“And He determined the times set for them and the exact places they should live” Acts 17:26 b
This is the story of a family who have lived through excruciating hardships and suffocating circumstances for well over six years, but they have never lost faith and have never stopped declaring that God has a plan that is greater than any of the plans they would or could ever make … we are about to see that plan unfold ….
Over four years ago, Ilse and Stuart, with their little girl Isabella, (and pregnant with Gabby) visited South Africa for a holiday, after working in Dubai for almost 7 years at that stage. They had both lived in the UK before that and Stuart had been out of South Africa since 1994. The had actually both adamantly agreed that although they loved ‘home’ they would never consider returning to SA other than for holidays. There was just so much more opportunity abroad and safety was a concern too.
But on this particular holiday while in Cape Town, standing in the kitchen of good friends, Karin and John, they both replied confidently and spontaneously when John asked the ‘coming home’ question. “Maybe we would – if it was to Jeffrey’s Bay” Where did that come from??? They had never lived in Jeffrey’s Bay and had no family or friends in the area. And they had certainly not discussed this as an option at all. This was certainly a moment to be acknowledged.
Actually, Ilse’s mom had very recently bought a small property in Jeffrey’s Bay and they planned to spend part of their holiday there, before returning to Dubai. The moment that they arrived in the little ‘surfers town’, Ilse just knew that this is where they wanted to live. In fact, there was such a strong pull to put down roots and be a part of this community that Ilse insisted they meet with the principal of the school to and get their daughter Isabella down on the waiting list. They also met a young couple, Mandy and Brandon, who were Ilse’s sister Liesel’s friends and who lived in Jeffrey’s bay with their two little girls (they now have 5 kids!). They were very involved in a church in JBay and they were excited and surprisingly supportive of Stuart and Ilse considerations to relocate to Jeffrey’s Bay.
But once the ‘Marrans’ returned to Dubai, no doors opened to make the move a realistic option and the impact of the worldwide recession had hit their family hard. Ilse’s mom also ended up selling the J-bay house very unexpectedly, months after they had returned to Dubai, which left them feeling that the J-bay chapter had now been closed!
But what appears to be true and real in this world, is not always so with God in His economy and He kept patiently prodding.
In the mean-time, the constriction of the recession forced them out of their huge, luxurious 5 bedroom villa very near the beach, (where Isabella had her own room and some of Ilse’s siblings or tenants rented the remaining rooms) and into a spacious 3 bedroom apartment, with Ilse’s 3 siblings and their spouse’s. But this meant that Isabella now shared a room with mom and dad which was quite an adjustment.
It was during this time that they received a ‘word’ from the Pastors wife, Starla of the City Lights church in Dubai. She had always been known for giving very accurate prophecies and she said that she sees the Marran family enjoying a season in J-bay where they are wonderfully blessed and enjoying God’s favor.
Given that Ilse’s mom had already sold her home there, it was a very confusing word to receive. In fact, in the back of their minds, they really questioned hearing God with regards to J-Bay.
However, God’s timing and His ways are perfect. Seeds were still being sown and watered…
Now, Ilse, being an enthusiastic, self-starter type-character, had established an effective little business in Dubai called ‘Baby Angels’ which was music and movement classes for moms and babies. There was nothing quite like this business model in Dubai at the time and it attracted the attention of an investor who was very excited about getting involved and exploding the business into a huge International franchise. However, in December 2010, just as everything was about to move ahead, the Investor withdrew suddenly and very unexpectedly. It was a very big blow …, but as we all know, when one door closes …. another opens.
As a result, Ilse had to immediately return to George in South Africa with 2 year old little Isabella, to give birth to Gabriella. They didn’t have any medical cover for either Dubai or SA so a state hospital in SA was the only option for them. George, was where her mom, Karin and step-mom, Deseré and Dad, Frik were living, so at least they had a lot of family support. But still, it was not easy going it alone when Stuart was on another continent and Ilse was single-parenting a newborn and a 2 year old. It wasn’t even certain if Ilse would be able to return to Dubai at all, but fortunately Stuart was able to make it home for about 10 days before and 10 days after Gabby’s birth but had to shoot off to work again. Miraculously, God had supernaturally provided the tickets for Stuart to be able to return home at this time . The Lord continued to faithfully provide for them throughout this journey.
