Thembisa gives thanks for Edward Andrews, who died suddenly from heart failure on 2 April 2022. Edward was Thembisa's chief 'braai master' since he joined us as a Trustee in 2008.

Edward was born and went to school in Pretoria. Edward went on to study law and Latin, but after a year joined the army, for military service in the infantry. He married Lorraine in November 1983. In 1985 Dominique was born, followed by Stuart in 1986. Edward was by now a project manager in IT. In 2001, Edward and Lorraine began to feel that a move may be in the offing, as the political situation in South Africa was making it hard for white middle-aged men to find jobs. In 2004, when Edward was aged 44, the Andrews family arrived in Oxford.

Edward worked as the manager in Littlemore Post Office until 2011, quickly earning a reputation for being incredibly polite and for his unwavering good humour, personable manner and integrity. Edward then set up his own business as a ‘handyman of note’. His reputation as a fine craftsman quickly spread, and he never needed to advertise for work. For Edward, this was an expression of ministry, to help people; and he took pains to get things just right.

Edward’s life verse was ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbour as yourself’. He will be remembered as a servant-hearted friend to many, many people on two continents.