MY LIFE STORY – NIC HUMPHRIS
My Background
My name is Nicholas Roderick Humphris but I like to be called by my nickname, Nic. I am 32 years old. I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 4 December 1992 in the Sandton Medi Clinic. My Parents had the option to abort me before I was born because During my mom’s pregnancy with me, my mom was said to have an ‘Elevated Alpha Feta’ Protein, caused by half of her placenta that had been bleeding, and as a result, the blood test showed that her baby could have Spina Bifida. My mom was x-rayed, and the results did not show any signs of Spina Bifida. The umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck at birth. My birth weight was 3.6kgs. My ‘Gross Motor Development’ was delayed and I only started to walk at 18 months old. I started to receive physiotherapy from the age of 3 years old. My speech was also delayed and I only started to say words at the age of 3 years old. There was a strong family history of late talking; both my father and my brother also said their first words at the age of 3 years old.
I grew up with certain disabilities, i.e. spelling; speech issues; as well as low muscle tone; learning disabilities and visual issues. I also had Expressive Syntactical and Grammatical Language Delays, Motor Skill difficulties and Low Tone, which attributed to my ‘Slushy Speech’ quality, poor Auditory Memory and Closure skills, as well as Weaker Metalinguistic and Reasoning Skills. I unfortunately was very slow when it came to learning at school and at college. I was also never good at sports or academics. I was also very slow at learning and gaining knowledge. It took me a while to get the correct answer and to understand it.
I also had issues with my teeth; these issues were caused through genetics from my father’s side. I had to have my entire mouth reconstructed and new teeth put in, as my original teeth were yellow and crumbling. If I had not had this done, I would not have had any teeth today. I was fortunate enough to have a family that had the money to be able to afford the many operations that were needed to have my teeth fixed. The reason why there was the yellowing of my teeth was due to the family history of Enamel Hypoplasia which means ‘lack of enamel.’ This occurred in both my brother and me, but my brother’s teeth rectified itself. This also occurred in my father and my father’s sister.
Unfortunately, I was raised by a narcissistic father. My mom cared for me so much, but my father did not care for me at all. He was never there for me, even through my school career. I was so scared of him. Because I was afraid of my father, I tried to talk to my mom about certain issues and she unfortunately could not help me as she was also under my father’s control. She would always say to me: “go to your father”. This is the reason why I had to make my own plans, as I was always too scared to approach my father to ask him or even my mom, anything at all. When I asked my father for assistance with my homework, it would always end up in a fight. As I would not get the correct answer or understand the question the first time, my father would get very impatient and end up shouting at me for getting the wrong answer. It would also lead to him hitting me. I was also physically abused to a point where my mom could not even step in and tell my father to stop, as she felt very helpless, and she even went to my grandmother to ask for advice.
I unfortunately did not ‘fit the mould’ as I did not have the ability to ‘achieve’ as my father would have liked me to have; just like my brother David who is two years older than I am. My brother ‘fitted the mould’ as he went to the same school and is clever like my father. He also has the same interests as my father. My brother is a Mechanical Engineer and that fitted my father’s profile as he is a Chemical Engineer. My brother is married, and they have a son whom I unfortunately have never met. My brother idolizes my father and they both have the same interests. They both liked cycling and they both are engineers by profession.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a relationship with my brother because when I walked out on my father when my mom asked for a divorce, my brother did not like that at all, so he decided to completely disown my mom and me. He did not agree that we dared to walk away from his ‘idol’. I unfortunately have always been a people pleaser. I have had to make my own plans and try to get things done and do my own thing my entire life. I could never ask for assistance or anything from anyone as I was always treated badly, and I felt like I could not speak to anyone throughout my life. My entire life as a kid, teenager, young adult and adult; I have always had to make my own plans to ‘survive.’ I have always been one that never gives up and always perseveres no matter how hard life gets. I felt like everyone was against me. My mom was the only one that supported me throughout my entire life. I am so grateful to her, and I love her so much. I have learnt so much through growing up in my life. I have been fortunate enough to have seen situations where I now know how to treat people and how not to treat people. I have matured through these situations, and I feel like I am a stronger person for it.
