Review of My Pilgrimage with the Unseen

[Alida Spies]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "My Pilgrimage with the Unseen" by Melanie Prinsloo.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Melanie Prinsloo is one brave lady! Her book, “My Pilgrimage with the Unseen,” is a beautiful account of love, compassion, faith and heartache. She is a living example of how God uses even unpleasant things for our good. Melanie finds her true calling and pursues it despite setbacks, challenges and judgment.

Prinsloo loved children, even when she was still a child. Unfortunately, she couldn’t have children of her own, and her first husband refused to adopt a child. They eventually divorce, and Melanie’s second relationship turns out to be even more traumatic. When an opportunity arises at the company where she works to buy one of the divisions, she purchases it and builds it into a successful company. The blank space left by her barrenness remains.

In a racially separated South Africa, Melanie eventually becomes aware of the plight of Black children, where hundreds of mothers abandon their children and even more die every month. When she discovers what happens to babies that are HIV positive, she knows that this is where God wants to use her. She establishes Lambano Sanctuary on a property with two houses in a suburb of Johannesburg, with the help of two volunteers, to care for HIV-positive infants. From these humble beginnings, Melanie co-founds Mukhanyo Community Development to support orphans in child-headed households in KwaNdebele. She also establishes a preschool and primary school for farmworker families in the Bronkhorstspruit area.

I think the most amazing thing about Melanie’s life is how God always provided what she needed at the right time. She met people who were well-connected and helped her to achieve the funding she required, while people from the communities she served, as well as others she met, volunteered their assistance. She faced many challenges, e.g., health issues, superstition, her father’s attitude, and betrayal by the very people she was helping. Her faith remained strong, and God remained her provider.

This memoir is well-written, and the author explains all terms that may be foreign to readers. She provides factual information about the political situation in South Africa at the time as background, highlighting how difficult her quest was. Melanie prepared to write this book by attending creative writing courses. She didn’t waste her time or money and wrote an inspiring, heartwarming account of a life dedicated to helping others. I loved the extracts from a “Soldier’s Prayer,” written by an anonymous Confederate soldier during the US Civil War, included at the start of every chapter. One sentence from the book that stood out was, “We love with our hearts, not our skin.”

The book contained numerous errors. Hence, I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. I disliked nothing else about the book. It’s honest, interesting and uplifting. I recommend this book to any open-minded readers who enjoy memoirs. Atheists and non-Christians may not like the many references to God, the Bible and unwavering faith.

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My Pilgrimage with the Unseen
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Louis Donald]

Melanie’s story is truly inspiring, showing how faith and determination can turn challenges into opportunities to help others. The way she overcame personal struggles to make such a meaningful impact is really heartwarming. The focus on faith might not appeal to everyone, but the overall message of love and service is powerful.

[Shaniz Tobiaz]

Thank you for the great review, this is a must read for me. Good work.

[Pearl Flourish]

A powerful and deeply moving story of resilience, faith, and purpose. Melanie’s journey shows how compassion and determination can change lives, even in the face of immense challenges.