schrödinger’s dog

Ananias, our trustworthy ex-Mozambican worker, did two things today: he obediently dug a deep grave for Nella, our beloved and ailing Great Dane (who has been declared terminal by our vet), then he concocted a traditional aloe brew, which he had used on his flocks as a young goatherd and cowherd many years ago, and patiently handfed it to her.
It is such an apt metaphor for our current situation. I used the same image to explain it to my mother: while we are indeed making preparations to sell this place, for which we had (have!) such wonderful dreams - and bury our vision, we are still prayerfully looking for a solution that may still save it.
We do not see the "burial plans" as a lack of faith, but a declaration before the Lord that we are willing to accept anything He brings across our path. Nor do we see our clinging to the dream (in the face of harsh economic realities) as foolhardiness, but as a form of prayer that the Lord will provide the best possible solution - even if it differs from ours.
We are not convinced that we can simply let go of this excellent dream yet.
And Nella is also still breathing...

refuge and prospect - material and spiritual

In many South African houses paintings with a similar theme may be seen: a small cottage on the side of a valley (usually with a stream flowing through it) surrounded by mountains.
According to dr Jay Appleton's theory, this recurrent theme in the aesthetic realm reflects modern man's primitive need for refuge (safety) and prospect (opportunity).
Our intention is to provide that for (burnt-out) missionaries and community workers by rebuilding and adapting the (burnt-out) 1930 farm house and using it as a place of refuge, a (non-commercial) guest house and healing place.
In this way the restored house (and the gardens around it) becomes both the actual space and a powerful symbol for physical and spiritual restoration - and the rediscovering of new prospects.

we have a (small) farm in africa

We have a farm in Africa - or at least a little piece of one at the foot of the Magaliesberg (at 2.3 hectares much smaller than Karen Blixen's famous one "at the foot of the Ngong Hills").
Witfontein ("White Fountain") was proclaimed in the 1860's to the Northwest of, what was then, the small village of Pretoria (later the administrative capital of South Africa, today part of the City of Tshwane).
What we have is what is left of the farmstead: three houses, a barn, other outbuildings - in different stages of disrepair.
Our dream is to restore these old buildings and (in accord with the latest international policies on heritage) re-use them in a sensible ways. In our case: a refuge for burnt-out kingdom workers, a rustic function centre, offices, etc.
The ex-citrus orchard we hope may become a sustainable housing development - a small green village to complement the little farm.

a comprehensive dream

Christopher Alexander calls it unfolding: the gradual process that happens between the place itself and the people intending to develop it. The dreams that have unfolded for us here include:

• A place of rest and refuge for missionaries and other kingdom workers;
• A place for meeting and celebrating for various community groups;
• A place where the existing historical buildings are preserved and re-used;
• A place where nature is respected and optimal sustainability pursued;
• A new village where beauty is reflected in the gardens and buildings;
• A home for all kinds of local arts and a centre for skills development;
• A place where children of all ages can feel free to play, rest, be refreshed;
• An open-ended creative process in which new dreams can unfold...