The word ‘Change’ is probably the most ‘uncomfortable’ word found in the English Dictionary. Most of us do not like change. The Facebook profile layout has changed so many times, I really can’t keep up. Every time it changes, your newsfeed is filled with complaining status updates. It takes time to get used to the new layout. I guess one could say any changes in your life, re-arranges the whole layout of life.
The whole book, Crossing Intersections was like telling the story of my life…
In 2009 I attended the Youth With a Mission (YWAM) Discipleship Training School (DTS) for six months. A time which changed the course of my life. During one of our weekly lectures, we had a teaching on pursuing your calling. Everyone had to write down their dreams for the future. With much excitement, everyone got started. Still holding my pen in my hand, I was staring down at a blank page in front of me. I had no purpose…
After a year of working in the missions field, I decided to take on the corporate world. In ten years time I was planning on becoming a well-known events manager and call my new home, Cape Town. For six months I desperately looked for a job.
During the whole job seeking experience, I mostly applied for events management positions. I had one call back from a famous Wedding Planner in Stellenbosch. The interview went very well and I was chosen out of 100 people for the position! I was thrilled and it was a tremendous boost for my confidence. However…things were not all bunnies and rainbows.
When meeting my employer for the first time (his colleague did the interview), I realised that this was not for me. I had to dress and act a certain way to fit in. ‘Pretentious’ came to mind when meeting him and his staff. I knew then and there that this not for me and miraculously he also knew it.
Our ways parted and I was on the job-hunting spree once again – doors constantly closing behind me. I then saw a couple of job ads for in the line of community work. I started applying for it and the doors to interviews flung open. Even though I did not get any of the positions, I knew that this was to be my path.
Down and out in Cape Town, I came to another intersection: Cape Town will no longer be my home. A job offer came up in Johannesburg. I absolutely loathed Johannesburg. As a nature freak, my biggest fear is the concrete jungle. But deep down in my heart, I knew it was time. Kicking and screaming I joined a non-profit organization and helped organize an annual fundraising event.
‘Well, there you go, you are living the dream’, you might say. Well, that was not the case. I worked alongside a very tough, critical and stressed-out manager who absolutely broke my spirit. I became stressed, depressed, overworked. I had no time to make friends or join a church or even have some form of a social life – it was the loneliest time in my life.
During that time I got engaged. Even though it was supposed to be a joyous time in my life, I could not see anything getting better. I now had to move to a small Afrikaans town with limited options for work. I was probably going to end up working at the local university as an administrator (I absolutely loath doing admin).
I am a person who is colour blind to race and cultures and strongly believe in breaking down invisible walls between them. I started getting frustrated with the narrow-minded outlook of some people on the issue.
I found myself becoming more and more depressed. I had no friends and no job. My then fiancé encouraged me to volunteer with an organization called Mosaic and I started helping out at their preschool based in the local township. The children’s unconditional love for me saved my life. I had purpose.
After a few months, the two founders (a married couple) approached me to help them out with their administration once a week. Slowly but surely I could see a glimmer of hope on the horizon. After a couple of months, they employed me in a half-day position and today I have a full day position.
Today, I am meeting people from all over the world, learning more about South Africans then ever before. I have the privilege of doing something I am absolutely passionate about…in a small town in the middle of the North West province.
A very special and dear American couple once taught me: ‘ Flexibility is the key to success’. I have made this my life motto and it has helped me tremendously in taking on life’s intersections.
If I did not make the choice to not work with the Wedding Planner, I wouldn’t have ventured into the Non-Profit sector. If I had stayed in Cape Town, I would not have ended up working in a fast paced and harsh environment in Johannesburg. My time in Johannesburg was tough, but it taught me to persevere and be positive!
If I had stood still at the intersection and not took the brave move of trusting what God had planned for me, I would have not been led to the ‘dream’ I am living today.