THIRTY ONE: Issue 14

ISSUE FOURTEEN

MARGREET WIBBELINK

MONA WILLIS

ME2 MAGAZINE

M A N D Y WAT S O N

LY N E T T E VA N O N S E L E N

EDNA ELS

MICHELLE OLIVIER

LOUIS & EDNA ELS

#14 CONTENTS P O W E R N O T E 1

- Edna Els O N R A I S I N G ( 5 ) K I D S

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W O R S H I P I N E V E R Y S E A S O N

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- Mandy Watson - Mona Willis F E AT U R E S T O R Y

1 5

-Margreet Wibbelink M Y R E S T O R AT I O N

2 5

-Michelle Olivier F O R G I V E N E S S 3 3

- Lynette van Onselen B E T T E R T O G E T H E R 4 1

- Louis and Edna Els W E A R & E AT

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Š This publication is produced by Victory Media for m e 2 M e n t o r i n g J e ff re y s B a y. A l l a rt i c l e s a re w r i tt e n b y members of Victory Church unless otherwise stated.

Th i s m a g a z i n e i s n o t f o r s a l e . Fo r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n o n any of the articles, do not hesitate to email us at me2@victorychurch.org.za I s s u e 1 4 - Fe b r u a r y 2 0 2 0 me2mentoring.com // victorychurch.org.za Cover Photography: Iris Dorine Photography

Dear Friend, I’m writing this note on my flight back from Cape Town, where we’ve spent the weekend celebrating a birthday!

Some of us love any excuse for a good party; others would rather let the day go by unnoticed! Whatever your preference may be, a CELEBRATION is the ACTION of MARKING one’s

POWERNOTE FROM EDNA

PLEASURE at an EVENT or PERSON!

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God takes pleasure in you and in me!

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.

Psalm 149:4 NASBS At times we find this hard to believe, especially on those days that we feel like we’ve missed it ‘big time or most of the time...’

God LOVES you and CELEBRATES you.

He has marked you for His FAVOR and delights in you!

Celebrating people, not just on their birthday but whenever we become aware of the gift that that person has been to us, and the difference they’ve made in our lives, whether it’s small or enormous, creates a Kingdom Culture of placing value on what He values...people and relationships!

The gift of belonging, of making a difference, of living life beyond ourselves and our selfish agendas brings a sense of connection and

significance. It causes us to give and receive

He invited us into the adventure of life-

love and live a life that is worthwhile and

transforming relationships.

significant.

Becoming BETTER TOGETHER! “Life is about relationships; the rest is just details”...

Who are you connected to that you inspire by your Kingdom’s lifestyle?

When people become part of something bigger than themselves or when an individual

Let’s CELEBRATE HIM and ONE ANOTHER!

becomes part of a family, and ultimately a community of people with a shared vision, goal,

With love

and lifestyle that inspires others with hope and

Edna

courage for a better future outcome, celebrating others becomes an opportunity to honor and

Colossians 1:16-17 MSG

salute them, thereby showing gratitude and

For everything, absolutely everything, above

thanksgiving to God for giving us the gift of

and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank

belonging and relationship.

after rank of angels— everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there

Today we celebrate the women whose stories

before any of it came into existence and holds it

you are about to read. Women, just like you and

all together right up to this moment. And when it

me, who love God and walk out their lives in

comes to the church, he organizes and holds it

community with others, despite having obstacles

together, like a head does a body.

to overcome, giants to slay, deadlines to meet and at times coming out on the other side a bit

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASBS

battered and bruised.

[9] Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. [10] For if either of

Yes, my friend, we’re created for His pleasure, not

them falls, the one will lift up his companion.

just for survival, but to thrive and live purposeful

But woe to the one who falls when there is not

lives in the midst of our battles...

another to lift him up. [11] Furthermore, if two lie down together, they keep warm, but how

We cannot do this alone.

can one be warm alone? [12] And if one can

We do not want to do this alone.

overpower him who is alone, two can resist him.

We do not have to do this alone:

A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Father gave us the gift of His Son and the indwelling Holy Spirit, as well as one another!

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M A N DY WA T S O N ON RAISING (5) KIDS

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WHEN WE GO OUT AS A FAMILY, WE OFTEN GET A

Long story short, I fell pregnant and had a

lot of stares. Sometimes Brandon and I giggle as

traumatic miscarriage at thirteen weeks,

we notice people counting under their breath

(another story for another time) but I fell pregnant

with a surprised expression. Occasionally a brave

four months later with twins! I was shocked. I

mom will approach us and start a conversation

remember sitting in the doctor’s room alone

that we have become accustomed to, and it

wondering, if I had faith for four, why not five? We

usually goes like this:

had no choice but to give our financial plan over to the God of the double portion.

Stranger: Are they ALL your kids?

Me: Yes

A lot of moms ask me how I do it? As if I’m a

Stranger: Gosh (along with disbelief),

super mom or something. I don’t feel that way. In

don’t you guys have a TV (laughing)?

fact I feel clueless most of the time. Five children

Me: No, we don’t actually (laughing)

are hectic, I won’t lie, but whether you are a

Stranger: I don’t know how you do it?

mother of one, two or five, it’s consuming and

Are you guys done?

exhausting and challenges every selfish bone in

Us: Nah we want two more (joke)

your body. Yet we can’t deny that it’s one of the

Stranger: (jaw drop)

most rewarding responsibilities to be entrusted with. We all need wisdom and capacity to disciple

My name is Mandy Watson and I’m married

and raise our children, and I’m grateful to God for

to Brandon. We live in Jeffrey’s Bay with our 5

family and friends who help me.

children. All planned, by the way! Well kind of…

The best parenting advice I ever got was from a After having three children we said, “No more”,

wise and inspiring woman who is now in heaven

but wrestled with the feeling that someone was

with the Lord, Dee Harris. I told Dee that I was

missing in our family. Being fully aware of the

struggling with guilt and fear as a mother and

cost of parenting emotionally, physically and

always beating myself up for losing my temper,

financially, we decided to ask some older people

making mistakes and for not being able to meet

about their biggest regret in life. Almost everyone

all my children’s needs. Dee said to me, “You

said that their biggest regret was not having more

are not a bad parent. I can take you into any

kids. When we asked them what stopped them?

community and show you what a bad parent

Almost all of them said it was because of finances.

looks like. The fact that we are having this

So we mustered up our faith and courage and put

conversation makes you a very good parent.”

it into action.

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She proceeded to tell me that children are

I have been in situations where I’ve lost my

selfish, and they will suck the life out of you -If

temper and shouted at my children, then I hear

you let them. Her words to me were, “If you don’t

the Holy Spirit whisper to me, “Have I ever shouted

take time out with the Father and spend time

at you when disciplining you? “ I realize that I’m

doing things that energize you and guard your

not reflecting His heart and I am able to repent.

relationship with your husband, then you will do

Every time I make mistakes He gently leads me

your husband and children an injustice.”

and teaches me.

Dee’s words broke me free of guilt and the fear of

I place a massive value on teaching my children

failure. I realized that it’s okay to make mistakes.

to relate to the Holy Spirit as He is the best

Just as God has entrusted me with my children’s

teacher and He will guide them into all truth and

lives, there came a time where I had to let go and

everything else in life flows from that. We are Spirit,

trust Him with their lives. It’s easier said than done,

soul and body and we can’t give our families

but it will change your life when you really choose

anything if our tanks are empty. Ask yourself these

to let go and trust the Father.

questions: 1. Spiritually - am I living from overflow?

Our job as mothers is to reflect the nature of the

2. Emotionally - am I refuelling by doing

Holy Spirit to our children. We are nurturers and we remind our children who they are. We help point

what I love?

3. Physically - am I looking after my body?

them to Jesus and the Father. That’s exactly what

Sleep, rest, eat, exercise?

the Holy Spirit does with us. He reminds us of who we are and connects us with Jesus and the Father.

As mothers we must know Him in order to reflect

We can declare truth and identity over our children

His heart!

when we see them the way God sees them. Ask

_

Holy Spirit for Insight into their futures and prophesy

Mandy and her husband along with their 5 children

life over them. Practice being aware of The Holy

live in the surf town of Jeffreys Bay. They are part

Spirit’s presence and allow Him to co-parent with

of the ever growing young families community at

you. Be sensitive to His leading as He is full of

Victory Church.

wisdom, gentleness and kindness. He is better than any parenting book you will ever read.

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OUR JOB AS MOTHERS IS TO REFLECT THE NATURE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO OUR CHILDREN. WE ARE NURTURERS AND WE REMIND OUR CHILDREN WHO THEY ARE. 6

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START CHILDREN OFF ON THE WAY THEY SHOULD GO, AND EVEN WHEN THEY ARE OLD THEY WILL NOT TUR N FROM IT. PROVERBS 22:6(NIV)

Photography: unsplash

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MONA WILLIS

WORSHIP IN EVERY SEASON

Photography: Megan Carrie

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“WORSHIP IS NOT A SONG, IT’S A LIFESTYLE.”

up in a puddle of sweat, unable to move. I never realized that my experience wasn’t normal.

This phrase has been repeated in a worship team setting countless times. It sounds significant when

At the age of eighteen, unsure of what to study, I

we share it from a platform, so we hold onto it, but

decided to move to Jeffrey’s Bay for a year and

when it comes to embracing that same phrase IRL

attend Victory Gap Year. I owe so much to the

(in real life - as we Millennials like to say), things

leaders that walked with me that year. Night after

become a bit trickier. I serve as a worship leader

night my house parents would sit with me, lay

at Victory Church. I have had to learn to not

hands on me, pray over my room, declaring the

only lead the congregation in worship but, more

power and dominion of the King. This was my first

importantly, lead myself.

experience of discipleship. It all finally “clicked” into place: this is what Church looks like! The Bride

When I reflect on my journey as a Christian, one

of Christ coming together. Running alongside one

thing becomes clear: allowing my lifestyle to be

another, unified by their love for their one true

my offering of worship is the story of my life and

Saviour, Jesus Christ.

the song in my heart. Let me share a bit more of my story for some context.

