Beryl MacRae (pictured with her late husband), a long-standing member of our church living in the Highlands, recently celebrated her 96th birthday. Originally from Worcester, South Africa, Beryl arrived in Scotland in 1949 and married a Scotsman. Beryl grew up in an Adventist home and was the youngest of 6 siblings. She looks back on her upbringing with fond memories saying “we were such a happy family with no shortage of anything.” She recalls with laughter the one time they had to cut their evening prayers short because whilst praying their dog had brought in a dead crab and the smell was terrific.
Beryl was baptised when she was 18 years old. All these years later she can still remember a sermon she heard as a child. “Temptation is like a mouse with a piece of cheese. You go quietly and all of a sudden you get caught in a trap like a mouse.” Beryl says that there was a time in her life when she wasn’t so fervent in her faith, but God never gave up on her and drew her back. Her greatest achievement in life has been bringing up her children. She now has 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She ends the interview with the following words “I’ve been so blessed. God has been so good to me.”
Despite being an isolated member, Beryl has stayed committed to her Christian faith and shares it freely wherever she goes. Those who know her say she is an inspiration and an absolute pleasure to be around.
We pray for God’s continued blessings on Beryl and her family and thank her for being part of our community.
Interviewed by Pr Wilfred Masih / Editor: Hellevi Walker
