I realized that I should not have counted out my money because I knew that I needed twenty pounds for petrol. That evening I asked the Lord to send me twenty pounds and then promptly forgot all about it.. I had preached in Portsmouth the day before and the made camp at a camping place for the night.  Setting off just after the morning rush hour I was able to find a parking place in the industrial part of the City. The traffic had been heavy thus I was grateful to leave the van and walk  to the city center.

It was a long walk yet worthwhile when I saw the crowds of shoppers and  folk sitting around outside Woolworth’s . The  Lord led me to preach outside Woolworth’s standing on the low wall and raising voice to high volume.  It was a blessed time as the Word of God went forth with love and liberty.  Many heads turned and many sat listening to the message. Later I went around offering tracts and booklets to those who had been sitting listening.

It was then that this woman said “ you must be the reason the I am here”…The Lords led me this morning to come into the city and I did not why. Usually on a Wednesday I go to the Red Cross Meeting I had been praying and I felt the \Lord directing me to come to the city although I did not know why.  When I heard you preaching I knew this was the reason.  Would you care to join me for some lunch,

Tony was perplexed he was very happy to talk with this woman but he needed to get on with his mission.  Look he said I will be happy to join with you to share but please I must finish my work this morning, can I meet you at 1PM and then we can talk.  The woman Joyce Smeadon agreed to wait another hour and Tony went off to distribute his tracts.

Later as they walked down the hill to the restaurant in Debenham’s store  the woman pressed some money into Tony’s hand said  “Take this and buy whatever meal you like”.    She did not know that this kind act was causing Tony a problem. He was fasting and did not want to eat a big meal.   As they approached the store Tony Said “Please I do not want a meal but I will be happy to have a cup of coffee with you, Joyce accepted this and said, Keep that money for the Lords work and buy the coffee with this”. She gave Tony a five pound note.   They sat and talked sharing the things of God their testimonies and before the parted prayed together.

Tony walked out of the town with great joy in his heart and began to trace his way back to the car park.  Could he remember where it was parked? The city was huge and traveling in many towns and cities he always tried to mark out prominent features to help him return safely.    Soon he was driving out of Southampton seeking a telephone box to book a nights stay in a camping site near to Bournmouth his next preaching appointment

Later that evening now settled into his camp site he found a folded up bank note in his pocket and was thrilled to find it was twenty pounds.    Tony praised God, he had forgotten about his prayer request but God had not and had sent a messenger with the money.