Salvation Army has been the saving of Sandy Galvin

Jessie Waite | Thursday, February 2, 2012 9:21

Lieutenant Sandy Galvin hongis the Salvation Army's territorial commander commissioner Don Bell at her ordination and commissioning as a Salvation Army officer in December 2011.

After living many years surrounded by alcohol and drugs, Stratford's Sandy Galvin has taken a new lease on life,
recently graduating from the Salvation Army officers' training.

Two weeks ago, Lieutenant Sandy Galvin was posted to Whakatane, after two years of training.

```It's good to be out of college, to find my feet and find what God has in store for me here,'' she says.

``We're still finding ourselves as we've only just been posted.''

Sandy graduated with a Diploma of Biblical Studies, and Certificate of Salvation Army Officer Training.

Although Lieutenant in front of her name looks impressive on paper, Sandy says it doesn't change who she is as a person.

``I don't see it like that. That's just a title, I'm the same whether I'm a lieutenant, a cadet or whae, it's what I do
in the community that's important.''

Sandy's life changed in 2000 when she found Jesus.

``He changed me,'' says the 51-year-old.

Before 2000, life revolved around alcohol and gangs.

``It was work, drink, work, drink.''

Sandy didn't always live in Stratford, and she laughs when she tells the story about how she got here.

On a bus, drunk with a friend, Sandy was surprised to arrive in a small town in Taranaki as she thought she had bought a ticket to Auckland. With no shoes and hung over, Sandy decided to stay, where she linked up with the local Black Power gang.

Growing up on a marae, adjusting to pakeha-populated towns was difficult and her attitude towards pakeha was violent, she says.

``Then, if you were pakeha and talked to me, I would have knocked you out,'' she says.

Now, Sandy prides herself in helping others and being the best mum possible.

The mother of two boys (aged 19 and 14), says her life is now complete and she is excited about her future.

``It's awesome. I live by faith, God provides for all our needs and I've learnt to be a mum, that's a 24/7 job,'' she says.

``It's been a great journey.''

Sandy returned to Stratford over the summer break and caught up with friends.

``It was good to be home. It was hard catching up with everyone, but I did it. It will always be my home.''

Stratford Salvation Army's major Maureen Ashton says Sandy has been an inspiration. ``We're certainly thrilled and very proud. She's only been there two weeks and has already made an impact on the community.''