THIRTY ONE: Issue 9

ISSUE NINE

HANNA VERBOOM

AMY ANDERSON

ME2 MAGAZINE

M A R Í S WA N E P O E L

L E E - A N N VA N R E N S B U R G

EDNA ELS

KARA NOTHNAGEL

SIMONÉ BOOYSEN

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

- Edna Els FINDING GRACE IN THE PROCESS

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- Marí Swanepoel F E AT U R E S T O R Y

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-Hanna Verboom A P R O D I G A L D A U G H T E R

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- Lee-Ann van Rensburg M Y S T O R Y

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- Amy Anderson T H E G R E AT U N K N O W N

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- Kara Nothnagel F I N D I N G P U R P O S E

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- Simoné Booysen W E A R & E AT

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© This publication is produced by Victory Media for me2 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 m e m b e r s o f Victory Church unless otherwise stated. This magazine is not 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 a n y o f t h e a r t i c l e s , d o n o t hesitate to email us at me2@victorychurch.org.za Issue 9 - June 2017 Cover photography: PENN&INK w w w. m e 2 m e n t o r i n g . c o m / / w w w. v i c t o r y c h u rc h . o rg . z a

Photography: Sherah Krause

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>>POWERNOTE<< OUR NEXT EDITION OF THIRTY ONE: is ready to go!

My friend, He is ever expanding our hearts and

Except for one little detail and that’s the note

lives to become like Him as we REFUSE to let

you’re reading right now!

adversity OR blessing separate us from His love, care, and kindness.

A cup of tea, a room with a view, and I’m ready to chat to you.

Let us REFUSE to allow smallness to enter our thinking, because the LIMITLESS ONE, lives

Since our last conversation, life has happened at

LARGE (and in CHARGE) inside of us!

such a pace that I can honestly say the world is a changed place, for me anyway.

The CREATOR of Heaven and Earth abides in us—He has made His HOME in us. Therefore, our

I realize that my world, like yours, consists of life

thinking, our living, and ultimately our boundaries

and death, illness and miracles, breakthroughs

can never be small. They are ever expanding,

and breakups. We surely had our share of that

stretching, reaching further, and yet falling in

over the past few months. (Can anyone else

PLEASANT PLACES.

relate?) The highs and lows of life echo the rhythms of our hearts. A flat line would mean

These words that Paul writes to the church in

‘game over.’

Corinth echo my sentiments exactly…

“Dear, dear Corinthians, I can’t tell you how

As we adjust to changing circumstances, it’s

much I long for you to enter this wide-open,

incredible how soon we find a ‘new normal,’ a

spacious life. We didn’t fence you in. The

delicate equilibrium as we navigate our fragile

smallness you feel comes from within you. Your

hearts to embrace the inevitability of change.

lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way. I’m speaking as plainly as I can and with

Yes, my mama passed away, but my darling

great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly

baby daughter is expecting a baby of her own!

and expansively!” (2 Corinthians 6:11-13 MSG)

Our region has been ravaged by fires, and our precious friend had a sudden cardiac arrest, BUT

Let us enter into the spacious wide-open life!

GOD... The rhythms of life, of grace, and of love...

IT’S A DARE!

As I’m writing, severe drought in our area is

Your partner in adventure,

affecting all of our lives. Knowing that He is there

Eds

in the drought and that He will also be there in the rain, has become more of a reality than our circumstances.

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Photography: Anne Galloway

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FINDING IN THE M A R Í S WA N E PO E L

THE WORD ‘PROCESS’ HAS BEEN MAKING A HABIT

trying to fit the joyful, loving Jesus who spoke to

of relevantly, and at times provokingly, appearing

me and showed me pictures, into the setting of

in my daily walk and thoughts. I am in awe of how

Sunday services.

God finds great value in this word.

One specific Sunday when I was about fifteen In his book, Beyond Personality: The Christian Idea

years old, a missionary from Lesotho came to

of God, CS Lewis referred to ‘process’ as: “The

share with us what Jesus was doing in his area. I

Christian life is simply a process of having your

can still recall him reading out of Isaiah 61, and

natural self changed into a Christ self, and that

as I read through that chapter with him, Jesus

this process goes on very far inside. One’s most

gave me a very clear vision of what He has called

private wishes, one’s point of view, are the things

me to do… I was to be a “medical missionary

that have to be changed.”

worker” serving people in rural areas. I tried my best to silently hide my tears during that service,

The seasons of my life display the evidence of

not daring to share my strange experience with

God’s golden thread of grace and the value

anybody.

He places on process. During my childhood, I attended a conservative Reformed Church with

Holding onto this vision, I decided to study

my family. My religious views, roots, and culture

Physiotherapy after school. I also went on

were predominantly formed in this setting. I

every mission trip my church had to offer,

remember asking confronting questions as a child,

continuously stirred a passion for my secret vision.

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Unfortunately, due to severe church politics and

After that year, I wanted to move as far away

the absence of spiritual leaders in my life, I found

from a failing medical system as I could. I wanted

myself silently disappointed in church and church

to experience the extreme opposite. So with

followers.

childlike faith, I confidently asked Jesus if could work at Oxford University’s hospital in the UK.

Next followed a series of geographical

Against all the odds, He gave me exactly what I

movements on a journey to pursue Purpose. I

asked for, and four months later, I started working

was unconvinced that I needed a church or

at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

accountability, and I had a strong, independent

It was an incredible learning experience, and

spirit and a deep fear of being ‘bound down.’

I will forever be grateful for that season in my

As soon as I was confronted or bored in any way,

life. But during that season, even though my life

my escape route was always to ‘run as fast as I

looked glamorous and full from the outside, I

could’ to my next location.

could not deny a growing discontentment and an increasing desire to belong. This made me

For my community service year, the government

uncomfortable, so I decided, “It must be time to

placed me in a rural hospital in Harding, KwaZulu-

move again.”

