Westridge leadership coach, pastor and columnist Sophia Roman launched her debut anthology She Still Speaks on International Women's Day last month. The book captures the stories of overcoming of 14 women from different walks of life.
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Westridge leadership coach and consultant Pastor Sophia Roman believes she owes it to future generations to share her journey of overcoming hardships and navigating life’s troubles.
Ms Roman launched her debut book She Still Speaks, an anthology of short stories written by 14 women from different walks of life, last month.
“One day, when I'm not there anymore, my voice will continue to speak. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and their children, will be able to hear my voice through a recorded story.
“I feel I owe it to my children to tell them of my hard places and the mistakes I've made so that they don't have to make the same mistakes. But most of all, so that they can trust the God that we trusted and so that their faith can be boosted,” she said.
The title of the book was inspired by the story of Abel in the Bible whose blood still spoke after he died. On the cover is a single protea, which the author says symbolises her resilience and that of the contributors who survived fiery trials in their lifetimes.
Ms Roman said she invited the contributors to share their stories of overcoming difficult times to inspire others not to give up.
“I asked them to write about a hard place in their lives where they felt down and out, maybe even felt like they could not breathe any longer. And then to write about their process of coming through that and what scripture, symbol or quote pulled them through,” she explained.
Seen here with author Sophia Roman, are some of the women who contributed to the anthology She Still Speaks. Back row from left: Samantha Booysen, Lisel Engel, Nina Toohey, Dr Tanya Jeniker and Michelle Benjamin. Front from left: Salome Geiger, Petal Stewart, Ms Roman, Lesley Bam and Dawn Petersen.
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She Still Speaks captures aspects of the women’s life experiences and how they survived challenging times through their faith and courage.
Pastor and singer Dawn Petersen wrote the chapter ‘Songs of victory: A testimony of God’s faithfulness’, while evangelist Delores Elizabeth Pass shared her journey in the chapter ‘Through trials and triumph: My story of faith’.
Glynis Mocke, a cancer survivor and financial and wellness coach, penned the chapter ‘Fear no bad news: A story of faith and miracles’. Lesley Bam, a leadership coach, facilitator and speaker, shared her journey of ‘Breaking through fear’.
Life coach and motivational speaker Lisel Engel penned the chapter ‘Grace upon grace: A story of prayer and purpose’, while Michelle Benjamin, who is a magistrate and motivational speaker, captured aspects of her life in ‘Victory through grace: My journey to freedom’.
Apostle Nina Toohey, who is also a pastor, teacher and counsellor, wrote the chapter ‘From burnout to breakthrough, my journey back to rest’, while Pastor Petal Stewart, a 90-year-old widow, shared her journey in the chapter ‘Miracle after miracle: God’s hand in my journey’.
Pastor Ruth Mcleod wrote the chapter ‘Twice shattered, twice restored’. Salome Geiger, a German missionary penned the chapter ‘Called to rescue: My fight against human trafficking’. Prophetess Samantha Booysen, who is also a business owner and transformation coach, wrote the chapter ‘Rescued from darkness: My journey of redemption’.
Dr Tanya Jeniker, a specialist counsellor, teacher and speaker, compiled the chapter ‘From the mosque to the cross: My journey to Christ’, while business consultant Venete Klein, wrote the chapter ‘Diamond under pressure: How marriage shaped me’.
Ms Roman, who is also a magazine writer and columnist, said parents and grandparents have a responsibility to tell their stories to their next generation.
“Our values and stories must be passed down. We grew up in a community where if there was shame, pain or a hard place, then nobody must know about that. There's a saying that speaks about the good, the bad and the ugly. We always hear just about the good. There are stories that are not so good, then there are stories that are also a bit ugly or not so nice. The best way to experience authenticity is for people to know us in the good, hard and not-so-good places. That's where there's deeper respect because I'm willing to let you know who I am,” she shared.
Ms Roman said she hopes her book reaches people in various places, including prisons and hospitals.
“It may reach a lady in prison where I may not be able to go or somebody on a sick bed in hospital,” she added.
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