Stonecroft hears about God's faithfulness

Umbrellas were in abundance as the guests braved the much-needed rain to enjoy the morning tea at Stonecroft.

Their tenacity was rewarded with a morning of music, fun, information and delicious tea.

Johann and Marie Laurens, recent winners of the Lower South Coast’s Got Talent, entertained with mandolin and guitar, the favourite being Lara’s Theme from the film Dr Zhivago.

Audiologist Cindy Botes, who has been in practice in Port Shepstone for almost 20 years, gave a motivating talk which elicited much interest and many questions from the audience.

She said that hearing loss has a far more negative effect on one’s general health and well-being than people imagined.

Extensive research has shown that there is a strong connection between the brain and hearing and, if the brain no longer receives sound for a prolonged period, it ‘forgets’ that processing function and it is then difficult to restore it.

Cindy said that being unable to hear clearly leads to withdrawal from social occasions and subsequent isolation which can increase the risk of dementia.

Referring to tinnitus, Cindy said that its exact cause is still not known but could be infections or ear wax. She encouraged that, while it cannot yet be cured, it can be successfully managed.

At the mention of wax to nervous laughter from the audience she forbade the use of cotton buds. On closing Cindy’s address had clearly captivated the audience and she graciously answered many questions and gave advice.

The Stonecroft team from the Johannesburg head office visited, with Lorraine Kotze, Stonecroft bible studies director, the guest speaker.

With wry humour she shared her life story, saying that through much adversity and many setbacks, God had been faithful and she has never doubted His goodness.

Her childhood was traumatic as her mother was an alcoholic and she was passed between her mother, father and grandmother even spending a long period at boarding school which she hated.

At 17, at a church service, she was transformed by an encounter with Jesus Christ, and for the first time she knew true peace.

God knew that she needed stability and love and lead her to her husband Frank. They have been married for almost 50 years and been blessed with three children.

Lorraine talked about her experience on missionary journeys to India, Kenya and Mozambique saying that people were desperately poor and had the most basic amenities but they were longing to hear about God.

She ended by re affirming that God’s hand has been on her all the days of her life, quoting from Psalm 139 that He even knew her before she was born.

She then asked the guests ‘How about you? Is God such an integral part of your life?’ and she invited those who wished to do so to pray a silent prayer of commitment with her.

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