LoF!

Vendor Biography

WHAT– “LoF” – Leap of Faith (or “Praise”, as defined , the expression of respect and gratitude as an act of worship. (“give praise to God”.) “LoF” Leap of Faith is an Apparel & Clothing brand, created to give praise to an Almighty GOD, testifying His greatness and ability to change even the darkest dark, into a bright shimmering light.

And proving without any doubt that God is ALWAYS present and will not Forsake you.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

WHY – “LoF” Leap of Faith The seed of existence conceptualized and planted by the Holy Spirit, November 2023, partly as a testimonial, partly to expand and share the message of GOD through visual graphics and art.

WHO – Ruan Thiart (born – 27 June 1985, Cape Town, South Africa).

Testimonial, – Ruan Thiart

2017, during a weekend away in Limpopo, I had a medical emergency, my femoral arteries spontaneously ruptured, at the time the cause was still unknown and I had experienced severe leg pain the night before, with a deep purple bruise the next morning on my inner thigh, a trip to the nearest medical Centre resulted in further and limited testing, however due to limited resources, I was referred to a larger Medical Facility in Pretoria, hours later , arrived at the Hospital multiple tests further, and the Medical Doctors determined that I had suffered ruptured femoral arteries in both upper legs, The only reason I didn’t bleed out through the night/morning – was blood clots formed in both arteries,

 I then had a Femoral to Femoral “bypass”. It was further determined that I had a condition that affects my connective tissue, making it prone to internal perforation and tears.

2019, during the night , I woke up startled ,with a strange feeling in my chest, I had the fear of death in me, so much so that I kissed my wife and daughter(6 years of age at the time)goodbye in their sleep, my biggest fear was that they would find me the next morning. I could barely breathe and struggled to swallow , Eventually I decided to wake my wife – to take me to the hospital. I was stabilized during the early hours of the morning, and discharged, the cause of the incident was due to an irregularity in my heartbeat and thereby experienced a “Heart Attack like” event.

2022, I had a blocked colon ,resulting in a large rupture, I was given a maximum 30% chance of survival, after numerous emergency surgeries ,my body going into septic shock ,and “ICU” for 3 and a half weeks, a few surgeries later a colostomy procedure was performed and n “stoma” inserted in my stomach, after almost a month in “ICU” I had to learn to walk again , and recuperated daily, I was finally discharged just before Christmas. Coming to terms and living with the “Stoma” was tough. I was informed by the specialist that due to my connective tissue condition the “Stoma” reversal would be a very big risk and that it would only be possible at least 3 months after full recovery, and that the safer option would be to accept it, adjustments and accepting the change in lifestyle and diet however were difficult with the “Stoma”.

2023 April ,the decision was made to perform the surgery to reverse the “Stoma”, and repair the colon, with my connective tissue condition it was a 5 Hour operation , but it was once again a success.

Fast forward to August, with perhaps the biggest shock and setback where my spouse of 12 years filed for Divorce, knocked to the ground, I felt like I couldn’t go forward, devastated, my mind was racing and dark thoughts of ending it all crept in. Inside me, something said, keep going, hold out, fight for your daughter and your life.  

That Something and Someone was GOD showing me the way, asking me to put my Trust and life into His healing hands, to not be afraid, no matter how dark it may get. I still have a long journey and learning every day to improve my relationship with GOD, but I do that in the knowledge that HE is there and will give me Solace , peace and an Eternal life and Home, I now put my trust in the Lord daily knowing that He will give me strength and courage, through His Grace and Mercy. The greatness, grace, and love of GOD is infinite. AMEN.

“Somtyds verstaan ons nie die pad , of die rede nie, ons kyk na die onmiddellike en stiptelike donker, en besef nie die teenwoordigheid van ons Groot en Magtige GOD nie, soms is dit net nodig om die “Leap of Faith” te vat en te Glo in ons Vader in die hemel, dat hy vir ons die lig sal wees, en dat Hy ons nooit sal verlaat nie.”