Universal Ark » Testimonies

Determination is her secret

Ayanda Monyela — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:06:58 +0000

Some single mothers face challenges in life and have difficulties raising their children. Some of them have to work at two jobs in order to afford rent,

school fees and food. Theresa is a single mother of two. She went through many difficulties in life but did not allow hardship to put her down. She trusted in God that her situation would change. She told the Universal News that for more than two years she used to depend on her friend for a place to stay, clothes and food. “I was married but my marriage did not last. I used to have many problems and we ended up divorcing. The house we used to stay in was my exhusband’s and I had to move out,” said Theresa.

Theresa was unable to go and look for a job because she could not walk properly. She had to use a walking stick. “I would sit at home and do nothing. I would always feel pain in my leg,” said Theresa.

One day she attended a service at the UCKG. After the service she went to a pastor for counselling and the pastor told her to join the chains of prayer. “From that day on I kept on going to the church, I took part in the chains of prayer on Mondays for my finances and on Tuesdays for my healing. The pastors and assistants prayed for me and slowly I started seeing changes in my life,” said Theresa. God healed her from all the pain in her leg and she is now able walk without a walking stick.

Since 2005 Theresa has been going to the church and she never stopped participating in the movements of faith. When the Campaign of Israel was introduced she took part. She wrote her prayer request asking God to give her a house and improve her finances. “I did not know how would I get the house because the house belonged to my ex-husband. God made me realise that I had to make peace with my family and my ex- husband.”

When Theresa decided to make peace with her exhusband and her family she became free inside and God opened more doors in her life. “One day I just saw my son coming to me with the keys of the house and I was surprised. He told me that his father decided to give the house to me. Now I have my own place to stay. I was also able to start my own therapy business which is doing very well,” said Theresa

By: Maggie Nyaunda

God answered me in prison

Ayanda Monyela — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:53:24 +0000

Percy Khumalo is a 33-year old man from Rosettenville who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for robbery when he was 22.Percy never believed that God existed. He used to make jokes about people who attended church in prison and would mock them, questioning God’s existence. “Where was their God to take them out of prison?” he asked.

Life in Prison

In prison, he was bitter and held many grudges against his co-accused who had turned against him and testified as a state witness. Because of this, Percy wanted his fellow robber killed.

Meeting God in Prison

Percy told Universal News about his “Damascus” experience which totally changed his views on God. “I was sleeping when I heard a voice asking me if I knew who He was and if I knew the reason why I was still alive. I woke up and was convinced that it was a voice of God. From then on I knew that God was asking me to acknowledge Him and I started to feel the desire to serve Him,” said Percy.

My life today

Since the day of his encounter with God, he started attending prison ministry services. “I have to admit that I was angry and wanted the state witness killed because I knew that I was going to serve a very long sentence for the crime I committed. I organised people to kill him but after my encounter with the Lord, I forgave him from the bottom of my heart. I’m glad I got a chance to talk to him and completely cleared my conscience,” said Percy. He was desperate for a change in his life and through the services that were held on Tuesdays and Fridays in prison, his relationship with God grew from strength to strength.

By: Nikiwe Titus

I found my answer in God

Ayanda Monyela — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 08:38:00 +0000

For many years, Wiseman was unemployed and ended up as a gangster and drug addict, drinking alcohol and robbing people.His family was not happy with the kind of life he lived. “My family started to isolate me. They made me feel like I was not part of them. I used to feel lonely and would take drugs even more, thinking that I would feel better about myself. After taking drugs I would still feel empty inside. I wanted to stop but instead my situation grew worse,” said Wiseman.

Wiseman told Universal News that his relatives used to help him with shoes and clothes to wear. “My family did not support me and my father wanted to chase me out of the house. I would get up every morning to look for a job, but would only get temporary jobs,” said Wiseman.

With the money he would get, he would buy alcohol and drugs. “All I wanted was to live a happy life with my family but my life style was totally contrary to my family’s values,” said Wiseman.

When Wiseman was invited to the Church he took part in the chains of prayer on Mondays for financial success. Slowly he started seeing changes in his life.

When the Campaign of Israel was introduced, he decided to take part. He asked God to change his life completely and give him a good permanent job. After he committed himself in the campaign, more doors opened for him. He found a good permanent job and God transformed his life completely.

“I am no longer smoking drugs, drinking alcohol and robbing people. I was able to buy a brand new car, a Toyota Yaris,” said Wiseman. He was also successful in love. “I am married and living a happy life with my family. I thank God for what he has done in my life,” said Wiseman.

