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Broken Mended & Made whole
the healing process. And so I’ve discovered how this accident parallels what we face when we encounter situations that hurt and wound us in life. Many times we experience something so painful at one point in our lives and it takes twenty years to recover! We often deal with the effects of our wounds and not the cause of them. And the truth is: the healing process hurts . . . and it may take longer than we thought to totally be healed. As long as we keep talking about our pasts, exposing our wounds to every new set of ears, we are delaying our own recovery. Satan works from the day you are born to bring hurts into your life. He sends messages your whole life that say you’re not valuable, you’re flawed, something is wrong with you, you’re not good enough, you’re worthless! We’ve all been hurt at different times in our lives, some more severe than others. Some hurts are only on the surface – not too bad; others go deep and leave a permanent scar in our minds and affect us for years (maybe even a lifetime).
Text: Terry Savelle Foy Images: free-extras.com
Two months after I got my driver’s license at 16 years old, I was at home one rainy Monday night doing my homework. I ran out of paper so I jumped in my brand new red, Mustang convertible and headed for the store. When I got to the stop sign at the end of our street, I put on my brakes but the car slid in a 180 degree turn on the wet pavement. As I was sliding, a car going 50 miles per hour hit me head on! Everything went black. I don’t remember anything except lights coming at me and then waking up later seated totally in the passenger’s side of my car. I thought I was dreaming. I got out of the car and just stared at my car in the ditch trying to understand. I felt something pouring down my face and when I reached up to feel my head – it was gashed wide open! My head had actually cracked the front windshield. Next thing I know, I’m sitting in an ambulance and the paramedic is wiping the blood off my face. I couldn’t help but think about him taking my make up off – and how I really wished he wouldn’t! That’s when they knew I was totally conscious! He asked, “Are you hurting anywhere?” I said, “Yes. It hurts so bad!” I pulled up my jogging pants on my right leg to show him where the pain was excruciating and there it was: a tiny, little scratch across my knee! He simply wiped the blood off. Meanwhile, my head was gashed wide open with arteries hanging out….but all I could feel was the little scratch on my knee! What I’ve realized is that when we’re hurt in life, we tend to focus on minor things when the real issue is left untouched. To finish the story, I had to get stitches on the inside and outside of my head, and then they allowed my mom to take me home. I realized through this painful experience that as I began to recover, the healing process can be more painful than the initial injury. As the days went by, my stomach muscles became so sore that it became more and more difficult to get in and out of bed. The bruises on my face began to turn dark purple. And my right eye turned bloodshot after about three days. When word got out about my wreck, all my friends wanted to come by and check on me. As each one visited, they all wanted to “see the wound” and “talk about it”. And each time I pulled the bandages back and exposed the wound, I delayed
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Is there something from your past that wounded you emotionally, an experience of rejection, betrayal, or abuse, and although you’ve blocked it out and moved on, you still feel that something isn’t totally right in you? I know I hid all of my pain behind one big band-aid. I just “covered it up”. Band-aids don’t medicate or heal deep wounds, they hide the wound and make everything look fine. I went through some very painful experiences of rejection and I hid every bit of it behind a giant band-aid of activities, a big smile, and accomplishments — meanwhile I was bleeding on the inside. When you’re bleeding inside – it’s eventually going to show up on the outside . . . in your behavior, your relationships, your career, your self-image, your overall choices. Since I felt so bad about myself inside – I had to do things on the outside to feel better (at the time, I didn’t know this was why I was doing it). You may be thinking, “I’m fine. What I went through was so long ago. I’m over it!” I thought I was too, until God began to show me little by little where I needed some major healing – deep down inside. Things will never be right around you until they are first right in you. God will change your circumstances, but He’ll change you first. Just because we ignore something doesn’t make it go away. What happened to you that wounded your personality? Who hurt you? Who rejected you? Who belittled you? Who made you feel that you weren’t as good as someone else? Did you used to be fun or funny and now you just go through the motions of life? What memories are you still re-playing in your mind? Did you used to have dreams and goals on the inside? With all that aside, what are you going to do with the rest of your life? Are you going to sit back and allow an experience(s) or a person stop you from doing what God put you on this Earth to do? You may be crying out, “God, what do you want me to do with my life?” And He’s saying, “Get healed.” When soldiers get wounded in the war, they pull them off the front lines and let them heal. They’re no good to us out there fighting all beat up. You may be trying to fight the devil with one eye shut, one arm in a sling and on crutches. You’re not gonna win! You’ve got to get healed! I know I had to. Isaiah 61:1 says, “He has sent me to heal the heartbroken . . . and comfort all who mourn.” Luke 4:18 says that Jesus came “to set the burdened and battered free…” In other words, Jesus came to set the captives free; Satan came to take the free captive! Satan wants to keep you trapped in something from your past – what you’ve done or what’s been done to you. Obviously, God knew Satan was out to break our hearts and steal our dreams or he wouldn’t have sent Jesus to be the Healer of the Brokenhearted.
