Miracles and mercies

We live in an age where we have so much control over all we do and have, we normally do not see the big and small miracles and mercies in our lives. For us in the drought-stricken Western Cape it is unseasonable to have rain this time of year - but still, we had rain yesterday and today. It is not normal weather to have snow, but we had snow on the Matroos mountains near Ceres last week. These are miracles and mercies from a living God who will not let go of the work He started. These are proof of the hand of the Lord in all things - big and small!

The same phenomenon of miracles and mercies we have learned to appreciate once more since we started with the Footsteps to Good Hope eco-hike. During the last few months we have tried to keep you posted - blogged - about all the happenings concerning Jacobus' walk to Good Hope. Let us share some more good news, indeed, some more miracles and mercies.

We have received generous donations and sponsorships from Ben Groot Attorneys (bengroot.co.za) and Continental Cobbles (www.continentalcobbles.co.za/). These will enable Jacobus to buy the light weight backpack, the super absorbent towel and other much needed gear for his walk. How can we not call these miracles and mercies!

We all know how big an issue the December holidays are - our major time to break away from the everyday rat-race. To have accommodation for this time of year, usually means booking 12 months in advance... We are so very lucky that since our first venue to stay fell through because of serious illness on the proprietor's side, that we were able to secure a place to stay in Dwarskersbos this late in the game - a miracle and mercy! A big thanks to the friendly owners at Sandkasteel in Dwarskersbos!  

We also thank the owners of Seehuisie in Paternoster for being so hospitable and letting us stay in their holiday home. Never-ending, the way the Lord provides. 

We also have been able to secure a venue for our (youth) rally which we are planning for the last weekend before Jacobus finishes. CTEED has generously provided a wonderful back-to-nature camp in Bokbaai, which will suit us perfectly. Interested in the rally? Go check out our Facebook page, or keep an eye out for more info on our blogspot.

  

We are also now able to share with you the link to the broadcast of Fokus on SABC2 the past Sunday. Is it miracle or mercy - an 18-year old boy on national television, calling upon us all to recommit to caring and conserving the creation God has given us to live and work in? A positive and exciting news bit, among pieces of war, violence, hate, death and destruction! Have a look yourself: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cjd9eL0Zsyg

Last, but certainly not least, a miracle and mercy we are still hoping and praying for: in the pipeline is the permission we are hoping to get that Jacobus and - by then -  his hiking partner Maricia, will be allowed to walk the coastline through Koeberg's plant, instead of having to walk the perimeter. This will make a huge difference in the hike, they will not have to scale fences and dodge cars if they can just follow the coastline.

Update... at last!

It has been quiet on the blog this past month. This is however, not a reflection on the amount of work still being done relating to our Footsteps to Good Hope!

Jacobus has been focusing on his matric record exam, with good results. The finishing of school is still part of his life, although I imagine after 12 years he is ready to be rid of it.

Jacobus took a Saturday off to do a "trial-run" on a part of his hike near Melkbos and Koeberg. He was accompanied by his cousin Maricia van der Linden, who will be joining and walking with him on parts of his walk to help with the administration of the project-half of the hike. More on the projects a bit later - especially also exiting news about a new project.

During his hike on Saturday 7 October, Jacobus was interviewed again by Danie Hefers from Focus SABC 2. The interviews and footage taken during the past 2 meetings with Hefers will be aired on SABC in about 3 weeks' time. Danie Hefers is planning to join up with us at the start of the hike, at certain places during the hike and then also be at the end of this walk in Cape Point. The footage and talks he gets from these encounters will be for an episode of Focus in 2018.

Jacobus was very fortunate to be able to "test drive" his new hiking boots on this Saturday, courtesy of A Rocha.  A Rocha has generously sponsored his new shoes as well as donated R 2 500 to be used in the course of this great adventure and endeavour.

Nice new boots, Jacobus...

It looks as if Birdlife SA will be on board for this hike soon.  The Black Oyster Catcher is the SA bird of the year (2018). Jacobus will count sightings, GPS-mark nests and also take pictures of and document information on these facts and other relevant facts e.g. the habitat the birds are using to nest and breed. The information will not only be very helpful in keeping the bird-maps up to date, it will also show the effectiveness of the ban on vehicles on the beaches. The law came to pass when these little creatures were on the brink of extinction.

Our project on the nurdles is still on as well. Look up the nurdles connection in or links on the right-hand side of our blog.  Very interesting and also immensely disturbing!

The nurdles project lead to an exciting meeting. The team met with John Kieser from Plastic SA. This went from a wonderful opportunity to an outright blessing!  Not only has John Kieser personally given Jacobus a GPS to use, he is also using all his knowledge and contacts to get the most amazing support group together. We could not have asked for better - the Lord is truly giving us more than we expected! 

One of the most astounding things to happen, is the fact that Jacobus got permission to walk through the diamond mines between Alexander Bay and Port Nolloth. This was made happen by John Kieser who contacted Ms Leilani Swartbooi, the environmental manager of Alexcor - one of our biggest diamond companies. She managed to get us the coveted permission to walk through these highly restricted and maximum secured fields. Our Lord still makes what we think of as impossible, possible!

John Kieser also gave Jacobus new (fourth) project to add to the to-do-list: he needs to document, take pictures of and GPS-map hot spots of plastic pollution along the West Coast. There is a lot of info on this topic for the more popular parts of our coastline, but this will be a first for the West Coast. Jacobus will put the GPS to very good use!

As a team we are thankful for everyone of these people and companies joining hands to make this eco-awareness hike possible. We are thankful to each and everyone of you following our blog and Facebookpage. We thank you for your support and prayers. Please contact us if you have any questions, if you want to make a donation or have a suggestion.