I was blessed to have been able to share in a wonderful adventure this September. Ernst-Günther led us through the beautiful Cederberg mountains and Stephan, Schalk and myself will never forget those 5 days. As we made our way, spending much time in silence, some in community and others in sharing Scripture and singing songs.
The first bit of the hike was beautiful and we saw the first of many waterfalls. Our eyes were filled with spectacular plant life and the mountains all around us. I realized once again how small I am, in this God’s rocky art masterpiece.
I was reminded of Psalm 121 – ‘I lift my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth’.
There was water in the streams and songs in our hearts. The first evening we camped next to a river with cold, clear water. Ernst-Günther and Stephan lead us in the singing of Taizé chants and we dwelled in the Word together. During the evenings we saw more stars than any city’s lights and we sat close together to drink warm coffee or tea. The second morning we woke up surrounded by mist and the day was mostly overcast. It was the coldest of our days in the mountain, but still we did not complain. We were higher up on the slopes and had a great view of the valleys below and the peaks rising high above us. We even saw animal prints – including leopard spoor. That evening we slept in a little forest, with rain falling on our tents. Ernst-Günther had to work smartly with a poncho he borrowed from me, to stop the water from dripping into his tent. We laughed about it the next day and also learned to be prepared for rain – always. I truly believe God was watching over us, ‘He will not let your foot slip, He who watches over you will not slumber, indeed he watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep’.
The third day started cold, with coffee in shivering hands. We climbed up and up and reached the famous Wolfberg arch, massive boulder fields and deep cracks through which we had to make our way down. Again, I was reminded of my smallness in God’s great and beautiful world. We went from the worst night to the best day, to the best supper. Each of us had an evening to prepare supper and this was Stephan’s turn. I won’t forget the biltong pasta he managed to prepare for us!
The Maltese cross was our goal for the fourth day and we reached it after a strenuous climb.
The four of us before descending the Myself with the Maltese Cross in the cracks. Distance on the left-hand side.
We met some friendly people on the way and chatted to them as well. The cross was massive and could be seen from far off. After the cross, we walked on to the little Sneeuberg rock house, with straw on the floor and a roof over our heads. We slept well there, even though Schalk woke up to the sound of a little furry friend, trying to sneak into our bags for something to eat. That evening as the sunset, we could once again look out over the valley, seeing Cederberg’s Table Mountain, the snow peak and the cross we passed earlier. Everything was so overwhelming, yet visible! God is great and we are so blessed to live in this beautiful country.
The next day, which was our last, my breath was taken away. We reached
another valley and wow it was so beautiful. There were at least 5 waterfalls running down in different areas of the gorges, with proteas and other plants all around us. The valley was extremely deep, but we heard the water rushing to get down and join the river below.
Throughout the trip I didn’t feel scared at all. I felt quiet and at peace between all these giant mountains and rocks. The concluding words of Psalm 121 are very fitting: ‘The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore`.
K. De Clercq
