Patricia St. John

by Irene Howat

Published 18 March 2008

Patricia St. John's life is a story in itself but she grew up to become one of the world's best-loved Christian writers for children.


After almost being born in the middle of a storm on the Bay of Biscay it was no surprise to see Patricia's life take twists and turns along the way. She had an adventurous spirit so when the bombs fell during the blitz in London there she was, working as a nurse! When looking after 30 children in a boarding school as housemother her exciting bedtime stories kept the children up! They were later to become her classic stories, Tanglewood's Secret and Treasures of the Snow! When her brother needed her help at his hospital in Morrocco Patricia just jumped on the back of his motorbike and went with him.
Every place that she called home was the inspiration for yet another story that brought children to understand and love their Lord Jesus Christ.


This is an amazing story of a much-loved figure in Christian history. A trailblazer for women, and for Christians everywhere.


John newton

by Irene Howat

Published 20 May 2003

John stood and watched as some of the largest waves he had ever seen threw themselves at the ship. Very little stood between the young slave ship captain and death - and he knew it. His panic and fear made him think only of himself and nothing for the hundreds of men, women and children chained in the hold below. However, God still heard his prayers and the cries of the tortured humanity pleading for mercy and justice. The very man selling them into slavery would soon fight for their freedom. John Newton was one of the worst abusers of the African slave as he travelled the oceans to make money from their misery - but in the end his life was changed and so was theirs.