Interview with
MOYRA McFARLAND.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born into a farming family about 4 miles from Omagh
.
When I was 7 years old my mother died leaving my father to bring up my sister, two brothers and myself.
As you can understand things were not easy in those days over 60 years ago, especially as I had been born with a physical handicap.
Briefly outline your spiritual upbringing.
When I was old enough a neighbour took me to church and Sunday school.
By going there and saying prayers I thought I was a Christian.
However in my early teens some friends who were saved invited me to go along to a Sunday night meeting organised by the Christian Workers' Union and the Faith Mission.
How did you come to a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?
After hearing the Gospel message that I was a sinner and not ready for heaven I realised that I needed to repent of my sins and be born again.
At the age of 16 I simply asked the Lord to forgive me and come into my heart.
I continually praise God for His Salvation and wonder where I would be today otherwise.
How long have you been involved in DCFI and how are you involved at present?
On a visit in 1985 to my cousin Rev Jack Richardson (Hill hall) I went along with him to Lisburn DCFI at which he was the guest speaker.
There I met some of the Lisburn members who encouraged me to investigate the possibility of forming a branch in Omagh.
It was not until early 1987 that one of my work colleagues informed me that there were others interested in getting a branch started in the Omagh area.
Four of us met in the home of Albert and Pauline Blackburn and as a result the first meeting of the Omagh branch was in May 1987.
Albert is still the Chairman and I remained secretary until 2003.
I still serve on our local committee.
Tell us a little about your experiences at Lawnfield House (D.C.F.1. Holiday Home).
Since the Home opened in 1993 I have attended all our branch holidays except one recently when I was ill.
These holidays have been wonderful times of fun and fellowship and I have enjoyed the help we all receive from the willing band of helpers and especially the enthusiasm and care given by the army of young helpers who come each year.
God has blessed me especially at the times of fellowship we have each morning and evening.
In the last couple of years I have enjoyed respite care.
Also we have been blessed by the programmes organised by the hosts/hostesses during those weeks of respite.
I would highly recommend a holiday or respite care at Lawnfield House where the attention by the staff is second to none.
Also, where better to spend a week or two in the idyllic surroundings where 'The Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea'?
Finally tell us of some Scripture that has helped you in recent times.
I have many favourite verses from God's Word but one that has been very precious to me especially in recent times when I was seriously ill was and is our own DCFI verse '2 Corinthians 12 v 9'.
Yes God's grace has been sufficient for me and His Strength has been made perfect in weakness.