The Day That Changed My Life
by: Gwen Hopkins

Saturday Ramblins, Vol. 2, No. 5 (March 6, 1999)

Brought to you from Wales, UK, "The Land of Song"..

It was a Sunday like any other but I knew that I wanted my daughter to attend Sunday School as I had done but wanted it to be a place of joyous learning. This day, I took her along to our local pentecostal church and immediatly on walking in, felt the warmth and knew I had come to the right place. After talking with the pastor and people running the classes, I left my daughter there, not then knowing how God was going to change my life in just a short space of time.

Wales is going through a strong revival process and at that time, I was unknowingly, to become a part of it, as I started attending church again regularly and noticed a change happening in my life. Was God really calling me!!!! After all, who was I, nobody. I wasn't sure.

Not long after this, Billy Graham came to the UK to do a tour and I went to the National Stadium in Cardiff, along with my husband and daughter, not knowing what to expect. The whole place was electricfied and I sat there listening. The message was, "God is calling you. Why won't you listen. You are a someone in God's eyes, with work to do." Astounded, I could not believe this, God had heard my thoughts! Mine. That was the first day of the rest of my life. I became a christian. But it didn't end there for I was to go on.

I started taking a home course in Bible Studies and passed all my exam's with flying colours. Now you have to know, that I had never passed an exam in my life, not even in school. I had to do a study on Revelations for the last one and this was to be the big one. My pastor told me that it was so hard to understand.I went into that exam and prayed for the Lord's help. Results morning came and I awaited the post. As I held that envelope in my hand, shaking, I thought, well it's all or nothing Lord and I couldnot believe what I was reading. I had a pass rate of 99% and automatically burst into tears. Rushing to the phone with the news I knew Pastor Smith would also want to hear.

"Pastor, Pastor, I passed. I got a 99%." His reply devestated me, "Is that all. You should have got 101%." It didn't dawn on me that he was joking at first. I couldn't have done that without faith. Where did I go from here. Bible college, what. I knew there really was a job for me now. After alot of prayer, I sat back and let God do the leading in my life, always wondering what I was mean't to do.

I had a call one day, asking me to be a councillor to someone who was in get need and this I did. Then another call came, with the same request. Then I was invited to council at some crusade's in South Wales. Here I saw people really coming to the Lord. Wonderful.

After a few more months, I was asked to speak at Ladies Fellowship meetings and council anyone there in need. I couldnot believe this was me. Also, I gave my testimony on christian radio. I know I could never have done it on my own and Thank God for his leading.

Today, I still council when needed, but always with the Grace of God, for without prayer and listening to him, I couldnot do his work. My favourite hymn is How Great Thou Art and this I leave you with. For God is always Great and is always there for each and everyone of us.

Colossians:1 v's 3 - 14