Natal. I found myself away from my family, culture, and social life, and placed in my ‘African

Around that time, I visited South Africa and was

dream’ environment.

randomly asked by a dentist friend if I would come to Jeffreys Bay for two weeks to run a

Initially, it ‘looked’ very much like the childhood

friend’s Physiotherapy practice. I immediately

perspective of where I wanted to serve, but

said, “Yes!”

the Lord used that year to break down any romanticized ideas I had about working in a

When Sunday arrived, my friend suggested that

rural setting. I was overwhelmed by the need

I also visit his church. I decided to go alone, just

and paralyzed by the lack of effective systems

in case Jesus said we needed to ‘run’ again. But

and strategic vision. I found myself drowning in a

to my horror, as I entered the church, I heard that

mixture of compassion and frustration. But even

familiar voice clearly say, “THIS IS YOUR HOME.”

though I was disappointed in the governmental

I spent the rest of the service fighting with Jesus,

medical system, I discovered a deep sense of

explaining exactly why I think He’s making a

dependency on Holy Spirit for guidance with

massive mistake. I heard Him say:

my patients. So in a very raw, desperate, and

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uneducated way, I started experiencing Jesus’s

“My Hanani, I’ve shown you many sides of what

miraculous ways in my workplace.

you perceive the plan I have for you should

So in a very raw, desperate, and uneducated way, I started experiencing Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s miraculous ways in my workplace.

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look like. I allowed you to run ‘free,’ experiment,

private physiotherapy practice was something I

and grow. I’ve given you nearly everything

clearly stated I’d never do. It was too constrictive

you’ve asked for, protected you in your lack of

and doesn’t serve the ‘people group’ that I

discernment, and even blessed your impulsive

thought I was called to serve. AND to top it all off,

ways. But still, your spirit is unsatisfied. So will you

God also asked me to join my friend’s church.

trust me now?

So why did I say “Yes”?

“Allow Me to show you what I have planned

Because HE SAID so. The verse, “Do not lean on

next. It won’t immediately make sense, and it

your own understanding but trust the Lord with all

won’t always be easy, but the calling for your

your heart,” suddenly became a very practical

life stays the same, and I won’t disregard your

instruction. I obeyed but continued to struggle

heart’s desires. The only difference is that I know

with accepting that this was relevant to my

best what you need, and I know what the vision

journey.

I showed you should look like. So TRUST Me, and allow Me to mould you into who I know you

After six months of asking Jesus “When can I

are. And in the process, I will show you how my

leave?” He gave me a vision of a Scripture that

Kingdom works.”

I wasn’t familiar with. So I looked it up, and this is what it said.

Now up to that point, even in my very independent lifestyle, there were three

“Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where

certainties in my heart:

I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I

• I loved Jesus.

will be with you and will bless you.”

• F rom an early age, I could recognize His voice

Genesis 26:2-3 NIV

and clearly identify when He was speaking.

•B eing disobedient to that voice ALWAYS

I experienced a supernatural heart-shift and

lead to massive chaos, sticky situations, and

decided to fully commit myself to this church

uncomfortable guilt-drenched consequences.

family. He gently showed me who He always knew I was, and how He never intended for me

So when the physiotherapist returned from her

to live life outside of church-community. The

two-week trip and informed me that she strongly

shift went from ‘me’ to ‘us.’

felt that God wanted me to open a practice with

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her, I knew HE had won. I arrived in Jeffreys Bay

It wasn’t always easy, and I had to grow in my

six months later, knowing no one except a dentist.

understanding, but by getting involved and

I still thought that Jesus was making a mistake; a

allowing leaders to speak into my life, I discovered

And above all, He showed me His love for His church. I saw how spiritual families love, support, and fight for each other.

Photography: Anne Galloway

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Clock wise from top left: Sydney, India, Zambia and USA

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new depths of who Jesus is and what God’s

Today, seven years after arriving in Jeffreys

Kingdom looks like.

Bay, I reflect back and can’t stop laughing at God’s goodness and the beauty of His process.

And above all, He showed me His love for His

I would never have known what incredible and

church. I saw how spiritual families love, support,

adventurous plans He had in store for me without it.

and fight for each other. Fault-finding became an opportunity to ‘participate in change’ rather

I only saw glimpses of what I thought my calling

than an excuse to ‘run away.’ In His family,

was, but Jesus showed me how to hold onto the

there is grace for each other as we unite in a

vision while trusting the process. And by His grace,

common vision of seeing people discover Jesus’s

I will continue to learn what Kingdom Medicine

intense love for them, and seeing His Kingdom

is and see how His miraculous love heals all

established.

people. n

My calling has never been more clear and my

Mari recently got married to the love of her life,

passion more alive. He blew my mind, and He

Ryno. They live in the beautiful seaside town of

never went back on His Word.

Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. Mari and Ryno are

• I have gone on countless adventures: mission

part of a vibrant community of young adults at

trips to India and Sri Lanka, a medical outreach

Victory Church.

in Zambia, medical training in Australia, prophetic training conferences, and a Medical Healing Conference in the USA. All perfectly planned to train me and help me discover His love in more radical ways than I could ever imagine.

• He stayed true to His promise, unlocking my heart’s desires that I didn’t even know existed.

I let go of my ideas and fears of losing my freedom, and He restored to me the saturating reality of what true freedom looks like.

• Oh, and if that was not enough, Jesus also gave me an amazing husband who encourages and supports me wholeheartedly in my dream and vision.

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“A B I D E I N M E , A N D I I N YO U . A S T H E BRANCH

C A N N OT

BEAR

FRUIT

OF

I T S E L F, U N L E S S I T A B I D E S I N T H E V I N E , N E I T H E R C A N YO U U N L E S S YO U A B I D E I N M E .” I A M T H E V I N E A N D YO U A R E THE BRANCHES. HE WHO ABIDES IN ME, A N D I I N H I M , B E A R S M U C H F R U I T; F O R W I T H O U T M E , YO U C A N D O N OT H I N G ” (JOHN 15:4).

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Photography: Sherah Krause

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dutch filmmaker, social entrepreneur and actress

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Photography: Iris Dorine Photography

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I get energy from people, connecting different worlds, dreaming big dreams, and making them happen. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always been an idealistic dreamer, and from the start of my career, I dreamt of building a company which would have its pillars rooted in film, fashion, and development projects.

Do you experience the involvement of God

Hanna and I are sisters, living in different cities, living an adventure together. Today I am meeting up with Hanna to talk with her about her recent discoveries in the context of faith, roots, work and Church.

in your dreams?

