Stanley Pieterse’s journey is truly inspiring.

Stanley Pieterse’s story about substance abuse, recovery, and hope will inspire you. He transformed his life from the depths of addiction to embrace the positive world of poetry.

Stanley told me, “I am an ex-drug addict and alcoholic who grew up on the streets of Eersterust in Pretoria. My parents divorced when I was in primary school, and when I reached high school, I started smoking cigarettes and dagga. I quickly moved to using harder drugs like crack cocaine and crystal meth. I robbed people, broke into factories and cars, and pickpocketed and conned people to fund my drug addiction. I was arrested many times, but was never convicted.

“I've tried many times to sort out my life and even got well-paid jobs, but I always messed up and lost them because of my drug addiction. I went to three different rehabilitation centres to get help with my drug problem, but I always went back to using drugs shortly afterwards. It was when I hit rock bottom that my mother told me about the CYPSA restoration program at the KwaSizabantu Mission, and I decided to try that.

“When I arrived at the gate of the mission station, I handed in my cigarettes and other illicit items I had with me. Strangely, I felt a change as I entered through the gates. I was prayed for and able to attend the daily services. I confessed my sins, received prayer, and was advised to return to my community, seek forgiveness, and make amends for the wrongs I had been committing while living there. When I offered to repay some community members, they declined the money, saying they were pleased to see how well I was doing and that I should continue the new path I was on; that would be enough payment for them. By giving my life to the Lord, God awakened the gifts He had given me. I have started writing poetry and have even had the chance to recite it live on Radio Khwezi, the community radio station of the Mission.

“I am working again now, and the Lord has done wonders in my life. Since I started working at the aQuellé bottled water factory, I have been promoted five times! I am now working as a technician and a Health and Safety Representative, having completed training for these roles. My family members are very proud of me and always look forward to seeing me when I visit them at home. I thank the Lord for giving me another chance at life and for blessing me so abundantly. I thank all those at CYPSA for being the instruments that saved my life and the lives of thousands of others like me. May our powerful Lord continue to bless the CYPSA organisation so the Lord’s saving work may continue.”

(Read more uplifting stories such as this one in our sister publication, Devoted under Restored Lives. Link: https://www.devotedmag.co.za/)