Sabrena McFarland.
Tell us a little about yourself, your upbringing and interests.
I have lived with my parents and younger sister between Newtownstewart and Gortin most of my life.
After finishing A-levels at grammar school I chose to do nursing at Queen's University.
I have now been qualified 6 years and am now doing agency work after having taken a year out of nursing to go to Belfast Bible College.
I went on mission trips to Malawi and Romania.
Working with children has been dear to my heart and as a result I have helped at both C. E. F. and Faith Mission camps.
What about your spiritual upbringing, Sabrena?
Although I was not brought up in a Christian home my sister and I were sent to Sunday School and church.
A great Bible Class teacher had a lasting influence on me and to a certain degree I believed that I was going to heaven and that there was a God.
When and how did you become a Christian?
When I was 17 I realised that I was a sinner in need of forgiveness and that being a Christian was about a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus.
At a youth meeting I repented of my sins and gave my life to the Lord Jesus.
What impact has this had on your life?
My life is now no longer my own but under the control of my Saviour and Lord. I have also learnt that I must take each day with its opportunities to witness to others about my best Friend, the Lord Jesus.
In the last few years God has been teaching me to be still and listen to what He has to say to me.
Romans 12 has taught me about presenting my whole life as a living sacrifice to God.
Sabrena, how did you become involved in D.C.F.I. and what have you learned from these experiences?
Through a contact in the Multiple Sclerosis Society I was asked would I be willing to go along as a nurse on the Omagh Branch holiday, and as a result since 2001 I have been going as a helper on all the summer and spring holidays, except for the year I was in Romania.
I also attend the monthly rallies when not working, and as my sister and I have recently moved to live in Ballyclare I have been attending the Ballyclare rallies (divided loyalties!!).
The holidays have been amazing times of fun and fellowship.
They have also been times of building friendships with disabled as well as other helpers.
Through these times of interaction with other Christians God has helped me to grow in my Christian life.
I have been thrilled by helping in a practical way those who have disabilities.