Healing inner wounds

“After my parents separated, I had to look for a job to fend for myself and my siblings. I worked in a shop where I met my boyfriend. Soon afterwards, we moved in together. Everything seemed to be going well and I became pregnant.

It was after I had a stillbirth that he showed me his true colours. We started fighting. Any small argument would turn into a big fight.

I moved to South Africa and he followed me. He promised to marry me. I fell pregnant for the second time but miscarried. He started beating me because he thought I was unfaithful to him. He often came home late and when I asked why, he fought with me. He beat me like he was beating another man. He once held a knife to my throat, threatening to kill me.

He always apologised after beating me and I saw the situation as something normal. I had low self-esteem and believed that everything was my fault.

I could not sleep at night, because I feared he would kill me. I once went to visit my sister. When I came back, he was gone. He took everything in the house. Although I was relieved that he had gone, I was left battling anger.

My cousin invited me to attend services in the Universal Church. I engaged in the chains of prayers for my inner healing. I also understood the importance of forgiveness. It was difficult to forgive my ex-boyfriend but I decided to because I did not want to be imprisoned by my past.

I am free and have peace inside me. I am no longer angry or afraid. I am completely healed from the trauma of the past and I know that the presence of God is inside me,” said Sibusisiwe.