I started serving in the worship team and Jesus solidified something in my heart that year: I

I grew up in a typical Afrikaans household. My

was created to worship and use my gift to help

parents separated when I was nine years old.

people connect with the One who created

We moved to a small seaside town with my mom

them. I received prophetic word after prophetic

and would see my dad every other weekend. Life

word about how I was going to lead people into

often felt very overwhelming as a young girl. I was

freedom and see shackles fall as we worship

constantly fighting off my rollercoaster emotions,

God together. Little did I know that this meant

trying to create a counterfeit “safety net” by

God would need to purify the song in my heart,

controlling everything and everyone around me.

defining my lifestyle of worship. I walked through

I was harassed by a spirit of fear my whole life

deep valleys and even higher mountains with

which started with the lie that I was not safe. I

Him. As I held onto the words and promises Father

would get nightmares almost every night, waking

gave me, I spent three years serving as a backup

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vocalist, seeing others (seemingly less qualified)

God has planted me. This is a topic I’m very

being promoted around me. He made me realize

passionate about. It’s always been very clear

that my gift will never come before my heart. I

to me that I was called to serve as a worship

was learning how to lean on Him, to serve when

leader. In every season. I’ve led sets where I

nobody asks and no one is watching. What a

felt debilitated by fear and pain (physical and

privilege to serve a God who knows what I need

emotional) but I knew that, as I declared the truth

more than I do.

of the Word over my life in song, my breakthrough would become the congregation’s breakthrough.

Walking with Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Father God

That’s my sweet spot - standing there in front of

has been the most beautiful, rewarding journey.

my brothers and sisters during a time of worship,

He has taught me how to worship in every season:

seeing them being transformed by the gentle

When I’m up and when I’m down.

touch of the Holy Spirit. It always brings me to

When I’m riddled with fear

tears.

When I’m full of faith.

When I’m single and praying for a husband.

Today I’m a young mom of two beautiful little girls

When I’m praying for the life and salvation of a

(a two-year-old and a three-month old), and I

loved one.

am once again navigating how and where Jesus

When I’m battling yet another intense migraine

wants me to serve. But I am convinced of this one

episode and I want to explode with pain.

thing: I have something to add. Whether it be in a

When I’m a Mom to two tiny pairs of feet and

mom’s group, dealing with my toddler’s tantrum or

drowning in new born season.

serving the members in our worship team.

I don’t always get it right but I know there is

Worship is not a song, it’s a lifestyle. I pray that the

always a reason to worship.

way we live our lives would give rise to worship in the hearts of our friends in the faith.

You see, part of my lifestyle of worship has

_

involved me serving in a household of faith where

Mona , Benji and thier beautiful daughters are part of the young families community at Victory Church. They also volunteer their time as worship leaders with the Victory Worship Team.

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I DON’T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT BUT I KNOW THERE IS ALWAYS A REASON TO WORSHIP.

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I WILL EX TOL THE LORD AT ALL TIMES; HIS PRAISE WILL ALWAYS BE ON MY LIPS. I WILL GLORY IN THE LORD; LET THE AFFLICTED HEAR AND REJOICE. GLORIFY THE LORD WITH ME; LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER. PSALM 34:1-3

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Photography: unsplash

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I am MARGREET WIBBELINK. But who am I? The beautiful discovery.

Photography: Iris Dorine Photography

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BEING CONCEIVED AND BIRTHED IN SOUTH AFRICA, OF DUTCH PARENTS, was a good set up to make me different. When my parents relocated to the Netherlands, the confusion began. I started asking, “Who am I and where do I belong?”. Because of that a wandering, orphan spirit took hold of me. I found comfort in the fact that I can be a travelling world citizen. My love of the ocean satisfied me with belonging to the it, and I travelled!

But deep inside I was restless and searching. I had a strong sense of God’s existence and presence in my life but was confused about Christianity. In search of spirituality, meaning of life, the plan for my life and purpose, God directed my steps back to South Africa. He met me here. I learned that there is no such thing as coincidence in your life’s happenings, and what the enemy meant to confuse and distract me, was the very key to discovering who I am.

My search made me find Him and know that I am a daughter of the King! I am two nations in one and I am a bridge builder. My only real belonging is in Him. My citizenship is in heaven. But in order to flourish, God had to plant me. The planting happened in Jeffrey’s Bay, my spiritual home on earth.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. Psalm 92:12 In the planting I learned to be. It isn’t in what I do that I am loved and accepted, but just in who I am. That is what settled my identity. I learned to become interdependent and be part of a much bigger picture instead of trying to find out what my purpose is. We are part of a body and I found my fit.