Only years later did I find that God was already working in me. However, it turned out that He wanted something else from me first. He started preparing a foundation to build His Kingdom. That

Hanna, please tell me what you do :)

foundation was His love for me.

I am a filmmaker, social entrepreneur, and actress from the Netherlands.

It turned out that God was not just interested in shaping my dreams, but in shaping ME. He is like

How did you get to know Victory Church?

a perfect farmer who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want a short-term

In 2011, I visited you a few times when you were

harvest. Instead, He puts all of His energy into

attending the Victory Gap Year. Since then, I

growing our roots. Psalm 1 describes deep-rooted

too became part of the Victory Church family.

trees next to the well.

When did you start acting?

God puts dreams in our hearts that resonate with

It all started when I was twenty-one years old.

our skills, our place, and our character. However,

Within a year, I was acting in both national and

His focus is always on our hearts first. We are often

international films. I remember telling my manager

so concerned about the fruit that we neglect the

I wanted to become famous so that I could use

deep roots that are needed to produce that fruit

my fame to reach out to those whose voices are

consistently.

not heard.

How did you come to learn this lesson of trust?

What motivation was behind this idealistic

It took me a long time. I noticed along the way that

career plan?

God is in control and encrypts dreams in our hearts,

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which surface when the time is right. They are sitting

that people only cared about what I did or how I

there and waiting to sprout.

looked. Meanwhile, my acting career was taking off.

With films in Hollywood and a glamourous life, my

Again and again, I found myself decorating a

‘Christmas tree’ mindset was affirmed in an industry

‘Christmas tree.’ I had all the decorations, and I had

that is only interested in the next best thing.

everyone fooled. But after a small storm, my tree would fall down.

How did you survive this world of entertainment?

I didn’t… at least not for long. It didn’t take too

I believe God desires to plant us in an environment

long for me to notice the effect of not having a

which is best for us—in a family, a body. He takes

foundation. I quickly developed into a well-known,

His time laying the groundwork, but if we don’t

wealthy actress and celebrity. I felt like a beautiful

learn to trust and wait patiently for His intensive

big tree, admired by many, and enjoying the

craftsmanship, we will miss the point.

appearance of my branches.

Patience was my big challenge; I didn’t always wait

However, a tree without roots is never able to stand

for God’s delicate fundamental work to be done. As

against a storm. When I was twenty-two, I had a

the daughter of a missionary, I travelled the world

physical and mental breakdown. I didn’t see myself

from a young age which affected me in different

to be competent to do anything. The beautiful and

ways.

admirable tree in me came crashing down.

• I was born with a sensitive character which made me notice every single dissonance between me

Was that when you started to take time for your

and others.

personal growth?

• I felt like a ‘weirdo,’ as if I didn’t belong.

Not really. Instead, I lifted up the tree again by

• The travelling lifestyle of my parents made it

grabbing hold of myself and investing energy into

difficult to physically root in one place. So, instead

my appearance and work. All by myself again, as

of developing strong roots, I focused on my

if nothing ever happened. I made myself into a

branches. I figured that as long as I am good at

Christmas tree so that nobody would realise I secretly

something or act the right way, people will accept

didn’t have any roots. I believed that as long as I

and appreciate me.

looked good and people liked what I did, I wouldn’t need a strong foundation. I was cut off from the

When I was twenty, I felt like I was on my own and

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forest and tried to shine and sparkle as brightly as

When I was twenty, I felt like I was on my own and that people only cared about what I did or how I looked.

P h o t o g r a p h y : Pe n n & I n k

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God started calling me, “Darling, we have some work to do.”

Up until now, I hadn’t given God a chance to help, let alone lead me.

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I could. Nobody noticed how thirsty and empty I

Jeffreys Bay was my place to go, and I talked

actually was. Or did they?

with Edna. She helped me realise that I had to let go of my fake tree, despite the pain I thought it would

This doesn’t sound anything like the person who

cause. The song “Scientist” by Coldplay kept playing

is sitting across from me now. When was your

in my head. I knew God was saying this to me.

turning point?

Six years ago, I visited you in Jeffreys Bay. I got

I had to find you

to know Des & Cara Sawyer and Louis & Edna Els

Tell you I need you

and others who started to speak truth into my life.

Tell you I set you apart

They kept teaching me about “roots,” and all of a

Tell me your secrets

sudden, I realised that I was a tree without roots,

And ask me your questions

which explained why I kept falling down.

Oh let’s go back to the start Running in circles, coming up tails

God started calling me, “Darling, we have some

Heads on a science apart

work to do.” Up until now, I hadn’t given God a

Nobody said it was easy

chance to help, let alone lead me.

It’s such a shame for us to part Nobody said it was easy

This turning point was far from pleasant though. It

No one ever said it would be this hard

was more like a fight. I didn’t want to let go of the

Oh, take me back to the start

things I had. My Christmas tree and the ropes which held it up had become valuable to me. I worked so

Now I have to cry. I remember this period of your life,

hard for this and had my priorities in line.

and I saw your struggle. It’s crazy to remember the difficult process you went through. It was so good

Number one was my boyfriend; second in line, my

though. I saw you letting go of control for the first

work; third, my friends; and somewhere else was

time, and such peace came over you!

God. I simply became a product of what I thought was desirable and pleasurable, but not who I truly

Peace was exactly what it was. Even though I was

am, or how I could be the strongest and gentlest

losing all control, I’d never experienced more peace

version of myself.

in my life. I knew my fake identity values were not going to hold me together. I had let go of the rope

How did you manage to change this then?

and was left empty-handed. At least, I thought so.

Photography: Iris Dorine Photography

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peace was exactly what it was. Even though I was losing

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all control, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never experienced more peace in my life.â&#x20AC;?

Photography: Iris Dorine Photography

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I quickly learned that I actually have a family who

Vulnerability is a huge key in God’s Kingdom. To be

loves me, and the God of the Universe has always

humble is a great virtue, automatically flowing from

been there for me.

the root of God’s love. And since all He cares about is that we know and understand His deep love for us,

Did you enjoy this process?

