Ron met SU evangelist Dai Lewis (no relation) at the Greystones beach mission, County Wicklow, way back in 1955 – Dai would visit Ron’s parents to enjoy lavish Irish hospitality! Later, Ron moved to England and met and married Ann, and their four sons attended SU’s Longbarn camp which Dai had started. ‘Dai told stories round the campfire, many of which featured a boy called Gus,’ Ron recalls. ‘Subsequently SU published those stories as books.’

Ron and Ann helped found a church which they hosted initially in their Sussex home and then at a local school. Ron says, ‘Several times Dai came to lead services for children. Such was his gift for presenting the gospel that parents also hung on his every word and some came to faith. When Dai died in 2016, Bishop Paul Butler (who had come to know Dai through Longbarn) spoke movingly at his memorial which was held there.’

Ann grew up in Dorset. Her parents encouraged her and her three siblings to read the Bible from an early age. ‘I used SU Bible Reading Guides – Ron and I still do. One of the earliest rhymes they rooted in me is based on Psalm 118: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful truths in your Word for me”.