Choosing to trust God is part of our journey

Share your testimony! – Strangely it coincides with our dear brother Peter’s loss of his dear wife Judy. We honour you in the way you lovingly and faithfully loved and cared for Judy over the last few years… Jesus calls us to love our wives as Christ loved the church- laying down our lives for them, cherishing and nourishing them. By God’s grace you have done this.

In a beautiful way God entrusted her to you- He had confidence that you would love her, and He has given you the strength to fulfill this assignment. Now we pray His love and grace will wrap around you each moment in this difficult
time of loss.

Hebrews 12:1-2

A number of years ago I lost my first wife to Cancer- Barbara and I had two children- 4 and 6 years old, and I was leading a church in Harold Hill.

I had 6 weeks off and visited family in the states- came back tried to get back to work, school for the children.

It seemed so overwhelming at times-

Even with the loving support of the people at church, I struggled with attacks of negative thoughts. I want to quit and go back home to the states. Spending time with the Lord one day I felt him say- “My call on your life hasn’t changed… Stay here & I will provide for you. “

It was pretty clear, I didn’t know what that would mean, but it gave me direction & I had to trust the Father knew what he was doing.

Choosing to trust Him is that part of our journey we all need to learnholding on to his promises- Isaiah 41:10 fear not for I am with you Very soon I got a letter from Frances Price who had been praying for us from a church in Atlanta that sponsored us- she said she wanted to visit me when they were coming to London- We agreed she would come on a Sunday to our church & we’d get lunch afterwards.

I didn’t know she was coming to visit Penny who had moved here with her work for one year- & I didn’t know that Penny had other ideas- She & her dad wanted to go the tower of London- not visit a widower!

But Frances was determined- “I’ll take a taxi!” so Penny & her dad gave in… they drove from S Kensington to Harold Hill ! All the way Penny explaining to her Mum why they couldn’t stay for lunch!

They had arrived just before I did, when I saw her walk across the car park, I heard the Lord say- “She’s the one for you- but you’ll have to wait.”

I came in and met Frances and Penny’s dad Ernie. Penny came up to us Just as Frances said- “I’m so sorry we can’t stay for lunch”

More than a year after that we were married, and have two children of our own- all married to believers and we have 7 grandchildren.

He restores the years the locusts have eaten! Joel 2:25

Where the light of our lamp- the fire in our hearts is almost outbreath your spirit – fan to flame your fire within.