Debbie Cygan

Prior to that I can attribute my scant knowledge of Jesus to school assemblies as an infant growing up in the village of Markyate, where I was born in 1963.

I recall a boy, Jimmy, in my infant class. He’d learning difficulties and was teased relentlessly. One day, unsupervised boys began to ridicule him. Immediately, I stood on a table and demanded, “Stop! We should all love each other like Jesus says!” Looking back, it’s clear God had made me listen that morning in assembly. Soon, Jimmy moved to a ‘special school’ and was forgotten. However, much later our paths again crossed…

I married young and left Markyate, but trials followed me. Eventually at 49, ill health forced me to quit my job. Two years on, my marriage deteriorated. People had wronged me. I suffered from PTSD and felt completely alone. Then I remembered Jesus! At once I prayed, pouring out in despair and repentance.

That night I awoke to a rushing sound much like the wind. It filled the house! Simultaneously, I felt the presence of God enter me. I knew it was Him. A sudden awareness dawned that He is the beginning and the end, His Word sharper than a two-edged sword!

Following my strange God encounter I felt immense joy but hadn’t a clue I’d actually received the Spirit of the living God. I didn’t even know about the Holy Spirit and that He could enter a person.

I needed to get away. With few belongings and no real plan, I drove to mum’s house in Markyate. But God had a plan. “Do not fear, the battle is already won”, said an audible voice that evening. I jumped up in elation. “God is real!” I cried, “He speaks!” Mum thought I’d lost the plot. Little did she know, she too would go on to believe!