After a stint of nursing I made my career in the pharmaceutical world with Bayer where I was employed for almost 32 years in various positions.  Antoinette and I had 4 children plus a further 4 adopted.   Unfortunately the marriage ended, Antoinette remarried, her 2^nd husband died and she is now in Polokwane where she is happily employed in the library of the Baptist Seminary.  There are 14 grand children and 2 great grand children (so far).  Antoinette and I contact each other quite frequently.  I remarried 17 years ago and Louise has a daughter who is in final year at Rhodes and turns 21 this year.

On retiring from Bayer at age 62 I found my way into the Methodist Church where I was employed to revitalize an ailing community project for HIV/AIDs orphans. We have a fully fledged community center including a pre-school of 250 kiddies.  It has been the most rewarding and challenging time of my life where my skills of administration have been given much scope – but the writing is on the wall as funding has dried up along with the general economy.  I am still at it some 11 years later as well as being very involved with the day to day maintenance of the Northfield Methodist Church.  I currently head a staff of just over 60 persons of colour whom I love deeply.  But I am trusting the Lord to lead and guide me as the pace of life here increases.

Some 6 years ago Louise wanted to move to Jeffreys Bay and we agreed that I would become a “migrant worker”, remaining up here in Benoni and commuting to Jeffreys Bay as often as feasible.  We have managed this quite well even though it is a rather unusual arrangement.

Please keep me informed of developments for the reunion and I wish you every blessing.

Philip Sharpe