LIFEST YLE, ART S & CULT U R E As I began seeking God for my own healing, I discovered that in order to be healed, you first have to diagnose the problem. You could be taking all the wrong medicines if you don’t know where you’re sick. You could be thinking that a new husband is going to fix the loneliness you feel in your current marriage. Or that a little cosmetic surgery will give you the confi dence you’ve lacked your whole life. Or that a promotion will heal your insecurities. Or that having a baby will bring joy back into your life. Nothing on the outside is going to change the way you feel on the inside. It wasn’t until I began seeking God that I discovered my true problem. I used to think that I was just “shy” and that was my excuse for not going to certain events or being around certain people. Or I would think, “I’m just humble. I don’t have to be around the ‘big wigs’ to feel important.” It wasn’t humility, it wasn’t shyness, it was a fear of rejection! As God began to reveal this to me, I had to look back and see where this came from. And the Lord showed me specific times in my life where I was severely rejected and treated as having no value or 2nd best! I had to diagnose my problem! I had a major fear of rejection. Once I diagnosed the problem, I could treat it properly. How do you discover the problem? As with any illness, you have to seek out The Physician! In our case, that’s God! He is the Great Physician! This is something only you can do for yourself! Have you ever been so sick that you don’t even want to get out of bed, but you know you need to go to the Doctor? You can’t send your friend, your spouse or your mom. They want to see YOU! God wants to meet with you privately….just you and Him. You’re going to need to get comfortable being alone with God and having no “noise” on in the background. Shut the door, turn the cell phone off, turn the music off, turn the TV off, turn FaceBook off, and get alone with God. Talk to Him. Tell Him everything. Don’t hold anything back. He wants to pour the medicine of His amazing love into your heart. It is THE CURE for every wound in your life! He loves you so much. He has always loved you. When you had that abortion, He still loved you. When you got in that wrong relationship, He still loved you. When you got out of church for a while, He still loved you. When you got mad and lost your temper, He still loved you. When you stopped talking with Him, He still loved you. When you were hurt, rejected, abused, He loved you. How do you receive that healing when you’re alone with Him? Worshiping God for who you need Him to be brings healing. If your foot is hurting, you don’t go to the heart specialist. You go to a Podiatrist. If your heart isn’t beating right, you don’t go to the eye doctor. You go to a cardiologist. Well, if your heart is broken and wounded inside, you don’t need to seek God (only) as your “fi nancial provider”. You seek God, Jehovah Rapha, the Healer of the Brokenhearted, as your healer. There’s a story in Matthew 8 of a leper who is in need of healing. Verse 1 says, ‘Look! A leper is approaching, He kneels before him worshiping. ‘Sir,” the leper pleads, “if you want to, you can heal me.” Jesus touches the man. “I want to,” he says, “Be healed.” And instantly the leprosy disappears. Notice 3 things: #1. The leper wasn’t asking the Lord for a financial miracle. He sought the Lord as His Healer. He actually CRIED OUT to Him. God hears your cries every time you call out to Him. When you’re alone at night, He hears you. When you’re sitting at your desk fi ghting off depression, He hears you. When you’re driving to work in the morning holding back the tears, He hears you. #2. He bowed down and worshiped BEFORE he got his healing. When we bow down and surrender all of our hurts to God while we’re still hurting, we are showing our faith in God to heal us. Bowing down is a true sign of total and complete dependency on God alone. It means you’re serious. It means you’re tired of being the way you are. It means you want to be healed! #3. Jesus said, “I want to” — in other words, it is God’s will that you be healed from everything that hurts you. When you doubt God’s willingness, you’re really doubting His love for you. He wants to not only heal your heart and restore your soul, but He wants to make you whole. What does being made whole mean? You can get to a place in your life where there are NO SIGNS you were ever sick before. NO SIGNS of emotional abuse! NO SIGNS of sexual abuse. NO SIGNS of physical abuse. NO SIGNS of insecurities. NO SIGNS of depression! NO SIGNS of rejection!
