We reached Potta on Saturday morning and I was surprised to see my husband saying the last decade of the rosary with his hands raised up. I kept telling the Lord: he is only cheating you and me, because I know him very well. He is not a man of prayer.

On Tuesday after my confession, I saw a vision at the Retreat Hall- Jesus was going up when suddenly I clung to his neck, saying, "Please do not leave me with this man, for he is not going to keep me happy at all." And as Jesus was going higher, I was scared that I would fall, but Jesus did not hold me, instead he told me, "Go back to your husband, now he knows my word".

On Wednesday just half an hour before the Mass, which was offered for married couples, I fought with my husband. During the Mass Fr Augustine asked us to lay hands over each other’s head and renew our vows. When my hands were laid on my husband’s head, I was shocked to hear the words, which I had to repeat after Father, "You are the best gift God has ever given me". I wept bitterly and accepted my husband with all his faults and asked God to help me to forgive him. Today we are a happy family. Our bedroom has become a prayer room. As my husband was also touched, his testimony follows.

I used to drink and harass my wife. In the month of June I hurt her very badly and I could not bear to see her suffering. My two daughters also started getting frightened of me. It was then that I realised I was wrong and I wanted my family to be happy. So I decided to take them to Potta. We reached Potta on 18th October ‘97. When I entered the Retreat Hall, I saw people praising, clapping hands and singing to the Lord. I thought to myself they must be happy today, because they are free from the lock-up after 6 days. How wrong I was!

On Saturday, the 18th, when I received Holy Communion I felt the taste of menthol in my mouth. I told this to my wife and my colleagues. One of them said God had washed my mouth. On the 19th I bought a hymn book, and when I just opened it, my eyes fell on the hymn, "I want you". I was frightened. During confession, I told the priest I would not give up drinks, even if God punished me. I was drinking for over 25 years, and so it was very difficult to give up drinks, On Thursday the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. Fr Augustine called out, "There are three people to whom the Lord is asking to surrender their drinks" and he was struggling with his eyes closed. When I saw Fr struggling I said, "Lord, if I am one of these three, then I surrender". Hardly had I said this, when Fr Augustine from the altar said, "Osborne, the Lord has touched you, and his message is ‘Even though the mountains may move, my love for you will stand." I covered my face with my hands and started weeping and said, "No Lord, I am not worthy of being touched, No, Lord, No."

I praise and thank God for giving me a happy life with no addiction to alcohol. Divine Retreat Centre is indeed the Promised Land of joy, peace and love.