Val

A few thoughts on my Dad...

I’m sure many books could be written on Dad’s life, but I’ll recall a few short memories today.

As a small child he recalls playing on the graveyard near their home in Kempton park and one day running home to tell his parents that some men said they would soon be exhuming the bodies and building an airport on that piece of ground - his parents refused to believe him, and today Johannesburg’s airport stands on the original Bezuidenhout family home.

In the 50s he recalls how he found a ticky on the pavement just as he walked and talked with the Lord, trusting God for a miracle - there was no food to feed me when I was a baby. There were many, many stories like this, which always started with “let me tell you how God provided for us.”

I remember Sunday afternoons, once a month, the passion at which he preached on the steps of the City Hall. As well as his incredible ministry within the Gideon Society, making me feel so proud when he came to hand out bibles at my school.

As children, nights and weekends were spent around the piano learning the songs of old, and how to harmonize - a skill which us sisters mastered and kept.

From these beginnings, Dad went on 20 years later to be one of Durban’s most loved diamond and jewellery merchants, using his business as a ministry rather than making money. And so, he and our sweet mother worked alongside each other in the heart of Durban.

Being the oldest child, I guess I had a few privileges. We travelled overseas together on business always adding much pleasure in between. And, of course, a highlight for both of us was seeing an angel come to assist us as our car got snowed in high up in the Swiss alps. Leaving us unable to talk for a few hours as the spirit of God ministered to us in that situation.

Dad’s ministry as a deacon in the Full Gospel church started in Cartwright Flats, and I remember well as a young girl the cutting of the ribbon at the new Tabernacle church in Currie Rd. Dad served as deacon, Sunday school overseer and bible school leader.

From a small girl, I was privileged to travel with him to other churches like Pastor Roberts’ in Malvern, Living Waters, and Faith Tabernacle when he was called to preach there.

Our parents were conservative with finances and yet took us in an annual holiday and instilled a love for Kruger Park. I remember my trips to the game reserved were always armed with the redemption hymnal in the back seat of the car, singing and learning all the words to these beautiful meaningful songs that we do enjoy to this day.

Dad taught me to love the Lord, stand only on the Word and love NOT the things of the world... a scripture I heard daily and strongly as a teenager - how pertinent is that scripture today! His love for and knowledge of eschatology I grabbed onto and it remains my passion today.

He also taught me to walk fast with purpose, be transparent, and keep smiling!!

To Joe he has become the father he never had, and many happy hours have been enjoyed by both, especially playing the trumpets together.

The last year has been one of the best years of my life. Having the privilege to serve and honour my Dad daily as I cared for him, along with Joe and Thembi and with the help of my new friend and neighbour Malcolm who sat tirelessly with us over the months helping wherever there was need.

Thanks too to our overseas families that have always been in the other side of WhatsApp when I’ve needed them. Our daily singing through pages of hymns was more than food for the soul. Listening to him remember all the verses without faltering in words, yet his Alzheimer’s didn’t allow him to remember much else - even our names.

And so, since his 90th birthday in December he started to deteriorate until 3 days before he left us, he tried to mouth the words to “Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before” ... one of his definite favourites. He was comfortable, and we loved him and spoke to him right up the end, reminding him that he would see Jesus Face to Face soon, and he nodded.

There was no pain, no sting in his death and we reminded him to look for us - we’ll see him soon.

Val and Joe