Cathedral of Faith, Durban 465 Anton Lembede (Smith) Street, Opp. Dudoc Centre

By: Maggie Nyaunda

“He threatened to kill me if I told anyone”

Ayanda Monyela — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:44:42 +0000

My childhood was like any other. I was a happy child, always playing, laughing. I loved being close to my family. I was a secure child. But in an instant I lost the most natural thing a child could have, I lost trust and with it my childhood. I was raped by an older man when I was eight years old. I remember not knowing what was happening but understood that it was wrong. His breath reeked of tobacco and it lingered on my body and my mind throughout my childhood. I was so young, so helpless. After the incident, my behaviour changed completely. Gone was the playful Pauline and in her place was a new Pauline – a confused young girl who hated men. My family noticed the change in me, but I could not tell them, I could not tell anyone. The man threatened to kill me if I ever said a word about what happened and I believed him.

As I grew older, my hatred and anger grew as well. By that time my relationship with my parents was bad, to say the least. I hated them for not protecting me, for not comforting me, for not being able to see what had happened to me.

This experience had left a scar that reached deep into my soul and now I see that only Christ could have gone that far to help me. He taught me to do the one thing I thought impossible at the time: to forgive. His amazing love for me gave me the strength to forgive my abuser and my parents. Fourteen years after that horrible day, I finally told my mother what happened. She was shocked, sad and was amazed that I had kept it hidden for so long. But even though it took me so long to let go, I thank God that I finally did.

Today I am a married woman and have learned to see myself through Christ’s eyes: forgiven, healed, beautiful, saved and most importantly, loved.

Pauline

I now own a music company

Ayanda Monyela — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:28:33 +0000

Lindiwe is a young, successful businesswoman who has acquired things that she never imagined she would. When one mentions the word ‘suffering’, Lindiwe knows the true meaning of the word. “I spent half my life having sleepless nights because of constant nightmares. I also suffered from bladder problems from the age of 13,” said Lindiwe. Her finances were bad. She was unemployed and went to bed countless times on an empty stomach.

Lindiwe saw her life go from bad to worse each day and was desperate to find a way out. She received an invitation to the Universal Church and accepted without hesitation as she was needed a way out. “I attended the service and went to speak to the pastor to explain my situation. He advised me to engage in the chains of prayers. I left the church full of assurance that my life was going to change and for the first time I slept and had no nightmares,” said Lindiwe.

Even though she was unemployed, she never gave up. She would attend the service and get food from the Help Centre to take home to eat. She persevered in her faith, The campaign of Israel was introduced, Lindiwe made her prayer request for God to change her life and she got a job. Since 1994 Lindiwe continued using her faith making her prayer requests. She was able to buy a house for herself. Lindiwe had a dream of becoming an artist as she is a talented singer. She asked for success in her singing career. She was given a recording deal and recorded her first CD which is now in stores. Recently she registered her own music recording company. Lindiwe looks back at her past as if it was all a bad dream. She has succeeded because of her faith and trust in God.

Today Lindiwe has peaceful nights, a home and a successful career. All that she has achieved came through perseverance

Cathedral of Faith, Durban 465
Anton Lembede (Smith) Street, Opp.
Dudoc Centre

By: Precious Chavane

Commitment brings change

Ayanda Monyela — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 10:03:16 +0000

Skhumbuzo and his siblings were raised by a single mother who struggled to support them. Though his mother worked, they never had their own place to stay and used to move from one place to another. “My mother earned a small salary and she could not support us because she was the only one working at that time,” said Skhumbuzo. When his mother passed away, their situation worsened as they had no one to depend on. They had to move out of the place where they lived because they were unable to pay the rent. His siblings started to fight with him and he decided to live on his own. “Life was very hard for me. I never had an income and I would depend on friends for a living. I was struggling to support myself.

I used to survive on temporary jobs,” said Skhumbuzo. Skhumbuzo told the Universal News that after some time he got sick. He went to many places seeking help but found none. “I was always stressed and did not know where else to go for my life to change,” said Skhumbuzo.

In the midst of his confusion, his wife invited him to the church. When Skhumbuzo read the testimonies of many people he realised that everything is possible with God. In the Church he took part in the chains of prayers and movements of faith for his life to change. “I learned how to use my faith and be faithful to God. Everything I learned in the church I put into practice. I was determined that my life would change,” said Skhumbuzo.

When the campaign of Israel was introduced he saw it as another opportunity.

“I wrote my prayer request asking God to change my situation and my family,” said Skhumbuzo.

After he committed himself in the campaign, God opened more doors for him. Later he found a good permanent job.

“I bought two houses and an Opel Corsa car. I am happy with my family and we no longer fi ght. My children go to one of the best schools in Durban. I am thankful for what God has done in my life,” said Skhumbuzo.

Cathedral of Faith, Durban 465 Anton Lembede (Smith) Street, Opp. Dudoc Centre

By: Maggie Nyaunda

“I lost my first child because of abuse”

Ayanda Monyela — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:53:35 +0000

I got married at a very young age. In the beginning, everything was wonderful. We were in the first stage of our marriage and things could not be better. But things turned sour when my husband started to drink. He was drinking before we got married, but promised me that he would stop when we got married. I believed him. His drinking gave rise to new bad habits. He would hang around with bad friends and would come home late. When I confronted him about his drinking, he became aggressive. He became physically abusive and I questioned our marriage. I remember asking myself: “What type of marriage have I got myself in to?” I was miserable. I used to go to work with bruised eyes and fresh, bloody scars on my body.

