INAUGURATION OF THE ELDERLY HOME
22th february 2024
For a long time, people had been looking forward to the day of the opening of the home for the elderly. Finally that day arrived! On February 22, the new Elderly Home was officially inaugurated. An important moment for the local people!
the story of Ithumeleng
Itumeleng grew up in Hammanskraal. When she was about nine years old, her mother became seriously ill. Her mother had cancer. As a young girl, she took care of her mother a lot. Itumeleng’s mother passed away just before she was about to take her final exams.
Itumeleng grew up in Hammanskraal. When she was about nine years old, her mother became seriously ill. Her mother had cancer. As a young girl, she took care of her mother a lot. Itumeleng’s mother passed away just before she was about to take her final exams.
She considers it a great miracle that she passed her final exams. After that, she had only one dream: to help people who are sick and can’t take care of themselves! But how? The most logical step seemed to be learning to become a nurse.
Itumeleng visited the Tshwaragang orphanage a lot during this time. There she met Presley, the son of Mma Catherine, the mother of the orphanage. Itumeleng and Presley got into a relationship and were married.
Rev. Weststrate and his wife visited the orphanage regularly. When they were considering opening another orphanage at another location in Hammanskraal, Itumeleng had a different idea. It was Itumeleng’s desire to provide assistance to the elderly and sick. And so the elderly home started.
In 2018, a small elderly home was built with the funds available at the time. However, this home was not future-proof. Thanks to the funds, a new elderly house could be built. The joy of Itumeleng is great! Providing a safe place and help to vulnerable elderly has her heart.
the opening
Rev. J.A. Weststrate
On February 22, the new home for the elderly was officially opened by Rev. Weststrate. Rev. Weststrate did a meditation based on the pool of Bethesda (John 5). The new home for the elderly has also been given this name. House of Bethesda, or house of mercy. With the prayer that the Lord will grant mercy to the residents and workers for time and eternity.
Rev. Weststrate also looked back on the start of Bethlehem’s work in Hammanskraal. It is marvelous to see how many people in need can receive help now, but even more when we see how many people hear from the Bible every week.
Words of thanks
After the meditation by Rev. Weststrate, there were several speeches, including a speech by Mma Catherina, the mother of the orphanage. She thanked Rev. Weststrate, as well as the workers of Stichting Bethlehem and the sponsors from the Netherlands and Canada. She urged local residents to read God’s Word, come to the Bible classes and be thankful to the Lord for all He gave!
story of a grannie
Lidia, one of the women who has lived in the elderly home for several months, expressed words of thanks during the opening. ‘It is so incredibly beautiful; it is so nice to be able to live here. When I came here I couldn’t do anything! I had terrible pain in my back, I couldn’t even turn in bed because of the pain. But the nurses who work here help every time. I am so happy with the care we receive! But also with our new house. It was often so very hot in the old house! And when it rained, it was not dry inside either. I’m so happy! The Lord is good to us! Not only because of the care and this house, but also when we read the Bible every time and pray and sing together. The Lord is good!’
conclusion
Rev. M. Krijgsman
Rev. Krijgsman presented an opening gift to the Sepato family on behalf of the Deputation of Missions and Evangelization. This gift consisted of six wooden nameplates with Biblical names, for the six different dormitories.
He concluded the inauguration with a reading from Psalm 65 and prayer. After the prayer, there was a tour for all invitees and visitors. Following the tour, the people enjoyed a shared meal.
Nella Verschuur
