“MOTHER, I can't believe you've joined some churchy thing. Look at you, in your Jesus tee-shirt. You'd better get over it, quick!"

Martina's words were cutting. She meant them to be. She'd been through enough losing her father. Now it looked as if she'd lost her mum, Stephanie, too.

"Until I was seven," explains Martina, "me and my two brothers lived in Germany, where Dad served with the Army. I remember him as a great Dad until he started drinking. Alcohol took over and he became so abusive Mum moved to England with us."

After many years, Martina's mother started a new relationship and a little girl was born. The relationship failed, leaving her with four children.

"It was hard for Mum, but we built a secure life. Then, when I was 16, Mum started to bring home all this Christian stuff. The changes in her were all good but I felt I was losing her."

One day Martina's little sister was sitting at the top of the stairs. She'd just learnt to talk and said 'M'tina, come to church?'

"How can you resist when your georgeous little sister asks you?"

Martina walked into a room full of people. Everyone was hugging and trying to hug her, too.

"I told them, crossly 'Get off!' But the love and acceptance broke my hard-heartedness, and I let Jesus into my life."

After some years, Martina felt she needed to work things through with her father.

"I knew I had to find Dad and tell him I forgave him. Through the Salvation Army, I found he' tried to trace me, too!"

"We arranged to meet after twenty years, it was nerve-wracking.

"Things aren't perfect but we're friends and able to talk. I'd recommend anyone to do the same.

"I see loads of youngsters who've been hurt, like me. Most have the attitude 'Life owes me something'. I was just like them - drink, drugs, clubbing - anything to get something out of life.

"I want to say 'God is there for you. It will be painful to face up to things and deal with them. But with the help of God and a good church you can.'"