My Testimony — Alida Bezuidenhout
May this testimony uplift and strengthen you, and fill your heart with hope.
I grew up in a deeply dysfunctional home. My father struggled with alcoholism and was physically abusive towards my mother. My brothers became involved with drugs from a very young age, and in time, so did I. My mother was emotionally and physically exhausted. The atmosphere in our home was dark and oppressive.
As a family, we had no connection to faith. We never attended church, never read the Bible, and knew nothing of Jesus.. Racism was also a visible part of my home environment.
My father was involved in white witchcraft and practiced palm readings. His side of the family was deeply entrenched in occultism, and witchcraft ran through the family bloodline.
Before I came to know the Lord, I was involved with occult circles, struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, and was battling bulimia and severe social anxiety. I was in the deepest, darkest pit — with no idea how I would ever find my way out. I had lost all sense of identity and was in desperate need of help.
The Night Everything Changed
On the 16th of December 2013, Day of Reconciliation, I met Jesus and was saved.
At the time, I was living with a man who was also involved in witchcraft. One night, as I was trying to fall asleep, a heavy, oppressive force came over me and began to choke me. In my distress, I remembered a woman a friend had mentioned weeks earlier — someone who performed, what I later learned was called, "deliverance". I managed to get hold of her number and called her immediately. She instructed me to repeat the name "Jesus" over and over and to make my way to her. Remarkably, she was only about 5km's away.
I went to her that same night, and it was there that the Lord met me for the very first time. She prayed with me, and I repented of all my sins. I fell to my knees — and in that moment, I saw two Feet in sandals standing before me. The woman asked what I could see, and when I described it, she told me: "That is Jesus standing before you."
He met me, right there and then. It was the most extraordinary encounter of my life. That same night, I received my heavenly prayer language. And from that moment, the battle intensified.
That very night, the Lord delivered me from every sexual sin and demonic oppression, anxiety, addiction to cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, and bulimia. I was completely set free. For whom the Son sets free is free indeed John 8:36. But I had to learn how to fight.
Learning to Fight
With no believers in my circles and no church background, all I had was a small Bible the woman gave me and these words she spoke over me:
"The name of Jesus is your strength. The blood of Jesus is your protection. The Word of God is your sword."
I had to learn how to use that sword — and the Holy Spirit was my only Teacher.
Every day I contended with spiritual opposition. I pressed through, received further deliverance, and the Lord led me to a Spirit-filled church where I was prayed over consistently until I began to walk in victory. I was baptized on Easter weekend and soon became involved in ministry in Brits — serving in children's ministry, hospital outreach, and young adults' ministry. I eventually led my own small group at the church where I served, got married, and together with my husband served as youth pastors at an AGS church in Brits for seven years. We then relocated to Benoni, where I am currently in full-time ministry.
The Promise Fulfilled
Before the Lord moved us from Hartbeespoort dam into our "promised land," we went through an intense season of battles, affliction and loss. We had very little income, and it felt as though we were fighting a losing battle. But the Lord had a plan — and He made me a promise.
He showed me that He was about to bless us with a new car (my husband had been involved in two separate car accidents over three years, and we had lost both vehicles), a new home, and a new business. Within months of receiving that vision, every single thing He had promised came to pass. The Lord restored all that the enemy had stolen and at the same time unlocked my ministry.
The Prophetic Art Ministry
I had no idea that my ministry would be a Prophetic Art Ministry — it came as a beautiful and unexpected surprise.
The Lord gave me a dream and then led me to begin painting again, shortly after my father passed away. But this time, something was different. The paintings carried a weight and Presence. Every time I picked up a brush, the anointing would fill the room. I soon understood that the Lord had anointed the art and intended to use it to touch many hearts.
And so, Prophetic HeArt Ministry was born.
I then started using my paintings in my sermons and it was just so blessed.
I also created my first Prophetic Art Journal and sold over 600 copies.
At about the same time the Prophetic Art Workshops was born at Revival House of Prayer where I currently minister on Sunday's.
It all happened very suddenly and came as a massive surprise. I am blessed and thankful beyond measure and looking forward to everything the Lord still has in store!
Thank you for reading my testimony.
To God be ALL THE GLORY!
Shalom Shalom