I grew up in a Christian home, but walked away from church as a young adult. I married a non-Christian and had two daughters. In February 2014, after divorce and thirty years of searching for ‘spiritual truth’ elsewhere, I went to a church service and heard afresh the message of God’s love. I prayed, “If this is the truth about you, God, I am open to knowing more.” I have since attended a church that teaches solid biblical truth. I also learnt Bible Story Telling.
In 2015 I married a Christian man of solid faith. Peter wanted me to go into the men’s prison with him to witness as a married couple. I was very nervous and did not think that I could be a prison chaplain. I started in the Women’s last year. From 2018 I will go into Women’s and Wolston alternate weeks. My favourite verses were and still are 2 Corinthians 12:9-11. Please pray that I continue to walk and rest in God’s strength and not rely on my own strength.
During 2017 I studied the Certificate IV Chaplaincy with Carinity. This provided a professional edge and confidence to my Chaplaincy duties. I love to share Bible Stories with the people in prison to help them connect with God’s Word – ‘real people and real history’ – and to understand God’s relationship with His creation, mankind. I also love to share the gospel message and explain scripture passages to people in prison.
Please pray that my conversation and pastoral care skills continue to improve. That in conversation, I move beyond showing empathy, to asking questions that help a person to think deeper about his/her relationship with God. Also, pray that the many ‘10 minute’ conversations I have with people in prison will be spiritually productive, whenever possible.