By Kerrie

I left Brisbane State High before finishing Grade 11, and began working for a floor sanding company. I earned enough to support myself, with the rest for parties and fun with the boys. I experienced the usual ups and downs, as well as the heartache of broken relationships.

When I reached 23, I bought my first home and moved in with my then-girlfriend, Sarah, and her two children. Not long after that, Sarah started attending church regularly. So one day, I decided to tag along with her. It was that day that God touched my heart so deeply that my whole life began to change. Soon afterwards, Sarah and I decided to get married and committed our relationship to the Lord.

Then something happened which changed the course of my life dramatically. I started to notice the skin on my hands being irritated and sore after work. Despite of various treatments, the condition continued to deteriorate, and with the diagnosis of severe dermatitis as a result of using harsh chemicals at work, I became unemployable as a floor sander. This could not come at a worse moment as Sarah was pregnant with our 5^th child at the time and I had a mortgage to pay. Suddenly, I faced a bleak and uncertain future! During that time, Pastor Dora prayed with me and together my church family kept me in their prayers. Praise God that I was given temporary work by a family friend, but in my heart I was believing for an electrical apprenticeship, even though it seemed so far out of reach. Thus for the rest of the year, we never went without; we actually seemed to be doing better financially than ever before.

I will never forget the day when I heard God’s soft, still voice inside my heart as I happened to work at the same site with some electricians. “Ask those men about work”, promoted God. I resisted it initially, but quickly decided that if the same people were still there when I returned, I would obey God’s voice. And sure enough when I came back more than 2 hours later, they were there and I asked! Within 8 weeks I was accepted as an electrical apprentice and started on the highest pay I had ever earned!

During the entire training as a specialized fire technician and qualified electrician, I received more than 5 pay-rises, holiday times of my choice, and steady work. Along with bonuses and allowances, God has prospered me greatly, not to mention that the nature of my job is not as physically demanding as a floor sander. Then just a few days ago, I successfully completed my four-year apprenticeship in three and a half years. Passing those final exams was an absolute miracle in itself. During the whole process I was so attacked with fear that I had to leave the room and go to the bathroom to pray- all I could do was to trust in God's absolute goodness! Not only was I one of the two in my class who passed (a pass rate of 1 in 15), but I topped it! I thank God that as I made the decision to put my turst in Him, He remains faithful to me. What God has done for me I know He can do for you- you just have to ask Him!