He doesn’t mind if it takes a lifetime to reveal it to us.

Root-work sounds like the Dutch word ‘Rotwerk,’

He has eternity, and in Him, we have it too.

which means ‘a hell of a job.’ That was what it was, and time is what it takes. Since then, I’ve been

So He is ok with us, whether we take a walk around

learning to grow my roots. I started to see the value

the block or stumble into the wrong direction. He

of this whole new dimension of growth. I got to know

never stops pursuing us.

who God really is for me. I learned what it means to wait upon the Lord. These past years have been

What is God teaching you now?

all about knowing how to love myself because I am

The beauty of humility. It is not about my timing,

Hanna, and I am His Daughter! I always knew God

vision, talents, or ideas. God’s focus is on growing

loved me, but now it is my strong, deep, core root.

His love in me – the rest will come. If that is the root of my tree, tasty fruit will grow by itself. I want to

Two years ago, you started Cinetree.

sit around people who are fully-rooted in His love

Can you tell me more about this?

and growing in humility. It doesn’t matter how long

Cinetree is an online platform for arthouse films

this process takes. As long as I am humble enough

selected by Dutch journalists, filmmakers, and

to allow God to grow my roots, He can build His

celebrities. It’s a dream God put in my heart as a

kingdom.

means to bring truth to the secular world without being labelled as a Christian. It was one of the

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty

dreams I had when I was twenty-one, but this time

hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all

it was God who led the plan.

your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

- 1 Peter 5:6-7

How did you notice God’s hand in Cinetree?

I used to do everything on my own, but now I’m

Would you say that Cinetree is a result of your

rooted in the body of Christ. I allowed people to

spiritual insights about trees?

come and speak into my life. I identified friends,

For sure! Just as my personal life was rooted in fear,

deep relationships, and bold women who all have

so are a lot of stories rooted in fear. It’s what people

the freedom to confront me and help me to walk

make money off.

in alignment. Jeffreys Bay is my second home within the body of Christ.

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I want to sit around people who are fullyrooted in His love and growing in humility.

P h o t o g r a p h y : Po r t r a i t b y I r i s D o r i n e P h o t o g r a p h y

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Now is the time to recruit stories that are rooted in

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose

love. Jesus was so sensitive in this and rooted all His

confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted

parables and stories in God’s love. He was never

by the water that sends out its roots by

without a story. He would look at His listeners and

the stream. It does not fear when heat comes;

shape His message to make them think and grow.

its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Many stories we hear day-by-day are rooted in fear,

- Jeremiah 17:7-8

but God is using us to change climates of fear into climates of love and truth.

I need deep roots, and I won’t be a Christmas tree anymore. Look at where I am, who I am.

Why are you rooted in two churches, both in Jeffreys

Those hurricanes will certainly come. I’ll move, I’ll

Bay and Amsterdam?

sway, but I will not fall. I will stand tall, rooted in

JBay is a forest, a small town filled with rooted trees.

God’s love, reaching out to people and places

The Netherlands feels like a huge open space, a

God chooses for me.

desert with an occasional tree. Guess which place gives the most fruit and where you naturally hear

This is what I want to give my life to. This is why Jesus

the most from God, the desert or the forest?

sacrificed His life. This is why God grows my roots.

That is why I love to come to Jeffreys Bay. It’s

Interview by Damaris Verboom

like an oasis. However, my heart goes out to the Netherlands, where the thirst is so extreme. Living in a city like Amsterdam makes me realise that I need even deeper roots.

If you were a Christmas tree in the past, what tree are you now?

It turns out that palm trees have the longest roots and can even resist hurricanes. A tree that has to withstand a hurricane has to grow deep roots to survive. A deserted area might feel scary and make me focus on danger instead of the Provider, but through God’s persistent love, I can grow strong roots and fill myself up with His wisdom.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;A N D T H E WO R D B E CA AMONG US, AND WE B G LO RY A S O F T H E O N FAT H E R , F U L L O F G ( J O H N 1:1

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A M E F L E S H A N D DW E LT B E H E L D H I S G LO RY, T H E N LY B E G OT T E N O F T H E G R AC E A N D T R U T H ” 14 NKJV).

Photography: Unsplash

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LEE-ANN VA N R E N S B U R G

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I ALWAYS THOUGHT EVERY LITTLE GIRL DREAMS

as long as I didn’t have to face the truth that I

of being famous a Superstar. Of course, that

was an insecure young woman with a broken

is something that an ambitious, self-focused

heart and a bag full of issues.

girl would think, right? That everyone was in competition with her and that all the world

After studying Drama, the real world hit me. I

was her stage?

was not ready to deal with growing up. I met a guy, moved in with him, and started clubbing. I

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to

loved being in the clubs; loud music equalled little

shine. But at a very young age, my parents got

talking, and of course, there was my favourite

divorced and life changed instantly. My dream

thing… dancing. It was like being underwater

to shine seemed shattered. One never expects

away from the real world.

divorce to have such a huge effect on people, but for me, it was as if someone had punched me

I was extremely happy… or so I thought.

in the gut and I couldn’t get my breath back. As

After three or four years of this lifestyle, God

if someone had struck me with a hard shot in the

decided to ‘pull my file.’ I ended up at a friend’s

face and I became numb.

funeral, met some very interesting Christians, was invited to their church, and got saved

Things got tough, very tough. Financially,

by the weekend. I was never one for half

relationally, and especially emotionally. Probably

measures⎯everything in excess, even getting

no tougher than the average divorce story, but

saved. I said “Yes” to God and decided to run

this was my life, my story. My dreams shattered

at a thousand miles per minute.

before my eyes, and I struggled for years with rejection issues. I felt insignificant and unnoticed,

From the moment I tasted God, I was passionately

and I silently acted out. I wasn’t openly rebellious

in love! I had no clue who He really was, just my

or defiant; I was just quietly dying inside and

legalistic framework to go by from childhood. Boy,

hurting deeply.

did He blow my mind!

