DAVID JONES

This is the testimony of David Jones, servant of God, formally accepted into God’s fold on the 26 November 2007 in the Grand Canyon, USA.

I have read the testimonies of others on the New Hope website and wanted to share my transition into God’s wonderful, loving and forgiving throng.

Although this is a lengthy tale, it does not include all of my experiences as to do so would take many more pages but I would urge you to keep a diary of your experiences for future reference and guidance for others. This also gives me great support when I feel weak and alone.

As a child, my parents would go to church every Sunday and I would go along and this continued until I was about 14 years old when I was confirmed at Ealing church. For me, this was not a rite of passage into the kingdom of God but simply an expectation of others of what I should do. I did not do this from pure motive and I never truly realised this at the time. However, as a member of the church choir, I really enjoyed singing and I got paid for singing at weddings and this appealed to the more mercenary side of a 14 year old boy’s nature. Church life faded quickly after this time and I never felt the call of God for many years and only recently has God received me into his embrace, when I was at the lowest point of my life.

I had been experiencing very odd visions a few months prior to my meeting with God and as I have an engineering background and a methodical and rational way of analysing things, I put this down to fatigue and general life stress. Somehow I knew that there was more than this, but I had no faith at this point of my life and fell back on what I knew.

For me, my family had always been the single most important thing in my life and I counted myself blessed to have two wonderful children, Samantha and Hannah and they are the only people who never had to do anything to reach into their father’s heart as they were there from the moment that I first laid eyes upon them. I loved their mother Anne from the moment I saw her but have come to realise that I treated her poorly by taking her for granted and not considering her ahead of everything else and I will wear this burden until my final breath. During this particularly difficult time, I had an overwhelming desire to visit the Grand Canyon in USA and I cannot tell you why but I immediately booked myself on a flight on the same Saturday afternoon and I would be leaving on Tuesday morning for Los Angeles. I have relatives in the USA but I had no intention of visiting them as I was so driven to go to the Canyon, I would have done anything to get there. I had a single and definite purpose and I did not know what that was at the time.

I also had an overwhelming feeling that I was not travelling alone and that something malevolent was sharing the journey with me and had been doing so for a considerable part of my adult life.
I arrived in Los Angeles and hired a min van to get to the Grand Canyon, which is approximately 500 miles east of LA. I had stopped to buy a sleeping bag so I could sleep in the van and had my mobile phone with me so I could keep in contact with my children throughout my journey. However, I lost this soon after arriving in LA and to understand the significance of this you must appreciate that this was my lifeline to my children and its loss was very significant to me.

I stopped for a moment as if in blind panic and my only thought was the phone. I retraced my steps for many miles, retracing to garages I had stopped for fuel but realised the futility of this. Throughout this time I was being called to the Canyon and had to abandon my search.
I stopped at the nearest town come morning and met 2 wonderful ladies in a circle K store who went out of their way to help a perfect stranger find a phone, register it with the network operator and be up and running in a short time. I am so grateful to them even today and I have learned one very simple truth. Even when you are desperate and alone, there are people who will help you and all you need to do is ask.

After continuing my journey, I was travelling along the highway when I had a sudden front tyre blow out in the van at high speed and this made me swerve all over the highway, nearly colliding with a rather large truck, but I finally managed to stop. I was about 80 miles from the nearest town, Needles, and after changing the tyre went to the town to source a replacement. I found a local garage who inspected the vehicle to find that every tyre fitted, including the spare I had fitted was either bald or under inflated. In addition, the brake pads were virtually non-existent. To say I was angry with the hire company was an understatement and believe me I let them know that in no uncertain terms. Suffice to say, I left Needles with a newly shod vehicle and continued my journey.

However, the accident had left me feeling very vulnerable and alone and I needed to let Anne know I was OK and to get the phone numbers for my children so I could send them daily text messages on my progress. During this conversation, Anne told me that her sister who lives in LA wanted me to stay with them over the thanksgiving weekend and gave me her phone number as well.

I was feeling very shook up, frightened and alone and decided to stop at the nearest motel and charge the mobile phone I had bought the same day. I found a truly basic motel, costing about £12.50 for the night, so you can possibly imagine what it was like. I charged the phone and spoke to Pauline and Phillip and said I was more than happy to spend thanksgiving with them. They were surprised that I wanted to return to LA as I was now some 400 miles from there but I was compelled to do this in such a strong and unequivocal way. I packed up my possessions and started to make my way back.

