1996, and South Africa was experiencing a craziness. A time of celebrating the release of Nelson Mandela, a time of integrating a new line of thought, and a time of violence brought about by conflicting views. The playing fields had been levelled and we as a nation stood together in a time of reconciliation and prayed. God help us, where to now?

Ronny my husband and I sought respite from the stress and spent a delightful three weeks at Little Brak River on the Garden Route, where we found peace for our souls before returning home to Germiston.

A SHOT RANG OUT! And the lives of my family and I changed forever. As I cradled Ronny in my arms and prayed, the perpetrators slipped away as silently as they had arrived. I had no idea that this moment signalled the beginning of my journey with God on a very personal level.

As the shock that had numbed my body was replaced by grief, then anger, I realized that Ron had given me the ultimate gift, the gift of life, and that I in return, in order to honour that gift needed to forgive the perpetrators.

THUS BEGAN MY JOURNEY

Ron and I had bought a stand on that last holiday and planned a home. Now I did not have the time or energy to think about that.

On Thursday the builder phoned and asked if he was to go ahead with the project, and if so would need a deposit of R20,000.87c by Tuesday. I did not see my way clear; I had no means.

The following morning as I stepped out of my front door a voice said, “TAKE A STEP IN FAITH”. On my arrival at the Pharmacy where I worked, I opened the door and ran to the phone, phoned the builder and said “The money will be in the bank on Tuesday” and put down the phone. “What have you done, are you out of your mind?” I thought.

That evening as I was busy cashing up, there was a knock on the door. I looked up to see a man holding up a white envelope. He was an insurance broker. The envelope contained four cheques, one for each of the children and a cheque for me for R20,000.87c! I knew then that there was a bigger plan at stake, and that God had in fact taken control of the helm of this craft, battling rough seas.

I now know that God in his wisdom knew that Little Brak River was where I would heal, and here the community opened up their arms and hearts to me. Here I found forgiveness for the perpetrators and here I celebrated the gift of life.