Hanna Meyer is a vibrant and passionate young woman who is originally from Vryheid. She has dedicated her life to serving underprivileged people in East Africa through FFSA Ministries (based in Potchefstroom). Hanna is part of the Education Ministry of the base. They train teachers to ‘become the solution for their nations within themselves’. They empower them so that they can inspire and influence the next generation, the future leaders and pioneers, in spirit and truth. The Vryheid Herald had a quick ‘question-and-answer’ session with Hanna to get to know this interesting young woman’s life a little better…

How old are you?

“27.”

Where did you matriculate?

“Vryheid High School (2015).”

When did you start with FFSA?

“January 2022.”

Are you a founder of FFSA?

“No, I am part of the staff, serving with the Education Ministry.”

What is your favourite food to eat in East Africa?

“Their bread. And peanut butter and tomato salad.”

Your best/worst experience?

“Best – I would say one of the best experiences I have had was last year November. We were invited to attend a conference in the Nuba Mountains and at this conference we got to be part of a fellowship of missionaries from many different ministries working on the ground to expand the Kingdom in this area. I felt so much of the Lord’s heart at this gathering – seeing different denominations, different tribes and languages, different nationalities, and different ages all gathering around one thing – Jesus! Seeing how all differences found in many nations and places were set aside, because collaboration and working together towards making Him known is the greater goal!
Worst – Ha ha! I think one of the worst experiences was when we were gifted a whole platter of food to eat right after we just finished dinner. Culturally, it would’ve been very rude for us to reject this generous gift, so four of us ate a platter enough for almost 10 people. We were stuffed!”

Were you ever in direct danger?

“No, praise the Lord!”

How long is a mission normally?

“From a couple of weeks to a couple of months.”

A funny story that you may have encountered?

“On our last trip, our team went to an internet cafe (a fenced off area where people go to connect to wifi and/or watch TV and the men often go there to play card games/board games because there is usually lighting). Our female Brazilian friend saw a game she loves playing and asked the men to join – completely counter culture, and they invited her to join them. Julia played with them, round after round, and the crowd watching this game grew – she became the life of the party because she kept winning; a Brazilian woman beating the men of this nation. It was comical to watch various men try to challenge her after each victory, and all the men watching in anticipation, seeing one after the other lose.”

Can anyone join the ministry? If so, how?

“Yes. Anyone who is above the age of 18 can apply to do our entry level school, a DTS (Discipleship Training School), and then an internship from which, as the Lord leads, you can launch into serving with any of the ministries on our base.”

How many towns in East Africa do you visit during one mission?

“During our trips, we travel to 4-6 different villages doing training and Bible distribution.”

What do you miss most about SA when you’re gone?

“Having running water. In most African nations we go to, we get water from wells. No flushing toilets or showers – only bucket showers and latrines.”

Do you teach in SA as well or only in East Africa? If not, why?

“Yes, but it is a little harder to do our biblical teacher training here in SA. Firstly because most teachers in SA are qualified and then our government has given strict religious regulations which hinder our very Christian training.”

Why should someone consider joining the ministry?

“I think anyone who desires to see the Kingdom expand can consider joining. As well as anyone who wants to see this happen in their day-to-day but doesn’t know how. You could benefit from the training and be equipped to make the Lord known wherever you go. And if not personally, anyone can join by partnering with missionaries and enabling them to keep running their race!”

Why did you become a full-time missionary?

“I had the privilege of growing up in a loving Christian home, but it wasn’t until later in life that I truly encountered the depth of the Gospel – not just as truth to believe, but as a relationship to live. That journey of intimacy with the Lord really began during university. After varsity, I felt Him invite me to teach in Malawi. I lived there for two years, teaching at a Christian Academy and during that time, the Lord stirred something deep in me: a hunger for His Word and a longing to understand what it truly means to educate from a Kingdom perspective. It was there that I began to realise that education is one of the most powerful tools for transformation – and that God deeply cares about how we teach and what we teach. After returning to South Africa, I subbed for a couple of months before I did my DTS with Fire & Fragrance South Africa and during that time, I received a revelation of God’s heart for the education system. I saw how teachers, when aligned with His truth, could shape the future of nations. That’s why I do missions. I believe the Lord is calling teachers – not just to instruct minds, but to disciple hearts in truth and spirit. I’ve since trained through the University of the Nations and now equip other teachers with biblically grounded tools and approaches that point students toward identity, purpose and transformation. I once read that the next 30 years in Africa could change the course of human history – for better or worse. I believe education holds a key to what that future looks like. And my heart burns to see teachers rise up in obedience to the call of God, to carry His heart into classrooms, and to lead a generation into reformation – one student, one truth, one classroom at a time.”

Anyone who is willing to partner with Hanna in prayer or financially enable her and her team to continue their dedication in their biblical teachings is welcome to contact her on 071 059 2522.

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.