In 1989 Gerhard bought an open piece of grassland in a rural area called New Scotland, named after Scotland due to its similarity in natural beauty. We built a simple house and developed the farm on which we raised our beautiful two daughters. We did not have access to electricity and, for 20 years, we used gas, candles and other innovative ways to live a normal but simple lifestyle.

I had the desire to share this delightful symbiosis with nature, and also the farm with guests. The dream of opening a guesthouse took firm root in my heart, but, like most great things, it took a lot of time, patience and perseverance in my belief. Finally, with the grace and finances from God, I opened the first guest room in 2010, and installed solar electricity for the basic needs of our guests. In the following few years I also converted my daughters’ rooms into the 2nd and 3rd guest rooms.

The three guest rooms were the start, but I was certain that it was just the beginning of something great. In 2015 I dug the foundations and started to build my future dream guest house, once again with faith. For seven years I frantically tried to build this house with builders letting me down and the lack of finances crippling the project. I watched helplessly as weeds, moss and falling bricks turned my dream into a ruin.

I did not understand what the plans were for this guesthouse, but I surrendered and asked God to complete it. Just a few days later precious friends felt a call in their hearts to finance and to take over the construction, and to totally finish every last aspect of the house. I was left speechless in utter amazement and awe that my cries were heard, and that these friends had had no idea of my prayers.

We called the house Gloria! as a praise to God’s glory in our life and for raising up precious ‘’kings and queens’’ that proclaimed ‘’this ruin must be built!’’