Just think of it! Forty years ago we walked through the snow in a little town, Brynmawr, in South Wales, high in the hills above Newport and Cardiff. Both of us felt something very lovely and beautiful awaking in us. After holding my breath......, I said: "I love you." Tessa's reply came quickly, with a: "I love you, too."
Our weddingday, 7 September 1963, was a feast with many relatives, friends and fellowbelievers. The regional newspaper gave attention to it as it was an unique happening for that village. It wrote: "A Dutch Pentecostal preacher married a Baptist girl of Tabor Church, Brynmawr." It was a fantastic day. Of ourse, we still have the pictures of us, as we stand between our friends and family.
God gave us four children. Andrew the first one; Elisabeth as the second child; Grace, the third one, but she died at the age of six and at the fourth, Deborah. Now we have also 5 grandchildren. Truly we are enriched and blessed as grandparents.
Our 40th anniversary was a great occasion. Our children had - unknown to us - the weekend before the 7th of september, invited the family of Tessa from England. When we arrived for the party, they had hidden themselves in the hall. When we opened the door... there they stood! It was an emotional moment for us, especially for Tessa as she had not seen her British family for so many years. With many present from both our families and with friends we truly had an unforgettable day. Thank you, our children. Thank you, family, here in Holland and in England.
On the weekend of the 7th of September, the date of our anniversary, we had a wonderful weekend, just with our children and grandchildren in the north of our country. Once again: Thank you, children, for organizing these glorious weekends.
As God is continuing to give life, strength and all that is necessary, Tessa and I are enabled to continue to work for the Kingdom of God and the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to this very day. Our most basic gratitude is therefore for our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our marriage would not have existed, if He had not come to save us and win our hearts for Him. Thank You, Jesus.
It remains our conviction, based on the plan and faithfulness of God, that the best has yet to come. Please, believe this for yourself too, even if the road of life is tough and rough for you presently.
This I read in the Bible:
Jesus said to
those, who followed Him: "For the Father Himself loves you, because
you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father."
John 16:27
We serve a mighty and faithful God, our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ.
Thank you for
taking
time to read this letter. God bless you, wherever you may be on this
great
planet.
10 September 2003
Teun & Tessa
de Ruiter