By Marian Gillard, Observer columnist
How would you feel if your property was about to be seized due to financial ruin?
You are packing when the RCMP drive into your yard with a shotgun between them. This happened in 1985.
This was just one of many tragedies Doug Greenwood has overcome in his life. He calls them “scars”.
He and his wife, Diane, are well known in Quesnel because of their compassion for those less fortunate.
Douglas was born on Sept. 7, 1949 in Mission City, British Columbia. His parents were Joan and Frank Greenwood.
I asked about his childhood memories, but he has little recollection.
When he was 11 years old and the family was living in Invermere, a hypnotist came to visit the family.
Being curious about what the man was talking about, Doug allowed himself to be hypnotized. The result was that he suffered epilepsy.
This was the first scar and it affected his relationship with his father and he was teased all of his teen years.
Doug attended the Calvary Temple near where they lived and Phil Galardi, a great man of God, influenced Doug to seek a relationship with Jesus Christ. This changed the course of his life and gave him hope.
Due to the illness, Doug was judged to have a low IQ. He felt like an outcast and no one knew how to deal with it.
At 14, he was sent to live with his grandparents in Ontario and their love and understanding, as well as his growing faith in God, got him through.
At 19, he attended a two-year course at Bible School. The call of God on his life to be a Pastor was strong and he was able to work as an associate Pastor in Bella Bella, but he couldn’t stay long because the Church was unable to pay him wages and he couldn’t pay for his medication.
Doug was introduced to the art of brick laying in Ontario and found he liked it. His father paid for his apprenticeship.
This became Doug’s career, which he has continued in for 40 years.
I asked him why it means so much to him. Doug told me: “It is similar to walking with the Lord, it’s a permanent way of life.”
He used this skill to support himself, his family and his ongoing Ministry of the Gospel. I might add his son, Dustin, is now following the same path.
The next big scar happened when their younger son, Darryl, was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in 1991.
It took its toll on Doug and Diane, but they again worked through it with much prayer and they spent several years assisting the RCMP and paramedics to speak in high schools about how youth need to make better choices in life.
After 46 years, Doug and Diane are closer than ever and use their gifts to help others.
Good Cheer is one example.
I asked Doug what he would like put on his gravestone and he didn’t hesitate: “FRIEND TO ALL.”
This is a true accolade.