When Mark and Delma Tronson moved from their local church ministry to faith financial support in 1982, pioneering the Sports and Leisure Ministry, Mark determined to seek out five women who would pray for them each day. It made sense to ask those who had already retired, as they would have more available time.
This was the first and most important step in establishing a faith financial support ministry, and every day since then, five senior women have set aside time to pray to the Lord, for Mark and Delma Tronson, their four children and their ministry.
Pat Elston is one of these five ladies, and Mark Tronson was honoured to have her as a guest on the Australian Missionary News IPTV.
Pat Elston said that she has always had a vibrant Christian faith and knew from when she was a young girl that although she felt unworthy, she understood that the Lord loved her.
In answer to the first question about her early years, Pat explained that she was raised in Brisbane. After she finished high school, she went on to Teacher Training College and then taught at schools in Brisbane and Nambour before visiting her finance, Allan's, parents in the United Kingdom and teaching there for one year.
Upon her return she and Allan married, and they lived in Townsville where all four sons were born. However, Allan was transferred back to Brisbane, where they raised their sons in their own home town.
Allan and Pat Elston met Mark Tronson's parents, Seymour and Joan, at the Tewantin Anglican Church when in their retirement they had established a small farm near Cooroy. The Minister asked Pat to run a women's group to learn more of the Bible but she felt inadequate to undertake such a task.
Joan Tronson offered to help Pat with this undertaking, for in Pat's words, Joan knew the Bible very beautifully, was very supportive of her and could answer any question of the Bible. Pat Elston and Joan became very good friends.
Pat explained that she met Mark and Delma through Seymour, when Joan and Seymour relocated to Canberra and soon after Joan had passed to Glory. Mark Tronson said that his mother often spoke of Allan and Pat, and he knew immediately who she was when she wrote a beautiful letter to Delma and himself after his mother had died.
It was shortly after this that one of Mark and Delma Tronson's five original praying ladies passed on, so he asked Pat Elston whether she might join the praying group, and she readily agreed.
Delma Tronson, in this Australian Missionary News IPTV interview, said how appreciative she was of the prayers of these five praying ladies.
"God answers these prayers," affirmed Delma, "Without the prayers Mark and I could not have done what has been achieved in the Lord."
Pat Elston explained that it is a privilege to pray; and more so to be asked to pray for such people who so love the Lord.
This 'Television on the Internet' live interview with Mrs Pat Elston can be found at tv.bushorchestra.com and www.safeworlds.net