As a young man, my older brother joined the Fleet Air Arm to become a pilot, and spent many years flying helicopters, both during his time with the navy and then contracting to many UK and overseas companies, mainly flying to oil platforms out at sea and in the desert.
During off-duty hours, and away from home, too much time was spent in the officer’s mess, or some local hostelry, so a dependence on alcohol started to take its toll. Purchasing a pub and running his own brewery didn’t help, and in his later years dementia also took hold, eventually leading to him having to go into a care home.
His condition quickly deteriorated and during my visits entering into a conversation was difficult, if not impossible. Most days were spent hunched in a chair and unable to feed or look after himself. His speech was 90% incoherent mumbling, and that was how it was the three times I had visited him between December 22 and March 23. I always mentioned Jesus though, working on the assumption that, whilst he could not communicate, his hearing was very good and just maybe his brain would register some of the things I was saying, and that is how it was until I visited him in May 2023.
I found him asleep, with his head right down, chin on chest; he has been unable to lift his head for many months now. Several attempts to wake him, over about 45 minutes, failed, and I was feeling desperately unhappy. I knew I had to connect with my brother in a real way and I cried to the Lord within me “surely it can’t end like this!” (Friends at home were praying for Peter to be lucid and receptive and for the Holy Spirit to break through the barrier of dementia). I now thought I was wasting my time being with him. Then he suddenly lifted his head, clearly recognised me and said, “Oh hello!”, and we began a conversation. I talked about a number of things that I thought might register with him. I spoke about their garden, and Peter responded that ‘Sue is not really into it’ (which is true at the moment), as well as the fact that our wives were visiting Southwold, to which he said how much he likes it there.
The conversation continued, with Peter asking me “What do you do?” I spoke of my retirement in Bexhill, about our teenage years in Bexhill, current activities like litter picking and chatting with people. Peter said, “But what work do you do?” I spoke again about my retirement but also my involvement in Jesus loves Bexhill etc. I told him the story of a lady I knew and the circumstances around her, and what happened when I told her what Jesus said in the bible, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”.
I then suggested that I might pray with Peter to invite Jesus into his heart and his reply was incoherent, so I said we should pray and if Peter agrees he should squeeze my hand, which he did straight away! I led him in the sinners’ prayer, saying sorry for wrong things done, at which Peter became agitated in a positive way and kept hold of my hand. He repeated my “Amen“at the end of the prayer and I am sure he meant it; Peter would not accept anything unless he wanted to.
We continued with a good lucid conversation, looking on Google maps to see where Sue and June were. I fed him his lunch, as he is unable to lift his hands to his mouth. It was not as difficult as before as this time his head was up and his eyes were open. When he was offered one of two puddings, I asked which he wanted or if he wanted both, to which he brightened up and said “Both!” He enjoyed his puddings and we had a bit of fun.
After lunch, I suggested we go and sit outside in the sunshine, and Peter was very keen on the idea. Then I wondered about taking him out in the car (something that hadn’t happened since he was in the home). So I spoke to the doctor, who said she had watched me waking Peter and talking with him; she agreed and offered staff help to get him to the car. Peter was very keen to have a car ride and followed all my instructions. As I was helping him out of the building, the staff were wanting to take over, but the doctor told them to leave it to me, saying that I obviously have a way with him.
Together we got Peter into my car and comfortable. (Until recently, I had a low car that would have made it much more difficult, if not impossible, to get him in and out of, but that car was given a terminal diagnosis, and could not be driven safely. Of course, God had a plan, and within 48 hours of the car’s diagnosis, my cousin at 96 decided to give up driving and gave me his good-as-new vehicle, a more upright and accessible car, which made it relatively easy!)
We drove to find somewhere to park within view of the sea as I thought this would be most meaningful for Peter. 
in the Fleet Air Arm and a helicopter pilot flying out to oil rigs.
While we were out, I phoned first June, then Peter’s wife; he said a loud, clear hello and bye to each of them. I have a great photo of Peter in the car with his head held up and his eyes open – he obviously enjoyed his trip. Back at the home, and helping him out of the car, I lifted each of his legs out, then took hold of his hands and said “Now Peter just push down on your legs and stand up for me” when he clearly said “I’ve still got my seat belt on”. I was amazed. I took him inside, talked to him for a while but he was clearly very tired and needed to sleep, so I decided to leave. Peter seemed reluctant for me to go.
