I Miss the Ferry Today

Today in Northern Ireland the media is celebrating Red Nose Day.  Money is raised for charity by celebrities doing fun things.  There will be plenty of buzz on the radio and TV to distract people who are annoyed with others who go on strike.

It is also the day the Unions for Public Transport Workers, Teachers and Health Care Workers called a strike in protest for more pay.  Don’t we take for granted the services we enjoy, until they are not there and only then we appreciate the service they provide.

From the front of our home we look out on Strangford Lough.  We see the Strangford – Portaferry ferry cross over the channel ever fifteen minutes.  Today there is no sign of the boat.  I feel lonely and  bereft.  I miss the security of the ferry.  I love to see the boat cross, regular as clock work from seven thirty am till eleven pm.  When we are taking a trip into town we have to take the ferry.  We can leave the house a few minutes before the ferry is due to leave the port.  We get there on time.  No waiting around.

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We cross over on this ferry often.  When we were moving house here a few months ago, one of the workers on the ferry said to my husband, “You will soon own this ferry with all the money you are spending.”  My daughter stayed here a few weeks ago.  She said the ferry was company as she watched it lights as it moved to and fro across the lough. There were lights even though it is not Christmas.

There have been storms this week.  The ferry stills works even through gales, snow  and chilling winds.  Often the men’s hands and faces are blue from the cold, as they collect the fare.  The weather does not stop them being cheery and give a pleasant greeting. But today they are having a day off, even though they are taking unpaid leave. They deserve a reward for the service they provide.  Thank you.

The sea is calm, the sky is bright, no dark clouds or cold winds.  There is no activity beyond on the channel of Stranford Lough today. There is no chug chug from the diesel engines. Only the sound of birds shrilling in the warm sunlight. Today is one of only a few days that the ferry does not operate.  I am so thankful for this service.  God bless the workers today.

Testimony Tuesday Lady from Nove Mesto Nad Vahom healed from Cancer.

Each Tuesday I intend to write a testimony about what the living God has done for me or people I know.  Today I want  to tell a story about a lady from Nove Mesto Nad Vahom in Slovakia who had cancer.

I was invited to tell my story about having fourteen children and how God healed me of Cancer in a school in that town.  I talked in a High School to children aged from fourteen years to eighteen years old.  
It was a bit formidable at first, standing before a crowd of children and their teachers.  I remembered that over the years I had to interact with my own teenage boys and girls just like the audience before me.  I was not afraid.

When I told them I had fourteen children I got their attention. I went on to tell them about my family, my children just like them, praying for me to be healed of Cancer.  Jesus said to pray to the Father in his name and the Father would answer their prayers.

“Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭23‬ NIV)

I encouraged them to help and pray for their parents, just like my children did for me.  I blessed the school children and gave them a copy of my book, Staying Alive.  

Six young people stayed behind and asked me to pray for them.  One of the young ladies began to cry.  She told me her mother was going into hospital the next day for an operation for Cancer.  I prayed for her mother and asked the Father in Jesus name to heal her just as he had healed me.

Two months later I received an email from the young lady.  She told me her mother was pregnant and the doctors could not believe it.  When one has Cancer and undergoes treatment, one of the side effects is infertility.  The doctors warned her there could be abnormality with the child.  A healthy strong baby boy was born some months later.

The mother went for tests to check for Cancer later.  She got the all clear.  The doctors were amazed.  This mother is enjoying life with her new baby boy.  Jesus promises to give us life and give it more abundantly.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ KJV)

I tell this story to give Glory to God who is healing people today.  Jesus, when he was on Earth healed people of all diseases.  As God has comforted me and my family, he wants to do the same for others.

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ KJV)
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬ NIV)

People often ask why I quote the scriptures.  I believe the Scriptures are the inspired Word of God and I repeat what God says.  I give testiment to the fulfilment of what God has said.  His Word promises that he will answer our prayers to heal and he does.  It is not in my power this lady was healed.  It was through the power of the name of Jesus.

What God, the Creator of the Universe has done for me and this lady from Nove Mesto Nad Vahom, he can do for you.