Unfortunately, these situations have also caused me to have emotional issues. I have unfortunately witnessed physical and verbal abuse with my parents fighting. My brother did not see any of these things happen as he was not around. He was out of the house as he went to Cape Town UCT to study and then he moved out of the house, so he did not witness what I witnessed. I was always told by my psychologists that I was never in touch with my body or with my feelings. I was also told that I build a wall around myself as a ‘protection mechanism’ so I never felt any feelings or emotions.
School Career
I started at the centre for Language and Hearing-Impaired Children in September 1996. This nursery school is where I received intensive Speech and Language Therapy. I also received Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy for my Gross and Fine Motor Skills. I then went to Bellavista in Birdhaven Melrose, Johannesburg for Primary school, from Grade 0 to Grade 7. After the parents’ evening in Grade 0, my father told my mom that they should have aborted me when they had the chance to do so because they would not be experiencing all these problems. My mom said to him that she never wants to hear that again as they both agreed to go ahead with the pregnancy. My father never went to another parents’ evening after that. I was bullied and called names as I was not good at sports or academics. From Bellavista School at the end of Grade 7, I then went to a school called Grantley College near Wits University in Parktown, Johannesburg. I was there for 3 years. I hated every single day of the time I was there, as I was bullied, and all classes were disrupted due to the HOD (Head of Department) having to be called in for the bullies disrupting the class. I am really surprised that I even passed my grades as there were so many disruptions. I was bullied so often to the point where I could not take it anymore, but I never hurt anyone. One time in a Business Economics class, whilst we were all waiting for the bell to ring, I eventually ‘snapped’ in the class. The teacher was there to see everything. I picked up a plastic school chair and went to the bully and put that chair down at his feet and walked away. I did not throw it at him or touch him in any way. He did not like that, and he came and punched me twice in the face. Since I was wearing glasses, the glass went into my eyes and there was blood everywhere. The teacher went to call the principal, and they took me to the nurse, and I was cleaned up. Both the bully and I were called into the principal’s office. The principle put both of us into detention even though I did nothing. The reason why the principle put me in detention was because I did not tell anyone that I was being bullied. I told her that if I had told them, it would have just made the situation worse. The teacher did not care.
I remember sitting at the breakfast table on a Friday morning before school and on the day of detention. I said to my mom that I will do anything to get out of that school and move to another school. I sat through detention on my own as the bully never showed up until 3 hours later. By then the detention was over. That same day when my mom picked me up after detention, she said to me that she had made an appointment for us to go see another school the next day (this could only be the grace of God). We went to the school on the Saturday, and I got accepted. The school’s name is Closing the Gap. It’s a school based in a home school environment but still does the GED curriculum. The classes were smaller, so we got the extra attention we needed. At Closing the Gap school, I was still bullied but it was bearable. I managed to pass matric there, even with bullies and health issues.
These health issues were as follows: I had a few operations on my intergluteal cleft (buttocks) as I had a Pilonidal Sinus which is basically an ingrown hair that gets infected. I was off school for many months having these operations as it kept on getting reinfected. This resulted in me not being able to sit down as it was too painful. I had to use one of those doughnut cushions to sit on. I was off school for about 3 months. When I was well enough to go back to school, I had to catch up on a lot of schoolwork which required extra lessons, but I managed to get through it and managed to matriculate. I matriculated in 2011. For my matric vacation I went with a friend and his family to Mauritius which was amazing.
College Career
I went to a college called CTI in Randburg, Johannesburg for 1 year but it took me longer. I ended up being there for about 3 years. I studied IT (short learning program in IT-Engineering). The subjects that I took were Computer Literacy – Microsoft, A+ preparation, Network + Preparation or N+ for short, Windows Server, Wireless Networks and Security, Linux Operating System, Linux Administrator, Linux Server Administration, Security + Preparation, Convergence + Preparation and Personal Skills Development.