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Ernie Amos Living Life Freely A True Life Story Text: By Jean Lung Images: Maranatha & Adele Minnaar
hardship, of having faith, love and a hunger for God. He was a lively, but shy blond-haired grade 1. Ernie’s mother, Pat, was involved with Stander while being divorced from his wife, Leonie (also called Becky), whom he later remarried. Ernie was born in 1972. He only discovered who his father was at the age of 21. Ernie has fond memories of his grandfather who, according to him, loved unconditionally. “Granddad gave me identity as a son; he was like a father to me. He was an incredible person who always thought the best of me.” While growing up, Ernie spent a lot of time on his grandparents’ farm close to Nelspruit. His grandfather loved music and was a fan of Elvis Presley and Roger Whittaker. “I remember acoustic vocal sounds filling the air. I sang along with Elvis’ music as a back track and tried to see if I could finish the tape without making a mistake. You will still catch me at home singing to CD’s while trying to not make any mistakes!” Moving around a lot during his early childhood had a traumatic effect on Ernie. He reached a breaking point at the age of 10 when his dog, Jaydee, died. “I remember that for 2 weeks after my dog died, I also wanted to die. I did not see any point in living. I was rattled by the concept of Jaydee being there the one moment and then suddenly gone. I was always good at sports and thought of the famous Naas Botha. I decided there and then that I would become famous for playing sports – so famous that people would erect a monument for me so that
“Let your rain pour down . . . over me. Showers from above are falling down in love, setting the prisoners free . . .” The lyrics of this song by Ernie Amos resound in my head as I drive from the interview with this talented worshipper and songwriter on a hot summer day in one of the leafy suburbs of Pretoria. As I drive I realise that, to Ernie, freedom is not an option but rather a basic necessity. Ernie is a family man with a passion for God, for free worship and sitting at Jesus’ feet. He ministers all over South Africa and receives invitations from many churches to minister and teach. Freedom is one of the key words that define Ernie’s life. Ironically, freedom was something that eluded his father. Ernie is the son of the well-known bank robber from the seventies, André Stander, whose life tells a story of enterprising bank robberies, prison escapes and his untimely death. He became famous for robbing one bank after the other without being caught. According to Rob Marsh, author of Famous South African Crimes, Stander netted himself at least R100 000 during the years that he operated alone. This police Captain became a felon overnight. He became well-known for the daring manner with which he carried out his crimes. He would sometimes rob banks on his lunch hour, often returning to the scene of the crime as an investigating officer. After robbing nearly 30 banks, Stander was sentenced to 75 years in prison in 1980 and was taken to Zonderwater High Security prison where he met Allan Heyl and Lee McCall. Together they would become members of what was known as the Stander Gang. Two months after escaping prison in August 1983, Stander and McCall returned to Zonderwater to spring Heyl from the facility where he was taking a trade test. From that day until the end of January, 1984, the Stander Gang became South Africa’s Most Wanted Men. Stander spent almost 10 years on the run and was eventually shot dead in Fort Lauderdale, USA. For Stander freedom was not an option. As Stander took to robbing banks as a side-line to his career in the police force, Ernie started school. In contrast to his father, Ernie’s life tells an inspiring story of overcoming
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I would be immortal.” This thought pulled Ernie through and motivated him to become a professional golfer for a period in his life. Ernie attended a well-known Afrikaans school for Boys in Pretoria where he excelled in sports. “I have great memories
LIFEST YLE, ART S & CULT U R E of my teenage years. School saved my life. My confidence grew and I enjoyed sports and socialising with friends tremendously. I was an all-rounder on the sports field and played anything and everything I could – rugby, tennis, cricket and golf to name a few. They were ‘wow years’ in my life!” Ernie took up guitar playing in standard 10. “For the first 5 years I could only play 4 cords but it was an important start. I also gave my heart to God and accepted Jesus as my saviour during that year. Although I did not have a religious upbringing I was involved with Christian gatherings at school. I remember speaking to God when I was still small. I knew He was there but I did not know him. We never went to church, my grandfather told me they served God in another way, but I had a desire to know God. I became born again when a group leader at school made an invitation for pupils to give their heart to Him.” As many young men did in 1990, Ernie went to the army after finishing school to complete his National Service. “I was not interested in religion. Our unit’s chaplain asked me many times to play guitar at group meetings but I refused. I would just walk past him with my golf bag over my shoulder, telling him that I was not interested. I just wanted to play golf; after all I made a vow to myself to become a famous sportsman.” The chaplain told Ernie many times that God called him to lead worship, but he had no interest whatsoever. “I ran into the same chaplain years later, already having been involved in full time ministry at that stage. The chaplain had a good laugh.” Turbulent years followed after Ernie completed National Service. He decided to become a professional golfer and went home to his mother’s house in Gaberone to practise for golf qualifying school. She did not agree with his choice and in the heat of an argument blurted out that he was André Stander’s son. “Everything just came out. Somehow my mother thought that my grandparents told me about my father, but they did not. It was a huge shock to me, not because he was a bank robber, but because he was dead. I somehow thought I was the son of my half-sister’s father and that I would one day be able to make up with him. The news about my real father rattled me, because there