Service for God's Glory

My parents were both Christians; they went to a Brethren Church in the village. My grandparents on both my father and mother’s side lived in our home, it was a big country house, that Grandfather Thomas built.  They were also Brethren. My grandfather on my mother’s side died early, I believe during the First World War.

Home Life

I was born in Bishops Tawton, Devon, one of twins. My sister Julie and myself had a brother, Hugh, who was four years younger than us. We were an incredibly happy family, and were bought up going to the Brethren church.  I went to boarding school St Audries in Somerset and I really enjoyed my time at school.

Meeting David

I got a job as a secretary at St Margaret School in Bushy, Hertfordshire.  While on holiday in Switzerland one year I met a young man named David, and the following year I met him again. We agreed to meet each other in London where we had supper and he drove me home to Bushy.  I thought he was a very nice young man; there was something special about him.  I would work all week and then take a train to Woodford where he lived with his parents; I would spend the weekend with his family and then back to work for Monday.

Being Part of the Beginning

We soon got married and for our honeymoon we took a steam train from Barnstable to Exeter. They told us our coach had to be disconnected to be cleaned because of all the confetti and the sign “Just Married” on the window. Then we went on to Jersey. We lived in Ongar where we had two children, Julian and Lucia, and then moved to “Hillbro” where we met Michael Reid. Around this time we were going through some hard times in our relationship and Michael helped us sort them out.  We had small church meetings in our home as part of the beginnings of the Trinity Church. Julian went to the local school and Lucia was one of the first pupils that went to the Trinity School there were only 17 children when it started.

Part of the Church Commitment

We have been part of the church from the beginning, both helping at the school and the church doing various tasks, and we have loved every minute of it; even though it was a big commitment. Some of the jobs I have been involved with are, School secretary, Bursar, Purchasing Officer, Accounts Clerk, Catering manager, and Hospitality – for which we opened our home to visitors and had various lodgers stay with us; including young people who had just left home.

Remaining Faithful

I have enjoyed a life dedicated to service for God’s Glory; and through many knocks and much adversity I have remained faithful to Trinity Church.  Today I have 6 grand children; Julian’s children Andrew, Joseph and Abigail, and Lucia’s children Joshua, David and Rebecca. All have attended Trinity School and they know me as Granny. I am in an unbelievable situation now, I can’t do anything and yet just a month ago I could do everything. David is doing a very good job of looking after me. Pressure makes us grow, it makes us better people and teaches us to look to God for everything.

God’s Hand Throughout

I have seen God’s miracle power all through my life, looking back you can see God’s grace abound, while you live life day by day you do not always see it.  The people that God bought across our path at the right time, we learnt so much, it’s more beautiful looking back and seeing what God has done in my life; a life filled with God’s miracle power. So precious, I think to myself, how can I be in such a precious moment and have lived such a precious life.

Gill was unable to complete her testimony  as God called her home 7th July 2009 after 46 years of cherished union with her husband David.