Working Career
I began my IT part-time working career at a company called Omnia Holdings. My father was the CEO of the company at the time. I worked in the IT Department, and I was fortunate to work there during school holidays and college holidays. After completing my college diploma at CTI Randburg, I then joined Omnia on a full-time basis. During this time that I was at Omnia, I enjoyed working there as I met some nice people, and I got valuable work experience in the IT field, and I learnt a lot. I worked there for about 3 years. I left Omnia because I felt like I was being used more as a gofer than an IT Technician. I became so bored with this position that I decided to resign and look for something more fulfilling. I then joined Cartrack head office in Rosebank in the IT department. In retrospect it was the wrong decision as there were language challenges and I did not ‘fit in.’ My colleagues ganged up against me and I received a written warning, so I resigned after being there for about a year and a half. During my time there I learnt a lot. Just before I left Cartrack, they broke into my car, outside the Cartrack building.
After I left Cartrack, I started up my own business called The IT Tech On Demand. I did not know anything about starting up a business. I had to figure it out for myself as my father would not guide me. When I went to him for advice it would always end up in an argument. Unfortunately, I had to close this business down as I had a health setback in 2018. I was not able to walk and had to use crutches and a wheelchair. I moved into my mom’s place as I was unable to take care of myself. My mom had to help me with everything. I am so grateful to her for helping me during this difficult time. The doctors were unable to diagnose my health issue but put it down to stress. At the time I was going through serious issues with my father. After I recovered and was able to walk again, I joined an international IT company called Nerds on Site as an IT Consultant. I worked for them for approximately 3 years. During this time, I gained more knowledge but unfortunately, due to the covid pandemic, work became very scarce. In 2021 I resigned from Nerds on Site due to them paying me a low rate. I was unable to make ends meet. I started up another IT Company on the 1 February 2021 called Shield Secure IT Services in Johannesburg. I provided IT support which included different forms of IT solutions such as networking (fixing internet issues and installing new internet equipment), fixing and upgrading computers, laptops, mobile devices etc. It also consisted of website and email hosting, website design, as well as laying network cables and cyber security. I have since then closed my company at the end of 2024. I still do ad hoc IT work. I currently am assisting a Christian ministry with their mission’s work.
My Interests and Hobbies
I have always had an interest in computers and IT related stuff. The first time that I built a computer from scratch was after I matriculated in 2011. The computer components were gifts from my family for Christmas. I was so excited to start to build my first ever computer from scratch. I have always had an interest in setting up and dealing with any kind of electronics and computers.
I have a keen interest in photography and travelling. I did a photography course through DPC Johannesburg. I now use my photography and videography skills to do the Lord’s work in the mission field.
I have always had an interest in the outdoors and nature. I love experiencing new things and going on game drives in Wildlife parks.
I have always enjoyed meeting new people and helping others.
Holidays and Fun Times
During my childhood years, we as a family were fortunate enough to go on some amazing holidays which included Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kalahari, Kgalagadi, Kruger National Park, White River, Trout fishing farms, Mozambique and Cape Town. We even had the opportunity to camp at some of these places that had limited facilities. We had to dig our own holes for toilets. We literally roughed it. We even had times when the vehicles that we went in got stuck in the thick sand and we even had to help pull people’s vehicles out of sand or mud. We even went on holiday overseas to places like Vietnam, Mauritius, Canada, USA, Maldives and Malaysia. We also went to Kimberley to see the big hole. We did a lot of sightseeing, and we had some good holidays as a family. There were some good times but these were far and few between.
