Back Valerie’s Story I was born in Crofton Park in South East London just after the war ended. From a very young age I went to the local Baptist Church.  I went through Sunday School, and at the age of 6, I played the piano for my first service. At the age of 14, I wanted to join the choir, but was told I had to wait until I was 16. However, I was so keen to join that with my parent’s consent, I was allowed to join 2 years early. At the same time I started helping with the Boys’ Brigade, and later became a Lieutenant. I met my husband Keith, who was also a BB officer, when his company combined with ours. We married at Brockley Baptist Church in 1971. We moved to Attleborough in Norfolk where our daughter Mandie was born in 1973. A few years later we moved to Harlow in Essex, where our son Clifford was born in 1976. While a member at Potter Street Baptist Church, as well as playing the organ, I started up an Anchor Boys group, the youngest section in the BB. In 1982, Clifford became very ill, and was diagnosed as Type 1 diabetic, which meant he had to have insulin injections every day. For 5 years, he was very ill and we didn’t know if he was going to live or die. The thought kept going through my mind, “When you are at your weakest, I am at my strongest”. Many was the time we have stood in A&E watching the doctors try to help Clifford, and this thought was often the only thing that kept me going. God was always there with me to help me through the ordeal. In 1989 Keith qualified as an architect, and we moved to Stevenage in Hertfordshire. Here we both played in the church music group, and I continued to play the organ for services. I also set up and ran a Banner Group and Prayer Chain, as well as helping with the Youth Club. Just as Clifford was beginning to improve, Mandie was run over, and the shock of the accident started Clifford’s problems again. Mandie had a compound fracture of her arm, which meant immediate surgery, but as she also had a compressed brain, the anesthetist refused to anaesthetize her despite the fact that if the bone wasn’t put back in her arm within 14 hours, they would have to amputate as infection would set in. Once again I remembered that God was with me no matter how weak I felt. The operation was eventually carried out after 12 hours, and Mandie now suffers no ill effects from the accident. Throughout this time, our friends at church were a constant support. Eventually we moved to Burghead in Moray, Scotland, where Keith, Mandie and I became members of Hopeman Baptist Church. Clifford lives in London. Throughout all the awful times in my life, Clifford’s illness, Mandie’s accident, my Mum being killed in a car crash just after my Dad died of cancer, these words have always been a help to me as they remind me that God is always strong and there to help me, no matter what. Valerie

“..when you are at your  weakest, I am at my strongest..”

Valerie about 16 years old

A recent walk on the beach on a cold day

Registered Scottish Charity no: SC 005986

© COPYRIGHT 2010 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED HOPEMANBAPTST.ORG.UK