I was about 90 miles from Barstow, when I was in collision with a ‘big-rig’ – this is an American articulated lorry which weighs in excess of 40 tonnes and is over 22 metres long and stands far higher than the van I was driving. I heard a large bang and was covered in glass. I looked over my shoulder to see two large tyres from the lorry systematically consuming my vehicle and I found out afterwards that my van had gone under the trailer and it was a miracle that I had survived. I do not use that word lightly as the Police officer in attendance explained that many motorists are killed in this way each year. The vehicle was virtually destroyed and all that I had was a minor cut on my hand from the flying glass. The temperature was minus 9 and the Police officer explained that he could not leave me at the roadside as I would die of hypothermia, despite the hire company wanting me to wait 6 hours for a tow truck. The police arranged for a tow truck from Barstow, which took over 2 hours to arrive because of the distance involved. I sat in the front of the Police car and chatted with the officer – I was a little unnerved as I was sitting next to an assault rifle and a pump action shotgun and he had a side arm as well. We laughed about this as time drew on and he was a wonderful man, kind and very considerate.

I contacted Phillip to let him know what had happened but explained that I was alright and would be taken to Barstow for the night and would contact him later that evening. After a couple of hours, the tow truck arrived. The tow truck driver was a very earthy and basic man but he had a very important message for me. He explained that his marriage was going through a very bad patch as he had treated his wife badly and taken her for granted by going out drinking and fighting every night and she had left him for a soldier in the nearby barracks. God truly works in a wondrous way and if your eyes are open you can see the messages in the things that he arranges for you. At this point, I still did not believe in God and had no faith to draw on, just existing on adrenaline and fear. He also advised me not to go out in Barstow at night as it was a rough railway town with a few unsavoury characters who would rob anyone for a few dollars.

I phoned Phillip again and said I had arrived in Barstow and the hire company would not give me another vehicle but he kindly offered to drive from LA the next day to collect me for thanksgiving and arranged to do so at 10am. I spent the night in my room in a very uncomfortable state as the malevolent presence was with me and was pleased that I had almost come to a very sudden end and had not made it to the Grand Canyon as I originally intended. I did not sleep at all that night and in the morning went to a local restaurant for breakfast. During the meal, I was crying continually, possibly out of relief that I was still alive, but there was more to it than that.

God has a sense of humour and I found this out very early on. When I was in Barstow I was taken to task by the Police for jaywalking. This made me laugh, especially as I had been through so much in the past couple of days that made this insignificant event lift the burden of pain from me.

Phillip came shortly after 10am and I went to book out of the hotel to be told that the hire company had left a vehicle for me which was parked outside. They told me the night before that they would not do this so I was very surprised. You can imagine that I checked the tyres very carefully. However, after a short distance the brake warning light came on and upon inspection, the brake fluid level was very low and needed a litre of fluid to top it up. This would have been a major problem as the run down into LA is via a very steep and long winding road, so brake failure was a distinct possibility. Whatever was out to get me had not finished yet it seemed.

I finally arrived at Phillips home and felt much better. We spent the day with his uncle and family and for me it was truly a reason to be thankful. Later on in the evening we returned to Pauline and Phillips home and whilst having a cup of coffee, Phillip asked if I minded if they prayed for me. Not being a religious person, I found this odd but they had been so good to me what harm could it do. They stood directly behind me with a hand on each of my shoulders. I was not really listening to what they were praying but I became acutely aware of someone standing on my right and just behind my field of vision, but this time it was a very comforting feeling, not like the malevolent presence as before.

I had my eyes wide open and was looking at the table when a fog drifted across it and into my coffee cup. I thought I was having some sort of mental breakdown. However, the person was still standing next to me and I tried to turn my head quickly to the right to see him better but he simply moved back. I did this a few times and then saw the fog rise out of the cup and as I breathed in I inhaled all of it. When I exhaled, I had the most beautiful feeling of contentment and utter peace. I have never experienced this before in my life up to this point and nothing mattered at all.

I explained to Phillip and Pauline what had happened and they suggested that the person to the right of me was a messenger from God. After the couple of days I had been through I was ready to believe anything. They also explained that the malevolent presence was a demon that was seeking to destroy me and delighted in my fear. I was just glad to feel lifted of the burden of the recent past months and even the malevolent presence was gone. I had every one of life’s burdens lifted from me in an instant. I slept all night for the first time in months and in the morning I felt very different than before, much more positive and at perfect peace with the world.

Phillip and I decided to go to a computer store and grab a few bargains. The least I could do was to build him a new computer for taking me in when I was so very needy. This, however, was black Friday and was notorious for huge queues at stores across America. However, I knew that we would be OK and get everything we wanted.

