Today I signed my acceptance contract with NRF. "Thank you very much for the scholarship I really appreciate it!!"
When I left for Peru I left with the reality that I will probably return to South Africa broke, with no job and no bursary. Weeks before I travelled to Peru I resigned from my position as missions’ coordinator at Every Nation Church, Stellenbosch. I was strongly convicted that God wanted me to stop all my activities and responsibilities, go to Peru, come back and focus on my thesis. Considering that I would have no income, I moved back to Wellington to stay with my mother, so that she can take care of me. Clearing up my bank account in Peru was a huge risk. I do not come from a wealthy family and I could not really expect my mother to look after me and pay for my studies.
God did not only provide the money to go to Peru, He also provided finances when I was in Peru to be able to live without lack. In accordance with His character and who He is as my provider and father; God provided for me after Peru as well! I was granted a full NRF scholarship to be able to do what He asked me to do and that is to focus on my thesis.
I am currently enrolled as a third year doctorate student at the University of Stellenbosch. I only received small bursaries for my first two years of my doctorate-just enough to cover my tuition fees. I told God a couple of years ago that I would like to graduate without owing the university a cent. He responded to my request. In 2005 I received my B. Psych degree and in 2007 I completed my Masters. In both cases I graduated debt free. Yes, I expect God to provide, not because He must but because He is my father and I know that He loves me and that He delights in providing for me.
Please don’t get me wrong. My financial journey at Stellenbosch University was not an easy one. I remember lying on my bed and reflecting on my financial situation: ‘why am I so worried about finances’. When I was four years old I would walk into the house without wondering where the money was coming from. I expected to eat and have clothes. I knew my mother had things under control or at least that was how it seemed. I was raised by a single parent who would give her last for me.
Upon reflection I decided to go back to being four years old in my faith. I wanted to trust God to provide for me just like I trusted my mother. When I was four years old I thought she knew everything and that she owned everything and when she said no to something she must have had a good reason for it. I hardly complained about a “no “answer. I believed that if she thought that I really needed it, she would get it for me. The fact is that God is my father and even more so in the absence of an earthly father and unlike my mother, He really knows everything and all things are His.
Minutes after my little reflection session, I went to the bursary office. At that time (my second year), I had a bursary/loan. I made the decision to cancel the loan, reasoning that when I graduate and start to earn money I want my mother to know the fruit of her sacrifices and not have half of my income go towards a loan. Now, if you have a loan, please do not do what I am about to share with you unless you are convicted by God to do so. We all have our own walk with God and He provides in different ways for everybody.
‘Madam, please cancel my loan’… ‘But how are you planning on paying?’ she asked. “Even if I need to find a job and pay it myself I will do so but I refuse to live the financial life that I am living now after my degree because my income is going towards a loan”.
Off to the public phone at the back of the Neelsie: “Hello mom. I am calling to tell you that I cancelled my loan but don’t worry, God will sort it out!”
One month later: “Good afternoon Madam, I just want to hear what my situation is regarding the money I owe the university”…you owe nothing, she said… “What!!??”… ‘You got a bursary’…“From who?”… ‘Anonymous’ . Yes, that’s right; I got an anonymous bursary that covered my tuition fees.
God has faithfully provided for me over the years. However, it was not the easiest of journeys to walk. I remember one year where I could not get my marks because I still owed the university too much money.
His timing is perfect!! So be encouraged!! It might not always be easy but keep faith in who He is: a good father and your provider
When I left for Peru I left with the reality that I will probably return to South Africa broke, with no job and no bursary. Weeks before I travelled to Peru I resigned from my position as missions’ coordinator at Every Nation Church, Stellenbosch. I was strongly convicted that God wanted me to stop all my activities and responsibilities, go to Peru, come back and focus on my thesis. Considering that I would have no income, I moved back to Wellington to stay with my mother, so that she can take care of me. Clearing up my bank account in Peru was a huge risk. I do not come from a wealthy family and I could not really expect my mother to look after me and pay for my studies.
God did not only provide the money to go to Peru, He also provided finances when I was in Peru to be able to live without lack. In accordance with His character and who He is as my provider and father; God provided for me after Peru as well! I was granted a full NRF scholarship to be able to do what He asked me to do and that is to focus on my thesis.
I am currently enrolled as a third year doctorate student at the University of Stellenbosch. I only received small bursaries for my first two years of my doctorate-just enough to cover my tuition fees. I told God a couple of years ago that I would like to graduate without owing the university a cent. He responded to my request. In 2005 I received my B. Psych degree and in 2007 I completed my Masters. In both cases I graduated debt free. Yes, I expect God to provide, not because He must but because He is my father and I know that He loves me and that He delights in providing for me.
Please don’t get me wrong. My financial journey at Stellenbosch University was not an easy one. I remember lying on my bed and reflecting on my financial situation: ‘why am I so worried about finances’. When I was four years old I would walk into the house without wondering where the money was coming from. I expected to eat and have clothes. I knew my mother had things under control or at least that was how it seemed. I was raised by a single parent who would give her last for me.
Upon reflection I decided to go back to being four years old in my faith. I wanted to trust God to provide for me just like I trusted my mother. When I was four years old I thought she knew everything and that she owned everything and when she said no to something she must have had a good reason for it. I hardly complained about a “no “answer. I believed that if she thought that I really needed it, she would get it for me. The fact is that God is my father and even more so in the absence of an earthly father and unlike my mother, He really knows everything and all things are His.
Minutes after my little reflection session, I went to the bursary office. At that time (my second year), I had a bursary/loan. I made the decision to cancel the loan, reasoning that when I graduate and start to earn money I want my mother to know the fruit of her sacrifices and not have half of my income go towards a loan. Now, if you have a loan, please do not do what I am about to share with you unless you are convicted by God to do so. We all have our own walk with God and He provides in different ways for everybody.
‘Madam, please cancel my loan’… ‘But how are you planning on paying?’ she asked. “Even if I need to find a job and pay it myself I will do so but I refuse to live the financial life that I am living now after my degree because my income is going towards a loan”.
Off to the public phone at the back of the Neelsie: “Hello mom. I am calling to tell you that I cancelled my loan but don’t worry, God will sort it out!”
One month later: “Good afternoon Madam, I just want to hear what my situation is regarding the money I owe the university”…you owe nothing, she said… “What!!??”… ‘You got a bursary’…“From who?”… ‘Anonymous’ . Yes, that’s right; I got an anonymous bursary that covered my tuition fees.
God has faithfully provided for me over the years. However, it was not the easiest of journeys to walk. I remember one year where I could not get my marks because I still owed the university too much money.
His timing is perfect!! So be encouraged!! It might not always be easy but keep faith in who He is: a good father and your provider