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Ann Rhodes

I always loved Sunday school as a child but I was 19 when I realised I needed to make a decision to become a Christian and since that time God has been so faithful to me. When I met David, now my husband for 33 years, I knew he was God’s gift to me. God reminded me that as a child I had wanted to be a minister’s wife and that was fulfilled in 1985. God gave us a daughter and a son and although we have had difficult times as a family, both are now married to lovely Christian partners and serving the Lord. A number of years ago I was seriously ill but in one night God completely healed me. God has been our provider throughout the years and we have never gone without. In 2005 I lost my father but had the great privilege of praying with him as he was dying. God turned my mourning into dancing again. My testimony is that if you will surrender you life to Him you too will find how faithful He is.

Mary Evans

Leading up to meeting with Jesus my life was one round of trouble best forgotten, then at 17 years old I asked Jesus to come into my life and followed him through the waters of baptism. It hasn’t been all a bed of roses, and to be fair God never promised us that. Well his blessings have been numerous (not least of all my two boys and now my four grandchildren). Coming to Wales and walking into fellowship with Pastor David Rhodes and his wife Ann, has been exciting to say the least and the best is yet to come. I’d rather walk one step with God than many with anyone else. I thank you Lord for choosing me.

Charlie Laing

In August 2005 I went along with my wife to a Garw Valley Links meeting. I had always believed in God but never really been a practicing Christian so 1 was surprised at how informal the meetings were. We sang some quite up-beat worship songs, listened to a message and then shared tea and sandwiches. At no time did anyone try to pressure me into doing anything I felt uncomfortable with.

Over the last few months I've been to more meetings, including a Catch the Fire conference at Builth Wells. It was there that I gave my life to the Lord. I noticed a change in my health. Over the past two or three years my health had been deteriorating due mainly to my past lifestyle of alcohol, drugs and eating wrong foods. After I found the Lord, I started to feel the difference in my body. I've started to believe that the Lord has forgiven me so now I can forgive myself.

My next step in following Him was water baptism in the summer of
2006 in one of the valley's lakes. This has released more of the
Lord's blessings on my life.

Previously I had been on the receiving end of mob violence on more
than four occasions and walked away with just bruises. I crashed a
B.M.W through a wall that had a 30 foot drop on the other side but
the car stopped millimetres from going over. I lost five friends to
overdoses, suicide and accidents all through drugs and drink.
Through it all, the Lord watched over me and kept me safe but at 40 years of age my lifestyle had left me nearly a cripple and all the doctors could do was stuff me full of pills. Now with my life in Jesus I am being healed day by day. People might say it's because I've changed my lifestyle but it's the Lord who has given me the strength to change, with the support of the fellowship.

Since I acknowledged Jesus as my Saviour my life has changed for the better and I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do in my life next.