I did my best to dull the pain, putting up walls and

I would love to say that I was instantaneously

investing in a few masks. I began to ‘play games’

healed of all the insecurities and baggage I

and soon took to the stage. Bright lights and a

mentioned earlier, but that would be a lie. It took

script became my drug of choice, and the fact

time. A long time. And sometimes, a frustrating

that I could be whoever I wanted to be (a fake

and infuriating time. My party days had taught

persona) made it all the more pleasurable. That is,

me that instant gratification was the way to go,

30

“ T HERE ARE DAYS WHEN IT WOULD BE MUCH EASIER TO BE A FAKE PLASTIC FLOWER, BUT THEN I REMIND MYSELF OF WHERE I’VE COME FROM AND WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR ME. “

31

so when God introduced patience, character

And then He did the most amazing restoration

building, healing, and waiting on Him to my life,

ever. He gave me what I had always loved

it was a complete shift for me. The reality of the

and craved… The Stage. Only now, it was the

pain I felt deep in my heart confronted me for

sanctified and surrendered version: A spot on

the first time. All the unresolved issues I had buried

the stage to speak about my First Love,⎯Him!

under my sarcasm, wit, and masks came rushing out⎯exposed.

His joy is my strength, and fake versions of that will no longer do. He has taught me to be a daughter,

Slowly, layer by layer, He gently removed every

one who understands family and freedom. One

dirty, painful piece. I remember asking him once,

who has a voice and can use it to glorify Him.

“Will I ever be that fun-loving girl again with a

Now when I get up on a stage to speak (or

sharp sense of humour? You have taken it all. Do

perform), I never feel that I have to escape the

you ever have any fun and party?”

reality of the world. He IS my escape, my rock, and my shield.

I clearly remember Him replying, “I have removed the perverted version of this to make room for

Do I have bad days? Days when the enemy’s

who I created you to be. And I guarantee,

words threaten to drown out God’s love for me

Lee-Ann, that you will love her.”

and imprison me in fear and intimidation? Do I sometimes feel like I want to run away and be

Sounded a little too good to be true. I thought it

underwater again? Does life get a bit much?

was prideful to love yourself, but as promised, He

Oh Yes!

faithfully replaced what was lost and twisted, and I began to love what He was creating in me.

There are days when it would be much easier to

• I fell in love with my gentle and quiet spirit.

be a fake plastic flower, but then I remind myself

• I stopped needing to be the centre of attention

of where I’ve come from and what God has done

and became comfortable in my own skin.

for me.

• He gave me a place to call home, and people that love me madly.

• He has taught me to be vulnerable and real.

And for the first time, I can boldly say, “I am not alone, and I will not be crushed. I have a loving

Because He is always there by my side, I don’t

Father that rescued this prodigal daughter and

need to protect and preserve myself any longer.

gave her more than she could have hoped

He is more than able to do that.

or dreamed for… and that has made all the

• I can be in His presence and not ashamed while

difference!” n

still having so much fun and laughter with Him. Lee-Ann and her family live in Durbanville, South African. She is part of the passionate and lively staff at Oakhill Church.

Photography: Jana Engelbrecht

32

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.â&#x20AC;?

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

Photography: Sherah Krause

34

AMY / anderson

35

THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN HARD.

designed to stunt my belief in my significance,

Attitudes and coping habits that I managed to

and my unique contribution to God’s plan for

get away with in the first year of marriage have

our family.

not been working anymore. We’ve been married almost two years, and in that time, I’ve managed

I didn’t even realize I was carrying those lies in my

to start and run my own business, and have a

heart. They had built up over the years through

beautiful baby girl.

many disappointments. I had been disappointed and discouraged in certain areas about which I

When you’re stretched, you see the coping

was passionate. There were also areas where my

mechanisms you’ve picked up over the years. In our

husband and I just couldn’t agree upon, and I

home, my husband calls mine ‘the pout.’ It reflects

was so disappointed to let those things go. I had

my inability to take correction or direction, or to

come to believe that what I had to offer was being

walk in true submission and alignment. It’s been

‘snuffed out’ and that my dreams and ideas would

breaking down our communication and stunting

eventually go unnoticed. Over time, I feared the

our ability to move forward in the things of God. At

desires of my heart would never see the light of

first, it didn’t seem like a big deal, but often it’s the

day and that my unique contribution to this world

little things that tax a relationship over time.

would die with me.

• It had to be ‘my way or the highway.’

But I was determined not to let that happen.

• If I was right, I made sure he knew why.

I would make sure I was not overlooked or

• I was defensive of my ideas for our family

underappreciated. I would ‘fight for my rights.’

and home.

After all, if I didn’t, who would?

• I ensured He knew the direction I was going, the things I had learned, and why it was significant

It’s funny, but sometimes the things that we

for our family’s future.

think will bring us freedom actually bring us into

• I also made sure he was aware of how I was

bondage. Over time, my attitude and will to fight

going to do it. After all, as a wife and a mommy, I

took its toll on my heart and our relationship. The

have a significant and irreplaceable contribution

more I fought, the worse it got. The more I tried to

to our family. Without me, he was incomplete!

get my way, the harder marriage seemed. I knew

Why couldn’t he see that?

things needed to change, but couldn’t figure out how to change them.

God recently spoke into this area of my life in a simple but powerful prophetic word. He said to

God knows the pain of our hearts intimately. He

me, “You are not going to get squashed.”

is so kind, yet empowering. All He had to do was speak truth into my wounded soul. As I began to

At the time, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it,

dwell on the word He had given me, I heard Him

but this word has begun to expose some sneaky

whisper,

lies that were hiding in my heart. Lies that were

Photography: Marissa McCann

36

“It’s okay. You won’t get squashed. You’re not

INHERITANCE you leave. Your children will either

going to go unnoticed. You DO bring a significant

inherit the promises of God, or the fears that held

contribution that no one else can, and I need you.

you back.

Don’t quit! We just need the right time and the right place to allow that to fit in, and it’s coming,

It’s time we realize WE are important and what we

I promise. Your dreams matter.

do matters for more than just our lifetime. In my life, here are two examples of the inheritance I have

Let’s do it this way. I’m full of wisdom, and My ways

received.

work. Trust me and My timing.

• My mother chose to not get squashed in Now, you’ve got it! Now, you see why I said it’s best

struggles with my dad and their marriage,

to do it this way… to wait until this very moment for

and because of that, I now inherit a lifetime of

it to come to pass. Those dreams and abilities were

learning what covenant love looks like and can

never meant to be left behind. I put them in you!”

pass that on to my daughter.

