The remarkable true life story of Peter Newman (Part 15)

He'd barely got the words out when in walked a woman with a bowl of water and a towel. I thought that someone had been sick at the back of the meeting. But she came up to me, took off my shoes and socks and washed my feet, just as Jesus washed the disciples' feet. As you might expect, I felt very embarrassed. Then God spoke to me and said that it would happen twice again before He would lead me into the final ministry that He had for me.

From 1976 onwards God really began to move in my life. He opened doors, did the impossible, performed miracles and led me to many different countries. Yet all the while I sensed that it was preparation for the work He was going to have for me.

I became God's donkey, going here and there when he told me to go. I learned that there's no need to fret or fuss in God's will I've nearly been in three plane crashes, but I can honestly say that I have not panicked. I've just committed my way to the Lord.

Since my earliest days I've known that if things don't seem to be working out I had to stand still and wait on God. I also learned to use every day to the full.There is no clocking on and off; God's Spirit neither slumbers or sleeps, and often keeps unsocial hours.

Years ago I looked around my Gospel Tent at oil lamps and broken chairs. "God," I said, "if only I had an electric generator, then I could have brighter lights."

Use what you have to the full, Peter," was His reply.

I also discovered that God expected me to do a bit of practical work from time to time to earn money. I would look for a house that needed painting and offer to paint it. During the day I would paint the house and at night preach. It certainly made an impression on the local community and they got to hear the choruses as my unmistakable voice boomed from the top of the ladder: "At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light."

It has been fun to see the hand of God in my travels and there are quite a few enjoying the blessing of God because I just happened to take my blowlamp and wrenches along. I have collected dead animals, dug and built cess-pits, driven cars across South Africa and fished on a trawler in the Irish Sea under the guidance of God, becoming all things to all men that I might win some for Christ.

After preaching at a large denominational church I was standing at the back shaking hands as the people left, but one dear gentle lady withdrew her hand as I took it to shake. She looked at me and declared she had never met a preacher with such rough hands.

I never chose this path and I have some rows with God over it. What has hurt most has been when this ministry of working for a living has been exploited by other Christians and they have used me for cheap labour. But it has been a thrill to go in with my tools and skills and do jobs for people who couldn't afford to employ anyone.

I was once down in a manhole, arm up a four inch pipe, having left a note on the toilet seat saying "Please do not use", when to my dismay I heard someone pulling the chain. In my hurry to move my arm it got stuck.

I was at this time being observed by a well known preacher. "I don't know how you do it," he exclaimed. I replied,

"Cess pit or pulpit, as long as God's presence is with me, it is heaven." And I meant it.

I've often found that God uses me most when I am travelling from one place to another. I remember arriving at Los Angeles and thinking that I would contact some Christians that I knew in that city, when God told me that I had to spend the night in the airport itself. I did, and ended up preaching the gospel there. The glory of God fell, and at one stage I was dancing before the Lord with a nun by my side.

Towards dawn God told me to go across the lounge to a man who was sick. So I went up to him and started chatting to him about the Lord Jesus Christ. He, in turn, poured out his troubles to me and told me of his illness.