In telling something of my personal story it cannot be separated from the call of God on my life. I discovered this calling early in my new life with Jesus. I derived great satisfaction and excitement from the understanding that God had a plan for me, through a new way of living. I can say sincerely, I have never looked back. I found myself completely enveloped in the desire to serve Jesus, my personal Saviour and Lord, wherever I happened to be and with whomever I met. I felt accepted, that I had something to give and to receive.
My new life led me to forming what have turned out to be life-long friendships. I found a mutuality amongst people I spent time with who seemed to me to be the kindest most forgiving generous people I had ever met. In addition to my personal life I found satisfaction in the development in what became my professional life. I was invited to join the ministry team of the church I attended.
This opportunity opened doors for me which also broadened my friendship base. It provided the opportunity to learn the joy of giving and receiving. I also discovered and developed spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit which included street evangelism. I discovered evangelism is serious fun. Later I was offered the opportunity to regularly preach which I discovered I greatly enjoyed.
My personal story also cannot be separated from the lessons learned through living by faith. From when I entered the church my financial renumeration dropped dramatically and I began to learn to live by faith, as is any other believer who is receiving less financial renumeration than can meet their basic financial needs. When I first began itinerating, in 1983 I preached and trained in churches in South Australia. It was at that time I moved into a greater understanding of living by faith as I received no regular renumeration other than small offerings on occasions. From that time I have lived in the knowledge of God’s faithfulness and promises to supply all my needs and can give testimony to this up to today.
Once I began preaching my study of the Word increased accordingly. In 1985 I asked the Lord’s permission to travel worldwide and preach – to obey the great commission. Others joined me in their participation and support. As an international preacher I went wherever doors opened to me. I felt the leading of God in all this and am still happy in it and hoping to leave everything again, this time, to go to JUC in Jerusalem.
HOW THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS MEANINGFUL TO ME.
My close friends know that for many years I have nurtured a future goal of completing a master’s degree to allow entrance into a Ph D program. Through this I want to add further to my teaching papers now being uploaded on my website, www.rwvm.online
I have now reached that stage in my life to see this fulfilled. This goal therefore is first of all a personal one. I want to be the best I can be for the Lord. Second, for my son, whom I love dearly. I want to inspire him. I want him to be proud of me. I also want to leave a legacy, to my women friends in particular.
I also hope that by my life’s choices I will inspire and influence women. I may never meet most of these women other than through my writing. I want to add to what I have already and by furthering my understanding through my studies at JUC.
This scholarship will facilitate my growth in knowledge and enhance and develop my work. I want to bear witness that God is sovereign, that God fulfils all that is promised to us in Jesus. That we can know and experience the grace of God.
Finally, I believe in education but especially education that leads to freedom to live as God wants us, to encounter all God has for us in Christ Jesus, not only in this life but the life to come.
