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Sun, sea and salvation?

How Denise found Christ through United Beach Missions

My 'journey' began many years ago when I moved from London to Newquay, Dyfed, Wales.
In my 30s, I was a very lost person, trying to make sense of life which to me was not worth living. My favourite place for thinking and sorting my life out was the beach. Although I cannot swim, the sea always draws me and gives me peace. Every day during the summer holiday, I would totter down to the beach - and so would the UBM! Lying on my own, I would listen to the songs and stories. I would listen to God's message through the UBM team. 'What a lot of twaddle,' I thought. I would move further away - but not too far - so that I would not be associated with them. I certainly didn't want my friends to see me with this weird bunch. Me become a Christian? Never.
For two years, I listened to UBM going over and over the same message like a cracked record. And for two years, I said: 'No Jesus, you will never get me. I may be depressed and lonely and my life may be in ruins, but I still don't need you.'
In 1983, nothing much had changed in my life, except maybe being lonelier than ever. I was beginning to feel that something or someone was missing in my life, but I couldn't quite make out what or who. It was like seeing a shadow out off the corner of my eye but when I turned around, it was gone. Summer came around again and so did the UBM. 'That time of year again,' I thought as I settled on the beach. I let the prayers and songs drift over me and then 'Andy' spoke. He said how one single prayer could save me. He spoke of Jesus and a love so great that He had died for me. He spoke of a friend who would always be there, no matter what.

What rot!

'What rot,' I thought, but even as I thought it I felt guilty. I remember going home early, not being able to listen to any more and feeling incredibly heavy inside. I thought about it later in bed that night and I remember saying out loud: 'Never, not me.' I can only describe what happened afterwards as incredible.
I fell asleep. I always slept deeply and nothing ever woke me up. But something woke me up this night. Something calling me inside my head and pulling at my heart. I felt in such anguish, it was unbearable. Without a single hesitation, I put my hands together and prayed. I asked the Lord Jesus for forgiveness of my sins. I asked him to enter into my life to be my Lord and Saviour, and I asked him to be my special friend. I cried and cried and at last fell into a deep sleep. The next day I felt great. I knew that something really wonderful had happened to me. The Lord God had come to me and called me to follow him. He had been calling me for years, but I had been too blind to see. I had rejected him, wallowing in my own self-pity and sin. I am convinced that the Lord was calling me through the UBM.
Today, I still have problems and a hard life to cope with. God doesn't promise to make life a bed of roses. But I have a very faithful friend to share my problems. He always listens and makes time for me and he doesn't turn away when the going gets rough. My love for him is overwhelming, his love for me is indescribable. We make a great team!
Last summer, I watched my own three children, David, Samuel and Jade-Marie, join in with the Beach Mission at Llandudno. It brought back such memories. The UBM do such a fantastic job on the beaches.

Ms Denise Cameron