was no way I could get to know him in person. For the first time in my life I felt fatherless. I was in tears and in shock as I drove from the house to a video shop. On my way there I was involved in my first car accident. I felt honoured to have my granddad as a father. However, after realising that my real dad was dead, I started to long for a father. This created a longing in me to also find a spiritual father. Years later I understood the words ‘your disposition will become God’s greatest strength’”. Ernie still had his mind set on playing golf. He obtained playing privilege and became a professional golfer in 1992 and played professionally up to 1996. While pursuing a career in golf, he started to attend church regularly for the first time in his life. Ernie lived in Nelspruit and after finding a church where he felt he belonged, he was baptized. “Baptism had a huge impact on my life; I made a declaration by being baptised. My life changed and after years of resisting being involved in worship, I started to play guitar at a home church. It was a prophetic church led by Terry Lee. He became one of my early mentors. We experienced incredible times with God, in brokenness, being face to face with Him. I also met my wife, Hanlie, during that time. I met her at a gospel concert in the Sudwala caves and told her that I was going to marry her after knowing her for only two weeks. She just laughed at me. Now I laugh at her! We got married in 1997.” During Ernie’s years in the Lowveld he received a word from a prophet, Charlotte Cronk. “Without knowing me from a bar of soap, she called me by name during a big prophetic meeting at a local church. She prophesied that I would become a father to many in the Spirit, who would speak about prophecy, and that I was called to full time apostolic-prophetic ministry. She said that I had the heart of a father and that I would sing and play guitar. She asked me if I knew what full time ministry meant. I I ss u e 6 / 2 0 1 0
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L I F E ST Y L E , A RT S & CULTURE said: ‘No, I don’t and I don’t care to know either’. I received this word while still longing for the father I never knew, looking for a spiritual father myself. I decided to just focus on playing golf.” Ernie’s golf career took off and he settled in Pretoria, where he met Glen Waterston. “Glen is an incredible guitarist and worshipper. He taught me how to play and inspired me to worship and play guitar at a better level.” Ernie also met two unexpected mentors at a local prophetic-apostolic church in Pretoria. Nevil Norden, pastor of Lewende Woord Ministries and Anita Giovannoni, a teaching prophet in full time ministry, became sound friends and loving mentors during his early years in Pretoria. “I look up to Nevil. He is a man of integrity; he inspired me for full time ministry and taught me about grace and mercy. Anita is like a mother to me. She encouraged me to do what I am called for and taught me a lot about living in faith.” He started to lead worship at Lewende Woord’s prophetic school, under the mentorship of Anita Giovannoni. “Anita never restricted me. She gave me freedom to explore and grow in worship and encouraged me tremendously. Because I had to be able to follow God’s heart prophetically in worship, I had to learn to play at a higher level. To me worship is only partly a tool which God gave me to follow Him in ministry. Although I am known as a worship leader and singer, I am not called to worship or to sing. I am called to minister. Good musicians, like my worshipper-friend Mervis van der Merwe, inspire me to develop my skills and become a better musician. When Samuel anointed David as king, he started to do mighty things for God but he only later became king. The same applies to worship. You are anointed for it from the start but it develops and grows over time.” While still focusing on his golf career, Ernie wrote his first song in 1996. “Charlotte Cronk’s word planted a seed for full time ministry in my spirit. This seed started to grow over time and with it my realisation of the worth of Christ became bigger than anything else. I wanted to make money and play golf, but God told me not to.” Ernie was not fond of taking risks, but God told him to take the risk so that He would teach him to live by faith. Although being nervous, Ernie decided to take a leap of faith and to follow God’s voice. For the first time in many years he
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decided not to focus on golf but to rather focus on Jesus. “Golf became an idol, but God knew better.” During this time Ernie lived in a flat in Pretoria where he read Bible, worshipped God and developed his skills as a musician. He dedicated his life and time to God and did not know where the money for his rent, food and necessities would come from. “Anita played a significant role in my life during that time. She prayed with me to trust God for money and taught me how to pray and to trust God to provide. I remember that at a stage I really wanted a new pair of denims, but I did not have money. I needed R50. Anita told me to ask God for the money and He provided. In fact, he gave me R100. I was able to buy two pairs of denims! People brought me food without me asking and each month I had enough money to pay my rent. I also married Hanlie during this time and she started to walk a road of faith with me. This stretched both our faith and Hanlie learned how to trust God, and not me, for provision. We still live by faith. For 10 of the 14 years in ministry we did not have a fixed income. God is truly awesome and he has provided and still provides for us. God who provides changes my opinion all the time about who He is. He stretches my faith in many areas.” In contrast to Ernie’s father, who accumulated R100 000 by robbing banks during the years that he operated alone, God gave R100 000 to Ernie as a gift two years ago. “I was ministering at a local church in Pretoria and someone from the congregation came to me afterwards and told me that he and his wife wanted to sow into my life. They gave me R100 000 as a gift.” As Ernie focused on God, his faith and understanding of worship grew. “When you worship you are face to face with God. It is not religion. It is not about reading Bible and praying. It is about you and God. When you draw near to God you have to believe that He is. You don’t have to initiate anything; you just have to respond to revelation. You respond to who God is and what He has done. The main focus of Christianity is Jesus as a person. I always thought that I had to read Bible and pray to be able to worship, in other words: ‘Do in order to get something’. This is not true. Worship has to do with the reality of who Jesus is. I am infatuated with a love relationship with God. I listened to a teaching of Witness Lee 5 years ago that
