As nobody really knew what to do with me, I was sent to an aunt and uncle who said they would lovingly take care of me, so at the age of five a new life beckoned.

I soon realized the loving was to be omitted. My aunt ruled with an iron fist. I used to runaway to my aunt Ethel. This was a weekly event, so finally my aunt and uncle packed my bags and sent me to my aunt Ethel. She was going to adopt me. Social services told her this was not practical though, as she only had a two bed roomed house and, as she had a son, they would not allow us to share a bedroom.

But another aunt, who lived just outside Hull, said she would take me in as she had a bigger house, even though she had two daughters. I would have my own room. I stayed there for about a year, then a social worker came out of the blue and took me to yet another home. This turned out to be a children's' home about twenty miles from Hull. I was eight years old by this time, and a rebel!! When I got to the children's' home, I met other children who, like me, were there because nobody wanted them. This created a bond between us all, it was them and us. At school we stuck together when possible. If one got into a fight with an outsider the rest of as joined in; we would close ranks. In the home life was strict and getting hit and punished was a daily thing.

Then one day I was told to pack my bags as I was moving, this time to a place called Malton, in another part of Yorkshire. I was told a couple wanted to foster a boy as company for their son, so the day came and I was eager to set off on another adventure. They were Quakers, and went to Church every week. I did not think much of this idea as my memory of going to church at the children's’ home was of a vicar ranting and raving from a high pulpit, but the Quakers seemed to sit in silence most of the time. Once again though I found that they lived by strict rules, and did not spare the rod, so l rebelled against them and their religion.  I found myself back at the children's’ home.

Leaving school I had many difficult experiences, as I had no family to turn to I had only seen my aunt Ethel and my brother twice since I had been taken into the children's’ home. But I talked to God and things seemed to be a lot clearer. Having no roots and nowhere to live I joined the army. I enjoyed this life, and when things went wrong or the situation got bad, I always asked God for help, which he always gave, but like a lot of people I always forgot to say thank you to him when things improved.

Through the early part of my adult life, marriage, children, relationships, the same scenario happened - things not working out, but yet there always seemed to be someone there when I needed help.

As the church family knows I am Wendy's ex-husband. We were married for twelve years, but like all through my life, things did not work out. There were many reasons why the marriage did not work, a lot to do with me, as I was very selfish, and tended to walk away from things if there were any threats in my life. I could not cope with emotional problems; I was very hard and did not have time for people who were emotional. So a divorce happened, but we kept in touch.

After a few more years of my rebellious life, and more let downs, I got to a stage in my life when I had just had enough, so I took twenty- two DF118 very powerful painkilling tablets. Fortunately friends found me about six hours after l had taken them, and took me to hospital. The doctor checked me over and said I would be okay. He also said, "you must have a guardian angel looking after you, because you should have gone into a coma and that would have been that"

Eighteen months later I took myself to hospital again, because I had been getting bad heartburn which would not go away. I stayed in hospital for a week, as I had had a heart attack which was brought on by high cholesterol.

A few months after this I saw Wendy, and she seemed to be a changed person. her lifestyle was different. She said she was going to church, and she knew God  Well, knowing Wendy, this really surprised me. I was talking to a different person than the one I knew. Anyway, she invited me to church, so after a few weeks thinking about it, I came along, and the rest is history.

Looking back on my life, especially my childhood, God has always been with me. He has been there when I thought I would never get out of situations; he always had his hands out to guide me, never turning his back on me, God was always with me, and I never knew. I certainly did not deserve his love.

Until I came to church I had never come across a group of people who love you for who you are, who welcome you with open arms. I do still find this emotional part hard as I was and still am to some extent suspicious of people who show me love and compassion. To me the church family is my family, I love you all. Years ago I would have laughed at all this, because my heart was like stone, but I thank God for his mercy upon me.

In the years before l found God, I was searching for a meaning to my life. I have tried tarot cards, the occult and spiritual churches, but discarded them all as a waste of time.

My life now has some meaning; I know God is the answer! God bless you all!-