Women’s month: ‘Women are multifaceted, creations of God’
International speaker, published author and Director of Strong Cross Ministries, Tonya Jewel Blessing is a dynamic lady and a force to be reckoned with.
MOKOPANE -She grew up in Ohio and currently lives in Sterkrivier with her husband of 34 years.
Together they operated Strong Cross Ranch in Colorado for 11 years, a place of respite for missionaries and ministers.
The Blessings relocated their ministry to South Africa in June 2012. Strong Cross Ministries is a non-profit organisation, which continues to serve and partner with local pastors and missionaries through a variety of creative and responsible means.
Tonya is a well-known international speaker, often serving women in areas of the world which cannot be publicised.
She writes articles and devotionals for missions’ magazines and women’s groups. She was ordained in 2011 and is currently pursuing further pastoral and biblical studies through The Sure Foundation.
On Tuesday night, Tonya launched her first novel, The Whispering of the Willows, in cooperation with C&A Mokopane Mall and Strong Cross Ministries at Chops and Chives. Tonya says this book is written to give moms and daughters intentional opportunities for having distinct discussions about young women coming-of-age.
The Whispering of the Willows is about a young woman’s struggles and redemption. The blossoming young woman, Emerald Ashby, is accompanied by her friends and foes on the journey towards hope and healing.
Love weaves through gut-wrenching circumstances and dismal poverty. Emerald grows strong despite grievous wrongs committed against her.
Tonya gave Bosveld a signed copy of the book and as soon as I started to read it, I was captivated. One sentence in particular that stood out for me was on page 255, where it reads: “The Bible says that man plans and God laughs”. These words reminded me that God is the author of our lives and that we should not worry about tomorrow for He is in control.
Tonya’s thoughts on womanhood are as follows: “Women are amazing; we are multifaceted yet fragile creations of God. We are blessed with so many layers of emotions and feelings.”
In her personal life and as a speaker, she believes that God’s Word is powerful and needs to be read and written on the hearts of women everywhere. She says she loves being a women and that she especially enjoys the connection women share with one another.
Her advice to her fellow ‘sisters’ is: “It is possible for every story to be redemptive. No matter what your circumstances are, God has a plan of redemption for you.”
Tonya says she is in the middle of finishing her second book and that a third book is also in the pipeline.
All the proceeds from her first novel will be given to Strong Cross Ministries South Africa.
The Whispering of the Willows is available at C&A Mokopane Mall. For more information, visit her webpage www.TonyaJewelBlessing.com.
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