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changed my concept of God. He said we are created for God to pour Himself into us and to express Himself through us. It is not about concepts and topics, it is about Jesus. Christianity is not about how to live a better life or about do’s and don’ts, rights and wrongs or morals and ethics. It is about Jesus as a person. It is important to me not to be religious. I have freedom in a relationship with Jesus. I do not believe in a five step theology. My relationship with Jesus is real.” In the beginning, Ernie exchanged golf for God. As he learned more about the worthiness of Christ he developed a depth in Jesus that was not there before. He believes that all true worship is prophetic, as the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelations 19:10). “I am only prophetic because I am giving testimony of Jesus. I love the prophetic because it builds, edifies and exhorts people. Even if we are unfaithful, God remains faithful. When we know and love Jesus, we have the Spirit of God that sounds the depth of God, as deep calls out to deep (Psalms 42:7). The Spirit of Jesus in you calls out to the Spirit of God the Father. It is like a submarine’s sonar signal that is sent out to make contact. He is faithful to us and puts something in us that is faithful to Him. God is my Dad, who loves me unconditionally. As I drew closer to God my longing for my earthly father subsided. God revealed to me that He truly is my Father. The Spirit of Jesus in me calls out to His Father and therefore I found my Father. I love God, no matter what; He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love (Psalms 145:8).
has a great talent for sports – he just loves ball games. Our daughter Abi is 3 years old – just old enough to have eyes for her dad only and she knows exactly how to twist him around her little finger!” God’s rain truly did pour down over this talented man, to free him from the prison of a difficult childhood and finding out who his father was at the age of 21. God turned the longing for a relationship with his father into a fulfilling life as a full time minister, where he can live freely in a passionate relationship with God. Showers of God’s love continue to drench him and those around him. Falling more in love is available at CUM and Gospel Direct. For more information visit www.ernieamos.co.za Reader Offer: 10 Ray readers can win Ernie Amos’s CD “ Falling more in love” To stand a change to win this CD, simply send an email with all your contact details to: marketing@ray-magazine.com, Subject: Ernie Amos. Winners will be notified in person.
According to Ernie, the revelation of Christ and love for people makes him tick. “Glen inspired me to write my first song in 1996. It is called Beauty of Holiness; it tells prophetically who God is. It is not about a God who judges. God is holy and beautiful. ” Beauty of Holiness features on Ernie’s latest CD, Falling more in love. Seven of the songs on the CD are his own and one song was jointly written by him and Mervis. “The lack of Christ-centred songs in church inspires me to write. I want to write worship music that people can sing – songs about God and not about what we can get from God. You can close your eyes, listen to Falling more in love and be able to sing it after listening to the song three times. I am inspired by Scripture and friends and what they say around the coffee table. I sometimes write the cords of songs above the Scripture in my Bible.” Ernie describes himself as non-religious and free. “I enjoy life and am passionate. I adore my wife and kids. Hanlie is a prophetic artist who creates the most amazing paintings. She qualifies me for ministry and makes it easier for me. She understands me and supports me even when I have to minister at unusual hours or away from home. She is my best friend, she is truly gracious and a wonderful, loving mother. The birth of our son, Joel, taught me a lot about a father-son relationship. He is 7 years old and you can already see that he I ss u e 6 / 2 0 1 0
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Conrad Theys
One of the original Cape Impressionist artists
The art of Conrad Theys captured the South African market and is very sought after by collectors. Dr Conrad Nagel Doman Theys was born in Montagu in the Cape Province in 1940 and started drawing from the early age of three and is inspired by form, colour and the nature. Conrad is one of South Africa’s top artists and was awarded a honourary doctorate in 2004 by UNISA for his contribution to the art world in the country. He is a familiar face on television and featured several times on Kyknet, Pasella and also as the main judge for the Prestigious ABSA art competition. He was also the president of the SA National Association for the Visual Arts. During 1969 and 1970 he studied art under the well-known artist Gregoire Boonzaaier and he was Gregoire’s only student. He is one of the original Cape Impressionist artists and a painter of landscapes, portraits, still life and genre. He works in oil, watercolour, ink-wax, pencil, charcoal and pastel. He is best known for his Namaqualand landscapes featuring Quiver trees and received a special recognition from his hometown Loeriesfontein in 1991. He is a philosopher and a relaxed person and an entertaining storyteller and can capture the listener for hours. He is a Christian with strong Christian values and after a few years as a widower married Elizabeth Thomas in December 2009. His artworks auction record is impressive. In March 2009 a small oil of 35x40cm depicting Geraniums on a table painted in 1990 sold for R127 000 (inclusive of buyers commission) in Pretoria. Prof Alexander Duffey of the University of Pretoria will launch a book on his life and his work in September this year to celebrate his seventieth birthday. He will also receive an honorary recognition from the Academy of Science and Art later this year.
