We keep a close eye on the media to keep abreast of events and news in our country. South Africa is going through a difficult time, and our family and friends suffer for various reasons. My family’s business is farming, and the farmers in South Africa have several challenges. Farm murders, fires, drought, and land expropriation without compensation confront them without end.

Box for farmers’ wifes

Despite these challenges, there is something of mutual support and love that becomes more visible as things get more challenging. The box for farmers’ wifes’ project in South Africa is a creative idea to make love and support tangible. My sister Ansa shared a specific experience with me that gave me so much hope that I would like to share it as a symbol of hope to you in difficult times.

With the recent fires in the Free State, the farmers there received so many boxes for a farmer that they decided to send some to the Northern Cape as hope for farmers suffering from severe drought. One evening Andre came home with filled boxes from the Northern Cape Farmers’ Association.

Along with the boxes were also letters with encouraging words or a bible verse, but mostly without a name. However, one of the boxes had a letter with a name and telephone number, and even though it was late in the evening, Ansa decided to send a thank you message.

Ansa wrote:

“Dear Gerda,

 I am sure you are already asleep. Anyone who has worked hard today is already asleep. You do not know me, but tonight you made me cry like a hungry dog. Tonight, my husband came from the farmers’ association with your special box with gifts. Not only did you share your precious food, coffee, bath salt and toilet paper with us today, but your heart as well. While opening the box, I could experience love, even though I do not know you. 

Thank the Lord for people like you. Thank you for wanting to help us without knowing us. We are going to have a relaxing bath, and we love coffee! When my husband saw the coffee, he was excited. You will not know what this means to us. May the Lord bless you and Grandpa very much! You are still so privileged to have a dad! If I type incorrectly, I cannot see through the tears and need glasses at almost 50. May the Lord, in return, bless you with something special just as you blessed us!

With love, Ansa van Zyl”

Gerda answered the next morning:

“Dear Ansa, hello!

Today you made my day. I told a friend I wished I could be there when someone opened one of my boxes. The Lord granted me that wish. Thank you so much for the thank you note to me!

You are the most beautiful woman with the most beautiful children with a gift with words! I am grateful for everything I hear. I have never tried that brand of coffee in my life. An old school friend in the Kalahari – a farmer’s wife, gave me advice on what to give. She has also received boxes. She suggested things that would make farmers feel spoiled, even if it is only a few items. 

I wanted to know what brand of coffee farmers drink. Coffee was first in my heart! She sent a photo and told me that was what she was drinking now, but she believed any coffee was okay. I wanted the coffee to be extraordinary. I grabbed that coffee for you from the shelf with a cheer in my heart. Maybe I should spoil myself with a bag too. 

I heard on the radio three trucks with gifts for the farmers were burned and wondered if my three boxes perished in ashes. It is a theme in my life that I give to others without knowing what happens to my gifts. And lately, I sometimes get tired and discouraged because the struggle is big. 

The confirmation that my box has arrived and blessed a family is a huge comfort to my heart. My tears are flowing. Thank you, dear Ansa, for your beautiful letter to me. Can I pray for you? How are you? Enjoy every moment of everything in that box. I sent the box with love and prayer.

love Gerda”

Our Father uses us to pass on His love to others. In our world, there are many hardships and many opportunities to show God’s love. The mutual love expressed between two families who do not know each other is another great inspiration for me.

God has also recently shown His Love in a direct way that farmers understand best. In areas with severe drought for years, the floodgates of heaven opened, and a lot of water fell. The arid earth showed gratitude and quickly transformed into the most beautiful green landscape.

When things get tough, and we think we can go no further, we must take a good look. There is always a symbol of hope. Sometimes it is in nature, but other times it comes as people who show up unexpectedly and help where needed. In these Covid times, we all need symbols of hope. We must act when chosen to be the symbol of hope for someone else.

Gerda sent with her letter, also a song. Feel free to listen to the words of the – I have this hope song while looking at photos of the Kalahari’s transformation after the rain. 

Kind regards

Emsia