I was born in Malaysia and in 1993 came to Dunedin to study at the University of Otago. While studying I met my wife to be, Seow Kiat (Jesse), also from Malaysia. At that time Jesse was an atheist but became interested in my Christian faith. I was just going through the motions with my faith, but went along to church out of obligation. I managed to say to her, "Ask Jesus to reveal Himself to you." He did reveal Himself and Jesse received Christ.
God felt so alive to us. As we grew to know Him, we were enveloped with support and love of new friends from church, FGBMFI and Woman's Aglow. We were on a spiritual high, like a honeymoon. Mike Bunt from FGBMFI invited me to a regional men's camp. There the men were excited about Jesus and that inspired me. Jesse and I got married in 2000. We were blessed with Joshua in 2003. Life was so good, but a painful trial was around the corner for us.
One terrible day
One terrible day Jesse had a massive bleed in her brain, caused by an undetected medical condition. The ruptured blood vessel caused a stroke and her heart to stop. It is a miracle she survived. That evening I was not allowed to stay with her in ICU as I had Joshua with me. It was the loneliest and most heart wrenching night I have ever had to endure. I cried most of the night and all I could do was hang onto a prophetic word that the Lord was going to use both of us together in Christian ministry.
After three weeks Jesse's condition worsened. Thankfully a visiting Australian neurosurgeon intervened and performed a seven-hour operation which helped. Jesse then came home. Her healing and recovery was slow. That time was an emotional roller-coaster for both of us. We had tears, grief, doubt, anger and depression at various times. In the midst of it all our many church, Aglow and FGBMFI friends continued to pray for us and support us.
God has not forgotten you!
If you are struggling, be encouraged because there is hope for you. He will find a way for you even when there seems no way, like my situation. God is sovereign. He has not forgotten you, He loves you so much and He is mighty to save and deliver!
Angel Encounter - Greg Stapleton's Story
I grew up in Auckland. My Grandfather helped me know God. When I was 18 I gave my life to God, but slowly lost my commitment to the Lord.
I became a barber and met Leisa in Te Awamutu. We married and moved to Australia in 2000. We had five children together but without God in our relationship it ended. Leisa and four of the children moved back to NZ and I ended up living in Sydney with one of the children. I had a great lifestyle and was pulling in about $3,500 a week. On the outside it looked good but I was empty on the inside and unhappy.
In my loneliness I decided to find a church to attend. At the seventh week after church a woman asked me to tell her my life story. She proceeded to tell me a similar kind of story and how she also started attending that church. She had a dream in which she was getting remarried to her ex-husband. This was five years after they had separated. I wanted to run because I thought she was going to challenge me. Sure enough she did, saying "I believe this is a message for you!"
Two months later, out of the blue, my ex-wife Leisa phoned me, asking, "Has God told you yet?" She told me how she started attending a church service in NZ, and after a few weeks God told her that we would get married again, that I was in a prison and that God wanted her to forgive me. A profound feeling of peace came over me and I said "That sounds like a really good idea."
I returned for the last time to the barber's shop. A big very tall man entered with an amazing pinstripe suit and handsome golden hair. He asked for a cut. As I trimmed his hair I felt a pure and holy presence from him. He was called Edward. Straight away we started talking about God. He answered every question I had, somehow without moving his lips. I stood back and said, "Are you an angel?" He nodded and I freaked out. I then went to the back of the shop to count my coins, hoping there was enough left over for a coffee. To my astonishment there was A$250 in my wallet that wasn't there before. I knew then that God really wanted Leisa and I to reconcile and remarry.
In 2011 I returned to NZ and my family. Leisa and I reconciled and remarried in late 2011. It was amazing.
Was all this a coincidence? No. It all happened because the Heavenly Father honours those who honour and obey Him and His son Jesus Christ. You too can receive eternal and present blessings if you will also put your trust in the Lord. God is faithful and He is good. I have proven it. Once I was divorced and lonely, now we are remarried and abundantly blessed in every way.
Living the Dream - Paul Bernard's Story
My name is Paul Bernard, I have been married to Janet since 1983. We have three beautiful daughters and as of August this year all have left home; which I am told I will learn to enjoy sometime down the track.
I was ten years old when my mum and dad became Jesus Christ followers. Our family started going to a little Baptist Church in my home town of Cambridge. Our world changed. Years later, I heard the story of several families from that church who had loved my mum and dad, prayed for them, and showed kindness to them in practical ways again and again over several years. How they celebrated when mum and dad were born again.
In February 2015 I was invited to a Full Gospel Business Men's fellowship meeting in downtown Dunedin, to talk about sharing my faith in Jesus in the workplace. It was an excellent night. I had fun, and there was good comradery as well. Men were sharing and praying for one another. So I kept attending these monthly meetings.
In 2010 I had a dream. It was a scene I knew well from swimming tournament days as a child. Walking out with towel around my shoulders wearing togs and a singlet. I strip off and hand the towel and singlet to one of my work colleagues and head for the starting blocks. I notice that there are no other swimmers in the race. Then in the middle of the dream I start up a conversation with God.
"God, there's no-one else in this race?"
"Yes Paul, I know. I set this race up just for you. It's a lap of honour..."
While standing on old fashioned, well-worn starting blocks, I realised that many people had swum this race before me. I became aware of the "Great crowd of witnesses." My work team mates were watching from beside the pool and my boss was there too, holding the starting gun. I knew that I was going to learn through this to trust God, "Our Father," at a deeper level than ever before.
God's love is not based on my performance. There was a day when God set me up and said to me: "Paul, you have been measured and found wanting but Jesus was measured on your behalf and found more than enough in every way." This was another wonderful bright light in a dark moment.
For most of the time "living the dream" was not much fun. I spent a lot of time crying out to God. Sharing and prayer times at our monthly meetings have been hugely helpful for me. Knowing that through Jesus I am a son of our Father and these blokes are my brothers. Choosing to praise each day and declaring that which God has said is true and thanking Him for these truths, has been crucial. He truly is my provider. My cup overflows - on days when I feel like it and on days when I don't.
