Hope - A Testimony of Hope

The aim of Testimony of Hope magazine is to testify to you that God is real and alive. He is good, gracious, loving, and giving. Many people who have had really trying experiences can testify that, with God, you can overcome anything. With God you can prosper in health and happiness. With God there is no problem too small or too big that you cannot commit to Him. With God in your life, all things are possible. Be bold enough to tell others of what God has done in your life. Testify to others so that they can hear that God is at work. Let them know that He can be the change in their lives that they so desperately seek. Follow the example of the Samaritan woman who told others…

2020/21 has been a tough year for most people. The uncertainty, anxiety, stress and change of pace has shaped the way we do and will do things. This shift resonates throughout this issue of Testimony of Hope. Romans 3:17 says: “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.” This magazine would not be what it is today without the wonderful work of our former editor, Alicia English, who played a huge role in its success. As the new editor, I have big shoes to fill. Thankfully, this issue was compiled with her guidance. Testimony of Hope started out as a dream, born from our managing director and publisher Desireé Johnson. I was a theology student when…

For 16 months, from March 2020 to July 2021, I kept myself Covid-19 free, and responsibly so. I live with a lung condition called bronchiectasis. When I was 12 years old I lost half of my left lung in surgery due to this condition, as the lung had become so damaged that part of it had to be removed. Bronchiectasis may result from an infection or medical condition, such as pneumonia or cystic fibrosis. Mucus builds up and breeds bacteria, causing frequent infections, which in most cases can only be treated with an antibiotic and/or physiotherapy. This causes the airways to become damaged. Contracting Covid-19 was not an option for me, yet it caught up with me. On Monday, 26 July, I had my second vaccination, so I was fully vaccinated. This…

A few years ago, I visited a parishioner of mine, Keith. A botched brain operation had left him wheelchair bound. Ononeofmyvisitstohim, helookedatme eyeball-to-eyeball and said: “Pastor, why is God allowing this to happen to me?”. I preach every Sunday of the year. That is two sermons on a Sunday, averaging 2 000 words. A rough calculation tells me that is at least 200 000 words preached per year. When dear Keith posed that question, “Why?”, this pastor – whose world is filled with words – was stumped. My mind raced through those 200 000-plus words trying to find a suitable answer for him, but I could not find one that would adequately answer his question. My own mum, Stephanie, went home to be with her Lord earlier this year. I know for…

In December 2020, my husband Noel and I were living our best lives. Despite the disruption brought by Covid-19, we had the perfectly imperfect family. Noel and I served God together and raised our three boys, who were then 17, six and two years old, in the fear of the Lord. Malachi had just completed his final matric exams, Matthew had passed Grade R and Joel had just appeared in his second crèche concert. Like many couples, we were looking forward to spending Christmas with our children. On 23 December, Noel and I both tested positive for Covid-19. On Christmas day, Malachi had to see to himself and his brothers, because Noel and I could barely get up from our bed. The next day, I had to rush him to the…

We are living in a world that is increasingly ignoring the wisdom of God; the mantra, “Do what is right in your own eyes” has filtered through all of society. This is even the case in institutions such as governments, schools and some churches that once held “In God we trust” as the foundation of what they stood for. People have lost sight of the principles which should govern them. Our world is suffering because people have rejected the God that gives life. God has revealed Himself in His Word and shown us the clear way of what we need to do to have peace and contentment in this world. However, we have been blinded by a society of instant gratification where we have been told that everything will be okay…