"When I visited Israel in 2023, it was in response to a profound move of the Lord. I made no apologies on my Facebook page, Now we're Talking. I was clear I would be writing openly about why I was going and whose name I was going in. I longed to walk where Jesus walked. I wanted to pause in sacred places when I felt His breath or tender voice whispering to me. I desired an intimacy with the Lord in a way I had never felt before.
"So I wrote everyday, posted photos, sharing reflections and capturing moments that touched me deeply. When I arrived safely home, just days before the war in Israel began, I stopped writing. Then in March 2024 a non Christian friend asked me why had I stopped writing. That question surprised me and stirred something in me. So I enquired of the Lord and asked Him what He wanted me to do. During Easter He spoke clearly to me: 'I want you to use that site to write Christian testimonies - not your own but from other people'.
"I'm not a journalist though some people seem to think I am, I'm an amateur writer with no formal qualifications or training. I didn't want to be like Moses questioning the Lord and instead I said, yes Lord here I am. I believed if he appointed me He would anoint me. And right there in the middle of my pondering the Lord stopped me with this question 'are you ready Helen?'
"What did He mean by that I wondered. A short time later I found friends unfriended me and others stopped following my posts. Some questioned openly why I was writing about the goodness of God, and other friends just drifted away. I felt it was part of the refining and when I took my pain to Him, he showed me it would cost me to follow Him more boldly. He asked me a second time 'are you ready Helen?' I felt it deeply in my spirit. This was a calling and something powerful. This was His ministry, not mine. I was simply a vessel and I wanted to do my best not for applause or approval, but for my God who I loved.
'Follow my lead, I will direct you. Trust me. There will be a harvest through this work and I know your heart is for truth'. "I understood I just needed to be willing. To follow. To trust. It was about His purpose and the truth He wanted to speak through the lives of others.
"The very first testimony came from a dear friend I had the privilege of travelling to Israel with. A beautiful story of total healing in her crippled body. That was Testimony Number One. Now as I reflect on the 67 testimonies that have followed - one every Wednesday evening for 67 weeks - I'm humbled. Along the way there have also been many 'tingles' - shortened one paragraph testimonies that carry such power.
"There have been many tears along the way, sacred, quiet tears as I've been privileged to share the most intimate parts of peoples journeys. Some have chosen to remain under a non de plume because their own families or friends do not know the full extent of their story. I've held each testimony tenderly in prayer, honouring every heart and keeping personal details in confidence.
"There have been moments of complete uncertainty. I post every Wednesday evening at 7pm - yet there have been times when even at 6pm that same evening I still didn't have permission to post.
"I will never forget early one Monday morning when I cried out to the Lord - I have nothing - nobody has come forward - I have nothing lined up. At 7am a txt came through from someone I didn't even know offering his powerful testimony. God has never failed me.
"When I first began writing these narratives, I believed the purpose was to inspire and encourage other readers - and it certainly has. But as time had gone on, I've come to see something deeper. Often its the narrator (the one who shares their story) who is the most moved. When they read their own testimony back, knowing its about them, something shifts. They're confronted, gently but unmistakenly with evidence of God's hand in their life. In that moment often something profound happens . Healing, restoration, renewal. Often they see the hand of God tracing His purpose through their life. I'm so deeply grateful to every single person who has been part of this journey. Whether you've shared, stood by me, encouraged or prayed me through, your support has meant more to me than I can put into words. Thank you from my heart.
"So its with joy I announce the launch of Now we're Talking onto a new domain in addition to Facebook. It can now be found through Google at www.nowwearetalking.nz Please note: The numbering of each testimony on Facebook will not match the numbering on the website. This is because I have combined testimonies with more than one part, under a single name on Google. You will still find a dedicated section containing all the testimony tingles which I continue to update as they come in. I trust this all makes sense and I'm so excited for you to explore this new space.
"I invite you to continue reading, sharing and contributing to the many ways God moves in our lives through healing, redemption, prayer and transformation. Every testimony is a gift from God and a declaration of our relationship with Him. When one voice is brave enough to speak, countless hearts are encouraged".
Revelation 12:11 "and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony".