This is the story of Johan Reynecke, in his own words, of how God has changed his life from being a hopeless addict at odds with the law to becoming a newly-recovered Jesus-follower who is ready to help other addicts get set free. Below Johan’s testimony you can read a response from DJ Pienaar, a former addict and founder of Per Gratiam Recovery and Wellness Group, who has played — and continues to play — an important part in Johan’s recovery journey.
JOHAN REYNECKE:
One year and 10 months ago, my life changed drastically. I was involved in a serious accident, arrested at the scene and taken to the police station for detention. That night was the end of one chapter of my life and the start of another. This is my testimony.
Where it started
We grew up very poor. When I was 18, my mother passed away from cancer. My brother and sister were placed in foster care, and my father gradually lost control of his life and surrendered himself to alcohol. At one stage, I lived on the streets with him. He later passed away after suffering a stroke.
From the age of 18, I began experimenting with drugs. I do not blame my circumstances for my addiction. It was an inner desire to be accepted. I wanted to belong. I take responsibility for those choices. We were not raised in a very Christian environment, and back then I did not know the God who would one day change everything.
What addiction took from me
Drugs gradually took away the people who cared about me, one by one. During the six years I was addicted to heroin, crystal meth and liquid G, I lived with my oldest brother in a burnt-down house. I overdosed twice, and one of those times happened in front of my youngest brother. I was in relationships that cost me dearly.
Addiction promises relief, but it quietly steals everything you love.
The first time I met DJ
About three and a half years ago I was at Hope Again, my very first rehabilitation centre. DJ was my counsellor there, and through him I began learning about the Lord. But after one month and one week, I thought I was ready, and I forced my way out of the programme.
DJ had only just started his business, and I was one of his first outpatient clients. About three months later I relapsed, and I tried to convince my family that I did not need him. DJ’s final words to me were that it was okay if I pushed him away, and he promised that our paths would cross again.
The night everything changed
One year and 10 months ago, that day came. On the night of my accident, I had a personal encounter with God. For the first time I knew there truly was a God, the One who has authority over life and death.
DJ was still willing to help me. On the day he came to fetch me, the police could not get me into the van to take me to court. When I saw DJ, I was incredibly happy.
Zion House: getting to know God
When DJ booked me into Zion House, I knew exactly why I was there: not simply to get away from drugs, but to know God personally and to align my thoughts and actions with His Word. I began to see the Bible as the instruction manual God has given us.
Even while dealing with one court case after another, I tried every day to make God part of every aspect of my life. Over the past one year and 10 months, I have found healing, come to know God personally, and through His grace rediscovered my own worth.
Recovery is not only about stopping drug use. It is also about your thinking, your habits, your decisions, and your relationship with your Creator.
The battle is spiritual, not just physical
There is a battle going on in your thoughts, your heart and your spirit. If you want to be free, you have to examine your thinking, your habits and your choices. Take responsibility. Build new habits. Accept help.
Why rehabilitation is important
1. Step away from the familiar. Sometimes you need to step away from your familiar environment to start thinking differently and build new routines.
2. Find people who understand. You need people who understand what you are going through. Accepting help is not weakness.
3. Make God part of your daily routine. Start and end your day with Him. Pray, read His Word, and reflect honestly.
4. Give it time. You need time to develop new habits, and a longer programme can be very valuable. Where appropriate, consider at least a year of recovery support. Every situation is different.
5. Stay accountable after rehab. After rehab you still need accountability: people you can be honest with and a support network around you. Recovery is a journey you walk every day.
Thank you
Despite everything I put my two brothers, my sister and her husband through, they were still there for me.
Thank you to DJ for never giving up on me and for keeping his promise. Today I walk this journey with him again and help wherever I can. I never want to think I can walk this road alone again.
Thank you to Tyberius, the owner’s husband at Zion House, for becoming my best friend and showing me what it means to serve the Lord and be a true friend.
My message to you
I thought I could fix everything myself. I had to learn to accept help and take responsibility. I am not standing here because I have never fallen; I am standing here because my story did not end with my mistakes.
Do not wait until you have lost everything before accepting help. Do not let pride stop you. Do not think you have to walk this road alone.
All the glory belongs to God.
If you or someone you love is struggling, you can reach Per Gratiam Recovery & Wellness Group on 066 270 5207. There is hope. There is help. You are not alone.
DJ PIENAAR’S RESPONSE TO JOHAN’S TESTIMONY
It all started with me ending up in jail nine years ago. At a time when nobody wanted to give me a chance I had to grab a chance I didn’t deserve and I started working in the recovery/addiction scene. So everything that I do now is based on the fact that I didn’t deserve a chance and: “Who am I to decide whether somebody else does or does not deserve a chance?”
I met Johan a couple of years ago when he was on a programme at a place that I work, called Hope Again. First, I helped his brother and then a few months later they brought Johan in and I started walking a journey with him. He did a programme and in that time I saw a big gap in the market with a lot of people going to rehab and a lot of rehabs but not many institutions that take on the outpatient. What happens after somebody has been in a primary care facility? There is a need for someone that walks with that person, keeps them accountable, still sees them every week, does random testing, makes sure that they knows that there’s someone that has been through it all, that’s walking and supporting them through this time. It’s more than a sponsor, it’s more than a policeman, it’s like truly someone that’s just a couple of years ahead of them that’s trying to show them by being an example of how amazing life can be if you choose recovery over addiction
And so Johan walked the road with me a couple of months and then he derailed and he didn’t want to have anything to do with me, But I never gave up. I always stayed in the mix and in the background and then when something tragically happened with him, with that accident, and his brother phoned me I was there. I don’t know if it was fate or if God placed it on their hearts but they had no one to call and I was there and I got everything sorted.
I got all the documents together for his court case but we were waiting at court and nobody came with Johan. Then just after 10 the police station phoned his brother and said they couldn’t get him into the van to come to court — he was losing it. His brother asked me to help and so I got into my bakkie and drove to the police station where he was freaking out and they could not get him into the van to go to court. The craziest thing, the moment he saw me, he said: “Thank you God, DJ you are here.” I started speaking to him. I gave him a hug — he was so full of pepper spray that my eyes started burning. Then the police asked me to please escort him in the back of the van to the court. I spoke to him, I got him calm and relaxed and we appeared the court and they released him on bail on terms I negotiated.
Then I sent him to a place that I’ve got a good relationship with and he’s done his programme. Since the I’ve got him involved and he does interventions with me. He is still my outpatient but now he is involved in my practice and he helps me help people and is always just a phone call away. It’s truly just a testimony that the world needs to know.
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