Even in these days when South Africa’s latest statistics indicate that there were almost 17% more divorces among African couples last year than a decade ago, there is still hope for a blissful marriage among the children of God.
Jane and Roderick Gomes from Eldorado Park will be celebrating their 13th year of a joyful and happy marriage this year. The couple met long ago and before coming to the Church nothing worked for them.
Ever since this couple gave their marriage to the Lord and opened the door for God to be the foundation of their marriage, it began to improve and is now in good shape. Roderick Gomes told Universal News that before they came to the Church, he used to abuse alcohol and things became worse later when he started to abuse his wife physically. “One day I became aggressive and violent towards my wife. She took the children and went back to her parents’ home. I was out of control” said Roderick.
He said when his wife came back after three months he was still the same old Roderick but by then Jane was attending the Church. “She asked me to come along but I was so stubborn, I would drop them at church and leave. One day she invited me again and I thought to myself let me just please her and attend. Little did I know that that was the best decision I ever took in my life. I started to attend and slowly I could see that I was becoming a new and better man. I stopped drinking and being violent towards my wife” said Roderick. “Just like other couples, we still encounter challenges as we journey along our married life, but the difference is now we no longer fight like we used to because we have made God the foundation of our marriage. We are a happy family in Christ” said Roderick.
In one of his recent messages, Bishop Macedo revealed that marriage has a deep spiritual sense, mainly because it is an institution created by God and also symbolises the union between God and His people.
Roderick and Jane Gomes believe that the secret to a happy and a life-long marriage is found in God only and He granted them wisdom to sail smoothly and enjoy the benefits of their marriage.
By Ayanda Monyela