I learned that I am much more than the sum of my giftings, accomplishments and degrees. I learned that through letting all those things die, living through the cross was the best thing that could have happened to me. It’s the lifestyle that Jesus modelled. There is resurrection power after the cross. I had to let go of my dreams and desires - dead. Once my desires were dead and didn’t define me

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IT ISN’T IN WHAT I DO THAT I AM LOVED AND ACCEPTED, BUT JUST IN WHO I AM. THAT IS WHAT SETTLED MY IDENTITY.

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anymore, they were given back to me in a measure I cannot even begin to explain.

THE PURPOSE, THE FULLNESS, THE THRILL OF LIFE IN JESUS. Once I wanted to be a medical doctor, it didn’t happen. I let it die. Now I am a Midwife Specialist with a doctorate behind my name and God has given me a voice to the nations on behalf of women and families. Once I wanted to be a world traveler, but I had to let it die and learn to belong and be planted. Now I travel the world, but there is purpose attached to it. Once I wanted to be a great surfer. I pursued it. God put me in a house with some of the best surfers and a genius shaper for three years. But then I had to let it die again. It couldn’t define me; and I made it to the WSL World Longboarding Championships twice!

Once I wanted to start mom and baby clinics somewhere in a tropical rural place. I had to let it die and be satisfied with managing the clinic I co-founded in Jeffrey’s Bay. Now, He has given me an instant national and international platform to educate and empower midwives so that they can start clinics and bring change in every possible community they find themselves in.

Who AM I? People know me as a Midwife Specialist, as a Surfer, an Adventurer, an Academic, a Pioneer, a Speaker, a “whatever”. Those are all bits of who I AM and I know many attributes will still be added. These are my treasured, Godgiven attributes that are meaningful in a world in desperate need for the love of God. But they don’t define me. I am much more. I am the daughter of the King. _ Margreet is a vital member of the community in Jeffreys Bay. She’s actively part of the surfing, medical and Victory Church Community. She’s the cofounder of Healthy Mom & Baby Clinic.

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I LEARNED TO BECOME INTERDEPENDENT AND BE PART OF A MUCH BIGGER PICTURE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT MY PURPOSE IS. WE ARE PART OF A BODY AND I FOUND MY FIT.

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SOME FRIENDSHIPS DON’T LAST FOR LONG, BUT THERE IS ONE LOVING FRIEND WHO IS JOINED TO YOUR HEART CLOSER THAN ANY OTHER! -PROVERBS 18:24 (TPT)

Photography: unsplash

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MICHELLE OLIVIER restoration 25

I REMEMBER THE FRESH WINTER MORNING IN 2012.

off me, screaming and running towards the road.

I love spending my holidays on the farm with my

But he tackled me and started to choke me saying

family. The stillness and the peace; this is where I

that because I had misbehaved he was going to

can breathe. The perfect morning to go for a run,

kill me.

be myself and to enjoy what I love: being active, surrounded by family and nature. But this particular

I closed my eyes, thinking that it was my last day,

morning did not turn out the way I had envisioned it.

praying to God and saying, “I’m on my way”. I experienced such peace during this experience.

As I was running on the farm road back home, and

I experienced Holy Spirit lying next to me on the

I had the feeling that someone was watching me.

ground, whispering into my ear: Romans 8:28 “For

When I glanced over my shoulder, I saw someone

we know that God will make all things work together

duck behind the bushes. I knew something was

for the good for those who love Him”.

wrong, and that my only option was to run faster and get home, about 1 km away. A man came

In that moment I knew that God was going to

running aggressively towards me with a wooden

change this for the better and that I was not going

rod. I knew my worst nightmare was about to

to die that day. God would turn my pain into a

happen.

testimony, and many would be impacted by it.

I remember as another bakkie passed by, a “force”

He grabbed me by the clothes and said that I

came, and threw my attacker off me. I really

needed to give him my money and cell phone,

believe that this was Jesus having my back. This

which I did not have with me. So he said that he

“force”, or an angel, or whatever you would like to

was going to rape me. He started attacking me.

call Him, was holding my attacker on the ground.

I tried to stay as calm as possible and fight back

I was able to get up and run towards the bakkie,

the best I could. Finally after struggling for some

screaming out of desperation for help but also

time and being severely injured, he threw me onto

having hope in my heart that everything was going

the ground and said that if I was not going to co-

to be okay. I remember this massive flood of relief

operate then he would kill me with the knife he was

washing over me.

carrying. I realized that if I wanted to survive this, then I needed to stop fighting. He threw me over the

Walking into my parents’ home that day marked

fence and dragged me into the bushes so that no

the beginning of my journey of restoration. On this

one could see us from the road.

journey I’ve seen that where the enemy has tried to steal, God has restored. I realized that I needed

As he started to rape me, I closed my eyes and

people to help me on this journey. There was no

started to pray. I remember calling out to God,

way I could keep quiet about what had happened.

telling Him that He can open the gates of heaven, I’m coming home today. I was convinced that my

The week after the incident people from all over the

attacker was going to kill me when he was done

world were praying for me. While my cousin and his

with me.

pastor were praying for me, they both had the same vision for me: They saw me standing on a mountain

I heard a bakkie driving past and tried to push him

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Just hearing the Word wash over me, I could feel how God was giving me new strength daily. I felt what it meant to be carried by prayer.

