Early Years
Jeremiah grew up in Velddrift, West Coast, in a humble house with godly parents. Between the ages of 11 to 13, he was sexually molested. And at school, he was bullied. “I grew up thinking and accepting this as normal. One develops an attitude of ‘this is how things should be’. I didn’t know how to tell my parents. We lived in a small shack in a family member’s yard, and trusted the Lord for our place.”
The move
“We eventually moved to our place. I thought: a new neighbourhood, a new street, new friends, new beginnings! But my new friends were part of families who knew drug smuggling, crime, and prison. They accepted me without question. There wasn’t time for questions, because we were too busy doing wrong things. I started experimenting with drugs, started clashing with the police, and started coming home late at night. I began to model my lifestyle according to these patterns. I know this caused a lot of sadness and pain to my parents and our larger family. I was a disgrace to them. Court cases and landing behind bars became the norm for me. But I’m grateful to parents who were on their knees for me… Although I spent many nights in the police cells, I was never sent to prison. I believe it was because of the prayers of my parents.”
Death stared me in the face
“Because of my drug habit, I became very ill and was diagnosed with TB. I couldn’t walk, and my body wasn’t functioning well. School teachers heard about me and used me as an object: warning the scholars against using drugs. Children were sent to me by the school – it was like I was an assignment. My mother tried to stop this, but they said they were sent by the teachers. They just kept staring at me! It was tough!
The doctor said I had 5 years to live due to the damage done to my body through drugs. Once again, my mother was on her knees on behalf of me. God answered her prayers.”
Breakthrough and relapse
“A few ladies from Worcester came to visit Velddrift. They couldn’t stop talking about the Change Makers Program and their network with the local Last Days Family Church. I took a leap of faith and in 2016 I attended the 101 Camp in Worcester. During that camp, I had an encounter with God.
After the 101 Camp I returned to Velddrift, and I soon relapsed and fell back into my old patterns. The Worcester ladies came to visit us again, and they made it their mission to get me into the Change Maker program.”
Change Makers Worcester
“In February 2017 I entered the Change Maker program. I met men who came through the same struggles as I, and with their help and the hand of God, I grew in my faith and my knowledge of the Word of God. Change Makers was the launching pad for me to enter missions. Later that same year, I did my DTS at YWAM Muizenberg. Here, God challenged my character to become strong in the Lord. I had so many dark things to deal with, like anger, bitterness, hurt and shame. But praise God, He healed me!”
Back in Velddrift
“Back home, I married a woman who loves the Lord. Together, we serve our community. God has restored my dignity. The people who once knew me as a ‘Tik-kop’ and a gangster, today look up to me and invite me to share how God saved me from the darkest pits and death.”
We salute you, Jeremiah, for your steadfastness and for being a light to those in darkness. Thank you for the support groups you have started in Velddrift. We know how much you wanted your father, who has since passed away, to witness the transformation in you, but our Heavenly Father rejoices in the choices you are making.
Jeremiah received a Change Maker honorary jacket in 2023.