• A beautiful woman who is a spiritual mom to me

The lies I had been holding onto were strategically

chose to not get squashed when the enemy told

fashioned to deter me from believing I had a

her to close-off her heart because of pain. She

destiny full of promise. When I saw the lies for

chose rather to keep nurturing, and now I get

what they were, I was so angry! I carry something

to experience her wisdom and friendship which

important, and I almost gave it up because of those

propels my spiritual growth and will influence my

lies. I had pulled away, but I am so grateful He

future generations.

pursued me with the truth.

“You’re here for a reason. It’s totally true.

By using His ways, His wisdom, and His timing, my

You’re part of a world that is counting on you.

dreams are beginning to come to life. I see fruit in

So don’t be too worried if some days fall flat.

our marriage because, by using God’s ways, my

Good things can happen even from that.

contribution propels us rather than straining us.

You’re here for a reason.

The enemy is a LIAR. He is determined to destroy

perhaps you forgot

unique attributes of the King that will only ever find

A piece of the world that is precious and dear

expression and life THROUGH YOU.

would surely be missing if you weren’t here.”

If you think you’re not, I would just say that

~Nancy Tillman, You’re Here for a Reason Friends, if we faint, our families and babies will not receive everything that God has placed

You are important, and your desires and

inside of us—those things that were made to be

contributions matter to this world. Don’t give up! n

passed down from generation to generation. He

37

has an inheritance for you, and in turn, you get

Amy along with her husband and daughter is part

to move and change generations THROUGH THE

of Life Connection Church in Calgary, Canada.

P h o t o g r a p h y : Fa m i l y p o r t r a i t b y M a r i s s a M c Ca n n

38

“A R E

YO U

TIRED?

WORN

OUT?

BURNED OUT ON RELIGION? COME TO M E . G E T AWAY W I T H M E A N D YO U ’ L L R E C OV E R YO U R L I F E . I ’ L L S H O W YO U H O W TO TA K E A R E A L R E S T. WA L K W I T H M E A N D W O R K WITH LEARN

M E — WATC H THE

HOW

UNFORCED

I

DO

I T.

RHY THMS

O F G R AC E . I W O N ’ T L AY A N Y T H I N G H E AV Y O R I L L- F I T T I N G O N YO U . K E E P C O M PA N Y

WITH

ME

AND

YO U ’ L L

L E A R N TO L I V E F R E E LY A N D L I G H T LY.” ( M AT T H E W 1 1 : 2 8 - 3 0 M S G ) .

39

Photography: Unsplash.com

40

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Photography: Rebecca Keates

THE

KARA NOTHNAGEL

great U N K O W N

THE GREAT UNKNOWN. IN A NOVEL IT SOUNDS

Proverbs says, “Many plans are in a man’s mind,

beautifully mysterious, doesn’t it? Wide open

but it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand

space with no boundaries, no time constraints, no

(be carried out)” (Proverbs 19:21).

systems or agendas, nothing but opportunity and potential.

“In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

Yes, it sounds so ‘free.’ That is until you are living smack. bang. in the middle of it. And, the only

“The steps of a [good and righteous] man are

thing you have to hang onto is a word or a

directed and established by the Lord, and He

promise whispered into your heart by The One

delights in his way [and blesses his path]”

who made you.

(Psalm 37:23).

There have been times in my life where I’ve heard

So, how do you find God’s purpose when your

what God was saying, ran with it and then saw

plans go awry? How do you engage in the ‘here

it happen - those moments felt glorious! But in

and now’ without letting go of the dream? I feel

recent years, there have been times where we

like Paul when I write, “not that I have already

had plans and vision, where we were running fast

been perfected in all of this,” but these small

and hard towards what we felt God had said,

thoughts are what I have learned and continue

and then… everything changed. Our plan went

to be cemented in my life.

awry, and we found ourselves plucked out of what had been our ‘land of liberty’ and into a place that, for us, was like a sea of unstable and unchartered waters that we never thought we’d have to navigate.

A delayed visa application that, technically, is still pending, meant we had to move continents.

I was pregnant with our 2nd baby, we had just started a new school, and we had made friends who had become family. Life was blossoming and blooming, and we were running hard and fast with the long-term, big-picture vision right in front of us in blazing Technicolor. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and still no visa.

Months turned into a year, and we had to face the reality that things were not going according to our plan. And for a time, the long view was blurred at best.

1) When your life is rooted and grounded in Christ, then your purpose is held secure within the safety net of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.

“Jesus came up and said to them, ‘All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20).

What this meant to me was: Wherever there are people, there is purpose.

42

As Christians, we carry the Kingdom of God

For us, stepping out into the unknown meant us

within us; we are called to be ambassadors of

physically moving from one nation to another,

that Kingdom and represent (that means to

with very little notice.

re-present) the ways, values, culture, and rule of the King. We do that through what we do, in the

However, we determined to keep our hearts

place we are.

aligned with the last thing God said to us which was that he had put us in relationships that were

So whether your circumstances reflect your idea

not negotiable. And so, we continued to sow

of God’s plan or not, you are not without ultimate

time, effort, vulnerability, and even resource into

purpose, because where there are people, there

where we had been grafted.

is purpose. Where there are people, there is an overarching mandate that compels us to love, to

Relationship trumps geography. Make the

serve, and to make plain the good news of what

decision to stay connected, no matter what

Jesus did through our lives.

it takes. Find the people who will tend to the garden of your heart and hold the dream in front

Do what you can with what is in your hand, with

of you even when you feel like abandoning it.

an attitude of humility. You never know, a casual coffee with a mum at school could turn into a life-

There have been days where we couldn’t see the

long relationship. A little writing job here and there

woods through the trees, and those people lifted

could result in a business. That home you have to

our heads, bandaged our wounds, and called

live in because you can’t afford anywhere else

us back to purpose, back to vision, and back to

might just become the beacon of light that the

God’s promises and words over us.

community has been searching for. Look and see what God is doing in the ‘here and now,’ and if you can’t see, look again and again until you can.

