- Monday 15 March 2010
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Faith moving forward
THIS year is set to be one of the biggest of Sandy Galvin’s life, as she leaves Stratford to embark on serious faith-based studies in Wellington.
With only a couple of weeks to go, Sandy is both scared and excited about leaving the town she has made her home for the last 30 years.
“Over the last few years I’ve been pursuing a call on my life to become a Salvation Army Officer,” says Sandy.
“I want to serve God in whatever capacity of ministry available.”
On February 16, the 49-year-old leaves to start a two-year, full-time residential Diploma of Biblical Studies course at The Salvation Army’s Booth College for Mission in Upper Hutt.
“I know the course will challenge me, especially the first few months which are predominantly book-based.
“However, there will be lots of practical training too, which I know I will enjoy.”
Despite the hesitations and worries she faces going into study, Sandy knows that her life to date has pretty much prepared her for just about anything.
Rocky roads
“I arrived in Stratford on a bus, drunken and hungover. I’d been in Auckland living a pretty destructive life, and a friend from here invited me to come down and see the place; I’d never been here before.”
Even though she was under the influence and still involved in dangerous pastimes, Sandy could see this new town had potential as a place to stay and she made it her home.
Eventually she found work with a number of local employers, including the Stratford Borough Council, the Catchment Commission and Fonterra, and developed a wide variety of skills in a number of different areas.
“I’ve done all sorts of things; I’ve been a truck driver, and I also helped build gardens on Page Street.”
Through prayer and service, Sandy eventually found her way out of the existence she was leading; piecing together a more positive life for herself and her two sons, Tamiti (now 13) and TeRangimarie (17).
“I’m really going to miss my boys while I’m away,” says Sandy, tears welling in her eyes.
“But they’re at an age when they’re both quite settled, and Stratford is their home and has been good to them – we were the family that was put into Stratford’s first Habitat for Humanity home.”
The support of others
Behind Sandy all the way are her friends and whanau at The Salvation Army in Stratford.
“We’re really going to miss her,” says Major Maureen Ashton, Corps Officer for Central Taranaki.
“She’s an integral part of our operation, having contributed to our leadership, worship, and women’s ministry teams.”
Affiliated with Te Arawa, Ngati Ruanui and Ngati Whakaahurangi, and fluent in Te Reo, Sandy has also been heavily involved with Maori ministry in the town; a ministry she continues to feel drawn to.
“Last year, we spent time helping out at the local marae, tidying up the premises.
As well as the academic and spiritual challenges Sandy is set to face, living life as a poor student will also challenge her – though she is more than prepared for that, being a trained budget adviser herself.
“I do receive certain student allowances, and Stratford Salvation Army has given me as much financial support as it can, but living with little money is all part of the training.
“To be able to truly understand people’s needs, you need to have struggled yourself.”
Sandy will be one of on intake of just over 20, a contingent of which will be coming from Fiji.
Each college intake is given a special name; Sandy’s group (or ‘session’) will be known as ‘Friends of Christ.’
A special farewell service is being held for Sandy on the morning of Sunday, February 14. A fundraising Hangi is also being organised, and tickets for this can be bought at the Salvation Army office. RSVP has been requested by February 9.
