Diane O'Fee

Hi my name is Diane, and I am a soldier in the Dunedin City Corps.

I am married to John and have a son called Dean. I became a Christian later in life and have never been happier.

My only regret is that I didn't know my Lord and savior earlier, and then I may not have made quite so many mistakes after I left home at a early age and went my own way.

My encounter with God actually happened in my car. I asked God, (well actually yelled at him), that if he was there I wanted a sign. I have since learned that you don't challenge God. I turned on my radio and three lines to a song came on, they were: “Lift up your angel eyes, take my hand I am your stranger in paradise, then the music stopped. I thought Wow that was a coincidence, but couldn't get it out of my mind .

Next day I picked up a Bible opened it and that was the first and only time I have heard God's voice audibly...I think God knew he would have to do something spectacular to made me sit up and take notice. I was working in an aged care facility care-giving at the time, and because I worked weekends was unable to go to church.

The following year was a year I would sooner forget.  Four major things happened and by the end of it was left feeling completely drained. I then decided to accept a position in another rest home with weekends off.

Finally I was able to go to church. I went along to a Salvation Army service, loved it and found everything about the S/A fitted me like a glove. My relationship with Jesus deepened and I enrolled as a senior Soldier and became active in the corps.

I became a member of the corps council \leadership team and also oversee a monthly community morning tea. I take devotions once a week at Pathways. During the past four years I have represented The Salvation Army at the Nation Council of Women and in that time have also served on the local executive committee.

I find it a privilege being a Christian and Salvationist, especially at voting and lobbying times. The women members are lovely and come from a wide range of back grounds, with a common denominator which is bringing to light exploitation and injustice.

We are a voice for others to the government on these issues. The meetings are held monthly, and there are some very interesting speakers on various subjects and I would recommend to other women that they become involved with the NCW in their community. I would especially like to see other Salvation Army women involved.

It is a good way to make a difference in this world, to be a light in dark places.