Chapter 21 – Special Gifts

In the eyes of the world, I was born because my father wanted a girl. Although he did not get one, he loved me in his own way. But to God, I was never an accident. I was uniquely formed and known in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139).

I see some of my father in myself. I admit I have a fiery temper at times. I remember how easily he connected with people in the street. My brother Peter had the same gift. Both of them were naturals at engaging with others. I admired that greatly.

For many years, I said that if I ever had a child, I would want a little girl. As time passed, that dream faded into the background.

Then, just before I met Helen, while walking near Heysham, a small village close to Morecambe, the Lord spoke clearly to me: “You will have a daughter.”

When Helen came into my life, God did more than give me a wife. He gave me Sherry.

When I first entered her life, she was fifteen years old and navigating the challenges of teenage life. For both of us, it was difficult. Suddenly, a strange man had appeared in her world. Stepparents must understand how hard this adjustment can be for a child.

Just before I left for the Philippines in 2016, Sherry said very simply, “You are my father.” I know that those words came after much prayer and inner wrestling on her part. I will never forget that moment.

My daughter is a beautiful and strong young woman. She has faced many challenges in her life, and I say this as a tribute to her courage. Leaving home just before her 18th birthday to pursue a BA in Fine Arts in another country, making new friends, and overcoming countless obstacles—she has proven herself remarkable, talented, and resilient.

When she plays the piano, her fingers seem to dance across the keys. When she paints, her brush strokes are careful, deliberate, and graceful. I have often sat quietly, listening to her play, overwhelmed with gratitude. What an honour it is to be her father.

When Covid struck, she returned to China and endured three weeks of isolation in a hotel. Returning home was not easy, but she found work and even helped me with my students.

Like many young adults in China, Sherry found it difficult to meet the right life partner. That changed in August 2023 when Helen mentioned that a young man who had attended Sherry’s school was coming for lunch. He was two years younger and serving in the army.

He came once, then returned two days later. Soon, Sherry was receiving constant messages and phone calls, and we heard squeals of joy from her room at all hours.

He visited again at New Year 2024. There were several visits throughout the year, including trips to see Peter in Xiamen. During this time, we prayed much. Peter is a wonderful young man, and I am privileged to call him my son. We have become the best of friends.

In February 2025, Peter was discharged from the army, and we met him at the airport. From then on, he was with us almost every day. He is also an excellent cook!

In May, they became engaged. They organized everything themselves, showing maturity and independence that made us very proud.

Throughout the summer, parcels arrived, plans were made, and preparations continued. Through it all, my special daughter had found her sweetheart. Sherry, petite and graceful, and Peter, larger but gentle, make a beautiful couple.

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Devotional Thought

Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”

I see this verse fulfilled in my own life. God has given me more than I ever imagined possible.

What were the chances of me coming to China?
What were the chances of me meeting someone named Helen—my favourite name?

Prayer is not a lottery. We do not ask in vague hope. We ask with confidence, knowing our Father delights in giving good gifts that exceed our imagination.

God has given me more than my wildest dreams: my family, my life in China, and blessings too numerous to count.

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A Chinese Wedding

Luke 14:8
“When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room…”

Much of the year was spent preparing for this day. Peter returned to Nanjing on March 1st, and we met him and his parents at the airport. KK, once again, wore a suit.

Sherry and Peter organized everything themselves—photographs, the venue, the arrangements. It was a tremendous blessing to watch them take responsibility.

Chinese weddings differ from Western ones. The day began very early. Peter’s family and friends arrived to take Sherry to his parents’ home for breakfast, following tradition.

For months, KK had been asking for a waistcoat to go with his suit. Helen went further and bought him a new suit complete with a bow tie. He looked very smart.

The wedding took place at Nanjing Guest House on Purple Mountain, an enormous venue capable of hosting multiple weddings at once.

Chinese traditions added joyful uniqueness to the day. Peter had to find Sherry’s hidden shoe, make a speech, and even dance with the best man before the assembled family. They presented special cups of tea to both sets of parents and received red envelopes in return.

Although tradition often has the groom escort the bride, I had the immense privilege of walking Sherry down the aisle. When the doors opened and I saw her for the first time, my heart skipped. It is a moment I will treasure forever.

The ceremony was beautiful. Our pastor spoke, vows were exchanged, and speeches were given. Helen spoke warmly, and Peter’s father delivered what was surely an excellent speech—though I understood none of it!

At one point, red envelopes filled with cash were thrown into the crowd. Peter’s father and I tried to assist, but we were quickly overwhelmed by enthusiastic guests!

By 10:30 pm, we were the last to leave—utterly exhausted but deeply happy.

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Devotional Thought

This was a day I once thought would never come.

Sherry is my delight—the cherry on top of my cake. Having a wonderful wife like Helen would have been enough, but God added another precious blessing.

Though I am not her biological father, she calls me “father,” and it has been my joy to watch her grow from a shy teenager into a confident, gifted young woman.

After losing my Peter years ago, God has given me another Peter. He truly is a special man whom I love dearly.

James 1:17
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…”

God delights in giving good gifts. I have lost count of how many I have received, but I remain thankful for each one—especially my family here in China, both close and extended.

Helen’s mother is kind to me, even though we cannot understand each other’s language. Her brother and his family often invite us to wonderful meals.

Every good gift comes from God.

CHAPTER 19

OPEN THE DOOR, KEITH!

Psalm 24:1

“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”

While in China, I have been able to travel throughout Asia and around the world.

In 2015, we returned to the UK for the first time. We took a five-day trip around the country, starting in London and travelling up to the Scottish Highlands. We ended in Cambridge, where we met my cousin Elaine, her husband Clifford, and their children Claire and John. They warmly welcomed us and took us to Ely to see the beautiful cathedral.

We had booked two nights at a Holiday Inn in Bradford to see my niece Victoria and her mother Carol, along with my nephew James.

They agreed to meet us at the hotel and arrived on time. They all came up to our room, and then there was another knock at the door. Standing there, grinning like a Cheshire cat, was my brother Peter, who had travelled over especially to surprise me.

That day we visited our birthplace and drove to Haworth, famous for the Brontë sisters. We also rode on the steam train made famous by The Railway Children. What an amazing day.

It was Chinese New Year’s Eve, so Helen cooked authentic Chinese food for my family. The sceptics were completely won over by Helen.

We then travelled to my hometown of Morecambe to stay with Brian and Sandra, who had helped me complete my visa application for China. They took us back to my home church, where we shared what was happening in China.

We were also able to share the gospel on the streets of Lancaster, even meeting a university student who came from Nanjing.

Over the next few years, we visited Helen’s relatives in Indonesia, where we saw Lake Toba, the second-largest lake in the world. We also travelled to the Philippines, where Helen and Ming swam with whale sharks and enjoyed delicious seafood, especially crabs.

In 2017, we travelled to the USA and Canada. We visited iconic places such as Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Grand Canyon, and even the more chaotic side of life in Las Vegas.

We then went to Canada, where we experienced the majesty of the Rocky Mountains, especially in Jasper and Banff.

However, 2017 was also a painful year, as my beloved brother Peter died after a very short illness. It was a great blow to me, as we had shared many phone calls and Skype conversations.

I know he died peacefully, knowing his younger brother was settled.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Having my brother come and visit me was a great joy.

Losing him to cancer in 2017 was deeply painful. He passed away after a very short illness of two months, caused by a rare cancer that usually affects children.

When he died, many people said they missed him and that a part of their lives was gone. For me, it was more than that.

It felt like losing my right arm. We had the same blood running through our veins and came from the same parents. Although we were very different in many ways—especially in matters of faith, with me as an evangelical Christian and Peter as an atheist/humanist—we were still brothers.

Some of the things we did together still make me smile. For example, when we were returning from Tadoussac, I put a CD into the car player. He said, “Let me do that,” and promptly inserted it into the wrong slot above the CD player, breaking it completely.

Small things like that stay in the memory. He was a character. When his wife visited her parents in the UK, he once took his two children straight to the sweet aisle at the supermarket and then fed them baked beans on toast for seven days in a row!

I miss him deeply. I used to tell him I loved him, and he would reply, “Yeah, me too.”

Now I cannot say that to him anymore.

The things that truly matter are love, hope, and faith—especially love.

What would it have been like if God had concealed His love from us?

But He did not. He revealed His love through the Cross.

God did not remain silent; He expressed His love in Christ.

Romans 5:7–8

“7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Thank God, we are loved.

The most important thing we must never stop doing is telling people we love them—because one day, we may not be able to.

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CHAPTER 20

JUST TESTING

Ecclesiastes 3:1–2

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.”

Life was idyllic as we entered the third decade of the century, but danger was always lurking. In early 2020, we began hearing about a virus called COVID-19.

We were used to seasonal flu-like illnesses in winter, but this was different. Before January ended, Helen was home all the time, and we had to be tested everywhere we went.

Some mornings, as I ran errands and did chores, I was tested up to five times. I tested negative each time—there is a first time for everything!

I remember going out one evening at 8 p.m. Normally the streets would be busy, but now there was an eerie silence—no cars, no people, no activity. Everything was closed. It felt surreal.