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Photography: Impact Studios

top, surrounded by green beautiful hills, dressed in

planned for destruction ended in uniting countless

a white dress, with my hands in the air, worshipping

people in prayer.

God. My cousin told me that he had never seen me so free and so joyful. As I was walked through

One of the best decisions I’ve made on my journey

my process of restoration, I held onto this vision,

of restoration was to be as open as possible with

with many others, and scriptures I’d received from

everyone about what had happened. This resulted

people.

in many people coming alongside me, supporting me in all areas where I was weak. The community

I experienced the heart of Father God when I

around me was not only caring for my needs but

looked into the eyes of my own father. I saw how

also spoiling me. One of the greatest weapons of

broken he was and how badly he wanted to protect

the enemy in situations like this is shame; but there

me. He wanted to be there to protect his daughter.

is so much freedom in bringing things to the light. By

I felt Father God telling me that He was also broken,

bringing whatever happens to us into the light God

His heart was also sore. That He loves me so much

brings us into a place of complete healing.

and wants to protect me.

The turnaround point in my journey came when I When I heard Romans 8:28 in that situation, I

realized that the key to restorations lies in complete

received God’s Word and His will for me in that

surrender. A question that everyone asks when

situation. When we receive a word from God, and

going through a trauma is: “Why did God allow this

we receive it as our truth, it silences the voice of the

bad thing to happen?” I never struggled with that

enemy.

question because I knew He was broken with me and that He was there with me through the whole

Matthew 4:4 says that man shall not live from bread

process. I prefer to rather say that it was not God’s

alone but from every word that comes from the

will for me for these bad things to happen, but that

mouth of God. This scripture became very real to

He endured it with me. God has given all of us free

me. I could literally feel how prayer and scripture

will and that means that sometimes He needs to

were carrying me through every day. I was very

endure things with us, even though it is not His will

sick, especially in the morning because of the

for us.

ARV medication that I was using, to such a degree that I could not read the Bible myself. It was in

God loves me, but He also loves my attacker. He

these moments that I really appreciated people

loves us equally. I realized that His heart was not

reading it to me. The first week after the incident

only breaking for me, His daughter, but also for him,

was the worst. I remember my mother reading all

His son.

the scriptures that everyone was sending me. Just hearing the Word wash over me, I could feel how

To be able to be completely restored, healing needs

God was giving me new strength daily. I felt what

to take place in the body, soul and spirit. I thought

it meant to be carried by prayer. What the enemy

I’d received complete healing in the spiritual area

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but God started speaking very directly to me about

and no matter how broken you are, when you get

forgiveness. I thought I was fine, moving on with my

to a place of surrender, handing your brokenness

life, even testifying, thinking that I did not need to

to Father, He can start the process of restoration in

forgive my rapist. I even used scriptures like Psalms

you. Commit to the process of God healing you, He

139 where David says that he hates those who hate

is willing and able.

God, as my motivation that I did not have to forgive him. Two years after the incident I finally made the

If God can heal and restore me completely, He

decision that no matter how I feel, I’m going to

can do it for you! God’s heart is for you to walk in

choose to forgive. The importance of forgiveness is

complete freedom. When we allow God to come

that you are not only setting your perpetrator free

and heal us, He restores us into something better

but you are also setting yourself free. My rapist can

than what we were before.

be in a physical jail cell but receive the forgiveness of God, setting him spiritually free, while I can walk

My Anchor Scriptures:

freely outside but be in bondage because I have

Romans 8:18 ‘For I consider (from the standpoint of

not forgiven him. Forgiveness brings freedom.

faith) that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about

In 2018 I decided that I’m going to run a 21km half

to be revealed to us and in us.’

marathon. This was the final part of my restoration of just kicking the enemy in the teeth and overcoming

Romans 8:37-39 ‘Yet in all these things we are more

him. During the race I felt how Jesus was running

than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory

with me and encouraging me. With every step I took

through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that

I felt how things were falling off of me and how I was

neither death nor life, nor angels, nor demons, nor

taking the next step into my freedom.

principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come nor powers, nor height, nor

The freedom I experience today, in who I am, and

depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to

in the journey I’ve walked with God would never

separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ

have been there if this “thing” did not happen to

Jesus our Lord.’

me. As painful as this attack was and as difficult

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as the journey of restoration was, if my rapist

Joshua 1:9 ‘Be strong and courageous! Do not be

could encounter the love of Father God, it will all

terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your

be worth it.

God is with you wherever you go.’

Romans 8:38-39 says that nothing can separate us

2 Timothy 1:7 ‘For God did not give us a spirit of fear,

from the love of God. No matter what you are going

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’

through today, remember that there is nothing that

_

you can do or that could be done to you, which

Michelle is a Pastor at Victory Church, Jefferys Bay.

can separate you from the love of God. I want to

She overseas all connect groups and with a team,

encourage you, whatever you’ve been through

helps to look after the congregation.

