Four years ago my family and I came to New Zealand to fulfill our dreams and to allow our children to grow up in a beautiful and safe surrounding. Therefore we gave up everything. Unfortunately someone had other plans. A worldwide journey followed. When I once will look back at this time what will I remember?
First of all and most important I found my way back to our Lord. Throughout this suffering, He was always there for me, He gave me strength, He has never let me down, He always gave me hope and He loves me with all my imperfection. I am so grateful for that.
What else? I have learnt a lot about what is important in life. Things that are simple and for free. Probably you already know them. But putting them into action is something different. In my case it took a while and it needed a lot of suffering. If you haven't tried them so far, try and see what happens. You might be surprised: be patient in affliction, stay peaceful when the whole world seems to be against you, be more kind to others, smile and the world smiles with you, giving is better than taking, stay humble in a selfish and greedy world or just be grateful about what God is doing for us. Put love first. Even though I was deceived, used and treated by Satan in the worst way I will never give up believing in love, because it is the answer to everything.
The hardest thing I had to learn is that you have to accept things you cannot change; sometimes you just have no control about your life anymore. You have to let go, otherwise overthinking will lead to sadness. I'd rather choose to be happy again. And the journey isn't over yet. I still have lots to learn: being not angry anymore is sometimes still not easy; my next and probably biggest step is to forgive and to trust again.
One sermon by my church in New Zealand I will never forget. Where is the difference between a Christian who is not acting in His way and a non believer? There is none. It would be the easy way to ask why? Why did God choose me as a father and let this happen? It would be the easy way to blame or to judge others. But this is the wrong way. He sees everything and it is only up to Him to judge. He has a plan for everyone; and this plan might be greater than you might think now. So I will put all my trust and faith in Him and will follow His way, even if it is the narrow way. I pray and I know that He will take care of my kids and my family. And I know if one chapter has been closed, another chapter opens. It is not written yet; I'll do my very best to make it a good one.
I would like to take this opportunity also to thank all those wonderful people around the world who accompanied me through this hard time. Thank you for all of your support, your patience, your help, your prayers, your laughing, for drying my tears, for listening, for putting a smile back on my face, for your hugs, your words and your teachings - sometimes they were a slap in the face at the right time. I do believe that there is no coincidence in this life. It was destined that our journeys have crossed.
If I can give you just a few pieces of advice, it would be this: stay on the right path. Even if that means that people might turn their back on you. It also means the right people will support you on your way. Maybe one day you find yourself in a similar situation where you think there is no way out and you won't survive; maybe loved ones have hurt you, you have financial problems, someone may be sick, your dreams have been burst. Then start talking to Him and read His words. Prayers can be so powerful. It saved my life. Maybe yours as well.
And life goes on. All my tears won't heal the pain, but life has to go on. After all, I have found my purpose in life. I will tell everybody, who is interested, how great God is and spread His good news.
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