Monkeys with a trampoline

26th November 2011

Kathryn and Roger are an English couple who own and operate the Rising Sun guest house. Both are very good hosts. They provided a wonderful English breakfast of juice, bacon, eggs and other niceties. They set a table on the rear verandah, and as the only guests we had the place to ourselves.

Urshla, Michele and I enjoyed a very relaxed meal that took an hour an a half to complete. The verandah overlooked a neat attractive garden and pond, beyond which were the sights of Durban harbour. The weather was warm with a gentle sea breeze, although overcast. After breakfast, Urshla and I chatted some more while Michele explored the garden and lower area where there is a pool and trampoline. We had a devotion together from Ephesians which was a little uncomfortable for me, because I wasn't sure what they were used to.

Kathryn feeding monkeys

Kathryn has a practice of feeding a troop of monkeys with left overs from the guest house. There were about 20 monkeys that lived in a reserve to the north of the guest house. They were quite bold but for me, it was an authentic African experience.

Urshla and I went down to the lower garden to the inground trampoline. We bounced on the trampoline, holding hands to steady ourselves. We laughed and bounced till we were both hot and breathless. Urshla was self conscious because she was dressed in a long skirt and a revealing top. We stopped for a break to catch our breath and sat together on the trampoline mat in the warm sun. Urshla stroked my foot with hers and I very much enjoyed her affection. It was wonderful to be so close, to smell her perfume and feel the warmth of her closeness. All I wanted to do was hold her and show her my love with kisses. But I refrained and simply enjoyed her sweet company. We talked and laughed and delighted in each other's presence. I felt that our friendship really rose to a new height on that trampoline. My fondness for her grew and I could feel it growing.

The lower garden was surrounded by trees and hedges and we were very private. I called it our walled garden of love, a reference to Song of Solomon. It was a very intimate and affectionate couple of hours. I was sorry to leave but we had to vacate the guest house, and move on to our Breakers Resort accommodation.

Shirlyn Cooper with Glenn (late)

An Ellis family friend Josh, phoned Urshla because he'd heard that she would be in Durban. He wanted to visit her and Michele at Breakers and asked if he could bring a friend. Mostly Michele I sensed because they were like brother and sister. With Josh was Shirlyn, a church friend, who had recently lost her husband after being married for only two months. He died as a result of an epileptic seizure, a chronic condition he suffered. When I was introduced to Shirlyn, she was very depressed and visibly distraught. It was a warm afternoon, but she wore a heavy coat and looked cold. Urshla and I took Shirlyn into my apartment. We learned that only that morning, Shirlyn had considered suicide, such was the depth of her despair. A young Christian, her unbelieving parents had told her that her pain would never leave her. The advice only added to her broken heartedness. In his infinite wisdom, God led this needy young widow to two mature Christian widows, both of whom had recently experienced the heartache of losing a loved one.

We talked with Shirlyn for an hour or more and encouraged her to trust God and remember the love she gave to her husband and what an asset she was to their marriage. Shirlyn later hugged us both and we prayed together. She said she felt so much happier and encouraged after talking with us. I watched admiringly at the lovely, gentle manner that Urshla dealt with this desperate young woman. She has beautiful gifts that she is always sharing with someone.

In Urshla's room Michele had prepared salad and rolls that we shared with Josh and Shirlyn. They left after dinner. As I sat on the couch in Urshla's room, she began to stoke my arm as part of conversational expression. She is a very affectionate woman and I quietly enjoyed it very much. Urshla mentioned in one of our many Skype sessions, that she'd like to touch my hairy arms. She unconsciously combed my arm hairs through her fingers. It was my secret to enjoy the moment because I sure was not going to embarrass her by preventing the attention!

Umphlanga Beach walk

Earlier, Urshla, Michele and I took a walk along the beach to Umphlanga Rocks. It was a balmy, humid evening with a steady sea breeze. It was very pleasant and a time for the simple joy of sand, sea and wind. Security staff was present all along the other resorts, with electric fences on resort walls between the resort and the beach. Everywhere in South Africa, there is the constant reminder of the risks of other humans with evil intentions. At the other end of our walk, we bought ice-creams to refresh us after the sticky sea-air clung to our clothers and hair.

Urshla and Michele had a room and I had a room to myself. While Michele watched videos in Urshla's room, Urshla and I spent time in mine. We sat on the couch with our feet on the coffee table and chatted about the day's events and prayed again for Shirlyn.  I marvelled that God would bring me from so far to meet with Urshla, to help a young friend in desperate need. Had he used us to save her life? Only God knows. Shirlyn will recover in time and once more find love. She is a loving young woman with so much to give.

Today had been a remarkable day.

Next: Durban, day two