Photography: Impact Studios

Photography: Impact Studios / unsplash

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HAVEN’T I COMMANDED YOU? STRENGTH! COURAGE! DON’T BE TIMID; DON’T GET DISCOURAGED. GOD, YOUR GOD, IS WITH YOU EVERY STEP YOU TAKE.” JOSHUA 1:9 (MSG)

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Photography: Unsplash

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LY N E T T E VA N O N S E L E N FORGIVENESS Photography: Griselda E Photography

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MY PARENTS GOT DIVORCED WHEN I WAS A YEAR

I was academically strong and soon learned

old, and six months later my mom remarried

that he left me alone during exams and when

because she was worried that she would not be

I was studying, which made me study more. I

able to take care of my brother and I with long

know this is an area where God protected me,

shifts as a professional nurse. My stepfather was

so that I would not feel unworthy and could have

a difficult man; he manipulated others and made

something to be proud of. I did not compete with

sure that my parents never got together again.

other classmates; I excelled academically for

My dad was also not allowed to come close to us,

myself.

and I only got to know him when I was twentythree years old.

Once, my stepfather hit me in the face leaving it swollen and the skin broken, but by the age of

When I was ten, I started developing breasts

fifteen I had mastered hiding things. I wondered

and being impressed with them, I told my mom.

at times why my mom never realized the

My stepfather overheard this and asked to see

tremendous pressure that was in our home and

them. My mom worked shifts, so we were left

my involvement in it, but only realized when I left

alone with my stepfather at night and he started

for university that our home was constantly in a

telling me that he really loved me, and that he

state of turmoil and emotional manipulation.

had a “special� love for me. He told me that it was our secret. He started touching me and

I had friends at school that were molested by their

said that if I told my mom I would be the cause

grandfathers or friends of the family, and I was

of their divorce which would make my mom

always there for them emotionally, but no one

very sad. In fear, I told no-one. He was a master

knew my pain. At that time, I believed that I would

of manipulation; when I refused him, he would

just make things worse if I said something. I was a

give me the silent treatment for weeks, fighting

model student at school and top of my class, so

with my mom about everything and making life

my teachers would not think that anything could

unbearable. My stepfather caused me to be

be wrong.

the barrier between him and my mom to avoid constant fights.

When I was seventeen years old, I gave my heart to God and found real peace. I kept on praying

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to God for an outcome and some days I wonder

got worse, demands for sex came into play. My

if I had said something then if the molestation

refusal caused tension, but I made sure that I was

would have stopped. Maybe there were lifelines

playing sport or studying, until my mom got home,

that I was just too fearful to take. I shared the joy

but the fighting persisted.

of my salvation with my stepfather, and his only response was that it was great for me, but Jesus

I chose Stellenbosch University to study Medicine

was not for him. I realized that he only used his

but was not accepted. I persisted in my choice

Bible for crossword puzzle answers. What helped

of university because I did not want to be close

me was that If I slept with my Bible on my chest,

to home for weekends. My roommate at ‘varsity

he left me alone. My stepfather was paranoid,

forced me to go to a clinical psychologist; she

and I was not allowed to be late from school, talk

saw what a state I was in when “he” phoned.

to anyone on the phone and definitely not speak

The sessions with the clinical psychologist only

to a boy or he would call me names. Growing up I

showed me that I would kill him if I had the

was very mindful of what I wore, where I went and

opportunity. I avoided going home as much as

who I befriended because of this.

possible.

This led to a crossroad where I had to make a

During my third year of university I stayed at my

choice…

boyfriend’s parent’s house during the holidays so

1. M y stepfather was already accusing me of

that I could visit my mom at work, without going

being a slut, so I could do what he expected

to their home. Once I needed to buy something,

and sleep with boys or slip out at night.

and after a conversation as to how my stepfather

2. I could try and be good to him, so that he could

would dissect my choice and what he would

change his ways, see me as his real daughter

think of me, my future mom-in-law asked me the

which would make him stop his behaviour

question: “Who is the God in your life? It sounds

towards me.

like your stepfather is.” It was harsh, but it was the truth and I had to hear it. This had gone on too

Neither path was really a solution, but I chose

long.

the latter, which was good for me and my future.

My stepfather did not stop molesting me. Things

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I got in my car, driving, crying and praying all the

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way. Praying that I could forgive him and asking God to help me forget every incident. When I got to my mom and stepfather’s home I told him that I forgave him for not being a true father to me, I forgave him for what he did to me, and I asked him to forgive me for hating him and for not treating him with the respect a father deserves. He denied having done any wrong; he never said he was sorry. My mom heard it all, but she did not leave him, as I thought she would.

I don’t know if God wants us all to confront our perpetrator like this, but I knew I had to.

