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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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December 2006 |
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Brenda's long journeyBrenda Snell tells of God's plans for her life. Born in Melbourne near the end of World War 2, and an only child, I was orphaned at 18 due to my parent's ill health. I was born again during the 1959 Billy Graham Crusade. As I was legally under age, the family home was sold following my father's death. I joined the Air Force and was discharged as medically unfit because I had suffered a nervous breakdown and had anorexia nervosa. Finally I turned away from God. In the years following my discharge I lived in Sydney and wrestled with mental illness - nearly dying from attempted suicide. My inner pain was unbearable. I married, but it ended in divorce. Coming to Tasmania in 1973 I worked in several jobs. I recommitted my life to God publicly in 1980, and worked to help establish 7HFC-FM, the Christian Radio Station - now Ultra106FIVE. I left to join YWAM Australia, and following that I worked in Brisbane for a year. I moved to Sydney with plans to learn to fly - a childhood passion. However, God had other ideas, and I spent several years working as a housekeeper for a Congregational Church minister and his family. Returning to YWAM - Switzerland this time - I was diagnosed with MS in Thessalonica, Greece whilst part of a YWAM outreach team. I came home to Sydney and worked until my health declined 1987. By the early 1990s I was in a nursing home, now totally paralysed.Supported by a friend who had witnessed to me 15 years before, I transferred to a nursing home in Kingston in 1993 and spent 12 years there. Ten years ago, I commenced a rehabilitiation exercise program and with the love and prayer support of friends local, interstate and worldwide, I learnt to walk again and care for myself. In 1999 I had treatment for breast cancer. I attended the weekly Anglican Church Service held within the Home, which is the same service I now conduct as a Deacon. In late 2004 God first revealed his plans for my ordination and gave me such a desire to help the elderly. I now live independently in Kingston and have already served 15 months as a Lay Minister.
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