A Beautiful Testimony from the Heart of Sophiatown

Family and friends gather for a joyous wedding celebration, showcasing love and unity on a beautiful day.

Written by Missionary Enoch

Last Saturday was a deeply moving and beautiful moment in our journey as missionaries. I had the joy of witnessing the marriage of a young man named Reano, someone who holds a special place in my heart.

Reano is a young coloured man from Sophiatown, a community often marked by pain—gangsterism, drugs, and broken family systems. But in the midst of all this, God is writing a different story. Together with his young wife, Reano made a bold and counter-cultural decision: to enter into marriage and build their lives on a foundation of love, commitment, and faith. It was a moment of joy, hope, and deep spiritual significance.

Over the past year, Richard and I have been walking closely with Reano, discipling and encouraging him. He was the first young man I met when I began the missionary work in Sophiatown. He introduced me to the family we now call “Granny Judy’s family,” and through him, God opened many doors in the community.

What makes this testimony even more powerful is how rare these moments are in places like Sophiatown. Too often, we hear of young people dying or getting lost in destructive lifestyles. A wedding—a symbol of hope and restoration—is something the community rarely sees. So when it happens, it is a celebration of God’s grace.

The families, friends, and community members were deeply touched. Many expressed how meaningful it was to witness young people choosing marriage and a new path in life. Richard and I have committed ourselves to continue journeying with this young couple, to mentor, guide, and love them as they build their home.

We ask for your continued prayers, especially for the missionary work among young men in communities like Sophiatown and Windsor East. There is an urgent need for more social fathers—men willing to step in, support, and guide the next generation. Richard and I have taken this mantle, walking with more than ten young men and their families.

If you feel moved to support this work, or even to walk alongside one of these young men as a mentor or spiritual father, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. This is kingdom work, and there is space for more hands and hearts to join.

With love and hope,

Missionary Enoch

(Contact me directly if you would like to support or get involved)