It was two years ago today that Werner Groenewald and his two teenage children, JP and Rode died in Kabul, Afghanistan. Wife and Mom, Hannelie Groenewald survived as she was not home at the time.
“You die only once – you might as well die for Christ.”
Those were the words spoken by Werner some months before his death.
They did not know that Saturday 29th November 2014 when they woke up that it was to be their last sunrise this side of eternity. The next sunset, they would be rejoicing on streets of gold, worshiping before their Creator; they entered a new life – one so vastly different and infinitely more spectacular than the one they left behind. As I thought of Hannelie today, I thought to myself that, when this day comes around I feel like doing something to remember Werner, JP and Rode. I feel like lighting a candle in their memory – that their testimony and hers will live on and that they and Hannelie, will always be remembered as faithful followers of Christ.
While the devil may have wanted this for harm, God never wastes pain and the light of their lives will never be snuffed out.
I posted this video update on my blog back in September. Voice of the Martyrs published it in August 2016. It’s poignant and so meaningful.
Hannelie is such a testimony to the grace, mercy and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. On her Facebook page today, her friend, Annelie wrote a tribute…
God is faithful. He is trustworthy. He will never let any of us go. He knows our needs and fills us with His Holy Spirit, the Comforter, sent to minister to us in times of need and in times of mourning. He never leaves us. I always thought it was something significant that this day is 29/11.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Regardless of what happened on this day in 2014, the Lord still has plans of hope for Hannelie.
I continue to pray for her.
#112 of my 1000 thanks is for Hannelie and her family and their faith. To God be the glory.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx