If you happen to visit Kreuzkirche on a Thursday morning or attended one of our fundraisers, you may have noticed a man quietly at work – tending the garden, sweeping the street in front of the church, or carefully stowing away tables and chairs and looking after the cars at the Bazaars . That man is Rikki Andrioco Franse. Rikki is now 40 years old, a father of three, who lives in Westbank, Delft. It takes him about an hour to commute by taxi to reach Kreuzkirche. Life in Delft is starkly different from what many of us are accustomed to. Delft largely constitutes a community marked by drugs, gang violence, and difficult social circumstances. At home, Rikki does not have access to Eskom electricity; instead, he cooks meals over a wood fire.
Rikki’s story begins in Murraysburg in the Karoo, where he spent his early childhood. His father is still alive, and his grandmother, now 84, remains a cherished presence in his life. He attended Klipfontein Primary School and, after leaving school, took on various odd jobs – often in gardens, which he particularly enjoys. For 14 years, he worked for a friend of Christiane Duwe’s sister before finding employment at Kreuzkirche, where he has faithfully served ever since.
When speaking about his life, Rikki’s voice carries both emotion and resilience. He admits that each day brings its own challenges and that survival is never easy. Yet, he is not without hope. He shared something deeply moving: “Without God looking after me, I would be lost. He is my comfort and fortress in life.”
As a congregation, we are invited to support Rikki in tangible ways. Contributions such as non-perishable food items, frozen soup, or clothing can be delivered to the church office. In doing so, we not only ease his daily burdens but also affirm our commitment as stewards and the care we extend to one another as a congregation.
Ernst-G. Brunke
