The hospital released me on a Friday, and I returned to my family for the weekend. On Monday, I went back to Bloemfontein to start the treatment. This required me to be in Bloemfontein for at least three to six months. I needed a job to support myself during my treatment. Before I left, my brother gave me the phone number of Elgru, a close friend of his, in case I ran into trouble. I had no intention of calling her. I don’t like to disturb people I don’t know.

 

I booked a room in a small family hotel across the street from the hospital. I stayed for a week, but I had to check out by Friday due to the hotel being fully booked for the weekend. I was fortunate to find a job immediately and started working the next day. Then began my accommodation search. Every day, I scanned the newspapers and asked anyone I could.

 

For the first time in my life, I encountered the ugly reality of discrimination against women. When I called about room advertisements, many people ended the conversation abruptly. At least a few had the decency to explain that they only accepted male tenants.

 

On Thursday, after work, the hotel receptionist told me that Mrs. Burger called for me. She would call me back later. I had no idea who she was. I went out to the local store to pick up another newspaper to check for new advertisements. When I walked back into the hotel, the receptionist told me that Mrs. Burger had called again. Who was Mrs. Burger? Why did she want to speak with me? Why did I keep missing her calls? I was about to find out.

 

Back in my room, I scanned through the newspaper ads but found nothing. I had to check out of the hotel by ten the next morning, and I had no idea where I would go. I suppose this was the moment God had been waiting for. I had been avoiding Him for about four to five years. Finally, in great embarrassment, I fell to my knees before the Lord. I realised my life was a mess, and I couldn't fix it.

“Oh Lord, I am so sorry for avoiding You. I have built up a wall of sin between us and have been hiding behind it. If you have any mercy, please forgive me and help me with this big problem.”

I sat in silence, waiting. Would he condemn me? I remembered Elgru’s telephone number that my brother had given me. I hesitated as I got up. Wasn’t I supposed to remain on the floor waiting for the Lord to speak to me? I needed to learn how God communicates. Though unsure of when that might happen, I felt an urgency to make this phone call.

 

I went to the phone booth and dialled Elgru’s number. A lady answered, “Hello. Mrs. Burger speaking?” For a moment, I couldn’t speak. Mrs. Burger was Elgru, and Elgru was Mrs. Burger. She was the person who had been trying to contact me. I realised then that God had been waiting for me to call her, rather than the other way around. What sweet, wonderful mercy! Oh, thank you, Lord. Thank You!

 

The rest of the conversation was about how God solved my housing problem. The Burger family was leaving for a six-week holiday tomorrow. They offered me their home while they were away. God is so gracious, slow to anger, and quick to forgive.

Before my host family returned from their trip, I found a small flat to move into. At first, I had no furniture. Then, I bought a second-hand fridge, a mattress for the bedroom and later a small table with four chairs.