My mother, who is now in the presence of G-d, blessed be HE for His faithfulness to her, used to call me "peculiar" at a young age. I would have to say G-d was showing her something then that would guide me my whole life.

I consider myself fortunate to be here today to tell my story in short form for it is rather lengthy. I hope you read with patience. Since a child, I had always connected to G-d in my own little way.  HE just seemed to be always there, always near like a father with a young toddler learning to walk.   No matter when, in wakefulness, in my journey, or in sleep, HE was there. When I was young I couldn’t explain this because I didn’t understand it then. Now, I see it through the eyes of love--HIS LOVE teaching me to look through HIS eyes and not just my own.

Salvation came to me at a tender age of 10. My Heavenly Father deemed it time and showed me the beauty of that moment. Weeping endlessly shook my tiny frame and during a service, I walked to the front of the church as the minister peached. He asked, “What is this?”  I answered, “G-d is calling me. I must answer, sir.”

Fast forward to mid life, the prince of darkness tried to claim my soul more than a few times.  I came face to face with the agent of death too many times, but G-d in His faithfulness rescued me from being murdered by shotgun 10 ft away from me. I closed my eyes and began to pray, and the person just left me there alone.  Another attempt was drive-by shooting. HE warned me in a dream what was going to happen soon if I didn’t leave the house.  I got into close call with my semi truck in BC. A four-wheeler tricked me in a double S curve speeding over 65 miles per hour late at night trying get around this four-wheeler who matched my speed, then suddenly backed off.  Too late for me to brake, and if I did, it would put me in the lake on my right. I heard a voice saying, “stand up behind the wheel and pedal down, I’ll look after the rest”.  If it wasn’t for the angels keeping me and my truck upright, my semi would have flipped, ending up in the Shuswap Lake.

Illness a number of times seem to plague me, and manifestation of demons made their presence known one late summer day.  That was a battle of a lifetime between angels and demons over me. I could hear the struggle while an angel wrapped me under his wings, and I could hear and see the movement of the air during the struggle that lasted about 10 minutes, then stillness wrapped the kitchen. It was over.

Allow me to share a little more on prayer. When I lived in Nova Scotia, prayer was just a simple way of communicating with God.  I just sat and talked with Him, nothing pious about it--simply going quickly to my Father for help and answers when I needed.  He answered right away most times.  There was one time I needed work to be able to pay my rent by the end of the month and this prayer went something like this: Father, you see the need for me to pay my rent and there is nothing in the village for work.  I’m not fussy about the kind of job.  Whatever it is, I will do it. But to know it’s from You, the person must call me asking to come in for an interview. Then I will know you arranged this.  The very next day, a veterinarian gave me a call and I don’t know how he got my number. But I took the job.  When the time with the vet came to an end, HE led me to a doctor who needed a receptionist, and I took the job.  Another prayer, but not a prayer, I just stated to HIM that I miss my sister who was living in Winnipeg at that time. My move to Winnipeg came easy, without problems.  I have been here now for over 22 years.

Think about it honestly. The LORD is so ready to answer your prayers, but you must believe HE hears you and you also must believe when you pray, HE will answer. If you have doubt, then don’t pray seriously. It hinders your prayer.  Change the word “prayer” to “talk”. Have a conversation with HIM. You might find it easier to spend time talking with our Father. HE is your best friend and in HIM you have confidence for this time we now live in.

What is my purpose?  I’m still trying to figure it out, even now in my senior life. One thing I’m working on is to developing prayer life in myself and our congregation--not sure this is where He wants me. You see, it’s all training process and when HE deems, I’m ready for full service. HE will lead me there.

Today, in the area of prayer, I’m on new ground. The Father is guiding me in this area. On my own, I would have quit many times by now if it weren’t for Him nudging me on.  Our Congregation HaTikvah has an Intercessory Prayer Team which HE had me begin by HIS lead. I didn’t know how; it's surely out of my league here. There are only six that HE has brought to the group, but we have stayed the course for over a year now. This fall, I’m hoping to introduce a prayer guide for our group called Finding Hope in a Hopeless World--Helping People to Stay with Prayer.  I guess you could say it’s the do’s and don’ts of prayer.

In closing, I can say there is no place I’d rather be but in my Father’s house, in my LORD’s service, for I was saved from destruction and from being lost to damnation. Now I am predestined to abide in my Father’s house for all eternity.

Time is now passing quickly. We have not our own personal voices anymore; others seem to speak and make discussions for us. Most are lost in the confusion and fog of this time we are in.  But one thing I know for sure is that when the Father touches your heart, and HE will, please take a moment to LISTEN and say “yes, I am here”. Don’t be swept along with the masses; it leads to where you don’t want to go.

Yeshua said before He went away that He goes to prepare a place for us, that in His Father’s house are many mansions.  I run the race with my eyes fixed on the prize. Keep looking up.

I have much to be thankful for.  Do you?
Donna Jaques Castillo ♦

Several years ago, Peter’s van needed repairs. The garage we took our vehicles to was in Headingly. I had to go to work the next morning, and because I also had to provide the tow, we decided to get up early and take Peter’s van to the garage before my workday began. I wasn’t all that familiar with Headingly, so I asked Peter to clearly explain just where we were going, after all, I was in the driver’s seat. He said, “Go down Roblin Blvd., till we get to the bridge.” The bridge? Where is there a bridge? All right, I’ll see it, but remember it is still dark early in the morning in late fall or early winter.

         Entering the town of Headingly, I knew I had missed the bridge. I brought the van to a stop, and Peter came to my window and instructed me how to turn around. When the coast was clear we made the turn. All right over the bridge we go! What were his next instructions? Turn left at the lights, and as soon as we’re over the railroad tracks, you’ll see the sign “R.D. Garage”, turn left onto the lot. That sounded simple enough. I glanced in the rear-view mirror occasionally to make sure we were still connected. But what is this? All the buildings and the lights are behind us. I didn’t see any sign that said R.D. Garage.

          I pulled to the side of the road and Peter again came to my window, I needed new directions. He turned and pointed to a building, “that is the garage”, he said. Okay. I’ve got it! We got turned around again! I was about to cross the median when all of a sudden, my van was jerked to a stop, and a car zipped by just inches from me. All I could think was, thank you Peter for seeing that car so close and slamming on your brakes to stop us. Again, Peter came to my window. “Why did you stop?”, he asked. “I thought you braked”, I replied. No, he said he hadn’t, “but I’ll see what the problem is”. I should have asked him if he saw my brake lights had come on. I realized Peter probably wasn’t aware that car was even passing so closely.

            A moment later, he came back and instructed me to back up just a little as the van had driven onto the slack tow rope and it acted like a brake just as that car zipped past us. Oh wow! Thank you, GOD, for sparing our lives. Had You not stopped me, I think it would have taken my life at the speed of that car. There was no question in my mind it was God, and He used a piece of rope to stop the van at just the right time.  Isn’t it wonderful that God looks after us in such an intimate way?

         When the coast was clear, I made the turn and safely turned into the R.D. Garage lot. What a relief! But where was the R.D. Garage sign, I wanted to know. Peter pointed it out. Driving by, it didn’t appear much larger than a postage stamp—no wonder I hadn’t seen it!

        What amazed me was that God watches what happens to us and protects us.  Isaiah 65:24 says, “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” What an awesome God we have. One quote I just read said, “God provides before the need arises.” And also, Peter wasn’t even upset with me when I didn’t understand his instructions that I’m sure he thought were very clear.

         Some people would say that was just a coincidence. No, no, not in my mind! I think we know when God has intervened in our daily lives. Praise GOD!   ♦