"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase"
1 Corinthians 3:6
A Message From the Horne of Africa
"In the Place Where Angels Gather"
01/11/2009
The door bell rang, disturbing the evening Bible study class in progress at the Steyn’s residence. It was a door-to-door religious worker taking a census of where people were in terms of their worship habits. A multi-denominational campaign was taking place in the town of Benoni and this was part of their outreach. The Bible study was “put on hold” for a moment as the man of the house answered the door. The caller eventually asked, “And what church do you go to?” Aubrey hesitated for a moment, then he said in our hearing, “Er.. put down the Church of Christ!” Wow, that came as a surprise. It was definitely music to my ears. I wondered what the next sequence of events would be.
In keeping with Matthew 28:19-20, I had been conducting a weekly Bible study on the topic “The Church That Jesus Built,” Matthew 16:18, with Norma and Aubrey Steyn for some months. They had become regular visitors to the Benoni congregation by then but they had not made any move to obedience as yet. On that very evening before leaving our house, Donna had questioned the wisdom of continuing a class that seemingly was never going to produce any results. She thought another class with other prospects might be more productive. I didn’t defend my position, although I had wondered about that myself. I just went on with a prayer in my heart that my prospects would soon see the light.
Back on the door step, the polite surveyor expressed his thanks and left. The atmosphere was electric. What now? Aubrey returned to his chair in the living room. All eyes were on him. Then he turned to Norma and said, “Well, let’s make honest people out of ourselves and let’s go be baptized!” Norma’s reply showed she was ready. She said, “I’ve been waiting for you.” Although it was already very late that night, we rushed off to the empty Benoni church building. It was reminiscent of Acts 16:25. We unlocked the doors and made our way towards the baptistery, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38. Upon the confession of their faith in Christ, Matthew 10:32, and upon their baptism, they entered their new life in Christ Jesus, Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17. They had made honest people out of themselves!
In the intervening years since that glorious night of joy, Norma and Aubrey showed their total commitment to Christ. Aubrey became an elder in the Lord’s church, 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9. Norma soon became a leading lady among her peers. They had the most wonderful privilege of seeing their three children, one of whom is our son-in- law--Des Steyn, and ultimately her nine grandchildren become faithful followers of Christ.
Aubrey and Norma were a team. Their lives were exemplary. Kindness and an open home of hospitality for church folks were their policy. Aubrey’s resonant voice made him a popular singer of choice at church social functions. When Aubrey crooned, “O Danny Boy” at those times, it was hard not to shed a tear. Norma beamed. She was definitely a leading influence in Aubrey’s life.
Aubrey, an expert in African hardwoods, was industrious at his own factory, while Norma was a stay-at-home mom. She was always well-groomed and pretty on the inside as well as on the outside. She was a very private person who never complained about her lot in life. Even during the final illness that terminated her sojourn on earth on December 30, 2008, her customary response to those who asked about how she was, heard, “Fine, thank you” or “Not too bad.” Even when she lost her beloved Aubrey to a premature cancer death, she smiled through her tears.
On the day after her 78th birthday, she was carried to glory by the angels to the bosom of her Heavenly Father. Her children reciprocated her love for them, by always honoring her even to the extent of making two transoceanic journeys to be with her in her final moments. Through their tears, Des Steyn conducted her memorial service, while grandson, Daniel Steyn, led a prayer of comfort and thanksgiving. Dan and his wife, Sheena, had succeeded in flying to Benoni just in time for Norma to lay eyes on little (seven-weeks old) Mason, her great grandchild from Dallas. [We claim Mason, too].
Norma and Aubrey made an indelible impression on the brethren in South Africa. They were together in life and now they are together in death. They deeply touched many lives and their legacy remains with all who knew them. Norma was a worthy woman as the Bible describes one, Proverbs 31:10-31. Her life was her testimony; her legacy is her survivors; her reward is her Lord who gives a deathless tomorrow.
Though we ached to be there with the mourning, we had to bid farewell to Norma from afar—we shall miss her. We look forward to the day when we shall see her again in the place where angels gather. Let us all so live as to emulate the example of the great people of God in former ages as well as those in this present time.
Love you all,
Al--"the Horne of Africa."