When Nomkhosi first reached out to Pastor Deb through ReFrame Ministries’ Family Fire, she was in despair. “I was in a hopeless place,” Nomkhosi wrote.
Despite her Christian faith, Nomkhosi was weighed down by struggles she didn’t fully understand: feeling isolated and burdened by relentless spiritual battles.
Nomkhosi, a young woman from South Africa, had been praying for a loving marriage partner for years. Yet she felt trapped. Her relationships crumbled without her knowing why, and she felt that unseen forces were obstructing her dreams of a family and her spiritual well-being.
Family Fire, one of ReFrame’s English-language ministries, became her lifeline during these dark times.
“We’re offering resources and personalized prayer support to hurting people around the globe,” said Deb Koster, Family Fire’s producer.
Koster and her team commit to addressing struggles that often go unspoken—challenges in marriage, parenting, and spiritual growth—while reminding believers of God’s unfailing love.
“God does not always give us all the things we desire,” she reminded Nomkhosi, “and sometimes that might feel disappointing.” She encouraged Nomkhosi to find peace in God’s purpose even if it didn’t align perfectly with her hopes.
Koster’s prayers and advice were rooted in Scripture and focused on the strength that comes from walking faithfully with God, regardless of one’s marital status. Through Koster’s words, Nomkhosi began to see her life not as a series of unfulfilled prayers, but as a journey of spiritual growth.
“If I thought I loved the Lord before, let’s just say today I’m madly in love with him,” Nomokhosi said. This deepening relationship allowed her to confront and overcome her fears.
Family Fire is dedicated to helping people like Nomkhosi, whose faith was tested and ultimately strengthened. Through online articles (FamilyFire.com), prayer support, and pastoral guidance, Family Fire offers an inclusive space for those facing everything from family discord to personal spiritual battles.
As Nomkhosi’s spiritual journey unfolded, she grew increasingly assured of her identity in Christ. Her prayers shifted from desperate requests to heartfelt surrender. In her words, she was “the happiest bride of Christ.”
What’s more, Nomkhosi’s desire for marriage, once a source of pain, became secondary to her relationship with God. Instead, she felt grounded in her identity as a beloved child of God.
Today, Nomkhosi continues to grow as a woman of faith, inspired by the work of Family Fire and the support of the Christian Reformed Church. She is grateful for the valley she had to walk through, believing it led her to a truer understanding of God’s love.
About the Author
Brian Clark, ReFrame Ministries