A special man
David Bowen is a special man to those who know him and it is not because he is a member of the SAGA generation; he is fifty-three-years-old which for David is quite remarkable.
David lives at home with his mum who says of him, ‘I don’t know what I’d do without him he does so much around the home’. David has a great love for geography and history, about which he is extremely knowledgeable, and he especially loves Greek mythology. He also knows a great deal about horse racing, follows the horses form from race-to-race, although he is quick to tell you he would never place a bet on any horse race! And David loves to sing hymns in church. He has many favourites and is always quick to tell you his choice at the mid-week meeting.
However, none of these things make David a special man. What does is that this fifty-three-year-old man has Down’s syndrome.
David is a Christian and an active member of his local church. He will gladly tell you that God has given him peace in life and he is not afraid of death. Let David tell you in his own words about how he became a Christian:
‘When I reached my teens, I read a verse in the Bible (John 3:16), which says ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’. I then realised I was a sinner and that I needed Jesus to lead me in my life. His presence is always felt and He gives me peace in my life. I gradually grew closer to God as I read my Bible more and more.
I know that when I pray to God, He hears me and helps me with difficult things in my life. God recently helped me when my father died. I knew God was with me through that time.
I have a relationship with God by praying to Him and reading my Bible every day and it’s great to know that I will go to heaven when I die. It is great to know that God’s son, Jesus, died for me even though I am a sinner. I would recommend Him to anybody because you can find true happiness in your life.’
It is the simplicity of David’s faith in a loving and gracious God that makes him a very special man, and an inspiration to all who know him.
John Woolley is the minister of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Cardiff.