A recent traumatic event reminded Marie of just how closely God moves in our lives. In June, 2021, Marie and her adoptive son Sthembiso were driving their van when it collided headlong into a tree. Just minutes after the accident, Ben from UBI happened upon them, having just taken the ‘wrong’ turn.
“I was in shock, and there he was, someone I knew…” Ben called Marie’s husband Marv, took her to the hospital, and stayed with Sthembiso while Marie was looked after. Not only that, but Susan (another friend from UBI) discovered the van just moments after Marie and Sthembiso left with Ben, and retrieved Marie’s shopping and personal items from the vehicle. “She had not been on that road for months,” Marie said.
A friend was available to drive Marv to the hospital, to the van, and back to the hospital, despite it being during a work day.
On top of all that, Sthembiso sustained no injuries besides a small sore area on one shoulder. Marie survived with 3 stitches in her knee, bruising from the seatbelt, and extreme whiplash, but no other serious injuries. “Just coincidences? I don’t think so!”
Thankfully, their insurance covers the retail value of the van, and a friend of Marv’s is confident he will be able to fix it.
“God is surrounding us, all-encompassing, all the time!”
After consulting with the doctors, Sthembiso has been diagnosed with Asberger’s Syndrome, which falls under the autism spectrum. He is considered high-functioning, but will need to experiment with some lifestyle changes in order to cope, as there is no cure. He is now trying some medication that has helped him immensely, and Marv and Marie are working hard researching ways to help him live a calmer life. Marie shared, “What has been the most interesting and en-lightening in this process is to realize that when I was younger, I had many of the issues they list.”
One Sunday when Marv was out and had his US ATM card stolen, so the account had to be closed. They got their money back, but there is no way to get it out of the account. They are currently waiting for new cards to arrive from the states via mail, which can sometimes be a lengthy and unpredictable process.
Marie goes on to share the unsettling news of violent protests in a neighboring city. “It is with a sad heart that we tell you that the city of Pietermaritzburg, down the hill from us, is in utter destruction. Many have their “reasons” for what has taken place, but all are just excuses for selfishness and anger. They have burned down malls and shops, all the while looting and stealing everything from the smallest items to the largest. Blocks and blocks of burned out businesses. Then everything else shut down—no groceries, pharmacies, petrol, kerosene, banks, and businesses. A couple of grocery stores have opened with a 15 item limit, empty shelves where many things were and we do not know when they will be available again. Our province of KZN has been the worst hit, with Gauteng also being affected (Johannesburg is in that province).”
Marv and Marie ask for prayer for the following items:
- That their ATM cards from the states would make it through
- That Marie would heal quickly from her accident
- That Marv and Marie would know how to best help Sthembiso navigate life with Asperger’s Syndrome
- That their permanent residence would come through (it has been 2 years of waiting)
- Place of Hope Africa as it restructures, forms a new board, and searches for a home
- That the country of South Africa would know the Lord. So many people have lost their jobs and businesses, and many are scared.