Everywhere we went, we were tested. We were unable to travel freely for two to three years. Our entire complex was even placed under isolation for two weeks. We could not go in or out, although we were thankfully provided with food parcels every two days. We were grateful for that small mercy.

Other places had even stricter regulations, so we were blessed in comparison. Still, tensions sometimes rose, as I witnessed at the gate of our complex. It was a difficult time for everyone.

We did eventually contract COVID, though my case was mild. I remember walking near our flat when I suddenly felt hot and began to sneeze.

Everyone wore masks, and some still do, but I never did. We also chose not to take the vaccine, trusting the Lord for protection.

Everything moved online—school, teaching, church, and meetings all shifted to Zoom. It feels like a distant memory now. When restrictions finally lifted, it was a great relief to return to normal life.

The previous year, in 2019, we also lost Helen’s beloved father, Baba. He had his stomach removed due to cancer and gradually became weaker until he passed away in August after a brave fight.

One of my favourite memories of him was just before Christmas 2016. We went to eat beef dumplings in town. On the bus home, Bing Crosby’s Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas came on. We quietly sang together. That is how I remember him.

He was one of the finest men I have ever met. One day, I will see him again, as he came to trust Christ as his Saviour and Lord later in life. It is never too late to trust Christ.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Everything seemed to be going well before 2020. We were even planning to return to the UK.

But those plans were suddenly disrupted when COVID-19 arrived. It caught the whole world by surprise.

It reminded us that life is fragile and uncertain. We make plans, but God remains in control.

As James writes:

James 4:13–15

“13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”

Life is short. We are only here for a brief time, and we have one life to live.

What are you doing with yours?

Helen and I are committed to loving and serving our Saviour. That is the best use of life.

As Solomon concludes:

Ecclesiastes 12:13

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

The offer of salvation is still open—but it will not remain open forever.

Hebrews 2:3

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?”

One day we will all stand before God.

Hebrews 9:27

“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

Death is not the end.

Christ has defeated death through His resurrection so that believers can say:

1 Corinthians 15:55–57

“55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Can you say these words?

I know I can.

CHAPTER 17

EPHESIANS 5:25–28

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

ONE WEDDING AND A WHITE SUIT

Arriving back in China in early October, we had to organise the wedding. Lots of friends helped us. People from Helen’s church took care of the photos and video. My friend from Chinese class, Adam, who was already in China, came and served as my best man.

Another church leader acted as host, and Pastor Ji Tai married us.

In China, you can get legally married very quickly. As the country is not Christian, a marriage certificate can be obtained in just a few minutes. However, many couples still want a wedding ceremony, which usually takes place in a large hotel.

Helen and I, along with our friend Samuel, organised the wedding. We had photos taken at a photography studio and ordered a cake from a local bakery. We managed to transport it to the venue, but not before half of it had collapsed!

Helen had a beautiful wedding dress and looked stunning. She spent a long time getting ready, while I took about thirty seconds—although I did have my hair dyed, and it turned orange!

Samuel decided to wear a white suit. He looked very smart. I expected everyone to come dressed formally, but most people arrived in fairly casual clothes.

We said our vows and then I was invited to speak. Helen’s father spoke, as did Adam (in fluent Chinese) and Pastor Ji Tai.

We had our own little choir made up of church members and friends who sang some of our favourite songs.

There were twelve tables, and everyone enjoyed a good meal—except us. We had to go around and toast everyone twice, so we ended up with almost nothing to eat.

At Chinese weddings, instead of giving gifts, people usually give red envelopes filled with money. The usual amount is 500–1,000 yuan (around £50–£100 at the time).

Our wedding took place on 28 October 2012. This year we celebrate our 14th anniversary. Despite many obstacles and challenges, we are still happy together, and I thank God for the gift of my wife.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Things are very different at Chinese weddings. We will have a full update on our daughter’s wedding later in this book.

Marrying Helen was probably the second-best decision I have ever made, after trusting Christ as my Saviour.

Marriage has not always been easy for either of us. Remember that marriage is between two sinners. Christian marriage can be especially challenging because the devil hates it and does all he can to disrupt it.

The difference in a Christian marriage is that the Lord is right in the middle of it. He is the guiding and controlling influence.

What helps more than anything else? Praying together. We have found that praying together strengthens our marriage greatly. It helps us focus on the same things and seek God’s direction together.

When we do not pray together, we tend to have more problems.

Recently, we have spent time sharing the gospel together. Doing things together is one of the best ways to strengthen a marriage. We make dumplings together, travel together, and have recently visited Vietnam together.

So pray together, serve together, and do life together. These are some of the keys to a happy marriage.

CHAPTER 18

A PIGEON, A KING, AND MICHAEL JACKSON

Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

By now, I was living in Nanjing, but what was I going to do? I had not yet mastered the language, so it was suggested that I help Chinese students improve their English.

Our friend Chen said she knew some teenagers who wanted to learn English, so one Saturday morning I went to her house, accompanied by Samuel for moral support.

We met eight teenagers. To break the ice, I suggested they introduce themselves using their English names.

The girls went first. We started with Catherine, then Celia—both perfectly normal English names.

Then came Pigeon.

Who calls themselves Pigeon?

“Okay,” I thought, “who’s next?”

“Michael.”

Good.

The boy sitting next to him introduced himself as “Jackson.”

So there I was, with Michael Jackson in the room—and he could actually moonwalk!

The final boy introduced himself as “King.”

Yes, that’s right. My first English class in China included a pigeon, a king, and Michael Jackson!

I remember asking the students to describe how they travelled to class. Jonah said he arrived on a motorised elephant. I actually thought he might have come by whale power!

I gradually started gaining students. There was an Australian-Chinese couple living in our apartment complex, and they had two sons. The boys told their Chinese mother, “We saw an Englishman in our complex.” She did not believe them until we bumped into each other a few days later.

Over the years, I taught many students. I remember with great fondness Fiona, Seven, Andy, Rain, and many others, all of whom are now in their twenties. When I first arrived, Helen was always bumping into former students. Now I find myself doing the same.

At one point, I had around thirty students and taught four or five classes every weekend. I have since reduced my workload, but I remain thankful to the students and parents who allowed me to teach them.

I cannot speak highly enough of my time with students such as Sophia, Anthea, Kevin, Rose (both of them), Adam (whom I taught for six years), Jack, and Jerry, to name just a few.

I am gradually slowing down and reducing the number of classes I teach, but I will continue as long as God brings students my way. My current students include little Rui, Bowen, Joy, Jerry, and Mary.

I charge a modest fee. I could charge more, but my goal is to help Chinese children learn English.

I thank God for all His blessings and for allowing me to touch so many lives.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

God certainly has a sense of humour.

You may remember that Keith was a terrible student. He drove his teachers absolutely crazy.

Can you imagine what some of those teachers would think if they knew that Keith became a teacher?

“Keith, a teacher? You’ve got to be kidding!”

I sometimes joke that I hope he gets back what he gave—ha-ha!

Whenever I have a badly behaved student who refuses to listen, I remind myself that I was exactly the same many years ago.

Being able to help Chinese children learn English is a great honour and privilege, but it is nothing compared to teaching them the precious Word of God.

Parents, it is your responsibility to teach your children. The buck stops with you. It is not primarily the church’s responsibility.

If you do not teach them the Bible, the world will mould them into its own image. The education system will fill their minds with atheism, humanism, and worldly philosophies.

The place where all these “isms” can and should be challenged is the home.

You cannot be an absentee parent, constantly pursuing more money or another promotion while leaving your family to cope without your presence and leadership.

Many families in China are led primarily by the mother. While mothers play a vital role, God’s design is for the husband to provide spiritual leadership within the home.

Men, are you leading your family?

• By setting a godly example?
• By leading family devotions and prayer?
• By providing spiritual protection through prayer and sacrifice?

Men, life is not all about money.

The next generation must be taught the Scriptures. We must pass on the truths of God’s Word to our children and grandchildren.

If we do not fill their hearts and minds with biblical truth, someone else will fill them with something else.

CHAPTER 15

EARLY IN THE MORNING

Song of Solomon 2:7

“I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.”

Both Helen and I knew that this relationship was different. We continued to talk, Skype, and email back and forth.

I was about to move into my static caravan and had no internet connection for a couple of weeks, so I used the local library to stay in touch.

On 1 October 2011, I went to the library to check my emails. I found a message from Helen explaining that the previous evening, China time, she had not been feeling well. The Lord had prompted her to get up and pray. As she prayed, she felt the Lord clearly say to her:

“Keith will be your husband.”

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

I was overjoyed, but I still needed my own confirmation from the Lord.

The following Tuesday morning, at around 4 a.m., while everything was perfectly still and quiet, the Lord clearly confirmed it to me.

I remember the words as clearly as if they were spoken yesterday:

“I am the God of Abraham, Isaac…”

I knew that voice. It was unmistakable.

Now we had a problem.

Helen had a teenage daughter and parents whom she would need to tell.

Not long afterwards, my niece and her mother—Philip’s first wife and a good friend of mine—came to see my new static caravan. I cautiously introduced the subject and mentioned that I had met someone.

