What was your early childhood like with five sisters and two brothers?
I was the second oldest, with six sisters and one brother. It was a tough time for me and my family. I had many responsibilities, including cleaning and babysitting. I was on crutches for four years growing up, and I couldn’t participate in many things, such as going to the movie theatre, swimming, playing sports, riding bikes, or skating. This is why I ended up reading a lot of books.
In your book, you write, “Death became a feared enemy.” Can you explain that?
When my best friend died, I feared that other people I love may die, even myself. I felt unsafe and insecure.
You married young. What was your marriage like?
I married at 18, not knowing a thing about marriage. My husband drank a lot. He wasn’t working, but I was working. I put the money in our joint bank account, and he withdrew it to go drinking and buy drugs. Also, his friends came to our home with their alcohol and drugs. He punched holes in the wall once; another time, a bullet came through the window. One day, I arrived home to find the house ransacked. The intruders were looking for drugs. There is more about that in the book.
Who looked after your baby, Jane, when you worked and when you were in hospital?
When Jane was a baby, my sister helped watch her. Later, I took her to a daycare.
Chapter 3 of your book is entitled Is There a God? Did you get any revelations to that question?
Yes, Jesus answered my cry. Is there a God? He let me know He was there. He told me He loved me. He saved me from the hell I was sure I deserved. The more I read about Him in the Bible, the more I fell in love with Him. He provided everything I needed, protected me, and helped me. God has changed my life. Instead of depression, I have peace and joy.
Your marriage finally ended. Did you have further relationships?
Yes, I did have other relationships. I was searching for love but in the wrong places. I married again. Unfortunately, this man thought I had money. In the end, He left me and took everything that was in the bank and my vehicle, leaving me penniless. I felt used and abused. Even so, I was so insecure that I once again fell into another relationship.
You share your mission trips in Canada and overseas. Where did the money come from for your missions?
God always provided for the mission trips in ways I never expected. Once, on my way to China, I was still missing $1,000.00. I had to get a ride from friends to the airport; they told me they had to stop on the way to return something they had borrowed. A woman I didn’t know came out of the house with an envelope for me. It had $1,000.00 in it! I realized God is always right on time.
Your relationship with Eric and eventual marriage were tough times. Who looked after your children when you were in the hospital with pneumonia?
Eric was home with the children, but my oldest daughter, Jane, did most of the work and took care of them. I was genuinely concerned for her and prayed often for God to help them all.
Although you tell of many situations and times when you had no money, your family continued to grow. You tell how coming to faith in Jesus helped you through many trials. Could you share one or two incidents?
We lived in the bush. One year, there was a drought. Most people in the neighbourhood paid a man with a truck to fill their wells with water. We didn’t have money to pay for the truck, and we didn’t have a vehicle to get water. One day, I walked to the well with the children. Peering down, I saw a flat rock at the bottom of the well. I climbed down and stood on that rock. Then I looked up to heaven. My children looked down at me as I sang:
Fill up my well and let it overflow; fill up my well and let it overflow.
Fill up my well and let it overflow, let it overflow with H2O. (I wanted the song to rhyme).
Then I climbed out and went home with the children. About half an hour later, I asked my oldest daughter, Jane, to go and check the well. She returned and said: “Why did you ask for it to overflow? My shoes are all wet!” I was so excited and praised God.
I recall another story: Our house was in the bush, close to a small northern Ontario village.
It was colder than usual in December 1986. The ground was frozen and covered with a white blanket of snow. The house was not properly insulated, and the chilly wind came through the cracks. The water pump on the back porch was frozen.
Sometimes, the children played upstairs in the warm bedroom and ate there. Christmas was coming, but I had to tell the children we didn’t have money for gifts or food. I told them to remember the season was all about Jesus.
Jane told me she wasn’t worried and that she had prayed. “Our gifts are on the way,” she said.
Life was primitive. I hated going outside to gather firewood and eggs from our chickens, but worst of all, the water pump was broken, so I had to carry the five-gallon pail from the bathroom into the bush to empty it and then use ice water from the well to rinse it.
In the evening, I sat by the stove in the kitchen with my feet on the oven door, opened my Bible and read, And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in My name, and I will do it. (John 14:13-14). So, I prayed: “Father, in the name of Jesus, please provide the food we need and help us keep warm this winter. I also ask You to give us a little extra, so my children and I can have a good Christmas. Thank you, Father, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Early the following day, I hurried downstairs. The noise of vehicles outside caught my attention. I looked out of the window and saw two pickup trucks. Soon, there was a knock on the door, and I opened it to see three men and a woman with big smiles. They introduced themselves as Mr. and Mrs. Raymond, Mr. Stephens, and his son from the next town. Mrs. Raymond explained that a few people wanted to bless us with gifts. May we bring them in?” she asked.
I held the door open as they carried several boxes full of food. There was a turkey, ham, desserts, and many other items. Other boxes were full of gifts wrapped for the whole family. Jane came bounding downstairs, beaming from ear to ear. God, You answered my prayers. Thank you, Jesus.
Then, as quickly as they had arrived, the four gift bearers were gone. The girls went through the boxes, squealing with delight as they found hot chocolate, cakes, candy canes, and other delicious treats.
With tears of joy filling my eyes, I thanked God. “Dear Lord, thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. You’re so good to us. We love you.”
The children said, “Thank you, Jesus, for the Christmas surprise!”
Thank you, Pauline, for sharing your fantastic story in your book Living by Faith. What advice would you give to people wanting to know Jesus?
I would tell them to pray: Jesus, please forgive me for all my sins. I repent and want to do the right thing. Please help me. I invite you into my life. Thank you for dying on the cross for me and saving me.
I would add if you prayed this prayer sincerely, you are saved. All your sins are washed away. If you do anything wrong, ask Him to forgive you. and He does.
Don’t forget to tell someone about your decision to follow Jesus.
God bless you! 😊