On arriving at the off ramp for the store, the queues of cars was amazing, they had opened a nearby field for parking and Phillip said we would never get a place to park but somehow I knew we would be OK. We drove into the main car park and a vehicle was pulling out just as we arrived and our parking was sorted out. We then went into the store and managed to get everything we wanted for the build without fuss and at a huge discount. We then joined what was to be a three and a half hour queue to the checkout. Phillip was concerned about this as I was formerly a very impatient person who would not have lasted 10 minutes but I managed the time with good grace and struck up conversation with others in the queue and it went quickly. I even joked to Phillip that we should buy a lottery ticket as I could do no wrong that day and someone was clearly looking after me.

We eventually arrived home and I started to build Phillip a new computer from the components we had bought. During this time I could sense and feel a very real and malevolent presence in the room I was working in, but it was far stronger than it had ever been before and made me feel physically sick and terrified. At the point I reached the most frightened I had been in my entire life, Phillip put his head round the door and I shouted out something very rude to relieve the tension. I explained what had happened and he suggested that they prayed for me again that evening.

Whilst praying, I was presented with another vision with my eyes fully open. I was kneeling at the Grand Canyon and could see this demon standing behind me wielding a very large sword. What this thing did not know was that I knew it was there and at the instant it was to take my mortal life I opened my arms and said to God welcome me into your kingdom Lord for I am your humble and unworthy servant. When I said this a door opened and a chink of the most beautiful white light beckoned me in. The demon had taken my mortal life but I was beyond its reach. Pauline said afterwards that my body was surrounded in a pure white light whilst they were praying for me and I explained what I had seen and that I had to face my demon no matter what the cost to myself was; I could not live my life in perpetual fear. Phillip had told me this previously, that when the demon presented itself I should ask Christ to dispel it by simply asking for his help and believe me I needed his help at this time. I also explained that I needed to go to the Grand Canyon and would do so on Monday morning. Sunday we would go to church to seek support from God.

We arrived at church and I was filled with an overwhelming desire to leave, as if God did not want me to be there. My back was giving me considerable pain and it was making me cry and I got up and left. I had spinal surgery in October 2006 and my spine was fused at L4-L5-S1 and was repairing OK, until a Police car collided with me and broke one of the screws in my spine and the pain has been as acute since this time.

It was during my walk to alleviate the symptoms that I made a deal with God. I would do anything he asked of me without question, if he would take my pain away. After a short time, I was aware that something was different but did not recognise it immediately. It suddenly dawned on me that I had no back pain at all and that is something that I had not experienced for many years. God had answered my prayers in a very real and wonderful way. I felt so humble and unworthy and meant what I said – I would do anything he asked of me.

I told Phillip what had happened and he marvelled at my joy and wonderful gift. That night we prayed to God and I asked him to forgive me of my sins and accept me into his wondrous fold and at that moment I felt his wonderful and calming embrace as real as if I had been comforting one of my own children; but that is what we so clearly are, his children.

I also discovered at this time that the love I have for my children is the same as the love that God has for me – It is unconditional, unequivocal, pure and wonderful. Whatever I was to face at the Canyon, I knew that if the worst should happen I would be with my Lord and king for evermore and that I no longer had anything to fear.

I said Goodnight to Phillip and Pauline and thanked them for everything they had done for me and I could never repay the debt I owed. I left their house at midnight as I could not wait any longer to meet my fate. I had only travelled about a mile when the demon returned to plague and torment me and such was the level of feeling that I stopped the van and got out for relief. I remembered what Phillip had said and asked Jesus Christ to assist me and remove the demon. What actually happened was the demon was still in the van but was unable to bother me. I did find this funny, I was travelling some 500 miles to possibly meet my end and I was giving a lift to the instrument of my destruction.

However, I carried on as I was no longer willing to share my life with this demon that had such a negative impact on my life and was seeking to destroy everything, my family and ultimately my life. After several stops to rest, I finally arrived at a place called Williams, which is about 70 miles from the Canyon and booked myself into a motel. I then began to worry about what if I should die – what would my children think. They could not bear the burden that their father may have taken his own life and I decided to write a detailed note of my journey and the reasons why I was going to the Canyon and under no account was I going to take my life, rather I was going to face my demons. If my life ended, they should not feel sorrow for I would be with God beyond this moment and that he would look after and guide them throughout their lives.

I started the final part of my journey with fear and trepidation but on no account was I going to turn back. My entire life had been leading me to this point and now that God was with me in a very real and wonderful way, I knew that my final destination was by his side for eternity. As I approached the Canyon, I was filled with an unbelievable feeling, which just continued to build and build and it was very overpowering. It was as if I was being filled with power, something that made me stronger than was humanly possible and difficult to contain within me.

