Some "Bad" News
“Bad” news is not always what it seems.
Being an IT Manager at a petrochemical company is an important job that I took very seriously, just like my relationship with my heavenly Father.
Many South African Christians have been praying for a godly leadership for our country although it sounded impossible.
Then, one day, we heard the news about a Christian political party. Ina and I immediately joined and assisted in spreading the wonderful news.
It was not only the non-Christians who thought this was a bad idea, some churches also had this mindset that Christians should not be involved in politics. It later turned out that some preachers were extremely unhappy because they were supporting other political parties.
Then, one day, a colleague asked where he could get some information about this new political party. I sent him a link via the company internet and he decided to spread the email further.
I was called into a disciplinary hearing and warned.
This, however, turned out to be the turning point for the management of the company and they decided to outsource me with the rest of the IT team.
I was devastated, but I had a family to care for and began planning our move to Johannesburg.
Home Loan
The first thing to do is look for a place to stay and a home loan.
Then some more “bad” news. I was told by a friend of mine who was a bank manager at the time, that I do not qualify for a home loan due to me being diagnosed with leukemia.
Our move was imminent, so we looked for a place to rent. During this time, the government laid down a law that prevented banks from requesting health information. This move was intended to cater for the high HIV cases, but for us it was evident that God had a Hand in this.
Not only did we qualify for a home loan, but we also purchased two properties in Johannesburg that are now fully paid for and provide our income after retirement!
God's Provision
Not only did this move make it possible for us to obtain more properties, we also kept our house at the sea.
The first week in Johannesburg, moving into our new flat in a complex, I was invited to the Trustees meeting. Ina went with me.
At the meeting, the administrator resigned due to her high workload and Ina was appointed as Administrator, providing us another source of income that we did not have previously. Her degrees in Accounting and Administration that she studied at UNISA while we stayed in Mossel Bay counted in her favor.
So many people will look at these things that all happened within a month of our move to Johannesburg and still think it was “fate” or something else.
It is true what Jesus said:
Mat_12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Miracles done for God’s children, including healing miracles and others, do not impress sceptics who harden their hearts:
Luk_8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Make sure you have a honest and a good heart, and you will see the wonders of God. Become bitter and sinical, and you will lose out on so many things that God is doing in your life and in the life of others.
Turning out for our Benefit
And still God’s was not finished. Once in Johannesburg, I was moved from one position to another, each time to my advantage until I was eventually moved back to my area of specialty – engineering, but not before I obtained experience as a Compliance Manager, ISO 9001 auditor, set up a Program Management Office and Senior Project Manager.
Ina and I had the opportunity to purchase a BMW 1200 GT motorcycle which took us around South Africa and as far as Victoria Falls.
None of this would have been possible if I remained in Mossel Bay.