A message from the president

My dear friends

Ernst Heckel and the DSS Brass Band know that one of their items that I just love is the beautiful Swiss composition 'Hinauf auf Zions Hoehen.' The song is an exhortation to go up to the heights of Zion.

Friends, I must admit that sometimes I feel trapped in this paralysed body. There are times when I long for a little walk in the garden; just for a little bit of fresh air. On the other hand, I smile as I wonder whether if I ever got out of this bed I would want to see a bed again!

This morning as I listened to 'Hinauf' I thanked God for the inner man - the inner man that cannot be bound by this dysfunctional body*.

Hinauf's call to head for Zion's heights continues to get a warm response from deep within me. Granted, it is for years now that the outer man is bedridden but thank God, the inner man is still walking on.

The mouth can no longer sing but praise be to His name, the inner man sings on,

'I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”'

Yes, I do miss lifting up my voice in prayer to the Lord but thankfully, the inner man prays on,

"Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Psalms 61:2)

Have a blessed weekend.

Pressing on!

In His love

Fano Sibisi

* An update on the increasingly dysfunctional body

One of the most difficult stages in my struggle with MND is to experience how the merciless monster is 'freezing' my facial muscles.

Smiling comes naturally with me, so it is painful to notice how often the muscles simply refuse to relax. By the way, that is why sometimes I cannot close my eyes or blink-click to navigate my computer.

Managing the high volumes of saliva remains a day and night challenge. Obviously, the failing of the facial muscles does not help the situation.

As the Lord reminds you please keep praying about my situation. God remains in control and He alone has the complete picture.

Hinauf - 30 May 2008