Ask Jesus, “Where are you in this?” because, just like the disciple on the road to Emmaus, Jesus may be right next to you without you even knowing.

“If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed” (Proverbs 29:18).

2) We got called out of a physical place, not out of relationship.

43

Another lesson, if you don’t have a friend, be one to someone else. Sow the kind of friendship that you are longing for and just see what God will do.

3) Enjoy every day—determine to really live, not just exist.

And don’t let go of the dream. There is a fine line between waiting and drifting, and I believe that peace, joy, and hope are the distinction.

Without hope, disappointment moves in, and disappointment is like a slow-working poison.

Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Hope deferred inevitably goes hand-in-hand with disappointment. And heart-sickness due to

â&#x20AC;&#x153; T here is a fine line between waiting and drifting, and I believe that peace, joy, and hope are the distinction.â&#x20AC;?

Photography: Nas Abraham

44

45

those dashed hopes tries to strangle one’s ability

unknown is the killing ground for pride because

to dream and hope again. Disappointment and

there is no way to justify yourself. You must wait

dashed hopes give way to that voice first heard

for Him who is faithful to work it together for your

in the garden all those years ago. The voice that

good.

says, “Did God really say…?”

I remember praying as a little girl to be a I do not believe that everything happens for a

“planting of the Lord for the display of His

reason. No, that is a dangerous thought pattern

splendor,” and I have learnt that when you have

to follow. However, I have experienced that God,

His splendour in mind, you can bloom wherever

in His kindness, causes reason to come out of

you are planted because it’s about His glory and

even the most un-understandable circumstances

not your own, His strength and not yours.

so that nothing is wasted in the Kingdom. There is nothing you can give up or lose for Him because

So, what do we hold on to?

He is a faithful and rewarding Father.

We hold on to promises that are constant, proven, and faithful.

Reason, purpose, and divine appointments have emerged in the middle of the unforeseen and

ENLARGE

unknown. I’ve felt my dreams fall into the ground

That is why waiting does not diminish us any more

and die in the soil of disappointment, only to be

than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We

resurrected to life as part of a bigger picture that I

are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t

didn’t even see before.

see what is enlarging us, but the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our

Without peace, anxiety has a field day. Fear of

expectancy.

the unknown is fear of a future without God in it.

// Romans 8:22-25

Fear is tormenting and relentlessly stands on the bank of the unknown trying to harass you into

PERFECT&CONSTANT

surrender. Do not surrender. There is peace to

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and

be found in the knowledge that God is a good,

constant peace whose mind [both its inclination

good, good Father. He is love, and there is no fear

and its character] is stayed on You, because he

in love. Therefore, there is no fear in a life rooted

commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes

and found in Him. He knows the future, and He

confidently in You.

says He has plans that are good and hope-filled.

// Isaiah 26:3

The waiting season tests your pride because

KNOWN&UNDERSTOOD

suddenly voices of accusations and unbelief pipe

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the

up with all their questions. The truth is, even if your

waiting, God’s Spirit is right there helping us along.

plan doesn’t ‘work out,’ your life WILL because

It doesn’t matter if we don’t know how or what to

the Word promises as much! Having a joyful

pray. He does our praying in and for us, making

expectation toward God in the middle of the

prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching

46

groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves. He knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. // Romans 8:15-17 Although we can be unsure as to how our plans may or may not unfold, I am thankful for a kind God who causes reason, expansion, and growth to emerge even from the most turbulent of times.

And, I have finally settled that no matter what it looks like, He is faithful and I am not diminished in the waiting.

So take courage, dear friend, as you stand on the precipice of the unknown. I am learning that there is hidden treasure along the way and breakthrough on the other side.

Give yourself to do what He shows you each day until the end-goal comes back into focus.

We serve a God who is in the business of doing the impossible; He is the God who makes a way where there doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to be one. He is faithful, and He will unfold in and through you more than you could ever hope for, plan, or imagine. And whatever the enemy of your soul tries to throw at you for your destruction, God will not only turn around for your good but the salvation of a nation. n Kara, along with her husband Christian and 2 beautiful children are based in London, UK. As well as running their own business, they are also part of the thriving community at London Network Church.

47

â&#x20AC;&#x153; I am learning that there is hidden treasure along the way and breakthrough on the other side.â&#x20AC;?

48

“A N D

HE

SAID,

‘PLEASE,

SHOW

M E YO U R G LO R Y.’ T H E N H E S A I D , ‘I WILL MAKE ALL MY GOODNESS PA S S

BEFORE

YO U,

AND

I

WILL

P R O C L A I M T H E N A M E O F T H E LO R D B E F O R E YO U . I W I L L B E G R AC I O U S TO

WHOM

I W I L L B E G R AC I O U S ,

A N D I W I L L H AV E C O M PA S S I O N O N W H O M I W I L L H AV E C O M PA S S I O N ” ( E XO D U S 3 3 : 1 8 - 1 9 N K J V ) .

49

Photography: Sherah Krause

50

I DISCOVERED MY PURPOSED WHERE MY PASSION AND FRUSTRATION MET

51

AS A YOUNG GIRL, I HAD TO GROW UP VERY

too close to us. We stopped making friends, and

quickly. I had to teach myself how to be

we stopped plugging into church or community.

independent, look after myself and those around me, and live up to the standards of two extremely

It became a lonely life and performance started

perfect parents. Like a lot of people, I grew up

sneaking into our family. My parents started

in a Christian home with lovely parents who

competing in all areas of their lives, and my

were super-involved with church, super-hard-

brother was an absolute genius with everything he

working, and super-energetic. We were the most

did. But I was lost… confused and ‘sick and tired’

adventurous family in the neighborhood, and

of this life. I rebelled in every area imaginable and

‘family’ was the most important aspect of our lives.

gave up on this whole ‘Jesus-thing.’

