When Sameul and Anziske Martin got married in 2017, they had all the dreams and plans for starting their dream family. And the plan was simple: be married for at least a year and then focus on the expansion plan.

And marriage was bliss; a blessed affair in which God took centre stage. Soon the time for a baby came, but it did not turn out how they had hoped.

In 2018, the Martins were dealt three miscarriages. It left them unable to comprehend the magnitude of the accompanying feelings, but the worst was yet to come.

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On 12 February 2020, Anziske paid her gynaecologist a visit for a procedure called Hysterosalpingography, or HSG. In short, a dye is injected into the uterus, exiting the fallopian tubes, to determine if a woman’s tubes are partially or fully blocked.

Following this, Anziske returned to her gynae’s office for the results, with her worst fears being realised. She recalls the words that sent a cold chill down her spine: “Mrs. Martin, I’m so sorry. Unfortunately, your tubes are fully blocked, and you won’t be able to conceive naturally.”

Questioning God

Heading home and arriving at her place of comfort, Anziske says that she broke down. The experience had left her in shock and disbelief. The thoughts mauled through her mind as she realised that she wouldn’t conceive naturally. Realising how many other women can fall pregnant without trouble or issue.

It wasn’t easy, and, for a few hours until Sameul got home from work, she had to deal with the traumatic news alone.

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“I remember Sammy came home and he could see I was crying all day,” she says.

“And he asked me what the doctor said and I explained it to him, and I just started crying again and he put his arms around me and just started praying. He started praying, we prayed together.”

Expectedly, in such tough, challenging moments it’s okay to question God. “Why me? Why us? Just… why?!”

But Anziske realised at that moment she and Sameul approached God’s throne in prayer that perhaps they’d been doing too much. If they are believers as they claim, then perhaps it’s time to allow God to do what He does best: perform miracles and take charge of situations…

“We weren’t actually giving God space to do only what He can do. And in that moment, we just decided that we must surrender and just give it all to God. Because only He can move this mountain. We then literally left it all in his hands.”

12 months to the day

It wasn’t long after the most trying day in their marriage that Sameul and Anziske would see God’s hand moving. Mere months after being told that they wouldn’t be able to conceive naturally and that even IVF (In vitro fertilisation) or IUI (Intrauterine insemination) are not 100% guaranteed to work, it became apparent that Anziske had fallen pregnant.

Naturally!

And if a sign of God’s involvement was not yet evident, Anziske gave birth to their son, Isaiah, on 12 February 2021. And the very doctor who gave them the devastating news was the one performing the C-section.

“That was just God. Like, I’ve never seen the hand of God and his glory outpour on my life,” Anziske recalls as she fondly remembers the moments in labour.

“Sammy took my hand and he looked at me and we smiled at each other. And a few minutes after that, we heard Isaiah’s first cry. The doctor raised him and said: ‘It’s a boy with a lot of hair.”

Anziske and Sameul had already named their unborn son Isaiah, which means “salvation of the Lord.” But more, Isaiah is a testament to God’s unwavering commitment to His children, because:

“When the right time comes, I will make this happen quickly. I am the LORD!”

Isaiah 60:22

Upping your faith

It’s easy to disregard the Martins’ miracle pregnancy as an incorrect medical diagnosis, but there is ample proof that the probability of a baby was dire. And when family and friends ask the often-insensitive question “when is the baby coming?”, it adds to the burden of carrying the weighty news of being infertile.

But it is in such challenging times that God shows his grace and love when we allow him to do so.

“Remaining faithful and trusting God means anchoring your hope and your identity in Him,” Anziske says.

“Also finding strength in His presence and persevering in prayer and literally being dependent on His grace. And it’s also a journey of faith. It’s a big faith tester.”

Anziske and Sameul upped their faith in God after that prayer on 12 February 2020, relinquishing their hopes and plans to Him. It wasn’t easy, but it had to be done. But as a tangible reminder that God will do what the doctor said couldn’t be done, she bought a pair of shoes with the intent that the baby they’re waiting for will wear it.

“One thing that I did, I actually bought a pair of baby shoes,” Anziske recalls.

“Small leather shoes and Sammy was like, ‘why are you buying baby shoes?’ And I told him that ‘our baby is going to wear this next year’. I put the shoes in the cupboard and a year later our baby wore those shoes.

“That is the level of faith that you need to have. Not only when facing challenges with infertility, but when going through something difficult. You need to have faith in God and that He is going to work it out for you.”

The Martins’ joy didn’t end there as God blessed them with a baby girl in 2022. And, says Anziske, the happiness they’re experiencing now is only because they trusted in Him.

“I must say, it was really just God. It was only God, and we continue trusting God and His plans for our lives.”