Well-known minister shares Covid-19 journey to recovery
"Be thankful for the little things in life. The big things become unimportant to you and the small things become vital."
Dr Johan Pienaar (70) and his wife, Rita (67) are recovering well after both tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this year.
Pienaar is also known as the minister who for the past few years writes inspirational and encouraging messages that are published under the Stiltetyd section in Rekord.
The two of them returned from the Kruger National Park and soon after tested positive.
He said that it was most probably the worst time in their lives.
“I just want to highlight the following: those who say it is nothing worse than a flu, have not had it.
“I suffered from a terrible fever, and my infection and sugar levels were sky-high. Soon after, I was diagnosed with double pneumonia as well.
“Luckily, Rita had it much lighter than me and she was the most wonderful nurse I could have asked for.
“We used to walk 10km twice a week, but I had no energy whatsoever. I could not even walk four steps at the beginning, but everyday I got stronger,” Johan said.
They experienced so much love and a lot of people reached out to them.
“During the isolation period, family and friends brought food parcels and others put soup outside the gate.
“Our children regularly came to visit us, even though we were on the other side of the fence. Our grandchildren decorated and wrote the most beautiful cards.
“We are so humble for everyone who supported us through that time,” he said.
Although he retired at the age of 60, Johan is still very much involved in the ministry.
After he retired, he did his training as a management consultant and still do consult work for many businesses.
He has been writing a lot and loves doing woodwork.
“I talked about fear earlier in the week, and I could not believe how much reaction I got.
“We need to realise that we need to help each other to gain perspective during these difficult times.
“We will have to find each other; we need to stand together.”
Johan said we must give each other hope as it was scary to see some of us take away each other’s hope.
“Conspiracies take away people’s hope.
“Be thankful for the little things in life. The big things become unimportant to you and the small things become vital.
“To be able to take in oxygen, I do not know how to describe it…When was the last time you thanked the Lord for being able to take in oxygen?”
When asked what the Pienaar family learned from this, Johan said: “One must not live for tomorrow, but one must live for the here and now.
“Live fully. Do not procrastinate for later.”
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