Ellen Pakkies made newspaper headlines in the past two years after strangling her son who was a drug addict. This sparked a mixed reaction from the general public with some criticizing and judging, while others were sympathetic and could relate to her anguish.

With the commission from District Apostle N Barnes, the District Elder E Dodgen, Shepherd L Musick and Community Evangelist J Bezuidenhout paid Ellen a visit on Monday 11 May 2009. They presented her with a bouquet of flowers, a mother’s day gift, and a special message from the District Apostle. The real comfort for this mother came when she received the message that this servant of God promised to remember her and her departed son in prayer. In response to this, a visibly emotional Ellen asked the representatives to thank the District Apostle on her behalf and tell him that the Lord would bless him.

The ministers spent extended time in the company of Ellen speaking about matters of a spiritual nature. They eventually left, but not before having invited her to the next service for the departed which is scheduled for July.