Living in a country where daily news reports are composed of the shenanigans of corrupt politicians and government officials, where even Sports has lost its power to capture a nation, the slightest piece of good news is viewed as 'amazing'.
Not that the following news falls under ‘minor good news’! To the contrary, it is one of those rare events that is considered ‘miraculous’.
Anyone who has an idea how deep the love of a mother is, and how strong the bonds that exist between relatives are – whether they are broken or not – will find it hard to keep tears from blurring their vision.
I am not ashamed to admit that I am crying my heart out with my happiness for this family, and this clear evidence that hope and patience are never in vain.
Not that the following news falls under ‘minor good news’! To the contrary, it is one of those rare events that is considered ‘miraculous’.
Anyone who has an idea how deep the love of a mother is, and how strong the bonds that exist between relatives are – whether they are broken or not – will find it hard to keep tears from blurring their vision.
I am not ashamed to admit that I am crying my heart out with my happiness for this family, and this clear evidence that hope and patience are never in vain.
The most amazing story
Thirty-one years ago - in February 1986 - twenty-two year old Dennis Vivian Haynes left his home in Bloemfontein for a job interview in Roodepoort, a town bordering Johannesburg. It was still relatively safe to lay down the distance of 400km (±250 miles) at the mercy of kind-hearted motorists willing to accommodate a hitch hiker. Dennis was supposed to be home within a week or two, hopefully to organize his permanent move to Roodepoort.
But sadly, Dennis never reached his destination. His wife and one-year old daughter, his mother, who had dropped him next to the main road from where he would hike to Roodepoort, and the rest of his family waited in vain for his return. Eventually they were compelled to report him missing.
But sadly, Dennis never reached his destination. His wife and one-year old daughter, his mother, who had dropped him next to the main road from where he would hike to Roodepoort, and the rest of his family waited in vain for his return. Eventually they were compelled to report him missing.
For some or another unacceptable reason the police couldn’t find him. Dennis was gone, and most probably dead.
In the meantime the most unbelievable thing had happened to Dennis. He was involved in a car accident, and he had lost his memory. Having no proof of his birth, and no money, and perhaps no proper guidance, Dennis was not able to get a new ID-document. He found himself trapped in the world of the homeless, at the mercy of social workers and kind-hearted people.
His wife got married again, and life went on.
In the meantime the most unbelievable thing had happened to Dennis. He was involved in a car accident, and he had lost his memory. Having no proof of his birth, and no money, and perhaps no proper guidance, Dennis was not able to get a new ID-document. He found himself trapped in the world of the homeless, at the mercy of social workers and kind-hearted people.
His wife got married again, and life went on.
31 Years later
In an umpteenth attempt to find Dennis a friend of his sister Desiree recently created a page on Facebook: Bring Dennis Home. She stocked it with photos and pleads for links that may lead to his whereabouts.
Meanwhile up north in Pretoria a social worker named Ruth Jacobs shared on her page, People Do Care, a picture of the homeless Francois Venter holding wooden figurines he had made with wood and reed. “Our entrepreneur of the evening! He makes the most beautiful thingies out of wood and reed. He sleeps at Blue Bull Paints. He puts no prices on his work. He only asks for donations,” was the caption.
Someone - Natasha Tetluk – saw the resemblance between Francois and the missing Dennis, and this resulted into the most moving reunion between mother and son.
Meanwhile up north in Pretoria a social worker named Ruth Jacobs shared on her page, People Do Care, a picture of the homeless Francois Venter holding wooden figurines he had made with wood and reed. “Our entrepreneur of the evening! He makes the most beautiful thingies out of wood and reed. He sleeps at Blue Bull Paints. He puts no prices on his work. He only asks for donations,” was the caption.
Someone - Natasha Tetluk – saw the resemblance between Francois and the missing Dennis, and this resulted into the most moving reunion between mother and son.
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A thank-you note from the Haynes family
The Haynes family would like to graciously thank so many who participated in the recent search for Dennis.
We need to start by thanking everyone. Family and friends, Natasha Tetluk who recognised him, People Do Care who helped to locate him, Winny and Rick who groomed him and took him to their home for the weekend, Stacey who arranged safe accommodation for the week, people who kept him safe while we waited for the DNA results, detectives from missing persons unit in Bloemfontein and Pretoria and everyone that prayed and assisted in finding him. Thank you for all your support in finding Dennis.
Dennis is now back where he belongs. He receives help and support from all the amazing people he has in his life, as he will now be working hard to get his life back on track.
To the public we want to say a special thank you from the bottom of our hearts. So many of you have shared the missing person poster and articles, offered your heartfelt words of support and followed every step of the journey on our Bring Dennis Home group. We have seen your messages and felt your acts of kindness.
A VIDEO of the reunion between Dennis and his mother is available HERE...
Fltr: Dennis, his sister, Desiree, and a family friend, Lisa
The next gripping reunion
Dennis still has to meet his daughter, and this will be the next gripping reunion. Sadly, her stepfather died a week before Dennis’ and his mother’s reunion.
Without being disrespectful, one cannot help but wonder if Dennis and his wife of thirty-one years ago will grab the opportunity to continue their marriage that was so unfortunately ended by Fate.
Without being disrespectful, one cannot help but wonder if Dennis and his wife of thirty-one years ago will grab the opportunity to continue their marriage that was so unfortunately ended by Fate.
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