Life is a Journey
On the journey from inception to death, God oversees our progress bringing us into contact with fellow travellers. Some travellers we meet only once, others we spend many years with. Whilst sharing the journey the impact that these associations can have is very rarely realised until in later life we look back and can see how others have helped shape our lives.
The Grange Fellowship for me was a chance to meet witih fellow young Christians for fellowship and worship. This was a contrast to the fellowship of my local church, which I would now regard as predominantly legalistic, rather than grace orientated, with worship to be endured rather than enjoyed. I remember others giving their testimonies at the meetings; I can still remember the theme of Ann Schonberger and the cost of being a Messianic Jew. I was, believe it or not, far too shy to do anything like that.
The trip to Holland was a major step forward in my Christian walk, the first time I prayed out loud was in the bedroom quiet time. I even gave a word of testimony at the end of the week and Cornelius Vanderbreggan’s word of encouragement after that, has remained with me to this day, enabling me to step out in faith trusting God for the outcome. I also learned about prayer by the roadside as we met Cornelius on our departure and a goodbye turned into an opportunity to pray.
I don’t remember ceasing to attend the Grange Fellowship but I obviously did at some stage. Although contact was lost, I have thought of Martin and Grace and the Grane Fellowsbip many times and have reflected on the help you gave me in my teens. David, Jackie, Carol and I went to Canada and America a number of years ago; we knew that you had moved to Canada and Dave and I made a small effort to find out where you lived but without success. It was therefore wonderful to hear from you in 2002 and renew contact again.
My life has been incredibly blessed and my Christian walk busy and challenging, teaching me to depend and trust in God in all situaions. I thank you Martin and Grace for your fellowship, teaching, encouragement and for the experiences you brought into my life which have helped to shape the person I am today. When you stand before the Lord you will then realise the contributions you have made in my life and that of fellow travellers.
I am rereading all the lovely testimonies which have been posted on the Grange Fellowship website and my heart has been so warmed and affected by the way the Lord has so graciously move in the hearts of many of the Grangers. You, David and Steve were such faithful, keen and regular members of our youth group which met in our large lounge in Chiswick week by week and we also had the pleasure, privilege and joy to take a group of you in our Bedford minibus to De Vluctheuvel, in Gelderland, Holland for a week to enjoy the ministry of our much loved Cornelius Vanderbregggan. As you know we were all guests at this beautiful mansion and our only cost were our fares.
I can’t remember how you didn’t continue to attend our bible studies but maybe your left London to train to become a teacher. However, we have never forgotten you and have but never knew where we lived. I hope you didn’t get to Vancouver because that would have been near to us and would have been such a shame.
However, I am thrilled that we have seen each other at reunions and kept in touch by email. We are proud of you and Carol who have continued faithfully as Christians and as husband and wife. We know that you will be celebrating your Golden Wedding anniversary in 2016 and that is really something about which you can be proud. It is also so encouraging to us that you, David and Steve have all continued to serve the Lord and had happy and successful marriagee. We give God all the glory for that. May you continue to be used of the Lord in every aspect of your lives together.
With warmest love,
Grace