The miracle of Gabby’s natural birth is another story all of its own – but we will go into the detail of that another time.
Ilse, Isabella and now Gabby ended up staying in George for 5 months (Jan to May 2011) in order to complete all of Gabby’s documentation – passport, birth certificate and visas and during this time, the question of J-bay came up again – like a little niggle that just wouldn’t go away. But yet again, it seemed an impossible and rather unrealistic option to pursue as there were absolutely no job opportunities and also there would be not support from family or friends. Things however, were also very uncertain in Dubai, as the recession had greatly impacted the company that Stuart worked for and often salaries could not be paid on time – it was a very difficult and stressful time, often having to live by faith for the basics like food, nappies and petrol on a daily basis – and in a materialistic City like Dubai this was a particularly difficult and lonely journey.
Eventually it was decided that Ilse and the girls would return to Dubai and the family moved in with Ilse’s younger sister, Liesel and her hubby Clint. They stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment, so it was a tight squeeze with Gabby sleeping (or not sleeping!) in their bedroom and Isabella sleeping in the lounge – Definitely not an ideal living arrangement. Gabby spent most nights crying and Ilse, having nowhere else to go, would end up walking outside with her from 3am -6am every morning! Fortunately they lived in a security complex and Dubai is very safe. At the end of that year (Dec2011) they were able to move into a spacious 1 bedroom apartment and finally live on their own as a family. In April 2012 Stuart landed a great new job and they felt this was finally the breakthrough they’d been waiting for. But just as soon as they were coming up for air again, they had to plan an urgent trip home to see Stuart’s dad, who had begun to fast deteriorate from Parkinson’s disease. In their hearts, they just knew that they had to return home to see him. And yet again, they managed to miraculously secure a family pack of discounted air tickets for September that same year. By this time, Stuart would only have been with the new company for 5 months and they were certainly not thrilled with the idea of him taking leave, however they did understand the urgency and importance of the trip. The concession was that Stuart was expected to work for a few hours each day, while in Cape Town for both continuity and growth of his portfolio. This proved to be incredibly stressful and practically impossible due to all that was required in helping his dad. He had to arrange and interview for a carer, sort out his banking and also meet with various doctors. Internet access too, was limited at best, so when the family returned to Dubai, Stuart was told on that first morning back, that he had been relased from his job. This was a very shocking and devastating blow to the family.
Where to now … and what to do???
In hindsight they probably would not have done anything differently. At the time, it was imperative that they helped to get Stuarts dad sorted out and cared for. They also did ultimately believe that God had closed the door on that job – even though it was a very painful and difficult experience.
At the end of the year, still in Dubai, Ilse was struck by a message in church that challenged the members to take a look at their lives and ask themselves, ‘who will be in your frame?’ in 2013. Like looking at a photograph, who would captivate your thoughts and time. Immediately Ilse saw Stuarts dad and just knew that they had to finally return to SA. God was taking them home. Again January was the month to move, and Ilse went ahead of Stuart with the girls, and moved into a tiny room in Stuarts dads home in Rondebosch. Stuart stayed in Dubai until the end of April before coming home, but because of the cramped living conditions at the dad’s house, he actually had to stay for a month at the neighbour’s house. Again, far from an ideal situation for a family… and very stressful for Ilse who ended up having an emotional breakdown.
What a journey this family had walked so far and there was just no easy resolution. The only immediate solution was for Stuart, Ilse and the two girls to move into the lounge at his dads house. At least then, they could all be together, even though family privacy would be compromised. Financially, there was just no other option – at least until the tenants moved out of the 1-bedroom flatlet and then they could move across the courtyard, into a more separate space.
The question of J-bay did come up once again during this time but because the ‘compulsion’ had been to come home to SA to be with Stuarts dad, it was simply not an option to consider. Life over the next few months was tough for the family as Stuart battled to find a suitable job and they continued to trust God for provision and direction.
Questions continually filled their minds…’have we done the right thing, are we living in Gods will for our lives, where are we really supposed to be?’ Their very trusted and loyal home group leader actually questioned them, ‘Are you sure that you are supposed to be in Cape Town?’ This had infuriated Ilse at the time. What were they supposed to do? They had done what they had felt led to do, but it was still so horrendously uncomfortable. That evening when Ilse got home, she googled jobs in Jeffrey’s Bay – desperately looking for new hope, a new opportunity. Was this their time to move? But again … nothing. No opportunities, just closed doors.
