What began as a prompting in her spirit in 2019 has taken Amalinda resident author and publisher Vuyiseka ‘Livu’ Ntuli on a seven-year journey of faith, doubt, growth and perseverance.
Ntuli, 34, a wife and mother to a two-year-old daughter, is the author of The Divine Encounter, a faith-based inspirational book centred on Christian spirituality, purpose, divine timing and finding peace through God’s plan.
The book was written in 2019, with Ntuli initially planning to launch it in 2020.
However, the arrival of the Covid-19 lockdown brought those plans to a halt.
What initially felt like disappointment and discouragement would later become a period Ntuli believes was necessary preparation.
“I started thinking, was it the right thing to do in the first place, or was I just convincing myself, ‘Let me do it, it will be a success’,” she said.
“When God tells you to do something, nothing stands in the way.
“Little did I know, God knows what He’s doing.”
Ntuli said the unexpected delay ultimately gave her time to grow and prepare herself for the responsibilities that came with publishing and marketing a book.
“After you’re done writing, you obviously want to publish and launch so that people can know about it,” she said.
“But when the lockdown happened, it gave me time to grow and be able to be ready to handle the marketing seven years later.”
Although the formal launch is planned for November, readers have already begun purchasing the book.
At the heart of The Divine Encounter is a deeply personal experience Ntuli had as a teenager, an encounter with Jesus that remained with her for years.
She said she had kept the experience to herself and had never testified about it publicly.
When she was later inspired to write the book, she knew the encounter would form the foundation of its title and message.
The book explores how she came to know Christ, worship and the Holy Spirit, while sharing the spiritual journey that followed that defining experience.
For Ntuli, revisiting the book years after writing it has also reminded her of how far she has come.
“I re-read the book just to see what I wrote, and it’s been years since I’ve opened it,” she said. “I saw the words that are still meaningful and revive me, that I still have a purpose and a message to say to people.”
She said the book has also reminded her of the goodness she had experienced throughout her journey and strengthened her desire to continue sharing her story.
One of the central messages she hopes readers take from the book is to trust God even when circumstances are uncomfortable or difficult.
“Don’t be in a hurry to leave uncomfortable situations because the Lord is dealing with it. Don’t be impatient,” she said.
Ntuli also reflects openly on her own personal transformation, including how her faith helped her confront aspects of herself she needed to change. She said she once struggled with pride but believes her spiritual journey taught her to recognise and deal with it.
“I have transformed and seen the power of God in my life,” she said.
Her journey has also extended into motherhood. Ntuli lost her mother before the birth of her daughter, leaving her without the motherly figure she might have relied on for guidance during a new chapter of her life.
She described motherhood as a learning process, saying she was grateful to have her husband and other family members to guide her.
“It’s like you crawl and eventually get the hang of it. You learn as you go along,” she said.
Beyond her book, Ntuli wants to encourage others to use whatever gifts they have been given.
She believes someone who has a gift for preaching, writing or speaking should make use of platforms such as social media instead of waiting to be invited to a church or gathering.
“If someone else’s skill is not being able to write a book but to preach, they should do so,” she said. “They should use the skill and do it well.”
Since making the book available, Ntuli said the response has been encouraging, with readers showing curiosity and sharing their thoughts about the message.
Ultimately, she hopes The Divine Encounter will point people back to Jesus when they are facing difficult circumstances.
“Any situation you’re going through, I have to point you to Jesus.
“He’s willing to help you, no matter how heavy it is,” she said.
Her message to those going through difficult seasons is to pray, persevere and not allow circumstances to define you.
She also reminds them of John 16:33: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The Divine Encounter is now available for purchase on Amazon, with copies also available directly from Ntuli.
