My Story

I was born and raised in South Africa, and this is my story…
Growing up was not easy. My family lived in a small town community. My father was addicted to pain killers and suffered from depression. My dad did not know how to show love to me, he never cuddled me or told me he loved me.

At the age of 3, I began stuttering. At the age of 7, I was hospitalized as the doctor felt he needed to do some tests on me as they could not find out what was wrong with me. The tests revealed I was dealing with tremendous stress. As a 7 year old, I sat in the bath one evening, and told my mother I wanted to die...

In my late 30s, during a counseling session, memories came back to me of being sexually abused as a child by someone. In the past I had problems with anger and through much healing I was able to cope, I could feel it come but then move on – thought I was free.  When these memories came back, all the emotions attached to it, including anger, came out during the session. I was shocked but knew it was real. Now I know the difference between coping and freedom: there is a big difference! Jesus paid for freedom, not just coping.

At age of 9, a social worker told my mother the situation was not good for us. My parents divorced. After the divorce, my mother, my 2 sisters and I lived in a meager bungalow in someone’s backyard. During that short season we some days only had porridge to eat. I was a lonely child and I didn’t really have any friends. I remember other children making comments about my clothes... There were some wonderful opportunities that passed me by. I was chosen for special art classes designed to develop my art skills, but I was unable to participate. I was chosen to attend a school where they trained tennis players, but I was unable to attend.

At the age of 14, my father passed away. My mother married again, more to give us a home. We had a home but the man was not a father to us. I was angry, confused and hurt. Life had no meaning to me, so I lived for the moment. Those who knew me didn’t think much was going to come from my life. I was involved in every activity that my school had to offer, only I realize now, it was to fill the void. I had good memories too as a teenager growing up in a farm community. I remember the Reverend of our church called me “Princess” when I visited their daughter. Another friend lived on a farm and there we were riding motorbikes, go-carts, swam in the dam and hunt some rabbits (not to kill). God’s protection is amazing! I was part of the Netball Team, we won our league and was part of a marching band who won the Provincial mixed band category.

After high school, I moved to the city and studied the course my friend wanted to because I had no direction of my own. While I was away in school, my mother got divorced. I was hungry for love and acceptance, and began searching for love in all the wrong places. My life was quickly going in wrong directions...

A friend’s mother told us to visit a church in the city. I eventually found my way there, not knowing when the services started, or even what I’d find when I got there. One day, I felt the need to ask somebody to pray for me, I was on my way home when I felt a burden to turn around, to go back and receive prayer.

A turning point in my life was when I received ministry from a woman, who led me through the prayer of repentance of all that I’ve done wrong. I was there for a while! But the longer I prayed, I felt the burden lift from my shoulders and I was filled with the Holy Spirit.  I experienced amazing grace!

The Lord is so wonderful. Jesus died for all of our sins, nothing is too big or too small for him to forgive us for. My life was radically changed that day. What was hidden in darkness was brought into the light, and for the first time, I felt freedom.

Shortly after that there was a day when I was on my knees, tears running down my face, saying to God that I’m giving Him everything, not just parts of my life, but everything. I knew the cost, and I was willing to pay the price. I was desperate and hungry for more of the Lord. Christ has set me free in a miraculous way. Some things were instant, and some a journey. He’s peeled away the labels that people have placed on me, and even the ones that I’ve placed on myself. He’s shown me there’s a plan and destiny for my life. He removed the lies, and my journey continues...

He’s put dreams and desires in our hearts, and knows everything about each one of us. As we build a relationship with Him and allow Him to work in our hearts, we can become everything He has created us to be, and He will fulfill our lives. No one else can be you, but you!

The core of my walk with God is building an intimate relationship with Him. Not from a place of striving, but from a place of resting in Him. I love knowing Him, and being known by Him. It’s not about a set of rules, it’s about relationship. It’s about God who loves us with everything in Him, He has given all on His part, we are changed by His love. The Father has shown me that I am His Child, and I have a place in His heart. This platform is where I live my life from now, and I can never fall beyond His loving arms.

I received the gift of God’s forgiveness. Jesus died and gave each one of us a gift of forgiveness; we simply need to receive it... In the same way we need to forgive those who’ve hurt us, we need to give them a gift of forgiveness. This is the first step towards freedom from emotional pain. Those who I have forgiven definitely didn’t deserve it, but I had a choice, I could either be imprisoned by pain, or forgive and trust that God would work things out. He’s worked things out in so many ways, it still amazes me....

Today my mother and I have a very special relationship. The Lord has healed her heart and she’s a completely different woman than she was before. She has blossomed!  It is so amazing, God truly changes people’s lives. Today, when I think of my earthly father I can find fond memories, and I can honestly smile when I think of him. The Lord has taken the pain from my childhood and saved my life. Knowing God has been the greatest adventure I could ever imagine. I’ve had to turn away from certain things, and sometimes even friends, but I’ve done so in order to choose what God’s best is. Looking back, the price seems small now, but at the time it was a big decision. 

God has a plan for you and I, He holds our best in His heart, and our lives in His Hands. It is not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. The Lord has opened doors for me that only He can. There is nothing like living in the favor of a loving God.

I am in pursuit of the King, and His Kingdom. I want to see the Kingdom of God advance and see the earth filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:14).

This is the most exciting hour for the Children of God!!

Luke 15:11-24... The Father is always looking for His children to come home.

If you’ve yet to find the home or the comfort that I speak of, please email me. I would love to pray with you.

Much Love,

Marguerite Evans

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom 5:5

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1Cr 2:9

For since the beginning of the world [Men] have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him. Isa 64:4

All who I am today is because of one amazing person, Jesus Christ. He paid the price not just for my freedom and healing but also to make a way that I can boldly run into the arms of my Heavenly Father God!