So life carried as normal for a couple of weeks. As I mixed back into the Teen Challenge routine the odd thought would cross my mind about the mysterious Irish lady in the other side of the phone.
Tracy was different, though. Whether it was pity, or boredom or something else (after 18 years I have never asked) I played on her mind. After two weeks a letter arrived for me at the house Stephen, Paul Morgan and I shared in Penygroes.
Obviously addressed to me, I opened it upon arriving home after my shift in the Teen Challenge office. The letter itself is still with us, as are all the others we wrote to each other in those early days. Facebook book wasn’t a thing in February 2000. Writing proper letters was. It was nice. She wrote to the guy who never got any letters and he appreciated it.
It was nice, and encouraging. Tracy shared with me very honestly of her journey with God and how it had actually taken a few years to finally find peace in Christ. She talked about her struggles and her faith, and wrote in a way that made it easy for me to relate.
It seemed obvious to reply, and to reply in a likewise manner. Sharing my experience of Christ. Being honest about where I was in my life and wondering what was next.
Off it went in the postbox in Gorslas, to be collected at 5pm that day by the Royal Mail collector to begin its journey to Dublin. Sorting office, airplane, collection, sorting office, postman – Lombard Street East.
I did not know how long it would take, and to be honest once in the post that was it.
There was the obvious curiosity as to whether this mysterious lady would reply or not, but beyond that it was politeness and encouragement. I honestly never really expected a response.
This POST is part of a wider collection to show the journey that would eventually lead me to the cross of Jesus Christ, my personal redemption, and my journey of faith afterwards. If you would like to know more of my story, please click on my “About” page and take it from there.
Alternatively, you can visit the Media Links page and see a short visit done by BBC Radio Scotland for an interview I did there.
I have now released an early edition of my story, Completing the Tenner.
I have also published two poem books: Simply Jesus and Five Weeks in May
You can purchase these direct from Amazon (please use Amazon Smile link below and Amazon will contribute to ECC at no cost to you), They are all available in both Kindle and Paperback formats.
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There is now a devotional aimed at new Christians called “Take a seat“ this is available direct from me.
If you or someone you love, needs help with the Christian response to addiction, or if you would just like to know more or need hope, please click on one of the following:
The Haven
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Bethany Christian Trust
Jumping Jacks Outreach
Cornerstone Assemblies of God, Maryland
Broken Chains Ayr
Easterhouse Community Church
Stuart Patterson
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Completing the Tenner 