My niece immediately asked, “Is she in Britain?”

I replied, “Well… not exactly.”

She looked suspicious.

“I’m not going to like this, am I? Where is she from?”

I answered, “China.”

Her response was immediate:

“Are you completely nuts? We’re not going through all that again!”

Her head practically exploded, and she stormed off like a rocket.

Then came the equally difficult task of telling my brother in Canada. On two separate occasions, he refused to speak to me for two weeks. Several angry phone calls followed from family members and even some church friends, all convinced that I had lost my mind.

Yet through it all, Helen and I continued to pray, and the Lord continued to guide us.

I remember one evening when we had been talking online at about 9 or 10 p.m. China time. Helen said, “I’m going for a shower. I’ll be back soon.”

I left my computer on and sat eating something while I waited.

Suddenly, Helen’s daughter appeared on the screen.

She was there to talk with me.

It took courage for her to do that, but it marked the beginning of a beautiful and deep relationship that we still enjoy today. We were both nervous, but the ice had been broken.

The question remained: would we ever meet in person?

Eventually, I booked my flight to Nanjing on 29 February 2012. I planned to stay for the whole of July.

As our relationship grew, I decided that I should learn some Chinese. I borrowed language tapes from the library, and my friend Brian from church took me to a Chinese class at the local adult education centre.

Everyone in the class had to explain why they were learning Chinese. Some worked with Chinese students at the local university.

Then it was my turn.

I said:

“Well, I’ve fallen in love and I’m moving to China.”

That certainly got everyone’s attention!

The day finally arrived, and in late June 2012, I set off for Nanjing.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

What is impossible with man is possible with God. I would not be telling this story if I had not seen it with my own eyes.

I have always been fascinated by China. As a child, I read about it in a weekly magazine called Look and Learn. I later studied twentieth-century Chinese history for my O-Level examinations.

Interestingly, my favourite girl’s name had always been Helen.

Many years earlier, at the Keswick Convention, I had committed my life to missionary service. Later I completely forgot about that commitment—but God had not forgotten.

Helen and I both watched God remove obstacle after obstacle. It was astonishing.

God is the God of the impossible.

He brought us together.

No human being could have arranged it.

Only He could.

CHAPTER 16

TAG AND TRACK TO NANJING

As I mentioned earlier, I booked my ticket on 29 February 2012.

While making the booking, the travel agent suggested that I purchase a luggage tracking service called Tag and Track for £10 per year, just in case my bags went missing during my journey from Manchester to Amsterdam, then to Guangzhou, and finally to Nanjing.

It was the best £10 I have ever spent.

Sure enough, my luggage was misplaced in Guangzhou.

My late brother Peter, who had a wonderful sense of humour, had advised me:

“Take an extra pair of kegs” (underpants to the rest of us), “just in case you get caught short.”

Thankfully, I followed his advice and packed an extra pair in my hand luggage.

I arrived in Nanjing and immediately began searching for my bags.

Nothing.

I searched everywhere. All the luggage had been unloaded. Every passenger had gone through the arrivals gate.

Still no bags.

Meanwhile, Helen was waiting outside and probably wondering whether I had arrived at all.

Eventually, I walked through the arrivals gate.

Then I heard a voice shout:

“KEITH!”

Suddenly we saw each other.

We hugged and hugged.

At last, we were together.

I explained what had happened with my luggage, and Helen kindly accompanied me to the airline desk to try to locate my missing cases.

Afterwards, we caught a bus back into the city.

Since I only had the clothes I was wearing, Helen took me to a market where we bought a few essentials—including, of course, some new kegs!

Thankfully, my luggage arrived the following day.

One of my first experiences in Nanjing was riding on the back of a motorised scooter.

The first thing that struck me was the heat and humidity. It was incredibly hot.

Afterwards, we took a taxi back to Helen’s apartment.

Shortly after arriving home, Helen’s church co-worker Samuel arrived, accompanied by Ming, who took one look at me and immediately disappeared into her room.

That evening, Helen’s mother came to meet this strange foreign visitor.

I made the mistake of trying to hug Mama.

That is not generally done in China!

The following morning we attended church. Thankfully, several people spoke English, including Mr Yen and Yanchen.

We had a wonderful time during my visit.

I met Helen’s family and formally asked her parents for permission to marry their daughter.

We spent time with Helen’s pastor and his wife, both of whom spoke English, and enjoyed memorable trips to Shanghai and Suzhou.

On 14 July 2012, we found a quiet place in the apartment complex grounds.

I got down on one knee and asked Helen to marry me.

She said yes.

Soon afterwards, however, I had to return to the United Kingdom.

Helen was preparing to travel to Thailand with her parents and Ming, and there was still much for me to organise back home.

When we reached the airport, I was heartbroken. I did not want to leave her.

But there was work to do. I needed to prepare my static caravan for sale and sort out my affairs in the UK.

We decided that I would return in early October.

This time, however, it would be on a one-way ticket.

Everything was falling into place.

My static caravan did not sell for another two years, but it eventually sold in December 2014—a time when very few people were buying property.

Another miracle.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Although God is the Creator of the universe, He still cares about the smallest details of our lives.

It amazes me that He thinks ahead of us.

Before I ever set foot in China, He was already preparing the way. He knows every detail.

Living in China has always been an eye-opener.

You can read about China in newspapers, books, and on websites. You can watch countless videos online. Yet nothing truly prepares you for the reality.

The cultural differences are enormous.

However, one thing remains the same wherever you go in the world:

People are people.

God does not look at the colour of our skin; He looks at our hearts.

To those reading this in the Western world, let me say that the Chinese people are a remarkable people—full of warmth, energy, and joy.

China has become my home.

These people have become my people.

There is a great need here. Millions have never heard the name of Jesus.

Being here allows me to play a small part in reaching a few lives with the gospel.

That is all any of us can do in our corner of God’s vineyard.

The Lord places people in our path for a reason. These are God-given opportunities wrapped as everyday encounters, allowing us to share His love and truth.

Please pray for China.

Shortly after arriving in China, I felt the Lord impress upon me the importance of praying for this nation.

We are like sparrows pecking at the Great Wall. One sparrow makes little difference. Even ten thousand may seem insignificant. Yet over time, millions can accomplish something remarkable.

Join me in praying for this magnificent country—my second homeland.

When God’s people pray,

MIRACLES HAPPEN.

SURPRISED BY HELEN

Psalm 18:30

“As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.”

I returned to the UK in July 2007 with my tail between my legs. I managed to get a room in a house not far from Heysham Church. They had a new pastor, one who became my mentor, dear Pastor Mark.

The first Sunday I returned, I did not go into the service. I stayed outside. People looked at me, and their eyes seemed to say, “We told you so.” Indeed, some verbalised their thoughts. To be honest, I deserved it.

So there I was again, trying to find a job, but at least I was spiritually settled. After three years, I managed to get a small flat of my own in central Morecambe. It was tiny — the kitchen was probably the smallest on the planet.

It was not really suitable. My family suggested that I go on sick leave because of depression, but that was not a good option, nor one I should have taken. I wanted to work. I attended job clubs, wrote applications, and went to interviews, but refusal after refusal left me discouraged. Why?

In 2011, my spiritual life was flourishing. I enjoyed such sweet fellowship with the Lord. Hour after hour was spent in prayer and devotion, and it was a precious time. The Lord spoke very clearly.

I was also able to write, and people appreciated the devotions. During that summer, I had an internet relationship with a lady who eventually only wanted money. I was fed up.

“Lord, I want no more relationships, and certainly not an internet one.”

The Lord had been waiting for me to say this. Now, so to speak, He had carte blanche — a clean page. At last, Keith had stepped out of the way.

In early summer 2011, I decided to change an old Hotmail account to Gmail. After all, it was better, and I only had about ten people on Hotmail anyway. There was one email containing a few contacts, so I wrote to tell them I was closing the account. I also shared our church’s free website.

The next day, I noticed the website had received hits from Nanjing, China. “Wow,” I thought, “it has reached China!”

In my inbox was an email from a lady in China. She thanked me for the website and said we shared the same beliefs. “Wonderful,” I thought, “a Chinese friend.”

So we began emailing one another. I discovered she was a schoolteacher called Helen — my favourite name — and she had a teenage daughter. In one of her first emails, she said she thought I was a woman, which may explain why she contacted me in the first place!

She later went on holiday with her parents and daughter, and I did not hear from her for a while. But then she contacted me again. This time, she wanted to talk on Skype so we could see each other.

“If you don’t get Skype, I won’t talk to you again,” she said.

I had not downloaded Skype yet, but I soon did.

Anyway, we began talking online. She was kind, and we both enjoyed chatting together. Her daughter was shy in those days, and all I ever saw was a hand waving at the camera.

During the autumn, we grew closer and closer. I felt a real connection with her. We started praying together, and despite the time difference, she would call me regularly.

We also began sending letters to each other. Those letters were — and still are — very precious to us. Things were moving quickly, but could this really be the one for me? After all, Helen was in China and I was in Morecambe. I had only just managed to get a static caravan and was busy furnishing it with a sofa bed, a new boiler, a fridge, and other essentials. Surely not.

