5 minute read
Global Connections
Global Connections
BY LOUISA VAN DER WESTHUIZEN
I am from sunny South Africa. When I experienced an inexplicable fountain of joy while going through very harsh treatment for Stage 3B cancer, I knew that God had not done this for me so that I alone could bask in His glory. I had to share it with those He sent across my path. The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him (John 7:38 CSB).
My prayer warriors already knew how God had carried me through everything without letting me down once. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV).
One morning our minister mentioned something in his sermon about someone who had gone through a difficult time, had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and was fearful about what lay ahead for her. After the sermon, I went up to him and asked whether he was allowed to share the person’s name as I would like to pray for her or perhaps connect with her to encourage her. It was his sister, and he gave me her email address. We exchanged cell phone numbers, and I was privileged to encourage her with God’s promises through the highs and lows.
Then, a friend’s daughter was also diagnosed with cancer, and I shared God’s faithfulness with her on her journey. Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV).
I am a road runner and love chatting with other runners during races. As we are all in the same boat while running, it’s easy to share stories. I find it easy to share God’s grace with people if I get the opening in our conversations. You see, before my diagnosis, my son had challenged me to run The Two Oceans ultra-marathon (claiming to be the most beautiful marathon in the world) with him the following year. But although my illness put a hold on that race, we did manage to run The Two Oceans half marathon three weeks after I finished my five weeks of daily radiotherapy. Prior to that running, I had been subjected to six sessions of intensive chemotherapy before the oncologist stopped it as my body couldn’t take any more. That was my tenth Two Oceans half marathon, earning me my permanent number. So although it wasn’t the ultra I had planned to run, God provided a way for it to be very special. I knew that it was only by God’s great mercy that I was able to do this, and I was grateful that I could tell people this whenever they marveled at the achievement. Then, an extra blessing came when I was able to run a half marathon with my daughter in The City of Gold Coast in Australia.
I could share all these blessings with people, glorifying God for His mercy.
Since then, I have also completed two of those 56km Ultra Marathons by the strength of God and can glorify His Name because of it. But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak (Isaiah 40:31 NIRV).
It was on my next visit to Australia in 2022 that God connected me with Women World Leaders. My daughter had been accepted to write a chapter for a book about her tribulations, and while I was there, she got an email from Lillian Cucuza saying that the publishers of the book gave the green light for a few more chapters. Her words were: “Mom, no pressure, but wouldn’t you like to apply to share your story?”
I was excited and afraid at the same time. I knew that it was a wonderful opportunity to reach many more people with my story of how great and trustworthy God really is. I also knew that I would have to contribute $400. In South African currency, this was approximately R8000, which is a large sum of money for a pensioner like me. But I trusted God, knowing that He would have the final say. If accepted, I would use part of my pension money and trust that God would provide in the future. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV).
The email came saying that I was accepted to write a chapter in “Joy Unspeakable: Regardless of Your Circumstances.” I had determined that even if I were to end up in a little room one day, I would know that I had contributed to the expansion of His Kingdom. And, as Lillian and Kimberly have pointed out so regularly, by following this calling, I will arrive in heaven one day to meet so many people who will be grateful I shared my story. Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light (Colossians 1:12 NKJV).
Although the Zoom meetings were very late at night in my time zone, it was a blessing to connect with a very special group of women. The presence of God was tangible in every meeting. I felt love and encouragement throughout the whole process and am so grateful that I got to know many wonderful sisters in Christ from across the ocean.
And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV).