Christian Journey / Church
I was first baptized on the 14 April 1993 at St Michael’s, with the scripture of Ephesians 1:3 (God has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven). I was brought up in an Anglican Church. The church that I used to attend is called St Martin’s in the veld, which was close to where I lived in Johannesburg. When I was old enough, I used to go to youth groups on a Friday night and I met some nice people there. I then got confirmed on the 30 October 2010 by the Bishop of Johannesburg and my pastor, Jared Ruttenberg who is an amazing person. The scripture for my confirmation that was used is from John 15:16 (you did not choose Me, I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last). We as a family used to only go to church on Christmas, Easter and on Sunday but my father did not want to join us for Sunday church. My mom sometimes went with me to Sunday church but not too often. After St Martin’s in the Veld, I joined Rosebank Union Church in Sandton, where I was involved with the Ask Me Team as well as the camera team. My Mom then started to go more often to church with me. I also joined a Christian based organization called the Red Frogs. This Christian based organization started in Australia in 1997, where we as volunteers, would go to festivals like matric vac, Oppi Koppie, Varsity parties etc. and would support the people at these parties. We would do ‘walk homes’ and give out free Red Frog sweets, free pancakes and free waters and just support the people. I was fully committed to church, and I went mostly every Sunday to church, but then covid hit and then I got covid. It made me very sick so then I stopped going to church and I lost complete interest.
I then had the most amazing opportunity to go to two events in Dullstroom called Just Jesus, with Pastor’s Kevin and Laura Nicholson, which allowed me to use my camara skills. I really experienced God’s power and witnessed incredible miracles I had never seen before. I knew about the Holy Spirit but did not know how powerful He was. I saw people getting radically touched by the Holy Spirit, people praying in tongues and so much more. I was skeptical at first, as I had not been exposed to this before. I then had the amazing opportunity to join Sharefold Missions on a trip to Zimbabwe in July 2024. This was really an eye-opener for me. I saw so much and learnt so much from my time in Zimbabwe. I got baptized by Pastor’s Kevin, Laura and Frans at Tshipise on the way back from Zimbabwe. They baptized me in the warm pool at night, which was such an amazing experience.
I then moved to Kaapsehoop in Mpumalanga in August 2024 and since then my relationship with the Lord has grown so much and a lot has happened in my life. The Lord has healed me from my past hurts. I thank the Lord for everything that He has done in my life. I’m excited about the way forward and now know what it’s like to be a true believer in Christ. It’s an exciting journey to be on. I always thought that I was a true believer as I always went to church on Sunday’s and was always a kind and caring person, but I have recently learnt that it’s about a relationship with Jesus not just been a church goer. I am so grateful to the Lord for the amazing opportunities He’s given me and for delivering me from bad situations so many times in my life. He has revealed Himself to me in a way that I never thought possible.
I am so blessed to have met Pastor’s Kevin and Laura Nicholson from Sharefold Ministries and to have them as my ‘spiritual parents.’ It has been a privilege to be able to join them on their many adventures in the mission’s field. I met them through a work colleague Mark Anfield from Nerds on Site, which happens to be Laura’s brother-in-law. I’ll never forget the day I met them at a restaurant in Johannesburg where I helped them with their IT and website. Through that first meeting, our relationship has just become so incredible, and I am so grateful to them for supporting me through my journey with the Lord and for allowing me to be part of their team.
The first time when I went to visit Kevin and Laura in Kaapsehoop, I fell in love with this beautiful place. I was so sick with heart and lung issues. I was on a lot of different medications that the doctors prescribed after being diagnosed with covid in October 2020. I had taken the covid vaccine which caused further health issues. These included gluten allergies and lactose intolerance. The second time I went to visit Kevin and Laura I got treated by a natural health practitioner in Nelspruit. As a result of prayer and treatment, I was healed of my heart and lung issues and managed to get off chronic medications. I started to heal and feel much better. I am still struggling with food allergies and must watch what I eat but I trust the Lord will complete what He started in me. I feel like I have really grown as a person and become more independent. I still have a way to go but the Lord is with me every step of the way. I have overcome many challenges and have been healed in my emotions and so many other ways. I now go to Iris Revival Church in Nelspruit, and I have become stronger in my relationship with God. The Lord has been speaking to me in so many ways. Recently I have assisted Pastor’s Kevin and Laura in starting up 2 new YouTube channels. It’s just so awesome to see how the Lord works in all of us.
Philippians 1:6 AMP
I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].