The Canyon is a very strange place and you approach it from a densely wooded area and you cannot see it, despite its enormity until you get out of your vehicle and walk the final few yards. I cannot begin to describe what I first felt when I was presented with the place in my vision but I simply fell to my knees and knew that God truly existed as only he could have created something so magical and totally humbling.

I cried uncontrollably but these were tears of absolute and all consuming joy of the wonder that is God. He came to me in that instant and filled my mind with so many things that I needed to write them all down. I returned to my van and tried to find the notepad I had brought with me, but I couldn’t find it. Instead, I found a telephone book and started to write in the blank pages of the wonderful things God was sharing with me.

I already knew that God had a sense of humour and I started to see many names in front of me, the first one being Zebedee and I said to God you cannot want me to be called Zebedee but I had already said I would do anything he asked of me. Finally, a recurrent name was before me – David.

This is the name I am now known by as this is the name our Lord and King gave me. It is a name of meaning and there are parallels between me and the biblical David in as much as we both love God unequivocally and will do anything he asks without question or hesitation and in complete deference to ourselves.  We both consider him to be our best friend – a true and unwavering friend who offers his unconditional support to us.

It was during this period that I could not physically handle all that God was trying to impart to me and I reached a point where I could handle no more and I exclaimed out loud, please God get out of my head. I felt really ungrateful saying that but there was no way I could handle the amount of information I was being given; it felt like my head was going to explode. He duly did what I had asked but did not leave my side. I finished writing what he had told me and I have kept this as a record of my acceptance into his fold on the 26 November 2007.

There are many other things God has shared with me and the simplicity of his message is so clear -that life lived within the pure and unrestricting wonder of love is all that you need to find true contentment and peace. Of the things which you have control over, take the simple path and do not over complicate them. He has removed many of the things that restricted my growth and which affects many of us in our everyday lives – resentment, hatred, judgement of my fellow man and fear. He has also showed me that if he can forgive someone as unworthy as me, then there is hope for everyone who turns to him and asks for forgiveness.

I left the Canyon and returned to Williams as I had done what I set out to do and God had forever removed the demon from me, accepted me into his fold, forgiven me of my sins without condition and had given me a great deal of wisdom and insight. I was so relieved to be alive; I called Phillip to tell him I was OK and just needed to rest. It was about midnight and I was very tired and about to go to bed. However, God was calling me back to the Canyon. I had already promised God that I would do whatever he wanted without question and I could not let my friend down on the very first occasion. However, I was aware of my fatigue and considered whether it was safe for me to drive 70 miles.

I thought I could get there but no way could I get back so I made the journey once more. Upon arrival, I was filled with the same power and joy like before and I stayed for a while bathing in its wonder. I tried to return back to Williams but on the way was so tired that I fell asleep in a garage for a couple of hours and finally returned to the hotel at 4am and I awoke again at 6am fully refreshed.

There is much that he wants me to do and the most important thing is not to be restricted by others who will judge you harshly or have preconceived ideas on how you should behave and lead your life.

I have changed out of all recognition and my work colleagues have greeted me as the new person that I have become. The most wonderful thing for me is my sister Marjorie calling me David as she has had the most difficulty in getting to know the new me as she knew me the best before. I have experienced far more than I can relay to you in my testimony but God has also given me a wonderful gift which I have learned to use to good effect over time and I am bound to share this with other people. I have also borne witness to many things – both wonderful and frightening – but realise that this is all a part of my journey.

New Hope Church has a role to play in my life as sharing the joy I have with other like-minded Christians is a wonderful thing; but I can tell you from my personal experiences that God does not consider the hierarchy of the church when he chooses you for a purpose, he will give you a gift that is suitable for your skills and life experiences and how you choose to use this is down to you. God has given all of us free will and when we choose to follow the path God has for us, we are filled with his joy and power to use for his glory. Never let anyone tell you otherwise as to do so dilutes and erodes the wonderful gift that you have been given and if God himself did not think you worthy, why would he have come to you in the first place? I am not suggesting for one moment that anyone should undertake the journey that I am undertaking  and embrace our Lord God without question, but that is the choice I have made and my life will never be the same again.

This may be different for you as I know that God will come to you in the way that will reach you and in a way that you will understand that it is him, so my story may have elements that you recognise and some that you do not. This does not matter, as what matters is that we all share a common and wonderful theme – a pure and unequivocal love of God.

My journey continues and I am returning to the USA in April to be formally baptised as this is where my journey began and it seems so right that Pauline and Phillip share this with me as they are my spiritual brother and sister and I love them dearly.

David Jones, humble servant of God.

 

David Jones