Back at my sister-in-law’s home I told June and her all about what had happened, explaining everything: the prayer support that I had before my visit and the prayer Peter and I prayed. My sister-in-law, while being amazed, wasn’t sure what to think and felt upset that she hadn’t experienced any of what I experienced that day.
The next morning, Peter’s daughter made a video call to her mother, and they talked about the photos that I had taken. She was also amazed by them and declared “But he never lifts his head up!” Sue’s response was that the hand of God was obviously on him and that it was a miracle.
What happened that day was so very obviously God's intervention, there cannot possibly be any other explanation.
When I used to live in East Grinstead I made a point of at least once a week walking into town, and going to the same cafe for a coffee, as well as sitting on a nearby bench for a while with Zoe my chocolate Labrador. 
People would often ask to stroke her, and Mum's with their children would ask if they could stroke her to overcome their children's fear of dogs, so of course I would say yes, and if it was possible for me to mention and talk about Jesus I would.
One day a lady by the name of Olive came and sat next to me and asked if she could stroke Zoe, and we started a conversation, I learnt about her 'wing walking' adventure, and her later life in Cyprus, we talked about God's beautiful creation and seeds were sown and a relationship started, we got on very well, and when she got up to leave, she let out a little sry of pain, and I asked what was wrong. She explained that for many years she had constant pain in her left knee, so I had the opportunity to share about my own personal experience of God healing my left knee, and asked if I could pray for her, saying that I would simply place my hand on her shoulder and say a quiet prayer, and she accepted. 
Three or four days later I received a very excited telephone call from her saying that since I prayed she has had no pain at all. She was so excited and sounded as it she had one the lottery, and went on to tell me that she had telephoned her daughter and told her son the great news at what had happened, and it later transpired that her son and his family were Scientologists!!!
She then started to come to our church and after a couple of weeks accepted Jesus as her personal saviour.
Being patient and open to being led by Jesus is very rewarding, and like the bible story about the persistant widow, she didn't give up and neither should we.
As a leadership it has been obvious to us that whenever we made a decision that we felt was right, but did not have the means or the ability to carry it out, God seemed to step in. Organising a “Dinner with Vinesong” event for 100 people was one such step of faith, and then with all the opportunities that we felt were before us, 
we decided that it would be right to purchase a gazebo which could be used as a base during special litter picking adventures, but not just a plain ordinary gazebo, one with our logo on it, and which clearly said “Jesus Loves Bexhill” on it.
Within a few days of making that decision we were approached by our town council to be involved in some of their activities, so with that encouragement we looked for a supplier who could provide a good quality structure and with sharp clear print emblazoned on it. We took advice from a local group who use a gazebo quite frequently and approached their supplier for a quote, not skimping on anything. It subsequently turned out that we will have to find £1300!!, but then someone came forward and said he would pay the VAT, and then by chance we saw that despite not being a registered charity we could apply to our local town council for a grant, and as the gazebo was to help us in our litter picking adventures, we ticked all the required boxes, applied and a few weeks later received a payment of £500, no fund raising needed whatsoever, with cheques of £100 and £200 turning up.
We now have a gazebo with the words “Jesus Loves Bexhill” all over it, and people are surprised and delighted that we are encouraged to display it and participate in many events on the seafront, nearby street markets and in nearby parks, but as good as it is, we didn’t have a display stand so if people were drawn to our gazebo, they could find out all about us and what we get up to.Then one day while we were investigating the possibility of spending another £200 plus that we didn’t have, one4 of our ladies telephoned to say that she was at the Eastbourne Refuse Site shop and that there was a display stand available for £10.00!!! God is good all the time.
Vital to be in God’s will, because then He leads, and we just do what He wants, and everyone gets blessed.
| The above links will display written testimonies of how God has clearly intervened in situations, whilst the video stories below are from local people who have taken a step of faith, and begun a walk with Jesus that has led to a new and better life, a journey that for some is a bit of a rollercoaster of a ride! | ||
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Mike Gale shares how life at sea, and too much spare time was leading him towards a dependence on whisky, when God stepped in and gave him a visual sign! His book is worth a read, and xyou can get re-directed to Amazon here. |
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