OPEN LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER OF VITILIGO ASSIST

Open letter from the founder of VITILIGO ASSIST – Amelda du Toit

Since childhood I have wanted to be involved in the welfare of underprivileged people. I was keen to be a social worker. My mom had cautioned me by pointing out that is an emotionally tough profession with a lot of sadness. Social workers are born and moulded over time. Today, I am not a social worker, but I believe that God has been preparing me my entire life for this calling. I was moulded and tested on various levels, which strengthened me. Challenges became highlights as I realised what the purpose was.

Various incidents and experiences led me closer to my Creator, Jesus Christ. I not only believed but also developed a deeper personal relationship with Him. I learned to discern between promptings from the Holy Spirit and other influences.

In 2018, I lost my dad. It was a severe shock, but I had so many people praying for my family and me. I, once again, realised the miracle of prayer and God’s grace. Something good stemmed from a bad experience. My relationship with God was strongest when I was weakest. My essence was starting to evolve, and I wanted to help others. Various incidents following my dad’s passing moulded and strengthened me for the major step that would follow.

It is now 2023 and I am still wrestling to understand my purpose and calling. I continuously yearned for something greater, for God’s will to manifest in my life. I knew there was something, but didn’t know what it was, when it would manifest or what would be required of me. I had a conversation with my minister and, on the 12 th of March 2023, she messaged me that she was upholding me in prayer and praying that my cause would be revealed to me.

On 15 March 2023, my minister messaged me again and reminded me not to overthink the cause and that she was praying that God would reveal the answer to me in my sleep. The following day, 16 March 2023, my daughter, who is suffering from VITILIGO, phoned and asked me to pray that God would grant her the wisdom to understand why she has to bear this cross. She was very emotional and depressed, but stated she would accept this condition if she understood the reason why she had to have VITILIGO and what God’s purpose is. While I was telling her about my conversations with and prayers to God, it suddenly dawned on me that this is the NPO that God wants me to start. Her tears transformed into excitement. Suddenly she had renewed hope and had found purpose. We should be the shining light for people who are, like her, affected by VITILIGO and do not have access to the necessary funds, information or support. Her first words to me were: “Mommy, we should engage a psychologist who can help people. You don’t begin to understand what we, VITILIGO sufferers, must endure and how it affects our self-image and self-confidence”.

The night of 16 March 2023, everything was indeed revealed to me in my sleep, as prayed for by my minister: amongst other things I now had clarity on the name of the NPO, whom to contact, and what else to consider and arrange.

But, to err is human and I started to doubt if this was really God’s will and not just my own sweet will. All of a sudden, I received all kinds of TikTok, Facebook and WhatsApp messages about God’s calling and things that are obstructing me to follow God’s will. Every day I was reassured of God’s love for me and that He will be with me every step of the way. I was constantly reminded of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

On 23 April 2023, I made the final decision to resign from my career of 35 years.

The day that I formally resigned from my job, 24 April 2023, I was designated to start the day with scripture reading and prayer. I was not prepared for this and decided to utilise the daily readings booklet. The scripture reading was Isaiah 35: 3 – 4: “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will.” The teaching from Johan Smit was that we should open our eyes for a change and look at what’s happening around us. We have become so accustomed to everything evolving around ourselves, only noticing and living in our own small world; and being interested only in our own interests, comfort, health and enjoyment. We pass people in dire need in our own communities without even noticing them. We are unaware of and do not notice people who have lost hope and need upliftment, because we are so self-absorbed. People are afraid to get involved. However, Jesus has set the example and called us to get involved. He stopped and listened to those in need. Our words and actions can give someone renewed hope and again recognise God’s presence in their life. I knew I had made the right decision to resign and follow my calling. That evening I opened my Bible to Hebrews 10:35-36: “35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised”.

From 1 July 2023, I am officially in God’s ministration. I thank God for entrusting me with this task and for His grace and protection to persevere. Thank you to my wonderfully supportive husband, Danie, and my children. I am nothing without you. I love you endlessly. Together, we will still move mountains in God’s kingdom.

Danie, you are our rock; you always place yourself last to provide for our family’s needs, dreams and callings. May God bless you richly and strengthen and protect you. We appreciate you and really love you.

To Leandrie, co-director of VITILIGO ASSIST, our own VITILIGO leader, and now also becoming a campaigner for others, you are such a steadfast child of God. God would not have allowed you to get VITILIGO if there wasn’t a greater purpose. God knew that you would be able to handle it. Thank you for all your time and energy dedicated thus far to the NPO.

To Marno, my son, the other rock of our family - as God’s disciple you take up others’ grief and sadness. You uphold so many people in prayer, but very few people ever pray for you and others in ministry. May God protect and strengthen you to minister His Word to all corners of the earth. Thank you for always listening to me with an open heart and mind and strengthening my faith.

My mom, Elize, you are an iron woman - tough and resilient. God could not have given me a better mother. You are filled with the Holy Spirit and steadfast in your belief. You have had to overcome so much in your life, still, you have a heart for the church, animals and the underprivileged. God be with you wherever you may go. Thank you for setting such a good example in everything to me.

Rev. Dalene Lourens, thank you for all your support over the years. You have prayed countless times for me and with me. God placed you in my life for a purpose. May God strengthen your hands and grant you the strength to walk in His light, grace and love every day. May God protect you and your family against the onslaughts of life.

Thank you, Renee, for your support and willingness to help. I know everything is still very new to you. May God also bless and keep you and your family.

Thank you to everyone who will be supporting VITILIGO ASSIST whether by providing services for free or at a reduced rate, supporting fund-raising projects, contributing professional opinions, making donations or any other contribution no matter how small.

Much love,

Amelda