Eric van der Westhuizen in South Africa 

Eric is recognised as a gifted teacher whose career was studded with outstanding academic and sporting results for his students. However, changes in South Africa meant he could no longer make ends meet such that he tried his hand at a number of other occupations that promised much but ultimately delivered little. His restlessness increased. He put the problem to God in ongoing prayer until an outstanding offer from a private school lured him back into teaching. In his words:

And so, after several “No’s”, I was back into teaching. 

Steadily, things started to fall into place again with many positives coming my way. All these “no’s” that I had experienced at Nissan, the importing business and the building business followed by the positives when I returned to education, indicated to me that I was destined to be and remain a teacher for the rest of my working days! 

Even after my retirement in March 2004, when I tried to augment my measly pension by working as an estate agent, I was met with one disappointment after another despite the fact that I spent much time on my knees praying for success. At times, it was difficult for me to understand and accept all the “no’s” but in retrospect I am filled with gratitude that the events in my life panned out the way they did. 

Eric’s testimony illustrates these characteristics of God:

1. God can guide effective teachers back into the profession, which is why in former years teaching was classified as a ‘calling’ and not simply a profession.
2. God may not be answering our prayers because we are not praying in line with His intentions for our life (James 4:3).
3. God uses tough times to change our perspectives and mould our character.

Rudolph family and schooling in Malawi

We experienced God’s interest in our children’s education when I was teaching at St Andrews Secondary School in Malawi. I was on only a low local salary scale and it was a weekly, sometimes daily, struggle to meet our financial commitments. Happily, education for our older children was free, at both primary and secondary level, courtesy of the school administration, because to pay school fees was absolutely out of the question for us.

Then disaster struck. The Income Tax Dept decided to tax the “free” education at its commercial value. The other teachers, who were on much higher packages, were not happy but could afford this; however, we could not.

I discussed our problem with the headmaster and deputy. They assured me high-level discussions had taken place but that the Tax Dept were adamant and unbending. Well, would the school release me from my contract early? No, as Head of Chemistry, I could not be replaced quickly enough from overseas. Could I go and see the Tax Commissioner myself and explain my unique position? Absolutely not; it could threaten other arrangements that the school had with them.

We were trapped. Brenda hastily set up a “school room” in our house and steeled herself to do home schooling. She was dreading the challenge for which she felt inadequate, but what else could we do? We felt gutted because education for our kids has always been a priority and we simply did not have the resources for her to teach them as thoroughly as we would have liked.

I decided to disobey my employers and arranged a meeting myself with the Tax Commissioner or his representative. I asked Jesus for wisdom and favour with this government official, knowing something extraordinarily special would be essential for the decision to be reversed.

The Malawian was pleasant and listened carefully to our situation. On seeing my figures for monthly pay and expenses, he was obviously nonplussed and sympathetic He said he would get back to me within days not weeks.

We were overjoyed when the decision came through ——an exception would be made for all the teachers at St Andrews Schools and our free schooling would be exempt from full taxation and taxed nominally at only 10% of its value! Our family could handle that!

Neither my headmaster nor the deputy discussed this ‘victory’ with me and I realised they were not pleased. Brenda and I, though, were more than pleased – we were ecstatic, relieved, and very thankful to God for the reprieve.

God had not yet finished in His provision for our children’s education. Our youngest child Jason was of pre-school age and Brenda believed needed enrichment, social interaction, and preparation for primary school, but we could not afford this.

Again, prayers to Jesus prevailed, and resulted in His provision for us way beyond what we could have imagined. Brenda heard that a local private Kindergarten was looking for a part-time teacher, so was disappointed to discover, when she went to talk to the owner Marie Sweetnam, that the position had been filled. But as Brenda and Marie chatted, the latter reflected that she could do with an extra free day each week herself, so in return for Brenda teaching that one day a week, Marie offered for Jason to come with her for free. And within a few weeks, Brenda was working as a paid teacher there and Jason attended her Kindergarten free every day!

A nice addendum is that the Tax Dept sent a bill for the tax on our free education before they adjusted their ruling. While it would be the final large bill from them, it was for hundreds of dollars that we did not have. Of course, we told no-one. Then the following Sunday an envelope for the exact amount addressed to ‘The Rudolphs’ was put in the collection. We found out later that it was for us from David and Helen O’Loan, friends who had just returned from vacation and had known nothing of the tax drama – but when praying where to put their money believed the Lord wanted it given to us – to their great surprise!

            Ivan’s testimony shows that:

1. God cares about our children’s education at all levels – all four of ours, at different levels, have had their needs met throughout life. As in all situations, background prayer is important.

2. God’s provision can extend well beyond finances into things important to us, such as the education of our children.

3. God can move those in authority to change direction and decisions.

4. God’s solutions may involve our playing a part.

5. God’s provision can extend beyond what we ask or even think.

 

Isabel Ogg, Caloundra, Queensland

One of our sons started his final senior year at school when we were living in New Zealand. He performed well in general but found mathematics difficult and just could not grasp certain new concepts. His teacher was impatient with him and he lost confidence that he could pass, but maths was critical for his intended future in engineering at university.

 My husband and I prayed for him and with him during that gruelling year, but his grades did not improve and he began to lower his sights to a life without a university degree and felt a failure. We prayed more and more but he was obviously heading towards failing.

At the end of that miserable year, despite prayer and hard work, our son failed. He was devastated. His future without a university qualification looked bleak.

After much soul-searching and prayer, he repeated his senior year with a different Maths teacher who helped him patiently. We also felt directed to a neighbour who tutored him and it was this input, with one-on-one availability to break down maths issues and explain them clearly, that helped him to pass and gain his confidence back!!

Our son achieved high grades at the end of the year, winning a scholarship! We had no doubt that God had heard our consistent prayer and had supported his dramatic turn-around in performance and in self-confidence. 

Our son then studied electrical engineering at university and has made a very successful career in that field.

         Isobel’s testimony shows that:

1. God is in there in our schooling problems; and is there for the long haul. 
2. God can rearrange circumstances in a school to provide a different and more supportive environment for our children. 
3. God rewards ongoing and consistent prayer, even when quick results are not seen.
4. God uses trials in our lives to develop our character, perseverance, and further important qualities, providing we do not give up trying to succeed at whatever that trial is, or until God directs us to stop. Trials are never easy at the time, but tackling them prayerfully is essential for our personal development. And, anyway, they keep coming after short “rest” breaks – they are part of God’s plans for developing His kids!