‘The Day My Life Changed Forever…’

TESTIMONY The day my life changed forever…

Photo of me on the motorbike a couple of years before the accident

—by Toni de Beer

My wife Bev and I about 2 years after the accident.

The 16th of April 2014 started o as a normal working day, like any other. My wife and I left for work at around 6:30am, she was in our bakkie and I was on my motorbike. Little did we know how drastically our lives would change only 10 minutes later on this rainy morning. At an intersection in Westville (Durban), a car suddenly turned in front of me, causing me to slam on my brakes. Because the roads were wet, I lost control of the bike and landed underneath a car. The last thing that I remember is a man coming to me and asking if I was okay. I took my phone out of my backpack, told him the names of my wife and boss, and asked him to please phone them. I then closed my eyes… Waking up in ICU Ten days later I woke up in ICU at St Augustines Hospital. Three or four nurses came to me and said that they were so happy that I was awake, as they had been praying for me since I rst arrived at the hospital. I had shattered my left knee when I fell o the motorbike and that had severed the blood ow to the rest of the leg. Apparently during the rst of many operations, my blood pressure had dropped so low that they had to stop operating – otherwise I would have died. Because it took them a long time to operate, my leg basically died. Later my kidneys packed up.

“I needed to be thankful that I was Covered in prayers I praise God for all the people who were alive, even though I praying for me, both inside and outside the had lost a leg.” hospital. I spent nine weeks in hospital, during which time the doctors were battling to save

I recently received my “new leg” after more than 7 years. Learning to walk again.

ELOW: My 3 sons who together with my wife have been ery supportive.

In hospital before the amputation as doctors were trying to save my leg

my leg. It was very swollen, half dead, and very painful due to the daily changing of the dressings. Eventually the decision was made to amputate the leg. I only realised later that the Lord had prepared me for this – it was clear while I was in hospital that my leg would never be the same again, so by the time they wanted to amputate I was ready for it.

Feeling sorry for myself

At some stage during my hospital stay, I started feeling sorry for myself. I started wondering why this had happened to me. Very clearly the Lord said to me that although I had lost a leg, I was still alive. It was very hard, but it made me realise that I needed to change my attitude. I felt that the Lord was telling me that His grace was su cient for me to cope with my new situation. Right there it was clear to me that I needed to make a decision to be positive and be thankful that I was alive, even though I had lost a leg and that my life would never be the same again.

I was not alone

The Lord was with me, I needed to be positive and show people around me that I was grateful to be alive and give all the glory to God and be a witness for Him. The grace of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was su cient for me to cope. He gave me an amazing peace about losing my leg and facing life with only one leg.

“Seven years later and the Lord is using my situation to minister to people.”

Staying positive for His glory

Seven years later I still have complete peace about my situation and the Lord is using my situation to minister to people who regularly tell me that they are amazed at how positive I am. It is a great opening to tell people about what the Lord has done in my life. We serve an almighty God and all the honour and glory goes to Him. He will never leave us nor forsake us, regardless of what happens. 

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The Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria is one of the leading theological institutions in Africa and is known for its relevant teaching and learning programmes, as well as its community engagement.

The Faculty offers excellent postgraduate programmes with credible and reputable academic researchers, many of whom have received NRF ratings. With a strong focus on research, you can study while still working.

The Faculty of Theology and Religion is renowned for its commitment to the following:

• The Bible: This remains the central point of reference for theology. • Spirituality: Faith formation is of great importance. • Practical skills training in ministry • Contextual and relevant teaching and learning • Academic excellence: The Faculty’s standards of education are comparable to the best in the world. • Lecturers: Lecturers are noted academics and also respected church leaders. • International contacts: Students can benefit from the Faculty’s many international connections.

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