In the natural world this does not make sense, but after that I was totally free, and I can’t remember anything that happened between my stepfather and I. God granted me my prayer. Years later I could forgive my mom, for taking his side. I could forgive myself for letting it happen and I know that as a ten-year-old child I had no control in the situation. I could pray with my stepfather on his death bed for his forgiveness and for him to give his heart to God. The scripture in Matt 20:1-16 where the labourers got paid the same regardless of when they started work made complete sense to me. My stepfather was not too late to receive cleansing with Jesus’ blood. I saw him dying in peace.

WA S T H E TRAUMA WO R T H I T ?

NEVER. WA S T H E R E SOMETHING G O O D T H AT CAME FROM T H I S? YES, A B S O L U T E LY. Rom 8:28a (NIV), And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, many times after sharing my testimony I’ve been able to help others understand the full power of forgiveness and why we have to do it. It is not to say we condone the wrong doings; we are free from it all when we live in Christ. Giving my testimony I realized why: “In it, but not of it” (John 17:16) is so true for me. We are in an unholy world with true evil, but we are not part of it. We need to consciously choose not to be part of it. _ Lynette is a registered nursing sister and midwife.

She is responsible for running the Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic on a daily basis. She is part of the Victory Church Family.

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Photography: Griselda E Photography Photography: unsplash

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NOW, IF ANYONE IS ENFOLDED INTO CHRIST, HE HAS BECOME AN ENTIRELY NEW CREATION. ALL THAT IS RELATED TO THE OLD ORDER HAS VANISHED. BEHOLD, EVERY THING IS FRESH AND NEW. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:172 (TPT)

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BETTER TOGETHER Louis & Edna

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Dear Friends

season of peaceful prosperity follows, until they do evil again.

Here we find ourselves at the start of 2020 and we thought it would be great to share this word that God

In Judges 4:1, we read: Israel, again did evil in the

has given us with you.

sight of the Lord... This resulted in great oppression where their women were taken and violated, their

God spoke a clear word to us that last year would

food and crops were stolen and they didn’t live in

be a year of continued Acceleration which we can

their God-given purpose and destiny. It sounds a bit

all attest to and that as we align with His Word and

like headlines in our daily newspaper, doesn’t it?

move TOGETHER in the same direction, we would BE THE DEMONSTRATION that would cause the harvest

Presently, many of us live in walled estates and our

to come in.

freedom is inhibited by the spirit of lawlessness that rules our cities and villages. Today, as in the time

It has also been prophesied that it would be a time

of Judges, we read: Village life ceased, it ceased

for women to arise and take their rightful place in the

in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, arose a mother in

Kingdom.

Israel - Judges 5:7 NKJV. It was at a time like this that God raised up a woman called Deborah to bring

At The 2019 Rising Ladies Conference, Edna shared

deliverance to the nation (read Judges 4:4-10). She

a word that gripped our hearts. She called it BETTER

received the Word of the Lord and summoned Barak

TOGETHER. At the time, this coincided with an uprising

(the leader of Israel’s army) to go up against Sisera

against violence and women in South Africa, which

(‘Sisera’ means: battle array/strategies) who was the

resulted in the #EnoughisEnough campaign.

commander of Jabin’s (‘Jabin’ means: intelligence) army, as God was about to give them into his hand.

As God’s people we need to rise against the enemy

Barak refused to go unless Deborah went with him.

in the power of His Spirit; however, when we succumb

Deborah agreed to go but prophesied that the

to an uprising (the word ‘uprising’ is defined as a

honour would not be Barak’s and that God would

revolution, rebellion, rooted in revolt, anger and

deliver Sisera over to them through the hands of a

entitlement, that results in a victim mentality) we

woman.

play into the enemy’s hand and give him room to manoeuvre but when we rise up in boldness, yet in

Barak’s refusal to go without Deborah has been

humility, according to the plans and purposes of

widely interpreted as negative. He has been

God, it looks different.

depicted as a weak and fearful man that hid behind the skirts of a woman.

When we look back over history, we find the same scenario we face today repeating itself - a nation

However, the truth is that Deborah represented God’s

does evil; becomes oppressed; cries out to God;

Word made flesh to Barak. He esteemed the Word

God has mercy on them and sends a deliverer; a

of the Lord (prophetic insight) and found safety and

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security in keeping it as close as possible in times of

order for that to happen, we need to:

battle. Having the Word close will always guarantee a successful outcome.

1. KNOW OUR TRUE IDENTITY Wholeness as a person is key - where we war from

Barak had to humble himself and risk the chance of

freedom and not for freedom or your version of it. In

being misunderstood and so he followed Deborah’s

order for this to happen, you need to firstly establish

instructions and did it God’s way. It’s interesting to

your freedom in Christ and keep in mind that hurting

know that it is BARAK and NOT DEBORAH who is listed

people, hurt people and broken people, break

in the “Faith Hall of Fame” found in Hebrews 11.

people. You can’t export what you have not grown at home. Be the man or woman who God has called

Barak destroyed the Canaanite army but Sisera

you to be (not the one you think you should be).

