I had a strong need to attend church and connect with some Christian friends during the three years at Art College, so I decided to try my local Dutch Reformed Church. However, it quickly became clear to me that I didn’t fit in with this crowd. I could sense their judgement as I walked in, feeling their eyes assessing me from head to toe. I wasn’t one of the wealthy ladies with a wardrobe full of fancy hats and dresses. While I understood that I dressed differently, I believed I was decent enough. Surely, it should be about who I am, rather than what I wear.

 

One night I tried to join their youth group, but I had to choose between playing badminton or darts. Since they already had a badminton team playing, I opted to play darts with the only available guy present. After a couple of games that he lost, he decided to stop playing. Aside from him, I didn’t meet or speak to anyone else that night, and I never returned.

 

After much consideration, I decided to meet with the church minister and inform him of my departure. He didn’t want to see me go, but I expressed to him that if I stayed, I would soon become spiritually stagnant. He was a wonderful and Spirit-filled man, and I felt for him. He shared that there was so much he wanted to do, but the Church Board wouldn’t allow it. At that point, it was essential for me to put my spiritual journey with Jesus first.

 

During this time, I became friends with a Christian girl in my year at college and another girl who was a year ahead of us. It was a joy to regularly hang out with them. The older girl had some refreshing yet unusual ways of doing things. She suggested inviting speakers from other religions to the college on special days at lunch.

The first person she invited was a guru from a transcendental meditation group. Quite a few people came to listen to him. After sharing his amazing experiences, he spoke of the benefits of transcendental meditation. Then, he opened the floor for questions. Our friend stood up and asked him, "Are you married?"

You could see that this caught him off guard, and he replied, "No, I am divorced."

Then she pressed further and asked, "How many times have you been married?"

I don't know if she knew something we didn't. She never revealed her thoughts. So, it must have been a prompting from the Lord. He answered, "Six times." She blushed, her face reflecting her horror at having put him on the spot.

 

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. This meditation practice didn't provide him with the stability for a lasting marriage. Some people even got up and walked out.

We formed a small group at the college, which became a sort of church for me, albeit briefly. It was a very exciting time.