The puzzle pieces for South Africa

In this edition, Ronald & Laureen de Bruin share their personal journey with God. Ronald (39) and Laureen (36) got married in the summer of 2019 and have been proud parents of their son Daan since November 2022. They met through the Bible school "De Katapult," where their love for each other blossomed alongside their passion for God and their heart for children. The next chapter of their journey unfolded within Youth With A Mission (YWAM), where God spoke to them about new adventures they were invited to embark upon…

Ronald: “With our wedding just behind us, we were praying at the end of 2019 about what we were meant to do in the upcoming year. At that time, we were both working in after-school care and longing to hear what He wanted to say to us about the new year ahead 2020.”

A little while later, I received a completely unexpected email from the Children At Risk (CAR) school of YWAM—the organization where we had both previously completed our Discipleship Training School (DTS). They asked whether I would consider helping lead the school for the upcoming season. This meant I would get to train students from all around the world to work with children in need. During my outreaches to Brazil, I had already been introduced to CAR and had witnessed firsthand the reality of poverty, brokenness, and injustice among children. What an opportunity to now be involved with this school from the Netherlands! So… count me in!”

The school started, and I had the privilege of joining an online guest class given by Theo & Jinke de Jong. This beautiful couple originally from Friesland but now settled in South Africa shared about their project “The Light House,” which they had launched in the community where they now live. And wouldn't you know “Light House” was also the name of the project I had contributed to multiple times while in Brazil. I was immediately drawn to this amazing couple and to what they are doing for children in South Africa. In the midst of heartbreaking, harsh, and often hopeless circumstances facing these children and young people, Theo and Jinke bring hope and joy by sharing the Good News of the Gospel with them.

Without giving away too much of my excitement, I convinced Laureen to log in with me the next day to their next online class. (One of the perks of the flexible remote work Laureen had at the time.) I was so curious to see her reaction! And yes, her heart began to beat faster too when she heard about the project. It was exactly the answer to the questions she had long been carrying in her heart: “What is my vision? How can I tell others what’s on my heart?” This was it! This project gave language to the desires of our hearts. We were overjoyed.

“This project gave language to the desires of our hearts.”

And so began our new adventure on the way to Africa. A huge shift, preparing ourselves for such a major change. But we knew that God had spoken. Not only through these classes, but even much earlier. Back at a conference in 2012, Laureen had already received a word from someone about South Africa. And how special… that I happened to be that person! Though we didn’t know each other at the time, I felt prompted to pray for her and this country came to mind. Even though Laureen couldn’t yet make sense of that word, now all the puzzle pieces of our first meeting were coming together. Wow!

“Now all the puzzle pieces of our first meeting were coming together.”

God also spoke to us through several Bible verses. During my last outreach in Brazil, I received the following scripture:

“My plans are not the same as yours, and My thoughts are not your thoughts. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than yours, and My thoughts higher than yours.” (Isaiah 55:8–9)

Even before Laureen had shared our plans for South Africa, her friend told her that she believed God had big plans for us and that He was excited to share them. It would be a hopeful future, one He was already preparing the way for. Exactly what was written in Isaiah 55. What an encouragement that God had spoken the same word to both of us. And what a confirmation of His calling.

Isaiah 43:18–19 “Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?”