Love Is Love, No Matter Where You're From

In 1999, two souls united the love of their ministry and a newfound love for one another in a small village located in the Eastern Cape. Linda and Thabisa met in church, having only known one another from a distance. In their ministry, before decisions were made their people would pray and seek advice from their elders. Deep within, Linda felt this sense of love toward Thabisa and acted on it. 18 years later, one can find these two happily married with their 6 lovely children. Their love, respect and admiration for one another is something to admire. In his own words, Linda sees Thabisa as more than just his wife, she’s his friend that keeps him motivated, laughing and feeling more and more alive in each day that passes. Her love for him, their children and people expands by the minute, Thabisa loves to love, and he stands by her in her gifting of love. Together they reach out to others and support one another in doing so. It hasn’t always been an easy journey and these two have come along way since the start of their marriage. Having lived most of their lives in the Eastern Cape, involved in the ministry of the Full Gospel Church of God, Thabisa and Linda took it on themselves to move to the Western Cape in search of founding their own Full Gospel Church in the Strand. Still not yet pastors, but preachers, they had been given the permission and the right to do so from their leaders in the Eastern Cape. Thus began one of their greatest challenges. Starting from scratch in a place far away from all that they had known, Thabisa and Linda, along with their children, found a place in an informal settlement, with no electricity and diminished levels of sanitation. They made their way into the community, met new people and were driven by their passion for and their relationship with Jesus Christ. Being on their own without the guidance of their leaders was a difficult, hands-on, yet teachable moment for them, to the point where they found they had less time for one another and felt they weren’t fulfilling their duties as parents. They connected with others and in return, they were supported with practical needs until they were able to manage on their own again. They walked the streets, each day preaching the word of God and noticed the number of children wandering and playing in the streets in the school hours, this is where Thabisa initiated the idea of starting Agape. Both Thabisa and Linda approached the families of these children playing in the streets and emphasised the significance of an education, but they all said they didn’t have the money, yet they spent it unnecessarily, showing such ignorance of the importance of education in the foundation years. So Thabisa and Linda took it upon themselves to start their own school, charging only R50, with their old car they would help collect the children from their homes and the money would contribute to some bread for their snacks and just barely covering their petrol costs. Children started flooding into Agape, and neighbouring schools would laugh at them, saying they were crazy for charging only R50, where others started at R180 per child. Their motive behind this all was how they could help these children and make a difference, not the issue of resources and money. Thabisa sees Linda as her rock, he is always behind her every step of the way, supporting her and their family, taking care of their children, which in their culture isn’t often the case as the mother usually takes full responsibility, but with them, everything is equal. Linda helps her take on difficult situations and guides her in her decisions and on a more humorous note in true Thabisa style, she loves that he has kept his slim physique. Thabisa is a woman of integrity, what she says and what you see, is what she is. She loves her family and puts them first, like god and heaven. Guiding and managing Linda and when she talks to him, his fear rises and she keeps him dignified and protected. She has taught Linda to love, and she really loves, giving her all in love, clothes and valuables to those in need, she is selfless. Their hopes for their families future is that they learn from others and in school, investing their futures not into the past, but into things that are important to themselves. They want their beliefs to not just be a lifestyle, but to be a part of them. Their story is the most charming example of love, and how this bond has changed a community for the better. Thabisa and Linda, you inspire us each and every day. We are so thankful to walk alongside you and we cannot wait to see Agape grow as beautifully as your love.