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‘Drugs ruined my life’ Woman testifies about escape from addiction
} Boipelo Mere ANITA FISHER and her husband’s life has changed for the better. They are born-again Christians who left their complicated life in Johannesburg behind. Because of her husband’s drug addiction they packed their bags and came to the farm Highfield near Ritchie to make a new start. Fisher, a qualified chef, said they had been given a second chance. “My husband was so deep into drugs that he ended up stealing everything and selling it for a fix. I ended up so deep in debt that I could not pay my children’s school fees or even our rent of R400. “I could not bear seeing our friends and neighbours dying, marriages falling apart and the children suffering any more,” said a tearful Fisher. She gave her testimony in front of other women in Ritchie at a women’s conference held over the weekend. On Saturday, Fisher held her head high and shared her life story with the women who attended the conference that was hosted by the Late Harvest Ministries in Ritchie. She was not shy to show her emotions during the praise and worship session, where she testified how the Lord had pulled her out of her misery. The event was graced by the award-winning businesswoman Nerina Smith and Past. Marie Willemse both from the Western Cape. Smith, who is a survivor of cancer and who has been left partly deaf and partly disabled as a result, shared good business tips and motivated those attending by reminding them of their worth. Smith called Fisher to the stage and demonstrated the story of a woman covered in mud who was then transformed by God. She brought a green outfit she had made which she said was a sign of greener pastures. She then chose Fisher to wear the outfit. According to Smith, she wanted to tell the women, who mostly
THE women of Ritchie stand united against drug abuse thanks to Anita Fisher (left), who shared with them how drugs had almost torn her marriage apart. With her is Nerina Smith, who also shared some motivational tips with the women. Photos: Boipelo Mere came from a poor background, how God had called her to minister. She said she was also a prophetess. “Surviving cancer at 27 has made me a stronger woman, stronger than I thought I could ever be. “After my illness I started my own business from scratch. “Today my business has become a great success, and it has won more than one award,” she added proudly. Irene Farland, the leader of the women pastors at the Late Harvest Ministries, who is also the founder of the Women on the
Move Movement based in Ritchie, said that the event had been a great success and that it was expected to give the women in the poverty-stricken township a new lease of life. Farland is known for her empowering programmes for women including services such as counselling and motivational talks within the Ritchie community. She said she had met Smith and Willemse through Past. Dirk Venter of Deaf South Africa. ) Log onto the Express website at www.express-news.co.za for Fisher’s testimony, photos and related videos.
IRENE FARLAND (left), leading woman pastor at the Late Harvest Minis tries, shared with the guests how far they had had to travel to reach out and bring the Fishers closer to God.