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‘...those who hope in
74, she launched her latest book: The 28-Day the Lord and started Advocate Agency which
Immunity Plan. Rosemary is also editor-in- promotes and manages artists. Its
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chief of a lifestyle magazine and a speaker. will renew their ethos echoes her own life: inspiring
strength. self-belief in infinite possibilities,
Inspiring young lives They will soar on achievement, and success.
Another ‘encourager’ is Yet 30 years ago Kelle had no
musician songwriter Philippa wings like eagles; money, no job and was seriously
Hanna, who has wowed they will run and not ill. She lost her place of stillness
international audiences, grow weary, until she cried out to God for help
and toured with renowned and to defy medical reports of life
artists. She stirs hearts and they will walk and in a wheelchair, infertility, brittle
souls with a unique musical not be faint.’ bones, and obesity following massive
talent that emerged after Isaiah 40:31 steroids to help combat her illness.
a bleak journey devoid of joy and purpose She also rallied intercessors across
as she struggled with failure, hurt and the globe to pray for her.
disappointment as a teenager. Having risen from the Kelle pursued faith and adopted a new health and
ashes of adolescence her course is set to encourage other fitness routine with rigorous exercise, a strict healthy
disheartened souls. diet and nutritional supplement for cell renewal for a life
Since giving God the reins of her life, her heart is turnaround. Now married with two children, her story
healed and her spirit strong and bold. Her motivational proclaims her positive thinking and resolve to not allow
songs, inspired by real life, bring hope, reflection, and lupus to ruin her life.
personal testimony as does her published autobiography Coralita Martin (shown in main picture, page 14) is
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and devotional to encourage and inform others, particularly another example of determination whose book I have been
youngsters suffering poor self-image. She has also become privileged to co-author. Growing up in Antigua as a poor,
an advocate for Compassion UK, travelling to one of the under-privileged child she overcame hardship and injustice
poorest regions in the world to help ease suffering. to realize her dream to become a schoolteacher.
Then there’s Lisa Potts. As a nursery As a youngster she was under-
nurse, Lisa faced a horrific incident that nourished, rejected and shoeless;
hit national headlines and changed the her home was a shack and she owned
course of her life in 1996. Leading her pre- just two dresses. When she won a
schoolers outside for a teddy bears’ picnic scholarship to the best girls’ school
she was suddenly faced with a man wielding on the Caribbean island there was no
a machete. Immediately, she shielded her money for books and a uniform, so the
pupils from the attacker risking her life and scholarship was removed.
sustaining huge injuries involving operations and endless Moving to England in the sixties
physiotherapy to regain the use of her hands. Coralita burnt the midnight oil to become
But Lisa was undeterred and wrote a book uncovering a qualified teacher while caring for her
the events and did a counselling course. Afterwards she seven children. She suffered abuse, racism and lived in
launched Believe to Achieve, a life-changing charity for hovels, hostels, and squats but her determination meant she
children and their families in the deprived area of the West taught for over 50 years across a wide spectrum of schools
Midlands where the attack happened. winning acclaim from staff and the thousands of children
Lisa is the recipient of an honorary degree from she influenced and who still remember her with affection.
Wolverhampton University for her services to children that I have known many encouragers throughout my life.
have united the community; improved school attendance During loss, illness, challenge and fatigue they have been
and created a happy, fun and creative environment outside there. Reliable, compassionate, generous – kind helpers,
school while providing counselling for bullying and peer faithful friends, comforters and strengtheners.
pressure. She is also a children’s author, speaker and the They have rallied my faith, enabling me to stand against
recipient of the George Medal marking her bravery. stormy seas and walk through difficult valleys. Their
gifts have come to the forefront with prayer, creativity,
Against great adversity companionship and wise counsel. They have infused hope,
At 15, Kelle Bryan was the youngest extolled my desperate, weak efforts and helped me to rise
member of the chart-topping girl band, again. We all need and appreciate encouragers. Their
Eternal. Within six years she was part of an faithful sacrifice to invest in others spurs us on to take the
award-winning, multi-million selling group next rung of the ladder and to be like them.
that toured the world in the nineties.
But fame and fortune suddenly ended 1 The 28-Day Immunity Plan: A vital diet and fitness plan to boost resilience and
when she was dropped from the band and protect your health. By Rosemary Conley (Author), Mary Morris (Contributor)
was hospitalised with lupus, a chronic rare Published by Penguin, January 2021.
disease that attacks the organs in the body. ISBN: 978-1405949125.
Now she is patron for the Lupus Trust; an acclaimed 2 Courage to Dream – the impossible becomes reality. By Sandie Shirley and
Coralita Martin. Published by Last Word Publications, 2010.
actress involved with TV, films, stage and musical theatre ISBN: 978-0955943942.

Find us online at www.plain-truth.org.uk Spring 2021 The Plain Truth 15