We had the opportunity today to sit down with Heather Liebenberg, cofounder of Seed of Hope. She spent some time talking about her experiences over the last six or seven years in following God’s call. I still don’t have all the dates straight in my mind but I will do my best to detail just a few key elements in the history of Seed of Hope.

I believe that it was Heather’s husband Derek who felt God’s call to work among the Zulu’s on the east coast of South Africa. He was aware that the HIV pandemic had most severely stricken that part of South Africa. Derek had South African heritage, but spent some of his childhood in Zimbabwe. He also spent some time living in Canada where he met Heather and they were married in 1992. They were involved in a number of ministries in Canada but still felt a strong tug back to the African continent. I believe it was in the middle of 2003 that God led them to the location of Seed of Hope in Bhekulwandle Township. They started with a small children’s program to address the generation of families that were being ravaged by HIV. The official opening for Seed of Hope occurred in January of 2005 with an esteemed visit from the Zulu King. This was an exceptional boost for the Center since it indicated that local leadership was in full support of the community development initiative.

It would be less than a year later on December 27, 2005 that Derek would die tragically of a heart attack and leave Heather only a few months pregnant to survive him. Since that time Heather has worked tirelessly to continue the legacy that Derek started and it was incredible to sit down with her today and hear the many mountains that they have climbed and overcome. Seed of Hope has grown into a multi faceted community development centre. Today, Heather is a Seed of Hope board member and does much to influence the overall vision and mission of the organization. She has an incredible heart for the integration of leadership of all cultures at the center. She is heavily involved in the ministry of the Nazarene church and pastors a church in Pine Town.

When I look at Heather, I see a tremendous example of perseverance.  She has overcome through grief, trials and many unknowns. To sit down with her is such a rich experience. I’m thankful that we have the opportunity to partner with people like her here in South Africa.
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Just this week in my devotions, I was reading from the devotional “Daily Light.” It quotes Romans 5:3-5. “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character chooses hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” I have read this verse many times before and my response is often to hope that I will not face too many difficult things that God perhaps will not expect me to have huge amounts of endurance. But in reading it again I realize that  endurance is an absolutely necessary trait for any saint.

With the Winter Olympics becoming a huge focus in Canada and the World Cup a significant focus in South Africa, endurance for any world-class athlete is essential. The only way to build insurance is to train. Training involves pushing oneself to the limit and beyond. Spiritual training must involve the same. It is up to us not to fear the trials and tribulations that will come our way because they are for our training. I thank God for people like Heather to go before us with such grace. I have many other friends who have as well demonstrated the same kind of perseverance through trial. You know who you are and I thank you for your example.

KW