Leendert van Rooyen: a story of God's transforming grace
One of the new athletes that joined the S4J team this year is Leendert van Rooyen. He shared his story with us. It's an inspiring story of the transforming grace of God. Leendert now wants to share that encouraging story with others in need of inspiration to achieve the seemingly impossible through the work of God in your life. Here's an extract of that story.
Less a year before the Comrades Marathon, nobody thought Leendert should run long distances. He pulled the scale on a huge 127 kg. Leendert shares the story of how in the 11 months in the build-up to the 2013 Comrades marathon taking place on 2 June this year, he lost a staggering 39 kg AND completed the 87 km / 54 mile "Comrades" successfully. The journey that was nor easy, but God helped Leendert to overcome the challenges and become victorious. He's a transformed person!
Leendert now wants to inspire and encourage others to also attempt the "impossible". As we read in the Bible: "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me!"
Just looking at Leendert's results in the 2013 Comrades, highlights how fenomenal this achievement and transformation in his life are. Imagine this: 1 year before the Comrades, whci is one of the premier ultra marathosn in the world, Leendert never imagined that it would be possible to take part in the race, that is called: "The ultimate human race" for a VERY good reason.
Yet, not only did he took part in the race, he finished in 22 place among the about 100 athletes of the S4J team. Top 25%! What a fantastic achievement, in a time of 10 hours, 33 munites and 15 seconds. Well done Leendert! Praise God for this wonderful achievement.
A lot like Louise Jacobs
This reminds a lot of Louise Jacobs, blind runner of the S4J team. As with Jacques de Rouwe in the top picture of this article, it is alo Louise Jacob's 3rd year as part of the S4J. Louise also heard about the S4J / Comrades marathon in September 2010. Louise suffers from an eye condition and has less than 5% eyesight. Louise started running and 9 months later came 3rd in the S4J team of 20 runners that year.
In December Louise, who is a mother of three beautiful children, family moved to Zambia. She still practice regularly. Louise finished this year's Comrades marathon in 20th position of the 100 S4J team, in a time of 10:30:02, just minutes before Leendert.
These are the legends the S4J are made up. People through which God does an amazing transformational work. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get bored with their and other's in teh S4J team.
Now the S4J team is looking forward to completing the 2013 year ending at 31 July 2013. Then to build onto the foundations to a team of 200 runners at the 2014 Comrades marathon, scheduled for 1 June next year. Trusting that people like Leendert, Louise and a multitude other "heroes of faith" would continue to raise the banner of Jesus Christ for the Sudans.
Should you be interested in a more detailed version of Leendert's testimony, write to us at Sudan4Jesus@swissmail.org
One of the new athletes that joined the S4J team this year is Leendert van Rooyen. He shared his story with us. It's an inspiring story of the transforming grace of God. Leendert now wants to share that encouraging story with others in need of inspiration to achieve the seemingly impossible through the work of God in your life. Here's an extract of that story.
Less a year before the Comrades Marathon, nobody thought Leendert should run long distances. He pulled the scale on a huge 127 kg. Leendert shares the story of how in the 11 months in the build-up to the 2013 Comrades marathon taking place on 2 June this year, he lost a staggering 39 kg AND completed the 87 km / 54 mile "Comrades" successfully. The journey that was nor easy, but God helped Leendert to overcome the challenges and become victorious. He's a transformed person!
Leendert now wants to inspire and encourage others to also attempt the "impossible". As we read in the Bible: "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me!"
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| BEFORE photo: Leendert van Rooyen (centre) with friends at a time running the Comrades marathon would have been inconceivable to him. On his right, Jacques de Rouwe, who have completed the Comrades marathon 17 times - of of that as part of the S4J. |
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| Leendert van Rooyen (centre) and his running partner,, Juan van Dyk during the 2013 Comrades marathon. |
Yet, not only did he took part in the race, he finished in 22 place among the about 100 athletes of the S4J team. Top 25%! What a fantastic achievement, in a time of 10 hours, 33 munites and 15 seconds. Well done Leendert! Praise God for this wonderful achievement.
A lot like Louise Jacobs
This reminds a lot of Louise Jacobs, blind runner of the S4J team. As with Jacques de Rouwe in the top picture of this article, it is alo Louise Jacob's 3rd year as part of the S4J. Louise also heard about the S4J / Comrades marathon in September 2010. Louise suffers from an eye condition and has less than 5% eyesight. Louise started running and 9 months later came 3rd in the S4J team of 20 runners that year.
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| Louise Jacobs, blind runner of the S4J team, here with Karina Johnson, supporter of the S4J team |
These are the legends the S4J are made up. People through which God does an amazing transformational work. It is IMPOSSIBLE to get bored with their and other's in teh S4J team.
Now the S4J team is looking forward to completing the 2013 year ending at 31 July 2013. Then to build onto the foundations to a team of 200 runners at the 2014 Comrades marathon, scheduled for 1 June next year. Trusting that people like Leendert, Louise and a multitude other "heroes of faith" would continue to raise the banner of Jesus Christ for the Sudans.
Should you be interested in a more detailed version of Leendert's testimony, write to us at Sudan4Jesus@swissmail.org