But God had His hand upon us, and in the next chapter we will see how He unfolded His plan.

Devotional Thought

We all want to control things — especially me. I had tried for years to find a Christian wife. After all, everyone else seemed to be getting married, so why not me?

Sometimes we simply need to step out of the way. God is very patient. He waited for me to surrender, and then He gave me Helen.

I had already tried to do things my own way and had fallen flat on my face. But once I moved aside, God was able to work.

In China, many Christian parents become anxious if their children reach the age of twenty-five without being married. As many families only have one child, grandchildren are often seen as a great blessing and a sign of honour. Sadly, some people try to force matters instead of trusting God’s timing.

Christian friend, you also need to step out of the way. Only when you give God control of your situation — especially regarding marriage — can His perfect will be accomplished.

It is difficult when everyone else in your church seems to be getting married while you remain single. But God’s timing is perfect, and His choice is always best.

I am so grateful that He gave me the wonderful gift of the best wife in the world, together with a beautiful daughter and son.

JAMES 1

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted of God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man.
14 But every man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed.
15 Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

DOWNHILL IN THE USA

I was involved in website ministry and, through a mutual friend, I was introduced to a so-called lady pastor.

This should have been a red flag, but I was entranced by this woman. She had me listening to preachers like Rodney Howard-Browne and Joyce Meyer, and I was being led astray.

This was in 2004, and my mum was getting worse as she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

Now, let me be honest: I blame no one but myself. I thought of nothing but myself, and I was led away by my own greed and selfishness.

So, in late 2004, I left my mum and travelled to America, where I foolishly married this woman. To this day, she was not a true pastor. She followed prosperity preachers, smoked fifty cigarettes a day, slept with three dogs on her bed, and had one violent son and another whose girlfriend struggled with crack addiction.

I do not wish to dwell too much on this period of my life. Instead, let it serve as a warning to anyone who wants to depart from the true and holy will of God.

The cost to me was terrible. I never saw my mother again, I lost the respect of my family, I left my church, and I nearly lost my faith.

Thankfully, I was able to leave that situation. Many may say this was wrong, but it was an abusive and violent marriage.

I travelled across the USA to my brother’s home in Canada, where I stayed for four months before returning to the UK.

He owned many acres of land, and during my time there I was able to restore my relationship with him and his wife, and most importantly, with the Lord.

This is a time I bitterly regret, yet thankfully the Lord has completely restored me.

Devotional Thought

Being outside of God’s will is the worst place to be. You need to be right in the centre of God’s will; anywhere else, you are at the mercy of the devil.

As you read my story, you will see a pattern: my disobedience and rebellion contrasted with God’s grace. This is something I am deeply ashamed of, but I write it as a warning.

God is very patient with all of us. We do not deserve His grace and mercy. All of us — and I most of all — have made foolish decisions that have cost us fellowship with family, friends, and most importantly, with God.

My time in America was a sobering experience. God preserved me, and I am grateful that He did and that restoration was complete.

Please, if you are reading this, do not wander from God’s ways. Doing so nearly cost me my life.

WHY ARE YOU CAST DOWN?

Psalm 42:5

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.”

I have always been something of a lone wolf, but during the 1990s I went through a very dark period in my life and began suffering from depression for several different reasons.

Throughout much of the 1990s, I was not in church fellowship or walking closely with the Lord, and this was a major cause of my depression, although family struggles and unemployment also contributed to it.

I began taking antidepressants, but for me they became counterproductive. I would take them late at night and then sleep until midday.

They were very strong tablets — Cipramil 15mg. The doctor continued prescribing them to me over and over again. At one point, I even started taking more than the prescribed amount each day. I became moody, angry, and frustrated with almost everyone and everything.

Stopping antidepressants suddenly can be dangerous, and anyone taking them should seek proper medical advice and support before making changes. In my own case, I eventually stopped taking them, but that was a personal decision and experience.

Depression is very real.

Someone once described it as “having no sky at all.” You feel hopeless, trapped, and overwhelmed. If you have never experienced depression yourself, it can be very difficult to understand what another person is going through.

Telling someone to “pull yourself together” or asking “why can’t you just get a job?” does not help.

Depression can sometimes lead people into thoughts of suicide. Many people reach that point because they feel they have no hope left.

But this is the truth:

There is hope.

In the film The Shawshank Redemption, the character Andy says, “Hope is a good thing.” But true hope depends on where you place it. If your hope is in anything other than Christ, then your hope is misplaced.

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Devotional Thought

The writers of Psalms 42 and 43, along with many other Bible characters, experienced deep discouragement and depression. One of the clearest examples is Elijah.

Elijah had just experienced one of the greatest victories recorded in Scripture, yet shortly afterwards he wanted to die.

Both depression and suicidal thinking must ultimately be met with the message of hope found in the Gospel. People often feel trapped because they believe there is no hope left, but that is one of the enemy’s greatest lies.

No situation is beyond the reach of God’s love and saving power.

Elijah was deeply exhausted emotionally, mentally, and physically. God dealt with him gently and practically by providing food, water, rest, and encouragement.

We all feel low at times. I still battle periods of depression occasionally, but the thing that keeps me grounded is placing my hope and trust in God.

Sometimes emotional struggles can be connected to sin, but not always. In Elijah’s case, physical and emotional exhaustion played a major role.

James 5:16–17

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”

If you struggle with these kinds of thoughts and feelings, you need supportive people around you — trusted believers who will pray with you, encourage you, and walk beside you.

Knowing that God loves you is wonderful, but we also need the warmth, support, and understanding of caring Christian fellowship within a healthy local church.

You also need to bring your struggles honestly before your Heavenly Father. There is hope. God loves you deeply and does not want your life to be consumed by despair.

When we meet people who are struggling, we should not behave like Job’s friends by immediately trying to explain away their suffering. Sometimes the greatest thing we can do is simply listen.

Many people who suffer from depression have experienced rejection, trauma, loneliness, or deep personal pain.

To anyone reading this who feels cast down: I understand those dark places. I have experienced moments where I felt overwhelmed and hopeless. But God has been my hope, my rock, and my refuge.

The greatest answer to these struggles is a genuine relationship with God through Christ and the presence of the precious Holy Spirit within your heart.

Jesus gives this invitation:

Matthew 11:28

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

MAKE JESUS YOUR HOPE

SCOTTISH CASTLE WEDDING

Ephesians 4:32

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

In August 2000, my nephew Andrew married Carla. The wedding took place in a Scottish castle hotel near Edinburgh, with a church nearby for the ceremony.

Our Canadian family came over in large numbers for the occasion, and Mum booked rooms in a hotel in a nearby village.

This was always going to be a difficult wedding because Philip, my eldest brother and Andrew’s father, was not on speaking terms with any of us.

The ceremony took place on a Friday, and there was an unexpected problem — the organist had forgotten about the wedding! Thankfully, the vicar was able to play the organ himself, so he ended up doing both jobs.

After the ceremony, we headed to the reception. Andrew, being a police officer, had invited many of his large and cheerful fellow officers, many of whom were wearing kilts.

We even had haggis, which for non-Scots is made from sheep’s stomach! There is also a tradition that “real” men who wear kilts do not wear underpants underneath, although I have never tested that theory myself!

The whole day was emotionally difficult for me because it was the last time I ever saw my eldest brother. We are now completely estranged, and that still brings deep hurt and sadness.

I must say honestly that the fault is not entirely his. My own actions caused him deep pain as well.

Years later, I tried to contact him through another person, but I was accused of using that individual to get to him. His response was that, because of the past, he did not want me to contact him again.

The next day, some of us went into Edinburgh, and later we all attended the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Peter especially enjoyed the performance by the ladies from the Australian Institute of Physical Education!

He was a great source of laughter and joy to me. We shared many happy moments together, and I miss him more than words can express.

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Devotional Thought

Resentment and bitterness are terrible things. They can hold you captive for years.

I have written these words not to shame my brother Philip in any way. I still pray for him. In fact, the last time I was in the UK, I tried to contact him and only managed to speak with his wife. I gave her my phone number, but I never received a response. Even so, I continue to hope.

For many years I carried resentment against him. After all, I felt that he had hurt me, and I believed I had every right to be angry.

But it was only when I let go of my anger and truly forgave him from my heart that healing began in my own life.

Forgiveness is about releasing the anger we hold against another person. The scars may remain, but only through forgiveness can true healing come.

Matthew 6:14–15

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Ephesians 4:31

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”

Before we can truly heal, we must forgive.

This is incredibly difficult. Forgiving someone who has deeply hurt you is one of the hardest things a person can do, and it can only truly be done through Christ.

One thing we should always remember is this:

Look at all the things Christ has forgiven you for.

Then ask yourself how you can refuse to forgive others.

FORGIVING OTHERS LEADS TO FREEDOM

BEING A JONAH IN TADOUSSAC

Jonah 1:17

“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

At the end of the year 2000, Keith obtained a new temporary job working at Her Majesty’s Prison at Lancaster Castle, located in the centre of Lancaster. He worked as a messenger, carrying out administrative tasks such as photocopying, delivering mail, and franking letters.

