JONTY'S STORY
We had been trying for children for 7 years, and because of our age (Belinda being 44) and chronic fatigue, we had consulted a number of specialists in fertility in South Africa. We tried several medications to try to increase our chances, but we felt in God that the more invasive procedures like IVF that had been suggested were inappropriate for us.
Over several years our hopes were raised and dashed, time and again. However, I had always felt we would have children, and this was backed up by many prophetic words and prayers from numerous individuals over several years. During the period of time that we were relocating to Australia we had stopped consulting the doctors, but eventually after being in Adelaide for nearly a year we visited the head of a local fertility clinic. Having done all the tests again we went in for the results, and were told that even with full IVF treatment our chances of a pregnancy were around 5%, and he suggested that we consider adoption. That day was a big disappointment for both of us, but little did we know that Belinda was already pregnant….without any medical treatment whatsoever, just prayer. We have come to realize with even deeper understanding that God is the Lord of the ‘seemingly-impossible’, and His timings are perfect. I felt God very clearly show me that this child is much more important to Him that he is to us. It was His plan to create this Universe, our planet, the human race, and every single one of us, and He has determined the exact time and place that we should live.
On March 2, 2006 we welcomed Jonathan (Jonty) Ari Schwerzel into this world, weighing 3.165kg, (6lb, 15oz). Jonathan was the name the Lord gave us in prayer and a prophetic word, it means ‘Gift of God’, and that is exactly what he is to us! I also believe that he will be a gift to the world, (as he already has been, as his testimony has already been spread around the world to encourage people who have struggled to have children). His middle name is Ari which means ‘God’s lion’ in Hebrew, or ‘the best of everything’ in Greek, and we believe prophetically that he will be strong for the Lord.
God has blessed us richly with this little addition to the family. Belinda’s pregnancy was very straightforward despite being classified a ‘high risk’ one. She was given gels to bring the labour on a few days before term, spent the night in hospital, and gave birth to Jonty the next morning after 5 hours of labour, (without pain killers). In the midwife’s words, it was a 1,2,3,4 delivery, and he was born at 12:34!
Dave Hagger gave a prophetic word from God for us “and that it would be said in the nations that the Lord has done great things for us”. There is no better way of describing this little miracle; God is the God who not only can, but He also does.
Peter, Belinda and Jonty Schwerzel
