“HAVE hope even when hope is gone.”
This was the message famous Afrikaans music singer Anneli van Rooyen had for Allen Park Old Age Home residents.
Van Rooyen visited Allen Park on Saturday morning where she performed two songs off her latest album “Nogtans sal ek sing”, which was released in October last year.
Van Rooyen also shared her story about the trying period in her life, when a medical surgery that went wrong almost cost her her singing career.
Nine years ago, the singer underwent surgery to treat an illness, but instead was left with a dislocated jaw and irreversible nerve damage.
“I couldn’t sing for seven whole years. It was the most miserable and painful time in my life; but with God’s grace, I survived and got back on my feet again,” van Rooyen shared with the audience.
One of the songs she sang “Nogtans sal ek sing” described this experience and how we can all find hope to rise again after going through difficult times.
“I wanted to share with people that regardless of our circumstances, we can sail on, as long as we keep our faith in Jesus Christ, who can rescue us from our lowest point.”
Finding the courage to go back into the recording studio proved to be even more rewarding for van Rooyen as she won herself a Huisgenoot Temple Award for Best Gospel Album 2015 two weeks ago for her new album.
Motivational speaker and author Nicole Robarts also presented a heart-warming story about acknowledging the “blind spots” in your life, and how friends help us through these times.
Robarts’ first book called “Genade” (Grace) will be released late August.
“The book is about my life experiences and not dwelling on things that have happened in the past,” Robarts said.
