I was born into a family full of Christian heritage and a somewhat unusual background.  But just as it appears to a child, everything was normal and I knew nothing different.  Growing up, my father led family devotions every day, morning and evening, and we went to a local church, located near the farm.  At boarding school, I had Christian teachers and Chapel assembly every day.

 Life was fun on the farm.  There was the normal bike riding, fishing, tree climbing, and games my brother, two sisters, and I played together.  In addition, my parents invited many and varied guests to the estate several times a month, who usually stayed for days at a time.  Visitors included evangelists, medical missionaries, church leaders, many who were convalescing from illness, or who just needed a break.  Our estate was, in some ways, like a mini oasis where many came for friendship and rest.

 I heard the Gospel message growing up as I was influenced not only by my parents but also by our visitors, who had evidence of changed lives as a result of their faith in Christ.  I remember many of them (especially the missionaries) had a joy and exuberance and sense of humor that defied the difficult circumstances they were going through.  It was around this time that I began to realize two things.  First, that Jesus appeared to be pointing to Himself as the only way to God.  Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the father but by me." Also, Acts 4:12 says, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

 The second thing was that I was what the Bible calls a sinner.  Not only did I sin in ways which I knew were wrong including lying and stealing, but I began to see that my parents and teachers in school who claimed to be Christians, were significantly different in several ways.  When they disagreed, they always were willing to put things right and to submit to one another.  When they were in the wrong, they admitted it and asked for forgiveness, even from us children!  I realized I did not have what they had.  And from what I had been taught from the Scriptures, I understood that although I was part of our own family, I was definitely not part of God's family.  Oh yes, I knew I was part of God's creation as Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he them." Acts 3:19 says, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."  One day (around my 10th birthday) I knew I had to make a decisions, and that the time for that decision, and that the time for that decision could not be put off any longer.  I knelt down by my bed and prayed.  I believed that the Gospel story was true, that Jesus actually lived, performed miracles, claimed all authority, died, and was buried and rose again.  I confessed my sins and my sin nature and I chose to put my trust in Jesus that evening.  John 5:24 says, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."

From that moment on I had peace and joy that I had not known before.  One of my favorite verses even today is from Isaiah 26:3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."  I now really enjoy reading the Bible, and helping my parents and the teachers at school, with a much more submissive attitude.  Was I perfect?  Far from it!  But instead of having a 'bent'  to do wrong, or to deceive, or to steal, I really wanted to do right, to please God by pleasing my parents and teachers, and by choosing to do right even when no one was looking!  I did not know the Scripture verse at the time, but it was true back then, and is also true today.  Colossians 1:10 says, "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Much has transpired since that decision on our farm back in Uganda over 35 years ago.  My parents moved to England, where I also went to school and then worked before coming to America in 1984.  My American-born wife Ruth and I were happily married in 1986 at a local church in Syosset, New York.  We then moved down to Maryland in 1989, settling first in Columbia, Maryland, and then most recently in Frederick, Maryland in 1995.  Again, in both locations we chose to become members of a local New Testament church. 

I am thankful to God, for the free gift of salvation, for His Word to daily grow by, and the Holy Spirit to provide the power to make changes in my life as I listen to His gentle but unmistakable promptings.

If you are not saced, I invite and urge you to be born again, because it is the only way to be reconciled with your Creator, according to the Scriptures.  Once saved, the new journey begins, step by step, hour by hour, with God, not only as your Creator, but as your redeemer, counselor, and friend, through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.  I invite you to take this step.