UNSUNG HERO'S AND HEROINES

There have been many unsung hero's and heroines in this world and tonight I had the privilege of meeting one of them.

"Tannie Jakoba" is 83 years old. She is now living and lovingly being cared for by her nephew and his wife and is a softly spoken, humble lady.

       "He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the
        Lord."  Ps. 113:9

We had the privilege of visiting and talking to her for a while. What an interesting, loving, caring life she led. She was a housemother in a boardinghouse founded for the  care of crippled children. During the 1960's, the general schools and boardinghouses did not have facilities to accommodate children in wheelchairs. At first, at this specific boardinghouse, they catered mostly for children who had suffered from poliomyelitis.  Later, when this disease was controlled by vaccinations, children suffering the loss of limbs, or paralysis, and in wheelchairs or on crutches as a result of motor vehicle accidents, or born handicapped, were also accommo-dated.

Tannie Jakoba never married or had children of her own, but for 35 years of her life she was a mother to children too numerous for her to remember. She may not be able to recall exactly how many children she cared for and helped raise during the 35 years, but it is obvious that they meant a lot to her and her loving care equally meant much to them. Some of them still visit he from time to time.

     "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven
      their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." Matt. 18: 10

She recently spent two weeks with a married couple, both of whom were accommodated at the boardinghouse in Kimberley. They, in turn, lovingly donated a much-needed wheelchair to her. There is an original painting hanging in tannie Jacoba's bedroom painted by an artist who also lived in the boardinghouse and who paints with her paintbrushes strapped to her head as she does not have the use of her hands. It is a beautiful peaceful landscape and it is obvious that it is a cherished treasure of tannie Jakoba's.

Reflecting on her life, the biblical figure that comes to mind is a lady named Tabitha, or Dorcas, who lived in Joppa. She was so well loved because of her caring life and good deeds that God raised her from the dead through the ministry of the apostle Peter, and there was great rejoicing amongst her many friends and beneficiaries.

     "He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given."
      Prov.19:17

Tannie Jakoba underwent a hip replacement operation about ten months ago, but walked us to the door as we bid her a fond good-bye. She still regularly attends our Sunday morning church services.

Thank you, Lord, for loving, caring persons in whose hearts you have instilled the love described in 1 Cor. 13. Thank you that each one of us may help shape the lives of those around us by sharing Your love. Help us to see the ned around us.

(Scriptures taken from the New King james Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)