I would like to share good news about my dear friend, David Reynolds (D) who lived in Durban.

I had known him since then Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) many years ago. We went to St. Vincent’s School for the Deaf in
Johannesburg.

After the death of my two hearing husbands (also Rhodesians—the latter was murdered two years ago in Alberton, south of Johannesburg), I lived with my sister-in-law in Benoni, Gauteng since then. Late last year when I heard David was suffering from prostate cancer, living alone in his flat in Durban (he was divorced), I thought of going over to take care of him. I volunteered to be a care-giver. I moved down and stayed in David’s flat.

On 29th Dec. 2008 we went to Amanzimtoti, south of Durban, to visit David’s friend for a braai (barbeque). After that as we were travelling on the freeway, we nearly had a car accident. We could have been killed instantly. We nearly hit the corner of the wall where the road forks to left and right. There was no warning signal placed at the corner of the wall—no flashing light or whatsoever! David didn’t realize the danger until the last seconds. He swerved his car to the right instead of the left. The car hit the concrete pedestrian pavement and resulted with few scratches.

He told me afterwards that he felt someone holding his shoulder when it happened. He felt that God had protected us and told me that he wanted to change his life. He wanted to have a relationship with God. That’s why I called Heinrich Kutzner, the leader of Durban Deaf Church, who came and shared the good news of salvation. David explained everything of what he thought about God but not who Jesus was. He realized who Jesus really was. He believed in Jesus and accepted Him as his personal Saviour on 13th February this year.

I encouraged him with God’s Word. PTL!

David passed away peacefully after losing his battle to cancer on Monday morning at 7.30 am on 27th April (South African public holiday—Freedom Day). He died in the hospital after he had a bad fall at the flat on the 23rd April. Garth, his son and I took him to the hospital. His head was badly cut and bleeding profusely. The doctor bandaged his head to stop the bleeding. He could not have stitches because his skin was too thin. He also received blood transfusion to build his strength but after two days he went into coma before his death. He also had chemotherapy and radiation treatments for several months.

The funeral was held on the 30th April and it went well. He was cremated and the ashes were scattered over the golf course where he loved to play. There were also lovely speeches about David and of his sense of humour. Lastly his children, Garth (H) and Lee-Anne (D) thanked me for caring for their father and being on his side throughout those difficult times. I had helped him and the family a lot. I made David’s last months as comfortable as possible and they wanted me to know just how much they appreciated it and that I need to remember I am part of their family and always will be. This made me cry a lot. At the moment I am staying in his bachelor flat until it is sold.

I miss David very much but I thank God for taking him home for eternity.

Praise the Lord!