Ana Morrell became a disciple 23 years ago in London. She had already been married to David for three years by then. As she changed her life he watched her but never gave his life to God himself. Ana is an amazing woman. She is known for her faith, warmth, hospitality, and general trust in God. She is also one of the most evangelistic people I have met, always bringing people to church and sharing her faith. I have always been struck by her constant smile.
Ana prayed consistently for her husband after she found Jesus. David would occasionally attend church, even studied the Bible a few times, and was always friendly to the members of the church, but he was never really interested. Then a couple of years ago he found out he had cancer. What a challenging situation for him and the wife who so desperately wanted him to find a relationship with God.
Ana was true to her faith. Things were very hard. She never wavered though, and six days before he passed away David was baptized! Amazing miracle! These are some of Ana’s convictions…
“My faith comes from taking God at his word, deciding to believe what the bible says and keeping that in my head whether things are going well or not. I feel that God always gives me reasons to believe and steps to take. When I decide to walk according to the Scriptures He’s never let me down. So when David got sick I decided to believe that God was in control. I had to surrender and decide to stay faithful even if he died without being baptized. It was the hardest thing, but God always encouraged me through the people around me and I decided I would not give up until I saw him buried. I now realize that God is among us all the time, doing miracles every day, whether we see them or not. From the littlest things to things that are completely out of our control. We just need to take each step believing in his words and not what Satan says. I’m still amazed that David was baptized 6 days before he died after nearly 23 years of resisting God and so grateful not because of my righteousness but because God loved him, he decided to listen to God, and because God wanted to spare my heart. I take each day as it comes with gratitude and looking to God. As I said before he has never let me down yet and I know he never will. My bit is just to believe his words and take him at his word one step at a time and do my best to walk every day with him.
I need this for my loved ones who are yet to be saved and the struggles that come with losing a husband of 26 years, but God is still God and there is always hope because of the cross.
I hope this helps anyone who’s struggling, the battle has been won and God is always faithful. We just need to remember that. “
This is what Ben Brady, the evangelist of the church in Edinburgh, Scotland, where Ana now lives. Ben studied the Bible with David and baptized him:
“I know Ana has been a part of God’s Kingdom for many years but I really only know her from our time together in the great Edinburgh Church. From our arrival nine years ago to now, she has offered us her love and service and has taught me many times that with God as no.1 much can be overcome.
God has developed in her a wisdom and peace that encourages and inspires all that know her.
The time that thoughts of Ana always draw me too is the time that I became a very close part of her life as her husband David ultimately lost his fight for cancer,(but gained salvation!), and it is a time I will never forget.
She was lovingly persistent throughout, constantly at his bedside as he deteriorated, offering him her unconditional love whilst expressing her desire for him to find God in his last days. The love between them was so evident, the pain she felt as he slipped away so obvious, yet her faith enabled her to remain amazingly strong.
She smiled broadly on the day of his baptism, as if the 23 years of his resistance had melted away…her faith rewarded.
I and the Edinburgh Church had access to vital lessons throughout that time about God’s faithfulness and our response to Him.
Ana’s challenges have been many, but she has always come through with dignity & faith. I am blessed to oversee a church with her in it as she is a constant support to me and my family, despite those challenges. She is both an upward call, having a friend at church almost weekly, and an ever present encouragement, serving happily in many roles.
I love and appreciate Ana & am personally convicted by her faith.”
Amen!