After every drunken episode he used to plead for my forgiveness and promise to stop drinking and hitting me. I believed him repeatedly. For a while, we would be happy again, talking, laughing and communicating. Just days later, he would be back with his friends and the cycle would start all over again.

My worst nightmare came true when my husband again beat me. I was pregnant with my first child. I tried to escape and jumped over the fence. I lost my baby. That was the worst point in my husband’s eight-year-long physical abuse.

I hated my husband, myself and even God. I told a friend who invited me to reach out to God: “God? He cannot help me! He’s been watching my husband beat me. Why would I ask for help from this God?”

But one day I decided to give God a chance. It was not easy. I was told to forgive my husband. That was the most difficult thing for me to do. In the face of my denial the pastor was adamant: If you don’t forgive your husband, you will never be able to let go and overcome this situation,” he said. I thought of all the beatings I received, my lost baby, the humiliation I faced and knew I would need a lot of strength to do it.

In the end, I did muster up enough courage and forgave my husband. I prayed to God to help me. Today I have a most loving husband and a wonderful father to our children. When asked what a real man is, my husband said: “A real man is the one who fears the Lord and loves and takes care of his wife and children. This to me is the definition of a real man”. Elizabeth

Raped at the age of 19

Ayanda Monyela — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:05:11 +0000

I was raped at the age of 19. It was during my first year at university. I remember being so confused after a tutor on campus raped me. I knew I needed help. I wanted help, but I was just so confused. I picked myself up and went to a local physician to get checked out, but he could not help me. I lost hope and did not even think of going to the police afterwards.

My next thought was to go home. I needed to be around familiar faces, people who loved me and cared about me. On my way home, I decided to go to the local police station.

At the police station I was yelled at. I did not know what to say. All I could think of was reporting this crime. They took my statement (in front of everyone) and told me to go to the hospital. By that time, I was tired, mentally and physically. I could not think of going anywhere but home. So I dragged myself to my family home.

My parents were home and when I broke the news to them, there was complete silence. One of my relatives implied that I was to blame for the ordeal. That just pushed me to the edge. I started having suicidal thoughts, thinking of ways to end my miserable, broken life.

But I thank God for intervening when He did. I decided to go to church and have never looked back. God healed my broken heart, restored my life and changed me into a woman willing to share her story with others. I never thought it possible, but today I can truly say that I have forgiven the man who raped me.

And as traumatic as the incident was, it was the one thing that led me to experience this new-found relationship with God.

Primrose Mogatlanyane

Success against all odds

Ayanda Monyela — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:14:28 +0000

Life is filled with challenges that one needs to overcome. Sometimes they become difficulties that are overwhelming. Nwabisa was faced with a challenge that she overcame through her faith.“I took part in the campaign and I had to find a company where I could do my internship as a junior quantity surveyor. The company that I found didn’t cater for students, especially female students. Because of my faith and persevering in what I wanted, I did not give up,” said Nwabisa.

Her mother could not afford to pay her tuition fees but she managed to obtain a bursary to cover all her education expenses.

Two years ago Nwabisa took part in the Campaign of Israel asking God to help her further her studies. When she was awarded the bursary, she began to study for a degree in engineering.

“I decided to ‘climb’ in the recent campaign and God blessed me. I was accepted by the company that did not want to take me for the internship. I am the fi rst female student to be taken on as a junior quantity surveyor in the company,” said Nwabisa.

CATHEDRAL OF FAITH, SOWETO 24456 Cnr Immink and Kokwane Drive Zone 6 – Diepkloof

By: Nomsa Masengemu

Finding independence through faith

Noah — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:29:26 +0000

Mpo is a single mother of one. She used to depend on her family for financial support. “I have been looking for a job since 2001 after finishing my matric. I would apply to different companies but none would respond,” she said. She plaited women’s hair and massaged elderly people’s feet in her neighbourhood for pocket money. “In 2006 a company employed me, as a sales consultant.

My monthly salary was not enough because I was only paid commission,” said Mpo. In February this year, she and her five-year-old son walked past the UCKG on a Monday. “I told my son that we are going into the church, because I really need a miracle in my life. I spoke to a pastor who explained the different times for the different services. He also gave me the church’s newspaper. We attended the 5 o’clock service that day. Myweek was blessed and since that day I became a faithful member,” she said.

The Campaign of Sinai was introduced. She committed herself and took part. “From that week I saw God performing miracles in my life. I started making more commission than I had ever made before. Today I am
earning a lot of commission. I am the head not the tail,” said Mpo. She told Universal News that she now lives in her own apartment and also works as an educational adviser for the company where she has been employed for four years

PARK STATION
25 Plein Street, Johannesburg
(Opposite Park Railway Station)