I left South Africa for the Vineyard School of Ministry on the Ranch, on 26 February 1994. Flying via the United Kingdom, required me to spend a couple of days in London. I took the opportunity to get a glimpse of what awaited me on my return.

 

I landed at Heathrow on Saturday, 27th February 1994. I was not prepared for the level of interrogation I faced at passport control. I needed letters and proof of where I would be staying and why. The thought of returning here for a month sent shudders down my spine. However, God managed to get me through. It’s good to have friends in high places. My Father is mighty and in charge. The moment their stamp hit my passport I knew I could breathe again.

 

I never thought I would ever run after a man, but I must confess, I did. Derek took me sightseeing around London, and I remember running to keep up with him. I learned about the transport system in a short amount of time. Soon, I was at Gatwick, boarding the next flight to America. The flight took me to LAX in California via Minneapolis, where I had to disembark and go through Customs. Oh dear! Heathrow was not a big fuss after all..

The interrogation in Minneapolis was even worse. An elderly man wanted me to confess to anything but the truth of my three-month stay. When I tried to explain what Vineyard School of Ministry at the Ranch was, he warned me about the Waco massacre in Texas. In the end, he called the Ranch, preparing himself to uncover the next big story about religious sects. I sat there, listening to the phone ring over and over, and I felt trapped.

 

Finally, someone answered and gave the old man enough information to release me. I felt like I had witnessed a miracle. Mark MacAlister, the Director of the School later told me, as it was before the school started there was nobody there to answer the phone. He happened to be at the office picking something up when he heard the phone ring. These miracles happened so often. They strengthened my faith and deepened my love for God.

 

After all this, I discovered that they had cancelled my flight to LAX. I had to wait an extra five hours in Minneapolis before the next flight. When I finally arrived at LAX, I felt tired and jet-lagged. David picked me up from the airport, and I spent a week with him and his wife, Kris Fulton. They were dear friends of a close American friend from South Africa, who had asked them to take care of me. What a blessing!