The Origin of the JOY Bracelet

The JOY Bracelet was created as a way to communicate a beautiful outcome from a tragic event. In 1997, Nelia Hoogenhout and her family left their beloved South Africa, family and friends, to move to Canada.

On a cold and icy morning, their first winter in Toronto, Nelia slipped on a stretch of black ice. She found herself lying on the sidewalk in the snow, not being able to move at all.

In the frightening days and weeks that followed, Nelia found herself enveloped by a quiet, inexplicable sense of peace, that “…passed all understanding”. She realized throughout her slow but eventual recovery, that it was possible to have total JOY in one’s life. A JOY not dependent upon one’s current circumstances, but rather, JOY in the One who carries us through the difficult times, discouraging surroundings, darkened situations. And this JOY is also possible because of those who walk with us through to the other side of our difficult circumstances, encouraging our hearts and demonstrating His love for us along the way.

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