There is a young couple who lived in the Northland region of New Zealand. This area is one of the poorest regions in New Zealand and has a high Maori population. This couple who were in their late 20’s, are called Ray and Stephanie. Ray worked in the bush and together with Stephanie had no understanding of God and lived pretty wild lives. One day Stephanie went out to the garden shed while Ray was at work. As she was in the shed a box fell off one of the shelves. Out of the box fell a Bible. For some reason Stephanie picked up the Bible and began to read it. As she sat in the shed reading, something happened, and without fully understanding what she was doing she committed herself to becoming a follower of Jesus. As she was wondering what to do next, she felt challenged to read the same passages of the Bible she had been reading to Ray when he arrived home from the bush. Stephanie felt scared as she was afraid of Ray, who would often come home drunk from work. Ray arrived home and instantly realised that something had happened. “What’s happened to you?” he asked. Stephanie, despite her fear, began to read the passages from the Bible to Ray. At first Ray got very angry but as she started to read, there was an immediate softening in Ray’s appearance. After some time Ray said,” I really feel like I should get baptised now like those guys in the Bible.” Stephanie agreed. Not knowing what else to do, they drove down to the closest beach and baptised each other. As they were baptised the Holy Spirit came upon them in power, and broke the addictions of Drugs, Alcoholism and Nicotine instantly from over their lives. Within a year of that power encounter with God they have seen their lives turned around and over ten friends and family become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Kim checking my terriable grammer