Born in 1920, I was Educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School. From 1936-1940 I was employed as a process clerk in the South Staffs Stipendiary Magistrate's office, before being conscripted into the Royal Air Force in 1940 serving first at Balloon Command Headquarters London. In 1941 I was posted to Middle East Command, arriving eventually at Air HQ East Africa, Nairobi.

I have always enjoyed flying (as a passenger) in Avro Anson, DH Rapide, Wellington, Sunderland and Catalina flying boats, Lancaster bomber. The high-light was in a two-seater Martlet flying over Hebron, Jordan Valley, Galilee, Nazareth, Haifa and along the Mediterranean coast back to base finishing with a stomach-churning aerobatic display.

On demobilization I was accepted at the London School of Economics, where I completed my bachelor's degree in two years, using the third year to study business administration under Prof. Sir Arnold Plant.

Appointed Company Secretary and Accountant of a firm of Importers, exporters and wholesalers in Smithfield Market, Director in 1958, joint Managing in 1964, sole Managing in 1970. Ross Group took over the firm in 1961 and I was responsible for the accounts of Ross Poultry Head Office in addition to the general expansion of my employers' firm.

During this time a group of six important and well-known food importers joined forces to import goods from communist China. I was asked to be manager and accountant becoming a director in 1971. In this position, I took a short course at London University (School of Oriental and African Studies) with a view to visiting China. To my regret, the Chinese authorities did not favour me with the invitation necessary in those days.

As a boy in Wolverhampton, I attended St Luke's Church with my parents and sister. It was there, under the ministry of Rev James Boultbee, that I trusted Christ as my own personal Saviour and became active in the Sunday School and Young People's work.

This was cut short by World War II, and while in Africa I made the decision to associate with assemblies of Christian brethren. In Nairobi, I was baptized by immersion as a believer. I suppose that makes me an Anabaptist! A group of servicemen joined together to hold Gospel Meetings and open-air services. The Church of Scotland minister was very supportive.

In Kisumu we had the hospitality and support of Major Buck of the Salvation Army and in Mombasa, Canon Butcher and his wife were a wonderful blessing to servicemen and women. I had the privilege of attending two conventions of Africa Inland Mission missionaries at the Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe. These were times of great spiritual uplift.

It was also great to spend a fortnight on the slopes of Mount Kenya with a Church of Scotland Mission. We three servicemen on leave there were conscripted to work in the hospital and saw-mill. I remember sharpening hypodermic needles for reuse, and hoped no-one suffered as a result! It was an experience to meet and talk to leper patients there. Since leprosy is an illustration of sin, we realise how loathsome sin must be in God's eyes. How much He loved us to send His only and wellbeloved Son to die for us at Calvary.

Where do you worship on the Lord's Day when you arrive in Heliopolis? The local newspaper gave an address, but where to find Rue Minouf? As I wandered round the side roads, I saw an Egyptian carrying a large Bible. He gave me the answer, and we went along together. I being in the way, the Lord led me! Nowadays we drive to our churches in our cars and we seem to have lost the witness of carrying a Bible under our arms.

Apart from my bird's eye view of the promised land, highlights of my stay in Petah Tiqvah (the door of hope) were to be in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve, and at the Garden Tomb on Easter Morning. Looking back on those years, I thank God for the work of SASRA and MMG. How much they did for serving men and women! How much they are still doing to-day!

Back home at LSE it was good to be the first male leader of the CU since the war, and also to be treasurer of the LIFCU Mission to London University. It was over all too quickly. As for most believers there was plenty to do in the local fellowship - Sunday School and Bible Class teaching, open-air work, preaching, baptisms, marriages, funerals, and of course acting as Treasurer.

Since my retirement, the Kensit Memorial Trust asked me to join their Council, and then so did the PTS. It seems my experience in the world of commerce has its use in the Lord's work too.

My wife and helpmeet was called to be with the Lord in 1998. I have two lovely daughters; one a local government officer and the other a teacher.

It came as something of a surprise when our chairman asked me to make this contribution. Having done it, and looking back, my heart is filled with humble thanks to God for all the way he has loved me and kept me and led me and guided me. Would that I had served Him better and loved Him more for all his many blessings over the years.

Looking ahead, "Maranatha! The Lord is coming." Until that glorious day, I believe PTS under God's good hand is moving ahead in a new way. Let us all put our hands to the plough.

E. Ken Lloyd