Roger's story

"No problem" says Evan church member Roger Grange who, as a grandfather of five and of a certain age (63), achieved a magnificent personal ambition in May 2010 whilst on expedition to Greenland.

That, together with summating hither to unclimbed peaks in Greenland, put the icing on the cake for the long planned expedition to the Watkins range. "My son, David, and I" says Roger "have climbed in Bolivia, Alaska, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and China boarders, Himalayans and other big mountains, but the lure of Greenland was irresistible not least for the logistical challenge of organising the expedition to such a remote and unmapped area."

"You know you are onto something special when the pilot, having successfully landed the specially adapted charter aeroplane onto the glacier, gets out and photographs it in situ – one for his album."

Roger's album has many wonderful shots taken by David whose profession is to make commercial film and artwork enterprises. He said "the most valued shot is Dave and I embracing on the unclimbed peak's summit along with the traditional shot, that of holding the Union Jack on the summit of Gunnbjornsfjeld, the highest peak".

"On our return David gave me a most spectacular film encapsulating the spirit and awesome views of the expedition that was produced to the highest professional standard. It was quite inspirational and again I thought how fortunate I am in having such an able son that I get on so well with and can enjoy sharing our sport together. It is just as well really as we were once storm bound for seven days and nights with another man in a two man tent 18,000 feet up Mount Denali in Alaska."

Roger showed the film to the monthly men's club at the church where his climbing equipment was on show. The men's club have various speakers on different topics and all men are welcome, free of charge (further details are available via the church office).

During his talk Roger explained that being in such an unspoilt area you couldn't help but think about the wonder of creation and how perfect it is. Some would say that you might feel closer to God in such a place, but as a Christian Roger felt strongly that God is close to us no matter where we are and wants us to start to build a relationship with Him wherever we might be.

Bearing in mind the clean pristine unspoilt area covered in snow, where no man had stood, he could not help but compare this to the purity of God compared with his need of forgiveness. He said "the scriptures say, my righteousness is as dirty rags" but also they say "my sins will be washed as white as snow" goodness knows there are a few cubic miles of snow in Greenland.

After his return, Roger suffered from blood clots on the lungs, pneumonia and a potentially fatal heart condition. Possibly linked, although not accredited, to the exertion and high altitudes he experienced whilst away Roger ended up in hospital within 5 days of getting back to the UK in a serious condition. He was stabilised quickly at Queens hospital but needed further treatment to deal with the heart condition. "The many doctors who saw me seemed more concerned than I was" he said, "Since becoming a Christian at 19 and having a living relationship with God, I felt quite relaxed in his care and always trusted him for my future"

Through a friend at Evan he was introduced to an eminent heart specialist in London who saw him straight away and, over the next two weeks whilst in hospital he worked n his heart in order to re synchronise its natural rhythms. Roger said "When the professor discharged me he said that I had been ‘one sick boy', followed by the comment that ‘somebody up there must be looking out for me', how profound those words are". He went on to say "so there you have it, we might feel inadequate, sinful or just low but Jesus makes us, in God's sight, as perfect as the unspoilt territories of inland Greenland where I was privileged to visit. All we have to do is believe it, through faith."

Roger is making a remarkable recovery and gives God the praise for all that he has done in his life. This verse in the bible means a great deal to him and he would like it to mean the same to you.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

If you want to know more or would like us to pray with you, contact the church on 01708 769868 or via church@romford-evan.co.uk and we will be glad to talk things through with you.