(battle strategy), the commander, fled on foot to the outskirts of the village where he came to the tent of

2. KNOW HIS DESIGN

a woman named Jael. Jael invited him in under the

God created man in His own image, in the image of

guise of hospitality in order to set him up and drove a

God He created him; male and female He created

tent peg through his head.

them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it;

Jael defeated Jabin (intelligence) and Sisera (battle

and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of

strategies), with the simple use of a hammer and tent

the sky and over every living thing that moves on the

peg. This must be one of the most unconventional

earth.” Genesis 1:27-28 NASBS

but effective examples of warfare recorded. God will use a combination of people working together

God made man and woman, to complete and not

(better together) to ultimately defeat the enemy. He

compete with one another, to have dominion and

will use a combination of prophets, commanders,

not to dominate, to rule over and not to overrule. Our

home/ tent makers with the hammer of His Word

mandate is to be fruitful and multiply, subdue the

(Jeremiah 23:29) to put a nail through the head of

earth and rule over all living things. We are created

the enemy.

equal in His image and likeness, however, the enemy loves to cause separation and bring division in order

Colossians 2:14-15 (NASBS) Jesus...having cancelled

to discriminate, divide, conquer, polarise and bring

out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees

disunity.

against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When

Instead of us being united in Christ with common

He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made

Kingdom purposes and different expressions thereof,

a public display of them, having triumphed over

we find ourselves fighting on our own and the result

them through Him.

of this is a power struggle.

God is calling us to work together with Him and with

The truth mentioned above has a wider application

one another, for the advancing of His Kingdom but in

to church leaders, business leaders and different Kingdom movements.

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3. KNOW GOD’S PATTERN

So in conclusion, when we understand the power of

God is a Father with a family who has assigned us as

BETTER TOGETHER, it doesn’t just apply to men and

individuals with our own unique and different roles.

women, husbands and wives but also to leadership

Fathers build and mothers nurture so that children

teams,

can receive a full picture of God. We are called to

mountains and anywhere else where a greater

father, mother and mentor physical and spiritual

outcome is desired.

churches,

Apostolic

streams,

Kingdom

children and when we know His pattern, plans and purposes, we will be able to build strong households

Ephesians 4:4-6 in the Message Bible captures it so

of faith with secure sons and daughters.

beautifully; You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so STAY TOGETHER,

4. KNOW AND PRACTICE LOVE, ACCEPTANCE AND FORGIVENESS

both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all,

We receive freedom through forgiveness, mercy and

who rules over all, works through all, and is present in

grace. God’s extended grace and righteousness

all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated

enable us to live in freedom that isn’t based on our

with Oneness.

own self-effort and self- righteousness. When we live from the freedom that Christ paid for us, this enables

May you find your Kingdom partners and align for a

us to draw the best out of others and sets us up for a

greater outcome in 2020!

great harvest.

Remember we are BETTER TOGETHER! In the story of Deborah and Barak, each one did their

Louis & Edna

part which resulted in total victory, instead of one person trying to be the hero. In your local church,

(This article was also published in AC TALK)

in the Kingdom context or company that you find yourself in, you or your movement alone, will not be the sole answer to the prevailing problem – we are better together.... You are able to make a difference where He has positioned you in your career or profession, by obeying His voice to advance the Kingdom of God and collaborating with others.

5. KNOW THE POWER OF PRAYER Change comes through passionate, determined prayer. We pray to God to change our families, our communities and areas of our influence, by His grace and through His Spirit.

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Photography: Unsplash

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WEAR B Y A M A D E A YA C U M A K I S

AT H L E I S U R E I want to meet the woman who turned our favorite comfortable leggings and a loose gym tee into the trending activewear look, making us all look fit and healthy while we live our daily lives.

This style has become a well known and loved style for women, whether they actually exercise or not. You can now join the women around the world rocking the active look while doing everyday activities like grocery shopping, picking the kids up from school or going for coffee with a friend.

You don’t have to wear blazers and skirts to look chic, modern and presentable because today’s athleisure brands create their activewear to be just that!

So join the trend! You’ll feel young, fresh and who knows it might even inspire you to join your local gym!

Photography: Pinterest

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EAT B Y A N N E G A L LO WAY

SIMPLE HUMMUS This Hummus recipe has a little secret ingredient that helps to make it extra smooth. It’s simple and can be made up right before a party to please vegetarians and meatlovers alike. Or keep it in an air-tight jar, in the fridge, to be spread on toast, crackers or eggs in the morning.

INGREDIENTS:

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•

1 tin chickpeas strained

•

Salt to taste

•

1/2 cup tahini

•

Ice cold water to help blend

•

1 clove of garlic

•

A glug of Olive oil

•

Zest of 1 lemon

•

Pinch of cumin

•

Lemon juice to taste

1.

Put all ingredients into a blender.

2.

Blend.

3.

Serve with your favourite veges, crackers or flat bread.

Photography: Unsplash Photography: unsplash.com

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