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Testimony of André & Jeanette Botes |
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Andre: I am married to Jeanette, and we have 3 kids, named Daniel, Jeannie and Megan. We became part of Alon International in 1998. I work as a medical practitioner. We lived in Somerset west and in 1996, married for 5 years and working in private practice for 3 years, we started calling out to God for help, as we could see that our lives had to come to a certain crossroad as we were facing financial difficulties, and also our marriage relationship had certain big problems. We found little support and guidance in our local church and needed something new. Around one year later we met the people from Alon, as they had purchased a property next to our home and started renovating it. We were drawn to them by the simplicity of their lives and the clarity by which they were following Jesus, which was very visible in a non-religious way. As time passed by, we knew that God was calling us to make a commitment following Him in a new way and also to become part of Alon. I’ve received the word ‘If you’re willing and obedient, you will eat the best in the land’ – Isaiah 1:19. God was very faithful in allowing me to open a medical practice in Tzaneen in 2000, and in providing great support through my brothers in the Lord, who had made similar steps to follow God in the business arena. Through submitting ourselves unto one another and asking for help and guidance, we started experiencing the prosperity of God in the marketplace, with Jesus at the centre, and a different focus that is not centered on self serving ambition and fame, but on serving people and allowing a Godly testimony to shine forth in the marketplace. In our personal lives we experienced the father heart of God in a new and real way and found ourselves becoming more secure in Him. We started to apply the order and authority of God in our marriage and household and experienced healing and restoration n our family through taking steps of obedience. We were very blessed as we could see the steps we were taking had made our children to grow and prosper, as we followed the Godly example set by our leaders. Praise be to God in Jesus who has heard our call and brought us into a rich and abundant life in Him, for ‘in Him we live and move and have our being’.
Jeanette: I come from a middle-class family who put a lot of emphasis on academic and sport performance. I remember my childhood as being troubled and desperately unhappy, finding security in performance. A bad relationship with my father made me isolate myself most evenings in my room with the door shut. I sometimes experienced anger fits resulting in me tearing up my school books. In grade 10 (1992) a preacher came to my school and I heard the message of being reborn. I was touched by it, however there was no one to guide me by showing me the way to Jesus. After school in 1985, I was compelled to go to University. I found escape in many things only to realize my troubles have increased. I buried myself in practicing sport all the time and doing sport competitively. During my 3rd year of studies, I met my future husband, then a 4th year medical student, who was a born-again Christian. I also met his family and it was his mother who seized the opportunity leading me to Jesus in 1989, I was 20 years old. Although I was saved, I had many problems to overcome and needed a lot of guidance and help. I found that the church then, was totally ineffective in this regard. Andre and I got married in 1992 and almost immediately started a family, but unfortunately also before long fell into marital problems. One night when we could not see a way out anymore, we went on our knees and prayed to the Lord, asking for help. We got a beautiful verse in Isaiah 54 as encouragement. Shortly after that a group of people moved in next door and little did we know that our lives will never be the same again. For the first time in our lives we saw happy marriages and healthy relationships and kids that are still kids and people having fun without drinking alcohol and swearing. We were immediately drawn to them. They were all reborn Christians that came from Alon community up in the mountains of Modjadjiskloof. We knew God heard our cry for help and answered our prayer through these people. We’ve decided on moving to Alon and finding God’s plan for our lives. Today we are happily married with 3 children. I have a wonderful job as teacher at Blue Mountain College where I have the opportunity to working with children of all ages. I live in the most beautiful surroundings together with about 70 other reborn, spirit-filled believers. Every day is a challenge to follow Jesus and there are times when one has to make choices, but I thank the Lord that He has put His spirit in us not to give up, but rather to overcome; a seed that is indestructible and a hope that would not disappoint. Jesus is the great Restorer of our lives and nothing, but nothing is too difficult for Him. |