It was a strengths-finder course that finally changed Ilse’s heart and mind completely. The findings described her to a “T” .. the way that she used to be … Positivity.. that was a distant memory of her old self. She cried for the loss. Living in such a negative environment had completely drained her natural positive, happy-go-lucky nature. Ilse was desperate for a home of their own, to have space and be on their own as a family…. It was time … Their hope was still in the Lord! And they knew His timing was always perfect.
Everything changed the day Ilse’s aunt took them to visit a church in Blouberg. After the service, they went for lunch with the pastor who just happened to be talking about a church in … wait for it … Jeffrey’s Bay.
Jeffrey’s Bay just kept coming up, like a constant reminder of where they were really meant to be. As she sat there listening to them she just felt God speak to her and say this is it. Now is the time!
So Ilse couldn’t wait to get home and yet again, googled Jeffrey’s Bay, looking at accommodation, and schools As she googled, a tiny ember of hope burst into flame in her heart. Now, everything just seemed so right – it actually could work. Herself and Stuart both had jobs, but they were completely mobile and could in fact work from anywhere in the country. The rental prices in Jeffrey’s Bay were positively affordable and their was a perfect Montosouri school that was run by a lovely Christian woman who Ilse immediately took to on their first conversation. Yes for Jeffrey’s Bay!
Their homegroup leader was so excited when she heard the news and she took to praying for the family – for peace, for breakthrough and for the right decision. On the Reddam school holiday, she specifically carved out some time to pray again for the Marran family’s future. She felt God tell her that He was going to move them out of the wilderness and into the promised land. It was only the next day, that she discovered that the Jewish holiday which Reddam had been celebrating, was a reminder of when the Jews came out of the wilderness into the promised land. God had truly spoken.
Of course, the underlying concern was that they had specifically moved back to Cape Town, to be with Stuart’s dad, so surely they could not desert him. But God took care of that too. For the first time ever, he hit his own little crisis and miraculously decided that he should do what his best friend did and sell his home (after 49 years) and move into a retirement village. Such a miracle! He had always been so adamant that he would never go to an ‘old age home!’. But once he had made his decision, everything happened very quickly. He found a perfect two bedroom home with a garden for his beloved “Molly, the dog’’ in an assisted living retirement village. He put his house on the market and it was sold at once.
All the indicators were lining up. Ilse and Stuart would have to be out of his dads home in January. And once again, January would be the month to move – but this time they would move together, as a family, out of the wilderness and into the promised land. This is the 5th move in 6 years but the first one that would be upsizing and not downsizing! They have already signed a lease on an amazing 3 bedroom house with 2 bathrooms (they are particularly excited to have their own bathroom at last!) with a huge garden and it is just a short walk to the beach. But the best part, is the completely affordable rental price of this home, which is nothing less than astounding. And the way God provided it, is even more so!
Remember Mandy and Brandon, the only couple that they know in Jeffrey’s Bay. Well, Mandy messaged Ilse on Tuesday, (just one day after the very devastating disappointment of a possible rental falling through.) saying that her mom had signed a rental for a 3 bedroom house just outside Jeffrey’s Bay, but she had now changed her mind. The agent know nothing of this yet, so Mandy was able to send Ilse the pictures and once Ilse had seen the home – their dream home – she contacted the agent and they had the rental agreement changed, signed and sealed. Ilse found out later that the waiting list for homes in this price range and category is around 50 people! But God gave them such favour and provided the perfect home for them to start their new life as a family in their promised land.
God is able and God is good! (and also very patient with us).
A word from Ilse,
If you want to ask Ruth (my homegroup leader Ruth and Simon Hull) to give you some insight from her side – she has walked a very long and real road with me – seen the good the bad and the ugly and God has spoken to her about our journey and used her significantly to speak to us, confirm things and encourage us. The word/picture about the well, the desert word (cloud and fire and manna) and the promised land word. Ruth Hull 0825867775 or 0216711035 or rooziehull@gmail.com