Meeting all the wonderful people of course ! & Getting to grips with Ready Riter !! (The address and accounting programme) Seriously though, I can’t really pinpoint one particular thing, I am really enjoying my work, even with the initial frustrations !! It has been really great meeting everyone and it’s been amazing, just seeing God’s work being done through Crosslinks, and having the privilege to be part of it! 

What’s it like working with Melanie, Johnny and Louise?

How many pages can I write Peter ??
Scary Mel is a real slave driver … 
Johnny (Britney Spears no.1 fan) is always on a ‘break’… !
And as for, Mad Louise ‘Cream Eggs’ Ingram as she’s affectionately known, well, enough said ! Only joking !! Mel, Johnny & Louise have been really lovely !
They’ve really made me feel so welcome and part of the family !

Tell us a bit about yourself...

I’m 35 years old ! I’ve been married to Martin, for 13 years. We have one son, Matthew who’s 9, and a dog called Barney, who’s nuts !! Apart from what seems to be continually tidying Matthew’s room, I enjoy music, reading, talking and drinking tea !! 


Which do you prefer?

• Tea or Coffee: Tea definitely tea.
• Chocolate or Crisps: Crisps - all flavours !!
• Ant or Dec: I couldn’t possibly decide, they’re both equally brilliant !
• Video or Cinema: Probably Video, because then you can relax with a cup of tea and a couple of packets of crisps in the comfort of your own home !!
• Winter or Summer: Summer
• Red or Blue: Blue
• Emmerdale or Eastenders: Eastenders, I don’t think I’ve ever watched Emmerdale. 
• Melanie, Johnny or Louise (Only joking!): I couldn’t possibly decide ! Doesn’t it say somewhere in the bible that we shouldn’t have favourites ???

How did you become a Christian?

After watching a TV programme, which made me think about whether there was a GOD and Heaven, I felt a real urgency to go to Church. I was saved in Church, Easter 2000, during a service, where I heard how Jesus had been beaten, flogged and crucified on a cross, for my sins. There aren’t really the right words to describe how I felt, I was totally overwhelmed with love, so aware of my sinfulness. I thanked Jesus for dying for me, asked him to forgive me and to come into my life. 

Did you have a life before Crosslinks?

I worked for 18 years as an Office Administrator with a company who specialised in Radio Communications. I really enjoyed working there, but probably for about a year before I left, I felt it was time to more on. 

What sort of things are you involved in, outside of work?

Apart from trying to keep my home in some sort of reasonable order and doing homeworks, lunches and cleaning, whilst tripping over footballs, mucky shoes and roller skates !! I’m involved quite a bit in my Church. Being on the Select Vestry, a small committee, and attending prayer groups etc, I have a number of meetings to attend!! Also, I help with a weekly Bible study, and take a Sunday school class of 5 year olds! I play occasionally in a small worship group in Church and help with the Youth at events, whenever I can !! 
(anything for a chance to be young again !) 

If you were stuck in a lift, who would you most like to be stuck with and why?

Mmm… It would have to be someone who would be good company, would talk (a lot), someone who’s funny, I think I would choose my friend Karen, she’s all of the above and so much more !! We’ve been through so much together and we never get tired of talking !!! She’d have to bring a flask of tea of course !

If you could spend a day with one character from the Bible who would you choose, and why?

About from Jesus, probably one of the disciples, Peter I think!
Why, because, it must have been absolutely amazing being with Jesus and Peter seemed to be always the one, in the middle of everything !

You’ve only just started working for Crosslinks, what are you most looking forward to? (beyond the next tea-break)

I’m looking forward to being part of all the amazing things that Crosslinks are involved in! And I’m looking forward to learning about all the aspects of mission and meeting some of the mission partners and hearing about their experiences. Also, being a Ready Riter guru !!


What is you’re favourite Bible verse/passage, and why?

Isaiah Ch 43 v 1-7 These verses brought me real comfort and peace when I was going though a very difficult period in my life.

And, James Ch1 v2 – 4 These verses always ‘pop’ into my mind, and as you may guess , whenever I’m going through a very trying time !! But they also comfort me because I know that I will be drawn closer to the LORD and my faith will grow as a result of my perseverance and dependence of HIM !

Thanks Joanne... any chance of a cup of tea before I start back for London?

Come back soon for another in depth interview!