GROWING UP IN ROODEWAL

“I grew up with a single parent. I never knew my father. I was bullied a lot as a child. Because I didn’t have a father or a home to run to, I had to fight my own battles. I started using drugs when I was 14 years old. When I was 16 I joined a gang, and I finally found a “family” where I had a sense of belonging. I was prepared to do anything for my new found gang-family.

“At the age of 16 I was found guilty of attempted homicide and sent to a Reformatory School for 6 months. When I was released, I met the mother of my son Joshua who was born in 2012. I was still deeply involved and very active in gangsterism. Joshua’s mom had had enough of my wild lifestyle, and moved out, taking with her Joshua and her 2 year old boy. I was not emotionally intelligent or mature enough to deal with her leaving and taking the children. I had so much pent-up anger. Not knowing how to deal with it, I became more violent.”

SOMETHING HAPPENED…

“One day, after a bout of reckless activities, I ‘cut-out’ on my bed. I felt someone sitting with me on my bed. It was my son Joshua, who was two years old at that stage. He was supposed to be in the crèche, but instead he had walked all the way from his home to come to me. All he said was ‘Daddy, I’m hungry!’ That shocked me back to sanity. I had nothing to give him. I experienced feelings that I never knew before. That is when I asked the Lord to help me with my life.

“I walked to Toevlug, wanting to ask them how I can be helped. Even though I had to walk through enemy territory, I was scared of nothing. I had a boldness come over me. ‘Lord, give me a chance!’ I saw what I was doing to Joshua. Things had to change.”

SENT TO CHANGE MAKERS

“Toevlug referred me to the Change Makers (who at that stage was renting a house on the Kibbutz). That is where I met Aubin. My journey with Change Makers began in 2016. I met the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour while I was in the programme.”

The Change Maker team saw tremendous potential in Brendan. He was growing spiritually and emotionally and he showed leadership qualities. After successfully completing the Behaviour Modification Programme, the team approached him and asked if he would consider shadow staffing. This was an answer to prayer for Brendan, because he was determined not to return to his old ways, and he had no where to go. He accepted the challenge and eventually became a staff member. He sensed God calling him to do the work of the ministry of Change Makers.

Brendan’s relationship with his son was a priority for him. Today he has an extraordinary strong relationship with Joshua. Joshua, who is now 11 years years old, adores his father. Brandon met his future wife Anthea, and they were married in March 2023.

“I cannot stand by and do nothing about our community’s dire situation. The community is saturated with addictions and gang activity. If I had to stop doing what I am doing, what will happen to my friends who are trapped in this viscous cycle?

“I recently told my wife that I am called for what I am doing, and I can see how God is blessing us. I enjoy being a staff member at Change Makers, helping men break free from gangs and drugs, and for them to be anchored in the Word of God.”

We are very proud of Brendan. He was our Change Maker of the Year in 2019. He has become a beacon of hope for many gangsters longing for freedom. Brendan has tremendous compassion for them. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 has become his way of life, because he knows God as the Healer of all counsel. God came alongside Brendan when he went through hard times, and now He is bringing Brendan alongside others who are going through hard times so that he can be there for gangsters and addicts, just as God was there for him.