Navy Life to Christian Life
Alderholt residents, Colin and Joyce Dewhirst, share their life story
COLIN: In September 1972 I returned from a 10
month deployment to the Far East. Joyce my wife
had written to me during this time telling me that she
had started going to a Christian House Group and
had made a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. I
was happy for Joyce to make this decision in her life,
but at the same time I was worried how it would affect
our marriage.
Ten days after arriving home I was rushed into hospital
with severe malaria and was put on the critical list.
I do not clearly remember the next two weeks but
thanks to prayer and the love of the Lord I did recover.
My convalescence took some time and during this
period I was amazed at all the help and love shown
to me and my family by up to that time comparative
strangers. As I recovered I started attending Sunday
morning services held in our neighbours houses and
was blessed to hear so many gifted speakers telling
me of the good news of Jesus Christ who could be
my Saviour.
From this time on I did fight within myself about
making a commitment for myself but I still attended
various meetings at the church and, looking back, I
realise now that I was seeking the Lord.
Four years passed and I was still searching and still
holding back. By this time I had been promoted to
Warrant Officer and my current posting