He really enjoyed the work. Although it was only temporary and part-time, he was able to accumulate some holiday leave, which he later used to visit his brother in Canada.

Mum had already spent the summer there, and the plan was for Keith to spend the last three weeks in Canada before accompanying Mum back to the UK.

Valerie, his sister-in-law, had asked him to bring some packets of Bird’s custard powder. Trying to save space, Keith removed the packets from the main box and hid them among his clothes.

Unfortunately, the small white packets — complete with expiry dates — looked rather suspicious!

Sure enough, when he arrived at customs in Montreal Airport, a customs officer pulled him aside and insisted on searching his suitcase.

Oh no — how was he going to explain packets of creamy white powder hidden among his clothes?

Nervously, I stammered:

“It’s custard powder!”

Thankfully, she believed me and even repacked my suitcase better than I had packed it myself.

The previous year, my brother had visited Tadoussac, a resort town at the mouth of the St Lawrence River where several species of whales could be seen.

So we travelled there and had a wonderful time. First, we went out on a large boat, but to be honest, we did not see any whales. Later that afternoon, we decided to go out on a much smaller and faster boat.

This time we saw many whales.

That evening we excitedly told everyone that we had to go out again the next day — this time with Mum.

The following morning, Mum, Peter, and I boarded the small boat. It was extremely windy, and Mum struggled to keep her headscarf on. Peter was becoming increasingly irritated.

The trip was supposed to last three hours, but it ended up lasting four. By the end of it, both my brother and I were absolutely desperate, as Peter put it, “to get to the bogs.”

We had never been so happy to set foot on solid ground. The moment we landed, we ran like Usain Bolt straight to the nearest toilet!

Our final adventure was a helicopter ride. There were eight of us altogether, so the pilot had to make two trips.

Later, my nephew Paul informed us that the helicopter door on his flight had been slightly open during the journey. I am very glad he did not tell us that while we were in the air!

Back on land, life seemed ordinary on September 11th, 2001.

I had just finished taking a shower when I walked into the living room and saw Peter watching television. At first, it appeared that a plane accident had taken place.

What we were actually witnessing was one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in modern history — an event that changed the world forever.

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Devotional Thought

Why have I shared this holiday story? What significance does it have?

It was the last time we were all together as a family.

We all have earthly families, but one day they will pass away. Yet we also belong to a spiritual family made up of people from every nation and language, and we will spend eternity together.

I now live in China and have many brothers and sisters in Christ who love me dearly. I have Christian friends who are American, Australian, South African, French, and Ukrainian.

God’s family has no language barrier.

When we meet another brother or sister in Christ from a different country, we may not understand one another’s language, but there is an unspoken bond between us that cannot be broken.

In Galatians 3 we read these words:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Galatians 3:28

THE CLOSED DOOR

Acts 16:6

“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.”

In early 1997, I returned home to Morecambe. My mum was glad to see me back home. I was able to take her shopping and spend time with her, and she was able to look after me.

The only thing missing was work. Morecambe was not exactly a magnet for employment. It was a quiet seaside town, and the main employers were the university, the local colleges, and the two nuclear power stations — now four.

The job hunt continued through the local job club. I did get a couple of short-term contracts, but nothing permanent.

Life was good in many ways. Mum and I got on very well together. She was heavily involved in her local Church of England congregation. I occasionally attended with her, but there was still no real spiritual response from me.

In the year 2000, I organised a special meal to celebrate Mum’s 80th birthday. The grandchildren attended, and my brother and his family in Canada were able to see her through Skype.

Three days after that meal, my niece Victoria — who was always struggling financially — was returning home with her boyfriend at the time. He spent one pound on a lucky dip lottery ticket. Later that night, at around 11:30 pm, I received a hysterical phone call from Victoria screaming, “I’ve won the lottery!” Well, she hadn’t — but her boyfriend had. He gave her a little money, although sadly the relationship ended soon afterwards.

My brother Peter and I were very close. Sadly, my eldest brother and I became estranged and no longer have contact with one another.

After I returned to Morecambe, Peter wanted Mum and me to move to Canada, so we began the immigration process. We completed all the forms and medical checks. The final step was the interview at the Canadian Embassy in London in early January 2000.

We travelled down to London and attended the interview. Mum passed, but I was refused. I urged Mum to go without me, but she said we came as a package, so in the end we did not go.

To say we were disappointed would be an understatement.

Life continued, but Mum’s health slowly began to decline. She was now over 80 years old and started forgetting things. Gradually, it became clear that Alzheimer’s disease was taking hold.

The Lord was speaking to me.

In November 2001, I was alone in my room while Mum was in the kitchen. Suddenly, I broke down in tears. I fell to my knees crying out to God in repentance.

Part of my change began when I started looking for a girlfriend. I met a Christian girl who lived nearby, and we spoke both online and in person. I remember saying to her:

“Even if God forgives me, He will never trust me again to serve Him. He will hold my faults against me.”

How wrong I was.

Mum was happy when I started attending church again, even though it was not her church.

I began attending Heysham Free Methodist Church. I joined the fellowship, became involved in many ministries, and even started writing devotional thoughts. I also became involved in website ministry, but sadly that eventually led to my downfall.

More about that in the next chapter.

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Devotional Thought

For many years I wondered why God closed the door to Canada. Now I understand why.

If He had opened that door, I almost certainly would never have come to China, met Helen, or experienced all the amazing things we have done together.

So often God closes a door, yet we keep banging on it, trying to force it open. We need to remember that when God closes a door, it remains firmly shut unless He Himself chooses to open it again.

Sometimes we resent those closed doors.

For years I resented that closed door to Canada. I questioned God and complained:

“Why have You said no? They are letting thousands of people in from other countries — why not me?”

Those thoughts only created resentment and anger, and I became trapped in that cycle.

God sees the complete picture. We only see from ground level, but He sees everything from His heavenly perspective. His plan for our lives is perfect, pure, and complete.

One verse that immediately comes to mind is:

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Other verses to consider:

• Jeremiah 29:11–13
• Psalm 37:1–4
• Proverbs 3:5–6

The World’s Grasp

1 John 2:15–17

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…
17 And the world passeth away… but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

During the final two years of my hospital employment (1987–1989), I attended night school to study Business Studies and Computing. I obtained basic diplomas in both. When my job ended, I planned to pursue a National Diploma at my local college while still living at home.

However, I saw an advertisement in the Bradford newspaper for a two-year full-time course at Bradford and Ilkley Community College, so I returned to my birthplace.

I loved the lectures and felt intellectually stretched. These were subjects I truly enjoyed.

In our first year, we had to create an investment portfolio and produce a business plan for a real business. Two fellow students, Mark and Jacqui, and I decided to design an organic restaurant. We worked through costings, locations, menus, and operational planning, then submitted our project for assessment. We received a distinction.

In my final year, I achieved five distinctions out of seven subjects.

Although I loved college, my life completely forgot God and the church. I did not live immorally, but God was absent from my life. I enjoyed concerts, theatre, and culture. My friend Mark used to call me a “culture vulture.”

During my second year, I became friendly with a girl. Nothing improper happened, but we spent time together socially. Eventually, the friendship faded.

We graduated in June 1991. I applied for many jobs, but no one was interested. Many of my peers continued into a BA in Business Studies, but foolishly, and partly to impress this girl, I chose to pursue accounting qualifications at City College in Norwich (1991–92). This decision led to failure.

I returned to Morecambe, but my eldest brother insisted I go back to Bradford to continue job hunting. I tried everything.

While my mother was on a world cruise with her sister, she suffered a stroke on the final day. My brother Philip insisted that I live away from her. I moved through various contract jobs, but nothing permanent.

I lived in some very unpleasant places.

One landlord lived at No. 3, and his son and I lived at No. 1. One Monday morning, I met the landlord entering the house.

“Where’s Mark? He should have been at work.”

“He’s asleep in the living room,” I replied.

We went in and found that he had fallen off the sofa and choked on his own vomit. His body contained 634 mg of alcohol. A late-night drinking session at the local pub had led to him consuming large amounts of Pernod.

There was an inquest, and I had to testify. My mum used to say, “When drink’s in, wit’s out.”

We had many lodgers pass through No. 3. One evening I met a very talkative new lodger in the kitchen. He kept receiving strange phone calls and came and went frequently.

Then one day, he disappeared. I was relieved.

Later, my landlord arrived with five police officers. One officer questioned me.

“What do you know about this man?”

“Why? Has he done something wrong?”

“He has been accused of murder.”

I later discovered that this man had been a rapist and murderer. I had spoken with him alone for over an hour.

I managed to visit my brother in Canada, and he strongly advised me to leave Bradford. Soon after my mother returned, I went back to Morecambe.

During this period, I had been prescribed strong antidepressants — Cipramil 15 mg — which I remained dependent on for many years.

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Devotional Thought

The prodigal son in Luke 15 had to experience hardship before he remembered what he had lost.

I lost much in the eight years after leaving Morecambe in 1989. The early 1990s were not a happy time for me.

