deal with it that matters most and to them it was holding onto God’s word and giving unconditional love to the most vulnerable.
Basil gave up his business on the coast to support Monica and serve people. Their faithfulness and love for God enabled them to grow the organisation to reach across Africa.
Experience of working in a children’s home, taught them that ‘children’s homes are not for children’.
They realised the need to educate and assist families to reestablish themselves to being functional and able to stand on their own feet.
This brought many children through their doors mostly through the courts, where they found an acceptance, warmth and unconditional love often foreign to them.
‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you’ is a promise Jesus made to His people and that has been made clear in the lives of Basil and Monica and the many people who maybe couldn’t see or touch, but felt in their hearts the beauty of God’s unconditional love.
Once again the WA women spoilt guests with delicious treats and tea as the chatter and laughter amongst the guests, echoed through the hall.
Louis Boshoff explained the workings of a trumpet before enthralling all with his command and talent in playing this instrument.
He then went on to play the song he played as his wife walked down the aisle. What a treat.
The next Stonecroft Morning Tea will be a Fashion Show from Woolworths, held at Shelly Beach Methodist Church on May 23 at 09:30.
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