A Tale of Perseverance: A Family's Journey from South Africa to Utah

Sometimes, the hardest decisions in life are the ones that require the most faith. For our family, the decision to leave everything we knew in South Africa and move to the United States was one of those moments. It wasn’t just a change of location—it was a leap into the unknown. With two small children—our 7-year-old daughter and 2-year-old toddler—and nothing but the contents of our suitcases, we embarked on a life-changing 60-hour journey that would test our courage, resilience, and belief in a brighter future.

Letting Go of the Old

We had worked hard to build a life in South Africa. Our businesses, our homes, our community—it was all we knew. But the world was changing. The pandemic had left many of us questioning what truly mattered. The riots, the economic uncertainty, the instability—it all piled up. The once-vibrant environment had shifted, and we felt the weight of it in ways we couldn’t ignore. Our hearts yearned for something more, something different, something that would allow us to provide a better life for our children—a life of opportunity, safety, and new horizons.

Selling our businesses was one of the most difficult choices we made. Letting go of something we’d built from the ground up was heart-wrenching. But we knew it was the right decision. The security we once had was no longer guaranteed, and the thought of starting fresh, even if daunting, brought with it a sense of hope. The decision wasn’t made lightly, but it was one born out of a desire for a new beginning.

The Leap of Faith

The journey to the U.S. was long and exhausting. Sixty hours of travel with two kids in tow, navigating time zones and airports, felt like an adventure we were not fully prepared for. Our arrival in Utah was marked by the unfamiliar. The landscapes were different, the air was different, the culture was different. But in all the unfamiliarity, there was one constant: faith. We had our faith in God, and we had faith in each other. With nothing more than our luggage and a shared hope for the future, we arrived at an Airbnb, uncertain of what the future held but confident that God would guide us every step of the way.

As we settled into a temporary home in a foreign land, we felt the weight of our decision. It was easy to second-guess ourselves, to wonder if we had made the right choice. The comfort of family and friends back in South Africa felt so far away. The support system we’d spent years building was no longer within arm’s reach. But amidst the uncertainty, we held onto one thing: the belief that this journey was not just about us, but about laying a new foundation for our children. The decision to move was a bold step toward creating the future we envisioned for them—a future full of new opportunities, new experiences, and new possibilities.

The Struggles and the Triumphs

The transition wasn’t smooth. In fact, it was anything but. Moving to a new country meant learning new systems, navigating a different business environment, and facing cultural differences that were both exciting and overwhelming. But there was something in our blood—something deep within—that we hadn’t lost: the entrepreneurial spirit.

Starting over wasn’t easy. There were long days spent filling out paperwork, searching for jobs, and often wondering if we had made a mistake. We had moments of doubt—when it seemed like the pieces just weren’t falling into place the way we had hoped. But as a family, we leaned on each other. Our bond became our strength. We took walks through unfamiliar neighborhoods, talked about our dreams, and shared our frustrations. Slowly, but surely, we began to build a new life.

It was during these long, difficult days that we remembered why we had taken this leap: not just for us, but for our girls. We envisioned a future for them, one where they could thrive and pursue their passions, a future that would be free from the constraints and uncertainties that had defined our previous life. Together, we brainstormed new business ideas and began exploring industries that resonated with our skills and passions. Every small step forward felt like a victory.

A New Chapter, A New Vision

Now, as we look back on our journey, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come. We’ve found our place here in the U.S. We’ve made new friends, learned new ways of living, and begun building a new business. The road hasn’t been without its challenges, but we’ve persevered, and in doing so, we’ve become stronger, more united, and more confident in our ability to create the future we desire.

Our girls have adapted beautifully. The adventure of starting over is one they have embraced with enthusiasm and curiosity. The lessons we’ve learned on this journey are ones we are eager to pass down to them—to teach them the value of perseverance, the importance of faith, and the power of believing in new beginnings.

Looking back, we realize that the real treasures we brought with us weren’t the things we packed in our suitcases. The true treasures are the lessons we’ve learned along the way—the strength of our bond as a family, the courage to face the unknown, and the faith that has carried us through the toughest moments.

The Journey Continues

Our story is far from over. The path ahead is still unfolding, and we know there will be more obstacles, more challenges, and more moments of doubt. But we’ve learned that the journey is just as important as the destination. Every step along the way has shaped us into who we are today, and we know that with our faith and our shared vision, we can tackle whatever comes next.

As we continue to build our new life, we remain bold, hopeful, and ready for whatever God has in store for us. And as for our girls—they are growing up with a unique perspective on the world. We hope that the lessons they learn from our story will guide them through their own adventures, wherever life takes them.

We may have started with nothing but our faith and our family, but we’ve discovered that those two things are more than enough to build a new life—one full of promise, possibility, and the unwavering belief that we can, and will, persevere.

On to our next journey together as a family