Esther Bornman inspires us

Esther Bornman is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her journey as a missionary is a testament to her unwavering dedication. Her soft-spoken nature and the kindness in her eyes draw people to her, and her motherly qualities are a beacon of strength. Countless people speak highly of her, and she inspires us.

Esther has had her fair share of pain and disappointments. On 23 December 1986, she moved to the KwaSizabantu Mission in KwaZulu-Natal with her husband and three young children. Her husband, Daniel, felt called to work there. He was offered the position of headmaster at the Mission’s school, Domino Servite School. Sadly, a few weeks after the family moved, he suddenly died of a heart attack on 12 January 1987. His dreams of being a full-time missionary for KwaSizabantu were never fulfilled.

Two of her adult children chose to leave the Mission and pursue other interests, but Esther remains loyal to KwaSizabantu. Her eldest daughter, Hanna, still lives at the mission station. Hanna lives with her family, including her three married daughters, their husbands, and babies, helping those in need. They are lovely and talented people who love what they are doing.

Esther says the people at KwaSizabantu accepted her and her family with open arms. They were there for her and her family when her husband died and in all her hours of need. It never changed over the years. Esther said, “Ever since my husband died, the house of the founder and head of the Mission, the late Rev Erlo Stegen, has been a natural haven for me. The Stegens became like my family.

At KwaSizabantu, the sense of community is not just a concept, but a living, breathing reality. Families, like the Bornmans, have found a permanent home here, with their own or adopted children. The Mission’s family circles are diverse, including young or adult children, grandchildren, and older grandparents.

It’s a place that welcomes everyone, from strangers to visitors, from the broken to those in need, making each individual feel like they are part of something bigger.