the Otter's Pool - web home of Ady Gould -

Whilst at university I became involved with the Christian Union, and saw great things happening with it. In term time I fellowshipped at a local church in Reading, and when I got home, I went to the King's Church. This, at some point in my three years of study, became part of a growing congregation called "The River Church". It had two branches, one in Marlow, and the other in Maidenhead.

God moved me in ministry within this fellowship, placing me in the dance group. It was evident that I had the ability to worship Him with all my being. I danced before the Lord, and many occasions in tears. The Spirit took me to places that only I knew, and yet my heart always wanted the other people to join me there.

The three university years were not a simple time for me. The first two 10 week sections were hard work, but they were almost destroyed by the fact I found the young lady I was going out with, in the arms of another man.

It almost destroyed me. I got very drunk, cried, and wanted to leave. In the end I was set up, and lost my virginity in a time of deep darkness. I resented the fact that someone had taken advantage of me when I felt that way. It was not the young lady's fault that the night happened, it was just the manipulation of the events by someone I had trusted.

Somehow I managed to pass my first university exams, and then carried onto the second part of the first year. This was marked by me being very distant from God, and spending much time with councillors, and the pastors of the fellowship in Reading. The second year resulted in me meeting some tremendous people from the year above me. In this I found some hope, and developed some special friendships. Mike, Mike, Charlie, Siobhan, and Paula, and I apologise to anyone I've missed out, all gave me a hand, and encouragement whilst I struggled with the second year. It was still evident that I had not got over the events of the previous year.

I dated a young lady briefly, but that failed. I never did find the real feelings I was looking for.

The second year was spiritually barren, until about mid way though, when I started to attend the Christian Union again. This had taken a step forward with the Lord and with the Holy Spirit being given more emphasis.

I enjoyed this, but at the same time I was developing a close friendship with another person.

The third year came, and I got close to destroying my career just before it was to come to a climax. In the final semester, I grew jealous as my friend spent more time with their partner. I was feeling rejected and unwanted. A fit of rage almost resulted in me being thrown out of hall of residence and university.

God had his had upon my life yet again, as it was the intervention of the student counselling service and my personal tutor who gave me the life I needed. I had a matter of weeks to finish, and they saw that it was pointless to create a problem by having me leave.

I finished off the course, with only one subject passed at over 70% in all three years. I had struggled, and came out with a Second Class, lower division honours degree [2(II)]. This time towards the end of my university career became a focus for me, and it was only the fact that I had good Christian friends who loved me and helped me through this time, that I survived and completed the course.

The previous year I had celebrated my friends graduation with them the, and in a mark of respect to me, they came to the ceremony, and were invited by my parents to the celebration at my home.

When it came to the time to leave university, I knew that I wanted to teach, and started the long task of trying to find a position.

At the same time applying back to universities for a PGCE course, especially in the post school (college) level.

I got interviewed by one establishment who turned me down on the basis of I was too young. I was also applying for jobs and getting interviews.

I ended up applying for the position in Australia, which I was still in in 1997.

He pushed more and more Australian items in front of me. Calendars featuring Australia, meeting people from Australia, and even more meeting someone who was born in Kalgoorlie.

Some may say that these items were chance, but I believe that God had His hands on my destination.

In the end I accepted a job with a local company, as a software support engineer on the Wednesday.