I regret deeply what happened, especially between 1992 and 1997. Years later, I met a fellow student who had been academically weaker than me, yet she had earned a degree with a 2:1. It filled me with sadness. We often make mistakes because we choose our own way. I can blame no one but myself.

But remember: there is forgiveness with God. He truly forgives. The real question is whether we forgive ourselves.

To do this, we must take responsibility for our mistakes. Then we can be cleansed of guilt and pain. “If only” are small words, but we cannot dwell on what might have been.

In truth, I am grateful for the pain. It allowed me to see life honestly and recognise how fallible I am. It has also enabled me to help others.

Do not dwell on your failures. The apostle Paul did not dwell on his past. In Philippians 3 he wrote:

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ…
10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection…

That was probably the darkest time of my life.

Praise God — He brought me through it. Only He could.

A Sunny Afternoon in Hell

Jude 22–23

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

You may be intrigued by the title: How can it be sunny in Hell?

As I mentioned earlier, I was born in Bradford, which has a football team called Bradford City. I remember standing behind the goal at City’s Valley Parade ground many times. It was an old stadium, with crumbling terraces and an ageing wooden main stand.

They were the first winners of the FA Cup in 1911, but by the 1980s they had fallen on hard times and were playing in the third highest league in England. However, in the 1984–85 season, they had a young and exciting team. They stormed to the division title, and the last game of the season, on 11 May, was meant to be a celebration.

I wanted a ticket, so I called my brother. He was going with his children but was unwilling to get me one, so I phoned the club myself and secured a ticket. I drove to the ground that day.

The stadium was swarming with people. It was a joyous occasion. I sat toward the far end of the main stand. It was a sunny day, but the wind was blowing strongly down the valley where the ground was situated.

It was a poor match. One of the players suffered a serious injury, and the game was dull. About five minutes before half-time, I felt the need to go to the toilet, but something stopped me. I clearly felt, Don’t go. I believe this was the Lord stopping me. If I had gone to the back of the stand, I would have been killed.

No sooner had I settled back into my seat than I heard laughter behind me. Then I saw smoke rising from the seats. Someone had dropped a cigarette, and it had fallen through a crack in the flooring, igniting rubbish beneath the stand.

We were pushed forward, and soon we had to climb, or be pulled, over the wall and onto the pitch. By now the flames were overwhelming. The fire had reached the roof, which was covered in highly combustible felt cladding.

I wandered around on the pitch, searching for my brother and his family, who had been seated in the next section. I remember asking myself, If this is the heat of a fire, what will Hell be like? Total fire and destruction for those who do not trust Christ.

Fifty-six people died that day. Lives were changed forever.

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Devotional Thought

For Christians reading this, please consider the following.

This should be our greatest motivation. We ourselves have been pulled out of the fire, so we should seek to rescue others from the fire of Hell.

Some people that day were heroes. They helped those who were on fire. I remember walking past the goalmouth and seeing two bodies lying there. This is the situation in the world today. People are dying every minute of every day, and the church and many Christians stand idly by, doing nothing.

I once heard the story of a man being interviewed for a job as an usher in a cinema. He was asked:

“What would you do if a fire broke out?”

He replied:

“I would be fine. I would make sure I was safe.”

That is how many Christians live.

They have salvation, or so they believe, but they have no care or compassion for those who are perishing all around them.

Spurgeon said:

“The world lies in darkness… If you have found the remedy, tell the diseased about it. If you have found life, proclaim it to the dead. If you have found liberty, publish it to the captives. If you have found Christ, tell of Him to others…”

This memory remains vivid for me. It is a day of sorrow for those who died, but also a day of deep thankfulness that the Lord preserved me.

Let me tell you: it is not enough to attend church, to give to missions, to belong to social media groups, or even to write devotions.

For anyone who has not trusted Christ, life is very short. Many who died that day were young and looking forward to long lives, but suddenly life was gone.

Please do not delay. The day of salvation is now.

2 Corinthians 6:2

Ezekiel 36:31

“Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.”

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College, Church and Cars

After becoming a Christian, I joined Andrew’s church and youth group.

My faith began to grow, and in 1980 — shortly after my 21st birthday — I was baptised by immersion as a public testimony of my commitment to Christ.

During this time, I had a wonderful pastor, David Green, who spent many hours counselling me, along with my dear friend Kevin.

Just before I came to China, I was able to phone Pastor David to apologise and tell him I was walking with the Lord. As always, he responded with grace.

Kevin passed away from cancer in 2024. While in the UK, I was able to speak with him. I will always be grateful for his friendship.

Just before my 21st birthday, I also lost my father. He died in front of me, quietly slipping away after losing his will to live.

This was a huge blow to my mother, who blamed herself. He had only been retired six months and never had the chance to enjoy it.

After school, I attended college to complete my GCE O Levels, and later studied accounting in Preston. I hoped this would lead to office work, but due to my stammer, employers felt I would struggle — especially on the telephone.

So in late 1979, I took a job as a storeman at a local mental hospital. I intended it to be temporary, but it lasted ten years.

It was not the happiest period of my life. I lived at home, worked full-time, and remained active in church — yet I was still a rebel in many ways.

The work was physical and demanding. The store contained everything from food to furniture. Fifty-kilogram bags of rice, sugar, and flour had to be unloaded daily. It was not work for the faint-hearted.

I later moved into the medical stores, which was the best position available. However, the stores closed in 1989 when all supplies were centralised 40 miles away.

Although the job was not particularly fulfilling, I paid into the National Health pension scheme. Today I receive that pension in China. God knew exactly what I would need in the future.

As a Christian, I was in the church — but still with one foot in the world.

During this time, I also bought my first car: a small lime-green Mini, nicknamed “The Lime Green Terror.” I loved that car and had it for nearly eight years. It brought a lot of joy — though not so much when driving down the aptly named Cemetery Road in Bradford, dodging potholes like an obstacle course.

By the mid-1980s, my faith began to decline. I left church membership. That was my own decision, and no one else was to blame. I chose my own path, and the consequences were serious. The scars remain.

Have I been forgiven by God?

Yes — completely.

But the regret for those wasted years still remains.

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DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

I say this with honesty and shame: I wasted significant portions of my life. I am not proud of it. I share it so that others may avoid the same mistakes.

Time is the one thing you can never replace. Everything else can be regained — but not time.

Those years are gone forever. In my case, they were lost through sinful and foolish choices.

The years between 25 and 40 — often some of the most productive years of life — were largely wasted on things that did not matter.

There is always a cost to sin and disobedience. God restores and heals, as He did with David, but consequences and scars often remain.

So do not waste your life on things that do not satisfy. Do not allow bitterness, anger, or selfishness to take control.

I am a prodigal — but, thank God, the prodigal returned and was restored.

Praise God for His forgiveness, mercy, and grace.

If you have made wrong choices and drifted far from God, there is restoration and healing at the foot of the cross.

Returning to God took many years. In between, I went to places I should not have gone and saw things I should not have seen.

Yet the Lord is patient and slow to anger. Psalm 103 reminds us:

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and full of compassion…
He has not dealt with us according to our sins…
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us…

Come and receive that healing.

Psalm 40

I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord;
and He inclined to me and heard my cry.

He brought me up out of a horrible pit of destruction and turmoil, out of the miry clay,
and He set my feet upon a rock, giving me a firm place to stand and establishing my path.

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see this and fear the Lord with reverence, and they will trust confidently in Him.

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PULLED OUT OF THE PIT

In previous chapters, I mentioned that I was a churchgoer — and I was. But not because I wanted to be. I was forced to go.

We were given prizes for attending. I still have a book from 1971 with photos of the UK, given as a Sunday school prize. At that stage, I was mostly interested in getting things. It was all about me — my wants and my interests.

When I reached Class 4, I looked around wondering who I could upset first. The unlucky target was a rather stout boy who sat by the window. I often found myself at his desk teasing and tormenting him. Ironically, he was more religious than I was. He attended youth groups on Friday nights, Saturday nights, and church twice on Sundays. I used to think, “He needs to get a life!”

So he became the target of my anger. I punched him, pulled his hair, shouted at him — and yet he never responded. Everyone else reacted, but not him. It puzzled me: what is wrong with this guy?

Our class became Class 5, and yes — we were still in the same class. Very frustrating. Our teacher, Mr Scott, once said to him, “You will never get Keith to become a Christian.” How wrong he was.

He kept inviting me to meetings on Saturday nights. My response was basically, “I’d rather cut my toenails with a hacksaw.”

But he kept asking. Eventually I gave in — not because I was interested, but just to get him to stop.

So one Saturday night I was allowed out of the house. My parents should probably have known better.

We met and went up to Moorlands Gospel Hall. The place was packed. I remember thinking, what is going on here?

We began the meeting. Hymns were sung. People stood and shared how Jesus had changed their lives. It meant nothing to me at the time — it all went over my head.

Then the preacher stood up, Victor Jack from Suffolk. He spoke about what would happen if Jesus returned that very night. I remember feeling uneasy and even a little afraid. I had never heard anything like it.

He said that Jesus is the only answer.