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Contact If anyone is interested in collecting from this artist or for sound expert advice, please contact Jacques Durandt on: Tel: +27 82 454 2001
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NICKY CRUZ ‘Imagine what would happen if instead cursing the darkness, we invaded it with light.’
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Nicky was only 3-1/2 years old when his heart turned to stone. As one of 18 children born to witchcraft-practicing parents from Puerto Rico, bloodshed and mayhem were common occurrences in his life. He suffered severe physical and mental abuse at their hands, at one time being declared the "Son of Satan" by his mother while she was in a spiritual trance. When he was 15, Nicky's father sent him to visit an older brother in New York. Nicky didn't stay with his brother long. Instead, full of anger and rage, he chose to make it on his own. Tough, but lonely, by age 16 he became a member of the notorious Brooklyn street gang known as the Mau Maus (named after a bloodthirsty African tribe). Within six months he became their president. Cruz fearlessly ruled the streets as warlord of one of the gangs most dreaded by rivals and police. Lost in the cycle of drugs, alcohol, and brutal violence, his life took a tragic turn for the worse after a friend and fellow gang member was horribly stabbed and beaten and died in Nicky's arms.
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permanent spiritual change by presenting to them the only real solution: Jesus Christ. Second, invest in their leadership development, equipping them to live healthy, productive lives, and training them to go back into their worlds to reach others for Christ.
Nicky is the author of 16 books, including the international best seller, Run Baby Run. (For Nicky's complete, dramatic testimony, order your copy of Run Baby Run today.) Contact details: NICKY CRUZ OUTREACH PO Box 62010 Colorado Springs, CO 80962 Email: info@nickycruz.net
As Cruz' reputation grew, so did his haunting nightmares. Arrested countless times, a court-ordered psychiatrist pronounced Nicky's fate as "headed to prison, the electric chair, and hell." No authority figure could reach Cruz - until he met a skinny street-preacher named David Wilkerson. He disarmed Nicky showing him something he'd never known before: Relentless love. His interest in the young thug was persistent. Nicky beat him up, spit on him and, on one occasion, seriously threatened his life, yet the love of God remained - stronger than any adversary Nicky had ever encountered. Finally, Wilkerson's presentation of the gospel message and the love of Jesus melted the thick walls of his heart. Nicky received the forgiveness, love and new life that can only come through Jesus. Since then, he has dedicated that life to helping others find the same freedom. He reaches today's youth because they relate to his background, trust his peer authority, and respond to the message of hope he delivers with both passion and conviction. As one kid said after an outreach into his neighborhood, "All I knew was he was an O.G. (original gangster) and he was having this big meeting tonight." "These kids are young, hardened criminals who don't respond to parents, teachers, or the jail system. They receive a glorified message of gang activity everyday in rap music, television, and films. They need to hear a different message - and they need to hear it now! They come to our 'invasions' looking for an alternative to the hopeless cycle of drug abuse, alcoholism, and violence. We must offer them an alternative source of security than the one they find in the gangs. They won't surrender to authority figures that have let them down all their lives. But, believe it or not, they will respond to a message about God if it comes from others who have survived their same living hell." - Cruz NCO Mission. For nearly 50 years, Nicky has traveled the world telling about the miraculous transformation that occurred in his life. Nicky and his team are dedicated to reaching others with this message of God’s love. We regularly target urban environments in order to reach out to those who are most frequently trapped by destructive lifestyles and who are caught in a downward spiral of intense violence, drug abuse and gang activity. The goal is two-fold: • First, introduce them to a fundamental and
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Nádine
“This time I know”
Text: Ally Mesnard Images: Michael Maherry
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L I F E ST Y L E , A RT S & CULTURE South African artist Nádine was named the winner of the World Peace Song Festival by the by organiser, OGAE Italy. Her song, “This Time I Know It's For Real”, beat off competition from Coldplay (England's entry) and Ladyhawke (New Zealand). An ecstatic Nádine said the award gave her “huge confidence” prior to the release of her album “This Time I Know” across several European territories in three months time. “I had just finished my morning German class and was on my way to have something to eat when I checked my Blackberry and saw the email from Europe,” Nádine said. “It is such an honour for me to know that this very special song has touched people, especially when you consider that the judges came from many different countries.” Indeed, Nádine's song scored its highest possible marks from the English and US judges, underscoring the potency of her adult contemporary music that is now being delivered with an impeccable European flair via production from the globally recognised songwriter and producer, Nick Manic (who wrote “This Time I Know It's For Real”).
