Guest speaker touches WOW group

SOUTH OF JOHANNESBURG –  “At 15 years old I killed my brother and served time in jail for the murder. It was a terrible time in my life and one of my most fearful moments was being moved from juvenile to adult prison. Thankfully I found a lot of comfort in reading and I managed to finish my matric. While I was still in jail I had a phone call that my mom had passed away from a heart attack. Before I was released I realised I had a passion for motivating and inspiring young people.

“I was released on December 7 2005 and I made a promise to myself that I’d never again go back inside. I returned to the family home in Grabouw and knew I needed to do something which would keep me out of prison. One day I’d gone to a local church which was giving out free soup and bread and when I chatted to some of the volunteer workers at the church I decided I’d give God a go! From the day I let God into my life it started to change and I got an internship with a church and then a bursary to study theology. After this I travelled throughout South Africa and finished bible school in 2011. I began to write poetry and one of my favourites is Sweaty Hands, which I’ll read to you just now,” said Ivor.

Later Ivor worked in prison ministry, counselling at a half-way house for six months but it became too traumatic, bringing back disturbing memories for him. So he left the Western Cape and travelled to Polokwane, where he worked at a church. “I missed the city life so moved back to Cape Town and for the first time since my daughter was born I met her. She was 13 years old. I honestly thought she’d want nothing to do with me but she said, ‘You’re still my dad and I would like to keep in touch with you’. That was probably one of the most special times of my life,” he said.

When Ivor read Sweaty Hands, it really touched the ladies.

Ivor is presently working with St Paul’s Church in Mulbarton, reaching out to the youth and he’s involved with the project Spreading Hearts.