At the end, he said he would go into a side room, and if anyone wanted to speak with him, they could knock on the door.

All I can describe it as is this: it was as if my eyes were opened. I turned to Andrew and said, “I’m going into that room.” His jaw dropped.

We arrived just before someone else. If they had gone in first, I might have backed out. But I was ushered inside.

Victor took me through the booklet Journey into Life by Norman Warren. I prayed at the end and meant it.

I went home and told my parents, “I’ve become a Christian.” My father simply replied, “You should have been home earlier.”

But something had changed that night. I had passed from death to life.

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In 2024, I was able to meet my dear friend Andrew again, and also see Victor once more — now 87 years old. He welcomed me and my family into his home and church.

I owe them both a debt I can never repay. On that night, I was truly pulled out of the pit.

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DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

Salvation from sin through Christ is a miracle. It cannot be achieved through good works or any human religion.

I know this, because I tried.

Going to church does not make you a Christian. Sitting in a burger restaurant does not make you a hamburger.

What saves a person is what Christ has done on the cross. He brings us to God as the Saviour and divine substitute — the One who died in our place.

I was not good enough to come to God on my own. I needed someone to take my sin. That One is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The moment I trusted Him, I was justified and accepted by the Father. I was sealed by the Holy Spirit. It was He who opened my eyes and my heart that cold February night.

We can share the gospel and explain the truth, but only the Holy Spirit can open blind eyes and bring true life.

Every born-again believer is a trophy of God’s grace — given a new heart, a new nature, and a new direction.

They are now on the pilgrim road. I thank God that I am on that road.

I am a living miracle of God’s grace.

Are you?

SILENT KILLER

Proverbs 15:3
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”

I write this for those who have suffered bullying, both at home and at school.

Bullying can scar a person for life. It is like an itch you cannot scratch.

My story began at a friend’s school, where I met a boy a year older than me who took it upon himself to bully me — verbally and physically.

I will say this: I did irritate people, and perhaps I brought some of it on myself. But that does not make bullying acceptable.

Later, at Skerton, the bullying worsened. The more I was bullied, the angrier I became. Years later, I met a girl from our class online. The first thing she said was, “You were the one they bullied.” That was her lasting impression of me.

Into adult life, and even into my first marriage, this pattern continued. Some of it may have been my fault — but not all of it.

So how do you deal with it?

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Devotional Thought

A deep relationship with God is the first step toward healing. Bullying often happens in the shadows, unseen by others — but not by God.

When you come to Him, you come as a child and become His son or daughter, loved and accepted.

You can pray and forgive those who bullied you, whether in the past or even now.

The verse above gives great hope. The Lord sees everything. He has heard every word spoken against you, and He will hold people accountable.

You must not repay evil with evil. The cycle must be broken. One way to do this is to tell someone you trust — a pastor, close friend, parent, or family member.

Yes, I may have deserved some correction in life, but never the uncontrolled anger of another person. That is never right and never acceptable.

I write this to give hope. I have been where you are. Now I rest secure in God’s love, knowing that no verbal or physical abuse can define me.

I finish with Romans 8:

“If God be for us, who can be against us? … Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

ST TRINIANS WITH BOVVER BOOTS

Isaiah 53:6
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

The St Trinian’s films of the 1950s tell the story of a girls’ school that was completely out of control and caused mayhem wherever it went.

Skerton School looked fine from the outside. The drive had beautiful apple blossom trees on either side, and there were hundreds of little cherubs running about. But scratch below the surface and you would scream.

The teachers were legends. These included Charlie Emmett — boys were sent to him if they had done wrong, and he would bring their backsides into close proximity with a T-square. Our music teacher, “Sweaty Betty” Wilson, used our lesson time to lecture us on the state of the world. There was Ms Pallister, our young French teacher, and Mr Curnow, our RE teacher, who met and married at the school. Mr Waterhouse, my history teacher, did train impressions. My form teachers were Mrs Warrington and Mr Scott.

School uniform was often augmented by bovver boots and associated items — indeed, anything that could cause grievous bodily harm. This was the 1970s. You could not imagine students changing gender or openly calling themselves homosexual at Skerton; they would have been torn to pieces. Some of the girls did look a bit like men — no names mentioned, but your name begins with S.

All those teachers did their very best under the most trying circumstances. We were a right bunch. But Keith was the school clown. He drove teachers and schoolmates mad with his antics. He was an attention seeker, desperately trying to be noticed.

Some stories about school trips are the stuff of legend — from fire extinguishers being set off on the Mersey ferry to buses getting stuck on Formby Sands.

On other trips, small swords were stolen in Keswick and items taken from a shop in Grasmere. The shop owner came onto the bus to identify the culprit but couldn’t, as most boys had their heads under coats or seats. But we all knew who it was. You know who you are!

Grasmere was also where a group of students staying at the youth hostel got locked out, so the smallest boy was ordered to shimmy up a drainpipe, climb through an open window, and unlock the door.

Keith was placed in the lowest stream in fourth year. He ended up doing woodwork, metalwork, and PE, with no academic studies. My father fought to get me into an academic class. Finally, after missing two terms, I was moved into Class 4S — but I still continued acting the clown.

We had to leave our bags outside the classroom at lunchtime. Ours was the art room, and there was a small ledge just above the door. Someone took great pleasure in throwing my satchel onto that ledge. At 1 p.m., everyone was kept waiting while Keith ran around retrieving his bag. Again, we all knew the culprit. He still lives in Morecambe… doesn’t he?

The school had many landmarks, including the toilets near our classroom — the only toilets with a chimney. This was the place for smoking. You know how white smoke comes out of the chimney when a new pope is elected? It was like that. White smoke streamed from the windows as students tried to “have a drag.”

The school was not PC or “woke.” It was a throwback to a bygone age, but for us, it truly was the best days of our lives.

Not only was there a place for smoking, there were places for snogging too — behind the bike sheds and near the brass band room. So I am reliably informed by someone who spent plenty of time in both places. In fact, the bike sheds have probably been moved to Altrincham town centre as a memorial — or a souvenir. I’m not sure which.

Lunchtime meant football in the playground, but it was never long before you heard the shout of “FIGHT!” followed by teachers running over and saying, “You two clowns, get to Mr Emmett!”

Skerton is now demolished. It has become a housing complex. But for us, it remains a deep memory imprinted on our minds. Life revolved around school. Next time I return to the UK, we will have a reunion with Russ, Wilf, Bruno, Gary, and of course, the legendary Sheri.

Other memorable occasions include sports day, when Keith attempted the hurdles and fell at the first one, causing the biggest laugh ever.

We played sports where teams had to be chosen. In football, I was never chosen first — always last. The choice often came down to me or a lamppost. The lamppost was usually chosen first.

Eventually, Keith did buckle down. He achieved Grade 1 in both History and Geography, and Grade 3 in English Language and Literature. He won the prize for History — well, they had to give someone else a prize. The rest went to a certain genius from Mount Avenue, including the “snogging prize.”

Lifelong friendships were formed at school. My dear friend David Hobbs is still a great friend to me, as is my dearly beloved Andrew, whom I can never thank enough.

Years later, Mr Waterhouse and Mr and Mrs Curnow came to my church. What a joy to know we will meet again.

One last story. Our head girl in Year 5 was Diane Stephenson. She was vivacious and had a very quiet friend called Deborah Ormerod. They were inseparable and in my class. Diane often came to talk to me; she was a lovely person.

I remember our last lesson on a Friday afternoon was Geography. One Friday, I looked across at Diane’s table. The boys were gathered around, hanging on her every word. She had her whole future ahead of her.

On the following Monday morning, the headmaster and senior teachers came into our classroom.

On that Friday night, Diane and Deborah had gone out with their seventeen- to eighteen-year-old boyfriends. As they came down a hill in their village, the car lost control and crashed into a wall. Diane, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was killed instantly. Deborah was seriously injured.

I will always remember seeing them that Friday afternoon. Hours later, Diane was gone.

Life is so fragile. That has always stayed with me.

In Keith’s last term at Skerton, something happened to him — but more of that in the next chapter.

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Devotional Thought

As youngsters, we go on our merry way. We laugh and cry together. For us, school was not about academics; it was about survival.

I remember Mr Curnow saying in RE class, “Jesus is the answer.” I mocked him. I wish I had listened, because He truly is the answer.

I did not want to go to Skerton, but it was the place where God had placed Andrew. Mr Scott once said to him, “You’re wasting your time with Keith — he’s beyond hope.”

But there are two wonderful words at the start of Ephesians 2:

BUT GOD

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved).”

No one is beyond the grace and mercy of God. I am living testimony to that fact.

On a Green Hill Far Away

1 Timothy 1:15
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

I ended the last chapter by saying that I sometimes read the Bible at home but did not understand it.

I continued living in the nursing home with my parents, but my isolation was becoming worse. Everyone thought it was because of my stammer or my environment, but in truth, it was because of my sin.

I was becoming a rebel and a thief. If anything was available, you could be sure Keith would take it.