The World Peace Song Festival is an annual event run since 1996 by OGAE Italy. OGAE (Organisation Générale des Amateurs de l' Eurovision) is the world's biggest fan club for the Eurovision Song Contest and its aim is to “bring fans of the Eurovision Song Contest together, exchange information and, together with other organisations, promote the interest for the Eurovision Song Contest”. The World Peace Song Festival has countries from all over the world submitting songs for a Eurovision-style competition via cassette/CD and mail. Sixty-three countries have participated in the 14 contests so far, with England, Italy, South Africa, France, Spain, the USA and Wales taking part in every edition to date. Nádine's Belgium-based manager, Hugo Foets of King Entertainment, said: “This win at the World Peace Festival is a great reward for Nádine's fabulous hit song, 'This Time I Know It's For Real', which has been a SA radio hit for over a year now. It is once again an acknowledgement for an artist who will amaze everyone before the end of this year. Nádine is, after all, a superstar-to-be with a world-class voice.” RAY hooked up with Nádine in studio and asked this bubbly personality a few questions… Tell us more about Nadine the person and Nadine the artist. As a performing artist who has spent half my life on various stages, of all kinds, the biggest question is constantly: "What are the thoughts of the individuals sitting in my crowd, watching me and listening to my song"? I am always pushing myself aiming for the next level in my career and I'm very critical of every performance, both vocally and physically on stage and in the studio. Where did it all started? It all started in a period of my life where little girls sing in front of the mirror. I never had any brothers or sisters as I grew up, and therefore became an individual who is constantly in conversation (and ever so often in a battle) with myself. The recordings of my first album started when I was only ten years old, and we finished those recordings and released the album at the tender age of thirteen. I have been doing shows, promo, radio interviews, recordings and photo shoots
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ever since and I guess that's why a studio booth feels like a "my space" and a "safe cocoon” that reflects very personal emotions and thoughts. Nadine the person thus, is someone who loves recording and spending wonderful self-created happy moments with true and honest people. I don't expect from anyone else to fulfill my needs, nor do I believe that we can base our happiness on how others are 'supposed' to make us feel. It may be difficult to get through my hard and self-protective shell, but once you get through, you will find a loyal human being who will support and care always. As an artist, things do change though. No one can expect to be walking down the red carpet of life without sharing, even when you don't know what the response might be. As an artist one has to open up and share your heart with the entire world. You have to be hard working, loyal, attentive and have never-ending energy that drives you to cross the border and be creative all the time. How old were you when you first perform and where was it? My first album was a self-funded project. It was licensed through Dawn Music in 1996, a division of Polygram, which later was bought by and became part of Universal Music SA. Even though I sang in a few school concerts at my own primary school as a youngster, this was the period in my life where I really started learning everything involved in being a professional singer. After this debut album release, Polygram signed me as an artist represented by their company and from there on recording budgets and radio interviews were in the hands of the record label. Are you close to your family? Are there any other artists in your family? Half of my family lives abroad. Mainly in Australia, and yes I do miss them. Especially in my kind of career, it is very difficult to plan or attend birthdays, weddings and special family gatherings. It takes a lot of planning and discipline to stick to the original plan or to calmly and correctly adapt. What valuable lessons have you learnt in your career so far? I believe that the perception of people can be that you are only as good as your last performance. When you constantly keep that in your head, you will always strive for a higher goal. I have also learned that one can please some of the people some of the time, but one can never please all of the people all of the time. Set your goals, strive towards them, and don't be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the moment, because yesterday has passed, tomorrow we can plan, but all we really have is the present moment! How does the fans in South Africa differ from the ones overseas? Fans or supporters around the globe are all the same. We love what we choose to love and we support or enjoy that. It's more the infrastructure that differs between various countries. Who inspired you in your career? My mother has always supported me in everything I do. She and so many people whom I meet and work with inspire me to continue this journey every day. Also, in the beginning of my career, I really valued every single proposed award out there, hoping to win them all. In my career of fourteen years though, I have not collected a selection of awards, but millions of smiles, hugs and comments on my website, facebook and at my live shows. This keeps me inspired, strong and focused on what is truly the most important to me. Do you have any role models? I have many role models. Not only singers, but also the everso-patient vocal trainers, calm and inspired songwriters and always-energised singers! I strive to possess the qualities that make entities such as Barack Obama; Richard Branson and Madonna successful, and yet I would want to still remain
LIFEST YLE, ART S & CULT U R E the individual that I am, for I believe we all have stronger and weaker points, and we have to focus on strengthening the characteristics that we know we can better!
