Watching Alex Haley's `Queen' on TV over the last week, makes me realise again the importance of telling the story of our roots.

For me, I recognise that the foundations for my faith have been passed on to me through my family. Faith of course is always an individual response to God, and I believe that `God has no grandchildren'. However, the way that both of my parents have lived a Christian life by their testimony, example of their lifestyle, and service to the Lord, has taught me many things, to make it easier for me and all my brothers and sisters to have given their lives to follow Jesus Christ also. I am simply grateful for the blessing that has been passed on to me. It is the faith story that for me is the most important.

To know something of where I have come from gives me a sense of personal identity. To know something of the achievements and struggles of those in the past, especially those who have been pioneers to settle in New Zealand, helps me to see my place in history. Individual personalities have also been important

Also, the family history has helped me to contact many wonderful people in many parts of the world that I otherwise would never have met - people who have had a lot to share.

I hope that the internet revolution is going to bring people together in new ways, and one of these ways will be to enable families to communicate better with each other.

To contact me:

Address: 22 Wyllie Road, Papatoetoe 1701, New Zealand

Phone/fax: 64-09-278-8247

email: brandon1@ihug.co.nz