Biscuits, cheese, and cakes were my main targets, but money also became an idol. My dad had a large jar filled with 5p and 1p coins. The trouble was, it never seemed to increase—no matter how much he added to it.

My parents sent me to the Methodist church near our house, but this did not stop this little artful dodger.

These are things I am ashamed of, but they are written here to show that Keith truly was the chief of sinners.

I went to Sunday school and church under duress. I heard the hymn below and thought I was fine:

There is a green hill far away,
Outside a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified,
Who died to save us all…

So I continued going to church, thinking I was safe. After all, Jesus had died, and surely I would go to heaven. Wasn’t God a God of love?

Life went on as normal. My childhood was quite unhappy. My parents had sent me to the private Friends School in Lancaster, where the bullying really intensified. Although I was intelligent, I wanted everything done for me.

My eyesight worsened, and I had to wear strong glasses, which earned me the nickname “Joe 90,” after the television character.

Life was spiralling out of control and was about to get worse when I was moved to Skerton County Secondary School, a place that felt like a madhouse. It was full of some of the toughest boys and girls imaginable.

Yet, this is where my redemption began—but more on that in the next chapter.

It was also at this school that I made two lifelong friends, David and Andrew, my dear brother in Christ, both of whom have been pivotal in my life.

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Devotional Thought

Have you ever thought that living in a Christian country or being raised in a Christian home makes you a Christian?

It does not.

Many people trust in their environment. We live in a Christian country, we go to church at Christmas and Easter—surely that’s enough?

I remember going to Sunday school mainly for the sweets and prizes.

I used to read the picture Bible but did not understand it. Who was this Jesus?

Why didn’t my parents explain it?

My mother used to pray with me:

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child,
Bless mummy and daddy…

But I was never told that He could be my Saviour and my Redeemer.

So, have you made it personal?

He desires a personal relationship with you.

Later in this book, you will see this miracle happen to Keith.

Psalm 139

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thoughts afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.

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Soaking Wet at the Seaside

I arrived in Morecambe in 1964. It was a seaside town trying to restore its former glories. It was best known for the famous comedian Eric Morecambe, part of the well-known double act Morecambe and Wise.

When I arrived, it had two piers, two theatres, the aquatic centre Marineland, and a pleasure park. All of them are gone now.

We settled into Whitelow House, a four-floor nursing home situated in the Bare area of the town. It was next door to a church, which neither my parents nor I ever attended.

The best part was the large garden at the back, with apple and pear trees and a greenhouse where my dad grew tomatoes and cucumbers.

The house had a lift, and Keith spent many hours going up and down in it. No one could ever get into the lift because it was always in use!

We lived right on the promenade, which stretched for up to six miles and had the most beautiful views across to the Lake District hills. The sunsets were amazing, and they remain my fondest memory of Morecambe.

The sea regularly came over the road in front of the house and flooded many homes along the seafront. Our home was largely unaffected until the great storm of 1977, when it was completely flooded. The lift shaft filled with water. This happened on a Friday night and continued for several days, leaving the sea wall badly damaged. Today, there are stone sea barriers that prevent such flooding.

On many days, I used to walk down to the centre of Morecambe and return along the seafront when the tide was coming in. I would stand by the railings and wait for a big wave to hit the wall. Then I would run away from the spray. Sometimes I got wet, sometimes I didn’t. I often returned home smelling of seaweed and salt spray, much to my parents’ dismay.

There wasn’t much sand on the beach—mostly pebbles—but there was a paddling pool where we caught crabs. We used a stick with bait tied to a piece of string, and the crabs would latch on.

One day, I spotted a very large crab. I reached down into the pool and, as you’ve guessed, fell headlong into it.

Morecambe had two piers and many amusement arcades filled with penny falls and one-armed bandits. Sadly, some of my pocket money was spent there—and also at my favourite sweet shop.

My parents loved their work, and I was loved, but work often took precedence over me. I became very unhappy due to my speech problems and the bullying at school—some of which was my fault, but more on that later.

Every Christmas I received the latest craze, whether Action Man or racing cars, but I longed for more time with my parents. A quiet anger was beginning to grow.

To be honest, my parents spoiled me. They sent me to private school, arranged membership at the local golf club, and gave me horse-riding lessons, which I loved. We galloped over the sands until one day, after dismounting near the nursing home, I slipped. The horse was startled, and one of its hooves struck my head, causing a deep cut. I have never ridden a horse since.

Between the ages of 8 and 10, this was one of three occasions when I fell and badly injured my head. Once I was tripped while running at school and went headfirst into a radiator. Another time, I fell headfirst into a bench—don’t ask me how.

My parents took me on holidays to Scotland and on cruises. I am thankful for everything they gave me. I hold no anger toward them. I remember them both with love and gratitude.

Thank you, Eric and Rita.

I especially remember one morning when I was asleep and the night staff were knocking on the door. It must have been about 5 a.m. They shouted for my dad to come quickly. One of the male residents had taken his own life. Events like this affect a young mind deeply.

One thing Mum loved was her music. We had a radiogram with a record player and many classical vinyl records. I loved playing them. Mum was also a great reader, and books were everywhere, including a picture Bible. I read its pages without understanding what it meant.

Now, I have come to love that Book.

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Devotional Thought

Many people think that honouring their parents, as outlined in the Ten Commandments, applies only while they are alive. It does not.

After we lose our parents, we are still to honour them by our actions and our words.

Many children carry resentment toward their parents. This is not the right path. Blaming your parents for your problems leads nowhere. I did this for many years.

The best way to honour your parents is to be thankful for all they gave you and all they did for you.

This is how we honour our father and mother.

Jesus honoured His Father and mother. So should we—in life and in death.

Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Psalm 139

15 My substance was not hidden from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

In The Sound of Music, Julie Andrews sang, “Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.”

Keith came into the world on 5 March 1959, born at home at 247 Cooper Lane in Bradford, Yorkshire, UK.

He was the third son of Eric and Rita Hobkirk. He had two brothers, Philip and Peter. He was closest to his middle brother, Peter, who sadly died in 2017.

My parents were hardworking people. They tried to do their best for this very small person who was quiet all day but screamed at night.

Later, I found out that I was only born because my mother had miscarried a baby girl. My father had wanted a girl — but he got me. Much later, I was told that I was not really wanted.

Has this been your experience?

Maybe you have been told that you were unwanted or abandoned by your parents.

But you are not.

You are not a mistake. God saw you. He knew you even before you were born.

His love is greater than that of any human mother or father.

I do not hold any bitterness toward my parents. They did their very best for me. But it was — and is — the true love of God, and of course my dear family, that has transformed my life.

I cannot remember much about my early childhood. The first memorable event was moving to Morecambe, where my parents were to take over the operation of a retirement home run by the Bradford Council.

Before I left for Morecambe, I had an eye operation to correct a squint in my left eye. Throughout my life, I have needed to wear glasses.

So at the age of five, I moved to the sunny seaside town of Morecambe. Life was about to change in a big way.

Off to Morecambe we went — a whole new adventure.

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Devotional Thought

People today are searching for value. One of the major causes of suicide is the feeling of having no value.

Some of you reading this may feel unwanted or even deserted by your parents. Some of you may have been born in very difficult circumstances — perhaps as the result of rape or sexual assault.

Whatever your situation — however and wherever you were born — God was there. He saw everything.

As I said earlier, you are not a mistake. I was told that I was not wanted. Yes, I was loved — but not wanted.

Only when you come to Christ can you find your true value. Only in Christ can you experience the true love of God the Father and be filled with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

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Verses to Ponder

Ephesians 1:3–14
Jeremiah 29:11–13

DEDICATION AND INTRODUCTION

Dedicated to the Ones I Love

My precious Saviour and Lord Jesus, who pulled me out of the pit.

My precious wife, Helen, whose love, care, and prayers bless me every moment of every day.

My precious daughter, Sherry — the cherry on top of my cake. You are my angel.

My beloved son-in-law, Peter, who is such a blessing to me.

To my beloved Chinese brothers and sisters — you are an inspiration.

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Thanks

Thanks to the following dear friends who have blessed my life:

I have sat under several very anointed pastors, such as David Green, Richard Scholes, Mark Johnstone, and Zanmei. You have moulded my life through your preaching.

To Victor, Andrew, Kevin, and Mike, who were instrumental in bringing me to faith and helping me grow in faith.

Thanks also to my late parents, Eric and Rita, and my dear brother Peter. You are loved, remembered, and treasured every day.

A very big thank you to my dear friend Pastor Johan Lourens, who kindly gave his time to proofread this document.

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Introduction

Everyone has a bucket list — things they want to do before they “kick the bucket”!

One of the things I have always wanted to do is write my life story.

So why should you read this book?

It is the story of my life, told in my own words — the experiences I have had and the people I have met — shared with humour, honesty, and a twinkle in my eye.

This book tells the story of an ordinary person who has the one true God as his Saviour, Guide, Redeemer, and Best Friend.

This is not Keith’s story, but God’s story. It is the story of God’s power to change one person’s heart.

I hope you will enjoy these stories — the good and the bad experiences I have been through. May these words bring glory to God and lead you to the one true Saviour, Jesus Christ.