SONG:
A classic: The first time ever I saw your face
BOOK:
Barack Obama's 'The audacity of hope'
Who in this industry did you admired what you started to perform? I loved all of the South African artists as a child. But I must admit that I listened to Glenys Lynne and singers such as Laurika Rauch and Sonja Herholdt quite a lot. I even recorded some of their songs on previous albums, and acoustic versions of these hits on my latest DVD "Nadine- Live in Europe".
MOVIE:
Something's gotta give
COLOUR:
Purple/Silver
What locally and international artists’ work do you connect with or admire today and why? I admire so many artists locally and globally. Artists such as Faith Hill, Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Elton John, Norah Jones… Local artists such as Loyiso, Nianell and Johnny Clegg are firm favourites.
What advise will you give any other talented youngsters who start in this business? My advice to other talented youngsters who would like to start a career in music would be: Stay focused. Be kind. Remember that your decisions influence the careers of those who work and live around you, so be considerate.
Tell us about the production or process with your hit song: This time I know. Who wrote the lyrics? How was the production process? The hit song "This time I know it's for real" was written and produced by the album producer, Nick Manic from Sweden. I fell in love with this song from the first moment I heard the demo, and it feels like it was written for me.
What characteristics do you admire in people? I admire kindness, humbleness, those who have respect for others and knowledge-hungry-people.
Describe the moment when they announced you as the winner?
The entire process of the "World Peace Song Festival" is quite complicated, because of the fact that there are so many judges from around the globe who are judging in this competition. There were thus many people who heard the news of my victory before I did. It was an amazing feeling of surprise and gratitude that came over me. What’s your future plans for 2010? I have just released my DVD titled "Nadine - live in Europe". This was the recording of my first concert in Europe ever. Also included is a TV recording that was done in the Netherlands and an acoustic show with many interviews and behind the scenes moments caught on camera! I have also many concerts planned throughout South Africa. My biggest moment of 2010 - My album release in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, The Netherlands and Belgium due on the 11th of June! My first single was released on the 23rd of April 2010. I've also recently released the NADINE wine, which I'm very proud of. Fryer's Cove produces and bottles my wine and one can order it through my website www.nadine.net or directly through www.fryerscove.co.za
ACTRESS:
Diane Keaton; Kate Hudson
ANIMALS:
Warthogs and Koala bears!
How would you describe your perfect match? Someone with a sense of humour, who can engage in any conversation, a man who is kind, gentle but firm, hard working and who has strongly defined values. Give a message to your fans please. You are my inspiration and I sing every song hoping you will love it. Thank you to those who support me throughout the year, every year! Where are your CD’s and DVD’s available? My album and also my DVD are available nationwide. If it's not available at any record bar, please insist that they order you the album or product that you want to purchase. It is also available through my website: www.nadine.net Give us your contact details for bookings / events please. For booking or events in South Africa, please contact Carine Crystal at +27 82 893 7836 or send an email to eamworld@ wol.co.za For international bookings, contact King Entertainment on +32 13 33 4545 or email to hugo@kingentertainment.be Tell us something about yourself that no one knows. I love animals and I'm sad at the fact that we lock up these beautiful creatures in cages when they are not an endangered species, but merely for our own entertainment. And I love my own designs on jeans, even when others just keep quiet when I asked their opinion… It is with sadness that we bid our farewells to this talented artist and it is our sincere hope that she catches that flight to be in time for her next performance…
How do you deal with all the media attention? Media attention in South Africa has up until now been quite under control in my situation. I think SA artists are lucky in the respect that we do not really experience paparazzi to the degree that it is in the UK or USA. But let's pretend it's hectic! Ha-ha How do you manage to keep at your hectic pace? I get my energy from the adrenalin rush I get when things get hectic on a crazy day. It is important to pace yourself though. MY FAVOURITES DESTINATION:
Knokke in Belgium, Vegas, and Turkey.
FOOD: salmon salad
Mild Chicken Korma; lobster and sushi; fresh
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READER OFFER Ray readers can win Nádine’s latest CD and DVD To stand a chance to win, simply send an email with all your contact details to: marketing@ray-magazine.com Subject: Nádine. Winners will be notified in person.
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MAJESTIC
A DV E RTOR IAL
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