We are / Ons is – Petrus and Alta van der Merwe
Born and raised in South Africa, Petrus dedicated 25 years to the Electrical Department at a Local Authority (Municipality). Meanwhile, Alta focused on raising their three children until the youngest started school, after which she launched her own business—one that Petrus later joined.
Once their children completed their university and college education, God led them in 2013 to the Iris Global Ministries Children’s Centre in Zimpeto, Maputo, Mozambique. There, Petrus contributed by assisting with electrical work and transportation, while Alta managed the sewing program. However, their most impactful role was serving as dorm parents to 23 boys (ages 8-11) and four teenage boys.
During this time, after engaging with Christians from around the world, Petrus felt a growing need for deeper biblical training. Though they had always been active in church, they realized they needed more knowledge. After extensive online research on Bible colleges, God led them to Charis Bible College and its founder, Andrew Wommack. With a local Charis campus available in South Africa, they applied, were accepted, and began their training in early 2016.
By the end of 2018, they had completed the three-year program at Charis Bible College, where they discovered the true freedom found in Jesus. Now, their mission is to share what they have learned through this website and social media, helping others experience the same freedom in Christ.
Gebore en getoë in Suid-Afrika, het Petrus 25 jaar aan die Elektriese Departement by ‘n Plaaslike Owerheid (Munisipaliteit) gewy. Intussen het Alta daarop gefokus om hul drie kinders groot te maak totdat die jongste skool toe is, waarna sy haar eie besigheid begin het—’n onderneming waarby Petrus later aangesluit het.
Nadat hul kinders hul universiteits- en kollege-opleiding voltooi het, het God hulle in 2013 na die Iris Global Ministries Kinderentrum in Zimpeto, Maputo, Mosambiek gelei. Daar het Petrus gehelp met elektriese werk en vervoer, terwyl Alta die naaldwerkprogram bestuur het. Hul mees betekenisvolle rol was egter as huisouers vir 23 seuns (ouderdomme 8-11) en vier tienerseuns.
Gedurende hierdie tyd, ná blootstelling aan Christene van regoor die wêreld, het Petrus ‘n groeiende behoefte aan diepgaande Bybel-opleiding ervaar. Alhoewel hulle nog altyd aktief in die kerk was, het hulle besef dat hulle meer kennis nodig het. Na uitgebreide aanlyn navorsing oor Bybelkolleges, het God hulle na Charis Bible College en sy stigter, Andrew Wommack, gelei. Met ‘n plaaslike Charis-kampus beskikbaar in Suid-Afrika, het hulle aansoek gedoen, is aanvaar en het hulle vroeg in 2016 met hul opleiding begin.
Teen die einde van 2018 het hulle die driejaarprogram by Charis Bible College voltooi, waar hulle die ware vryheid in Jesus ontdek het. Nou is hul missie om dit wat hulle geleer het deur hierdie webwerf en sosiale media te deel, sodat ander dieselfde vryheid in Christus kan ervaar.