Deon Braun is one of the amazing guys I know. He is a Journalism graduate from Natal Technikon (now the Durban University of Technology). He started his first magazine (Go Cycle) while in his second year of study. Since his graduation in 1997, he has been the founder of another two ground-breaking sport magazines, including TRAIL magazine, SA’s leading print and digital trail running publication.
A Man of Many Parts
Apart from publishing about trail running, Deon’s major interests are good nutrition and optimal health through a 100% plant-based diet, permaculture, agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, animal rights, renewable energy, self-improvement, reading, and watching documentaries. In the past 10 years, Deon has gradually increased his own food production and especially the number of plant species on his residential property in the suburb of Glenmore, Durban. He has learned through trial and error – and YouTube has become a huge tutor in the past three years too.
Deon was one of the speakers at the Emerging Farmers and Agro-processing Symposium that I organized last year. He was excited to speak because of his passion for food production, especially the lesser-known species which local agribusiness has overlooked for various reasons. According to him, “South African farmers are generally quite naive about the vast array of edible and medicinal plants that grow on this remarkable planet of ours.”
“Until the gate of hell is shut upon a man we must not cease to pray for him. And if we see him hugging the very door-posts of damnation, we must go to the mercy seat and beseech the arm of grace to pluck him from his dangerous position. While there is life there is hope.” Charles Spurgeon
Our First Encounter and Faith Talk
I first met Deon during my early morning walk about three years ago and it was not long afterward that I shared my faith with him. Deon who usually calls me ‘my brother’ however informed me he didn’t believe in God. He later told me he was once a born again Christian but stopped believing God after he prayed for his dying dad but he didn’t get an answer. I have since tried my best to persuade him to believe again but I have not succeeded. Although, I have been tempted to give up, I have made up my mind that I won’t give up.
God Loves Us Still
I will keep praying for him. Who knows, he could later be like one of Jesus’s earthly brothers who had a difficult time believing in him. Some of these brothers would eventually become leaders in the church, but for several years they were embarrassed by Him. After Jesus died and rose again, they finally believed. Perhaps, someone close to you or your neighbor doesn’t believe in God or has lost his faith, don’t stop believing God for their salvation.
