Have you ever heard the saying, “We make plans, and God decides”?

Well for the Ntulis, this became a beautiful reality when their perfect plan to start a family later in life was turned upside down.

 

 

You know those five-year plans—get married, enjoy a few carefree years, tick off some life goals, and then, when the timing feels just right, welcome your first child. That was what the Ntuli’s had planned after their engagement in December 2022 followed by their wedding in September 2023. But life, as always, had its own magical timing in store for them when God decided that 2024 was the year for their son, Belomkhulu, to be born.

 

While in the full swing of planning their September wedding, Farai received unexpected news in March 2023. “I got the news that changed everything—I had fibroids (non-cancerous common growth of the uterus),” shared the ever-graceful Farai, who, along with her husband Lindo, offered a glimpse into their challenging journey.

 

“I had no idea how common fibroids are, especially among young black women like me. So after that surgery, the doctor advised that the fibroids might grow again in the next three to five years, and based on this reality it would be advisable to consider having children before the fibroids regenerate. This is mainly because fibroids that are present during pregnancy may lead to a number of problems.”

 

“So having children sooner was definitely better for us – we revisited our plan, praying for guidance, and realized that ‘just maybe God is at work.’ Little did we know that ‘maybe’ would soon turn into a resounding ‘yes’.

 

 

“As planned, we got married last September and started trying for a baby right away. But when I didn’t get pregnant as quickly as I expected—being the right age and with a healthy womb—I started feeling really frustrated,” she confessed.

The couple decided to just focus on eating healthier, stop with the constant pregnancy testing, and enjoy their marriage. By early December, Farai began feeling different, and sure enough, she was pregnant.

Their desire had materialised. Everything is running smoothly now, right? Wrong. That magical feeling of joy marked the start of a turbulent journey.

Because a week after finding out, Farai started experiencing severe cramps that were followed by heavy bleeding—signs that looked like a miscarriage.

“We were extremely broken and puzzled because how can such a happy moment change so quickly,” she recalled. However, when the gynaecologist examined her, they found a ruptured cyst that was competing with the baby for progesterone. They were facing a threatened miscarriage.

“The doctor put me on strict bed rest, progesterone suppositories, and we entered a period of just waiting it out. It was such a difficult, uncertain time because we didn’t know how things would pan out. In the beginning of the second trimester and at the next scheduled appointment, we were cleared. God had reaffirmed His hand over our journey. It also showed us that our son was a fighter, even from the womb,” shared Farai.

The second trimester was as smooth as a baby’s bottom. That victory led to another challenge, in week 28 the doctor noticed that the baby wasn’t growing as fast as he should be. That raised concerns that the placenta wasn’t delivering enough nutrients.

 

 

“That felt like another blow, as we wondered ‘what now’,” the father, Lindo, reflected. “Two weeks after that realisation, the doctor noticed that the amniotic fluid was running low and suggested early labour at week 36. But that wasn’t what we were praying for.”

 

The couple were moved to engage in prayer and fasting, asking for divine intervention. After a few more appointments and stress tests, the doctor found that the baby was growing and comfortable in the womb, so they didn’t have to go through with the early delivery.

 

God’s hand on the Ntuli’s was once again reaffirmed when Omkhulu was born at full-term.

 

Farai and Omkhulu Ntuli | Supplied

Despite the stress and uncertainties of this pregnancy, their story is one of God consistently showing up and favouring them. Their journey inspired the names they chose for their son.

 

“We chose the names after the God-revealing journey we encountered through our pregnancy,” Lindo explained. “It was incredible to see God through everything. We saw God when we thought that we had miscarried at the start of the pregnancy. We saw God when we heard our boy’s heartbeat for the first time. We saw God when the premature delivery timelines that were determined through science were completely overruled. Naming our son had to give meaning to this journey.”

 

“We named our boy “Bhelomkhulu” which can be translated to mean ‘the Great Bear’, a symbol of strength, intelligence and courage. The shortened version of the name is Omkhulu, meaning the Great One and taken from the biblical phrase “The greater is he that is in you than the one that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We want his name to speak to him even after we’re gone.”

 

“His second name “Ari” is derived from Hebrew, meaning “Lion of God” or “God-like”. This name proved to be especially befitting as we observed our son’s remarkable God enabled strength which defied odds throughout our pregnancy. “Ari” also has a dual meaning and means “eagle” in Scandinavian—tying back to the biblical idea of soaring high.”

 

With one challenge after another, and ultimately emerging victorious, it was fitting to tell their story through their son’s names, using them as a guide toward his greater destiny.

Though conceiving within the first year of marriage wasn’t in their original plan, life has taken on a new meaning which the couple believes is God’s perfect timing.

 

Lindo shares that after their pregnancy journey – everything has been very intentional, with him being present for his wife and son from the beginning.

 

For Farai, it’s been an absolute blessing, adding that communication has been key in their parenting journey so far.

 

“Once we realised we needed to change our timeline, we started preparing ourselves. And because of that, we’ve been able to be intentional in how we welcome him into the world. Community has also been so important—having that support and direct involvement has been crucial in us adjusting,” she adds.

The Ntulis | Supplied 

The couple are both first time parents, who have now come to define what their roles in that journey mean.

 

For Lindo, fatherhood is love he has never experienced before. “It means being present, being deliberate about the environment I create for my family, and having the profound responsibility of being a husband and a father. It means playing an important and active role in raising my son and supporting his purpose.”

 

For Farai, motherhood means two things: “Motherhood means selflessness, as I selflessly have to always give myself to him whenever he needs me whether it’s feeding, cuddling, changing. It also means nurturing support. As Omkhulu’s mother, I want him to always be happy and to live out the purpose that God has called him to.

 

 

Farsi Ntuli | Supplied 

The Ntulis have journeyed through unexpected challenges, heartwarming triumphs, and moments of deep reflection, all of which have strengthened their faith and bond as a family. Their story is a testament to the power of resilience, prayer, and the belief that even when life doesn’t go according to plan, there is a greater purpose at work. As they embrace parenthood with open hearts and unwavering love, the Ntulis are ready to guide their son, Omkhulu, through life, knowing that every step of their journey has been blessed and guided by something far greater than themselves.