When I reached the age of nine, my mom got

When I reached Grade 10, I had no idea who I

extremely sick and spent fifty-two consecutive

was. So I started experimenting with all the wrong

days in the hospital. We were prepared to say

stuff and looking for acceptance and affirmation

“goodbye” to her, but by God’s grace, He was not

in all the wrong places. I couldn’t care less about

done with my mom’s life. This crisis made me very

God, or family for that matter. I stopped being

independent, but also fearful because the doctors

friends with any of the girls and had no idea

said that my mom would never be the same

what womanhood, sisterhood, or any other kind

again. They were right, but the God we serve has

of ‘hood’ meant at all. I was not interested in

plans that will prevail and a purpose that will be

friendships, and my independence became ugly.

carried out, no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in.

The funny thing is that, no matter how much I tried to run away from God and His love, He was always

In the next few years, my Dad got transferred a lot.

there, protecting me, loving me, and speaking so

We had to move a total of six times, and I ended

clearly to me⎯I could not help but hear His voice.

up in seven different schools. I learned to adapt

I recognized that I was going nowhere in life, and

to any situation. In fact, at any point in time, I was

it took me one split-second to realize that I MUST

ready to pack my bags and move again.

have a bigger purpose than to just be fearful, lonely, and independent. Those things would bring

Despite the frequent upheavals of moving, one

me nowhere. I realized that I needed people in my

thing which remained constant was the strong

life, and I needed to be plugged-in to grow.

bond between us as a family. Unfortunately, due to us not being sure what will happen next, the flip

In 2015, I somehow decided to join Victory Gap

side was that we never allowed anyone to come

Year, and although it was the hardest decision I

52

ever had to make, it was also the most rewarding

was just waiting for me to surrender to Him and

decision I’ve ever made. It has been one massive

embrace His will for my life.

journey where God took me and my messed-up identity and showed me exactly WHO I AM.

The enemy has relentlessly tried to convince me that I’m not worthy to work with young ladies, and

He told me, loud and clear,

that’s where he comes to rob us from our heart’s

“Simone, you are My princess. I am your Father.

desires. We need to take back our frustrations,

You can do all things. You have a greater purpose.

align them with our passions, and start walking

I made you a leader to help raise up young girls.

in the purpose for which God has made us.

I made you to show them how I see them, and lead them where I want them to go.”

I couldn’t help but be obedient. I started a mentoring group for High School girls called

And you know what? I struggled so much, and it

“SHE IS.” I am currently leading this mentoring

took months to erase all the lies which the enemy

group with five other leaders who have a heart

had injected into my brain. I had to look into the

for the next generation of powerful young

mirror every morning and tell myself that,

women⎯leaders who love God and love His

“I am beautiful. I am successful. I am capable of

people.

having girls as friends. And most of all, I am where God wants me to be.”

I am still trusting for massive miracles regarding my Mom’s health, my Dad’s career, and my younger

Only now can I confidently say that every lie has

brother’s journey with God. But the God we serve

been replaced with God’s truth over me!

is so faithful, and if He can do it for me, He can do it for anybody.

About two years ago, God gave me a dream that I should work with young girls and help them

I am still learning a lot about God, His love and

establish their identity and discover their purpose.

grace, how to love others the way He wants me

I literally laughed at God and said to myself that,

to, and how to trust Him in all areas of my life.

“There is no way that I am doing such a thing. I

I am currently studying BA Psychology through

hardly know how to dress or talk like a lady, and

Cornerstone Institution and am still part of VGY.

now God wants to me teach others?”

He has gone before me and has made all my But the dream didn’t go away. In fact, it became

ways straight. God picked me up, carried me,

ALL I could think of. Then one day, I realized

and has never forsaken me. His plans for my life

that for all these years, God has had a plan and

are good, and I am so excited for my future! n Simone is part of Victory Gap Year's graduate programme in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.

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Photography: Nicole Honeywill

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Photography: Unsplash

55

WEAR

BY TA RY N J OY N E R WO O D

V E LV E T Let us, for a moment, marvel at this wonderful fabric.

If any of you have been checking out Pinterest lately (and if you haven’t, I’m not quite sure what you do with all your free time, really) you will see velvet making an appearance again. No longer reserved for the underground Goth scene or medieval-looking festival wear anymore. Velvet is back!

Casual tees, rompers to loafers, you will surely find it in velvet. (I’m personally loving this great blush coloured hoodie!) Paired with a simpler fabric, like a pair of ripped jeans and sneakers, you have a great casual feel.

Otherwise, chuck a button-up over your outfit. Plus, who doesn’t love feeling a bit of velvet, right?

Basically, if you’re a human and you wear clothes, wear velvet. No excuses.

Photography: Pinterest

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I TA L I A N B A K E D WHITE FISH WITH OLIVES

EAT

B Y A N N E G A L LO WAY

A N D A S I M P L E TO M ATO S A U C E A tried and tested Jamie Oliver recipe. I add an extra chilli to the tomato sauce. And if theres a rogue eggplant running around, I also chop that and throw it in. It’s a healthy and comforting meal.

INGREDIENTS: (FEEDS 4 PEOPLE) •

3 cloves of garlic

•

red wine vinegar

•

1 bunch of fresh basil

•

4x 150 g white fish fillets , such as hake

•

olive oil

•

1 handful of black olives , (stone in)

•

1 fresh red chilli

•

1 tablespoon capers

•

2x 400 g tins of quality plum tomatoes

1. To make the sauce, finely slice the garlic. Pick the basil leaves and finely slice the stalks. Heat a good couple of lugs of oil in a large pan over medium heat, add the garlic and basil stalks. Pierce the chilli once with a knife so it doesn’t explode when frying, then add to the pan. Fry gently until the garlic is soft but not coloured, stirring occasionally.

2. Add the tomatoes and season lightly with sea salt and black pepper, then simmer gently over a low heat for 30 minutes, or until thickened and slightly reduced.

3. W hen the time’s up, remove the chilli, and break up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon. Then add a tiny swig of red wine vinegar to give it a little twang.

4. P reheat the oven to 220°C. Pour the tomato sauce into a 20cm x 30cm roasting tray. Season the fish fillets on both sides with a little salt and pepper, then place on top of the sauce.

5. S quash the olives. Remove the stones. Sprinkle into the tray, along with the capers and most of the basil leaves over the fish. Cook in the oven for around 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through.

5. Scatter over the remaining basil leaves. Lovely served with new potatoes and a green salad.

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Photography: Unsplash Photography: unsplash.com

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