They say you can’t keep a good man down; a phoenix may die, but it keeps rising from its ashes. This sentiment perfectly encapsulates the journey of Johannes Wolfaardt, who has refused to let life’s hardships bring him down. Through the unwavering support of the Lord Jesus Christ, he has claimed victory over his struggles.
Johannes’ testimony is more than merely inspiring; it is uplifting. He has endured severe abuse and trauma, experiencing rejection and abandonment, but God has transformed his trials into a powerful testimony.
At 40 years old, Johannes is a motivational speaker and author based in Bloemfontein. He reflects on a childhood marked by violence and manipulation. His father’s rage led to heart-wrenching circumstances even before his birth.
“When my father discovered my mother was pregnant, he hit her in a fit of anger. She told me I didn’t move for three days. Then I started moving again; that was when she knew I was still alive,” Johannes shares.
His mother ultimately left when he was just two years old, unable to bear the abuse. Johannes endured further trauma at the hands of his father, facing relentless violence and fear.
“We lived in a miner’s house in Virginia, Free State. I walked seven kilometers to school every day. Things got worse when I was six. One afternoon, I didn’t greet a red-haired woman in our house, and my father threw a hammer at me. It hit my shoulder. I fell, and as I lay on the wooden floor, I could hear my father approaching, and it sounded like a giant walking towards me,” he recalls.
The abuse left Johannes with broken ribs and bruises all over his body. Eventually, he was removed from his father and placed in foster care. While it seemed like a step toward relief, it was short-lived. He faced further abuse and fell into drug addiction.
At 18, Johannes had a brief reunion with his mother, who sought his forgiveness and expressed her love before she passed away. He even faced a life-threatening situation that landed him in the hospital. In that dark moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of despair.
“I flatlined. I didn’t see the light. I only saw thick, heavy darkness. I felt it on my skin. I saw gates, but they were not heaven’s gates; they were hell’s. I heard screams and torture. I knew I was going there. Regardless of being an atheist, I called out to Jesus three times. He came.”
After regaining consciousness, Johannes reached out to his spiritual father and stayed at his farm. There, he committed his life to Jesus Christ and met the love of his life, Annelle, whom he married on January 23, 2022.
“Annelle prays constantly. She has walked with me through every step of healing. I’ve had counseling; while the scars remain, they no longer hurt when I talk about them. I believe the Holy Spirit used Annelle to encourage me to write my story. We titled the book Struggling Stains,” he adds.
Johannes is now the author of Struggling Stains.
“God is using my story to show others that no matter how hopeless it seems, there is always hope. Nothing on earth can derail God’s plan for your life. Every day is a step closer to healing,” concludes Johannes.
Struggling Stains is available for purchase. To get your copy, contact Johannes C. Wolfaardt at 063 389 2152 or email info@strugglingstains.co.za.
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