On this journey of coffee-ing with the ordinary but extraordinary folk of the diocese, I came across an inspiring duo in Neville and Janice, relaxing with them in the conservatory. We are metres from the beach, serenaded by waves washing rhythmically ashore, soothed by their ebbing and flowing.
Janice and Neville, both born on the West Coast, will celebrate 56 years married in November and together have raised four children and celebrated many grandchildren of whom they are rightly proud.
Neville, a man of adventure, left the Coast at age sixteen for a four year stint in a Kaiapoi sawmill - a fine way to learn independence, and incidentally, to lose a finger! On his return, he worked for the Ministry of Works as an operator of big machines – dozers, loaders, cranes and trucks. With bright eyes and broad smile he recalls a harrowing two hour trip up the steep and rough Mt Sewell with a 52 tonne crane to erect the TV mast, almost giving up on the way. Another time in the bush, rain pelting and river swollen, he and a bunch of fellows decided to cross anyway, then had to leap from the roof of their massive logging truck to avoid being swept away in the rising water. Oh the days of raw, haphazard adventure!
Janice, a woman of style, worked at the Gresson Street laundry, catching the bus into town then walking several blocks to the office in high heels. A chief duty was payroll, put together in cash, delivered to each in a small brown envelope. One day, the fine figure in heels walking past the unloading dock caught young Neville’s eye, and the pursuit began!
Life was complex however, Janice being a young solo mum of two after her husband left. Provision came by way of a live-in cleaning job at the Delux Motels, hard work but gratefully accepted. The motels were en route to the Working Men’s Club, a favourite watering hole for Neville, and a serendipitous meeting as Janice walked by with kids in tow was the beginning of an unlikely but life long friendship. Love blossomed, necessitating a courageous shift from Janice’s Catholic roots in order for marriage to go ahead. Changing churches meant crossing the road (literally) and Janice began attending Bible studies at Cobden Anglican. Neville’s faith grew too, and after responding to a simple question from a visiting pastor, both were baptised at the school pool, under thunder and lightning, knowing deeply they had chosen the right path. Neville describes an encounter with the Holy Spirit he will never forget, rendering him unable to stand, with a sense of the blinds being pulled up to see clearly for the first time.
Family is especially important to this couple, and together we marvel at the blessing of also being part of a Church family vaster than we can imagine. Janice senses the Lord’s presence most intimately on her daily walk around a nearby loop track, praying for all she meets. “God knows them,” she muses, “so I just ask him to meet them where they need Him most.” Neville’s heart is stirred singing faith songs that hold strong emotion and powerful lyrics. He sings when he works, gathers firewood, and waits for the whitebait catch. He sings in tough times, when others are hurting, his health has taken another knock, or he waits for a miracle.
This warm-hearted and fun-loving couple, sneaking the opportunity for a cuddle by the woodshed, remind us that life is enriched by simple things: a daily walk, gathering firewood, or sharing homegrown tomatoes with friends. And life is empowered by telling our stories of the faith that has held firm when life’s sea billows roll. Lets drop anchor then and stand firm, knowing we are held secure by the One who loves us most.
Check out other articles in the
Coffee With...
series below.
More articles in the
Coffee With...
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
On this journey of coffee-ing with the ordinary but extraordinary folk of the diocese, I came across an inspiring duo in Neville and Janice, relaxing with them in the conservatory. We are metres from the beach, serenaded by waves washing rhythmically ashore, soothed by their ebbing and flowing.
Janice and Neville, both born on the West Coast, will celebrate 56 years married in November and together have raised four children and celebrated many grandchildren of whom they are rightly proud.
Neville, a man of adventure, left the Coast at age sixteen for a four year stint in a Kaiapoi sawmill - a fine way to learn independence, and incidentally, to lose a finger! On his return, he worked for the Ministry of Works as an operator of big machines – dozers, loaders, cranes and trucks. With bright eyes and broad smile he recalls a harrowing two hour trip up the steep and rough Mt Sewell with a 52 tonne crane to erect the TV mast, almost giving up on the way. Another time in the bush, rain pelting and river swollen, he and a bunch of fellows decided to cross anyway, then had to leap from the roof of their massive logging truck to avoid being swept away in the rising water. Oh the days of raw, haphazard adventure!
Janice, a woman of style, worked at the Gresson Street laundry, catching the bus into town then walking several blocks to the office in high heels. A chief duty was payroll, put together in cash, delivered to each in a small brown envelope. One day, the fine figure in heels walking past the unloading dock caught young Neville’s eye, and the pursuit began!
Life was complex however, Janice being a young solo mum of two after her husband left. Provision came by way of a live-in cleaning job at the Delux Motels, hard work but gratefully accepted. The motels were en route to the Working Men’s Club, a favourite watering hole for Neville, and a serendipitous meeting as Janice walked by with kids in tow was the beginning of an unlikely but life long friendship. Love blossomed, necessitating a courageous shift from Janice’s Catholic roots in order for marriage to go ahead. Changing churches meant crossing the road (literally) and Janice began attending Bible studies at Cobden Anglican. Neville’s faith grew too, and after responding to a simple question from a visiting pastor, both were baptised at the school pool, under thunder and lightning, knowing deeply they had chosen the right path. Neville describes an encounter with the Holy Spirit he will never forget, rendering him unable to stand, with a sense of the blinds being pulled up to see clearly for the first time.
Family is especially important to this couple, and together we marvel at the blessing of also being part of a Church family vaster than we can imagine. Janice senses the Lord’s presence most intimately on her daily walk around a nearby loop track, praying for all she meets. “God knows them,” she muses, “so I just ask him to meet them where they need Him most.” Neville’s heart is stirred singing faith songs that hold strong emotion and powerful lyrics. He sings when he works, gathers firewood, and waits for the whitebait catch. He sings in tough times, when others are hurting, his health has taken another knock, or he waits for a miracle.
This warm-hearted and fun-loving couple, sneaking the opportunity for a cuddle by the woodshed, remind us that life is enriched by simple things: a daily walk, gathering firewood, or sharing homegrown tomatoes with friends. And life is empowered by telling our stories of the faith that has held firm when life’s sea billows roll. Lets drop anchor then and stand firm, knowing we are held secure by the One who loves us most.
Check out other articles in the
Coffee With...
series below.
More articles in the
Coffee With...
series are to come.
