Life Story: Reclaiming My Life

[foreverHis]

Family history
I was born in New Zealand in December 1952 into a family of three boys. Then along came another four boys, the last being born in 1957 on my birthday! In June 1958 our darling French mother (dark and beautiful) died of serious meningitis leaving us with our Dad, a handsome tall, slim man with the most beautiful wavy white hair.

I take after my dad in hair and eye colour but have my mum's skin colour. Many people say I am fortunate as they say I look much younger than I am. Our dad tried to bring us up. He worked three jobs but after one year he had a breakdown. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, dying in 1965. Our dad was a real fighter.

What happened to us?
The older four boys were put into various orphanages, the younger were put into foster care until old enough to go into the institutions. I was with various relatives but was handed over to the State and had numerous foster homes. We all suffered horrific abuse. I was the only one though that had severe sexual abuse. This continued from age five to age eighteen. The boys all grew up around New Zealand. At age 15, the Police finally got the message that I was nearly being killed and I was put into the care of my mother's youngest sister. Her husband also molested me.

The boys all went through drugs, crime and then ended up in organizations like Jehovah's Witness and Hare Krishna. Only one brother is not in any form of religion. He is fighting cancer of the brain, and my oldest brother is fighting cancer. All my brothers are musicians and singers. After 48 years I finally got to meet one of my brothers and that was an incredible experience. They say 'blood is certainly thicker than water' and we clicked immediately and now talk on a daily basis. My other brothers continue their battle against serious disease.

More on my life
At 16 years of age I was married to a rock musician. This was too young for us to be married! The first seven years of our marriage were sheer 'hell' as we didn't understand the damage that had been done to my soul with all the physical, mental and sexual abuse. I could not function properly in my marriage. We broke up in 1979 and I had a 'fling' and I almost landed myself in trouble because the guy was selling drugs. I ended up pregnant to him and had an abortion.

A forgiving husband a forgiving saviour
Even after all this my beautiful husband took me back. By this time he was a professional musician and was travelling around New Zealand. This happened in 1979 but by the end of that year we were about to split again. My husband unbeknown to me, had started a very solid relationship with Ray Comfort and was proofreading his books when he passed through New Zealand. This led us to his place for dinner and then out to church at night where we both began a relationship with Jesus Christ! The date was 6th January 1980. By that time we had two children aged nine and seven. We then conceived our last child who was born in 1980.

God building character in us
At the first church the Pastor made my husband the Music Director. It was the start of five years of pain in that church jealousy, bitterness infighting. We were only young Christians and we were shocked by this disappointing behaviour. Then our Pastor fell morally. Ray Comfort left the church but continued to mentor us - we love him so much. In 1985 we moved to Queensland to study at a ministry training college.

Unless God builds the house
In the midst of these trials God was up to something. He was building character in us. We moved to Melbourne and after a few months were made the Music Directors. The church grew from 450 until it was nearly 5,000 the pressure was too great and decided to move back to Queensland where we now live. I am suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is marked by great anxiety, and panic attacks. I am recovering. Little Catherine is being healed and mature Catherine knows God's word and knows that "The Lord is her shepherd, and has made her lie down..." I have learned the tough lesson that all the work we do without the direct guidance and green light from the Lord is really to no avail, and burns you out.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1).

What we are doing now
After 25 years working in Music Ministry my husband had to find a regular job. He is now a property manager and I stay at home working with God to put my life back together. My husband still plays music and just played at a local festival and had a great time and plans to do another festival shortly. We have done heaps of mission trips taking bands into India, Cambodia, Hong Kong, PNG, USA etc. All our children are musicians and singers. We have one son (just married to a beautiful part Samoan darling) and he has a band. He is gorgeous as are my three grandchildren.

What of the future?
I know I have a way to go yet and I have only skimmed the surface of my life here. I do intend to write a book. My name Catherine means 'pure' and my second name also means 'pure'. The book will have a glossy white cover with the words 'pure, pure white' in beautiful gold writing on it. It is by God's grace that I, an abuse victim have been able to reclaim my life.

I hope my story can encourage others who have been in the same dark pit, as I have to see there is light, recovery and hope in Jesus
Catherine


Taken from - stories of hope and encouragement.
there is " Life Beyond walls "

[Tam]

ForeverHis thank you so much for sharing that with us. Yes it does give me hope. Lots of Hope.
Sorry that you had to endure all that but know that you will use it to Gods benefit. When you write your book....I want a copy PLEASE!!!
Love you sis
Tam

[foreverHis]

awww I'm so sorry Tam...that was not written by me...but someone else who gave me permission to share it...to encourage others...

[Tam]

it is ok....still encouraging

[foreverHis]

your the best Tam...I luv ya