Our trip to London was special , as we stayed with Mimi Turner for 10 days. For Anjean and I , this turned out to be a surprise. Mimi had not yet arrived from her holiday, but was gracious enough to extend her hospitality in her absence. However we were happy when she arrived the following day. This became our home away from home then onwards.

Mimi has been hosting guests of Charismatic Renewal since 1969 with her husband late Tim Turner.

Mimi still remembers her earlier home , which was much larger before moving to the current smaller one. She has a picture frame of the old house .

Mimi loves her garden and the sitout . On a sunny day , the experience is exhilarating. The flowers were in full bloom. Birds visited the feeder every morning .

But Mimi misses her husband Tim the most . He was the ‘gardener’. He passed away about 9 months ago.

I loved to hear Mimi speak about the family history i.e his-story as well as her-story . The events around them were stunning , with the background of World War II. I encouraged Mimi to put it down in her memoirs .

The Turners have 5 children and 18 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter . They are truly international . Most in UK , and one family in USA and one in Australia .

Mimi thinks aloud “ I hope I can travel on many different holidays ; taking one different holiday per year , with one accompanying grandchild , just like my mother did.”

She had just returned from a Norway cruise with grandson Anthony . Of course she had some amazing pictures to show and a glowing account of the way Anthony conducted himself, while accompanying her.

Mimi has always had her family around for Christmas . “ The little ones would be in the hallway, the adults in dining room and older grandchildren in the kitchen . Turkey would certainly be the main dish.”

In 1970 Mimi and Tim were active in the early Prayer Groups . Later they were Leaders of the Charismatic Renewal. Tim brought ‘ Life in the Spirit’ Seminars to Britain .From 1973 onwards Tim conducted these seminars which helped more Prayer Groups to flourish..

Eventually they committed to the Covenant Community life in 1980. This Community is the ‘Antioch Community’ today and a full member community of the Sword of the Spirit Communities worldwide.

Her son Dan Turner is the current Senior Coordinator.

Mimi is very organised in her life style

She prioritises prayer and the life of Community.

Her week comprises , Gym, keeping touch with the extended family on the phone , and current news .

She is quite independent and drives to places for meetings or shopping.

She takes special care to host visitors even now .

“I never thought I would continue hosting guests after Tim passed away , as we were a team; but you are my first guests and I’m happy to host .”

One of her special gifts is Counselling . She is an asset to Community life over the years , and is one of the Senior members .

I asked Mimi what verses remain her favorite :

She responded

‘ Acts 17:28 ‘ For in him we live and move and have our being ‘

Romans 8:28 ‘ We know that by turning everything to their good God cooperates with all those who love him, with all those that he has called according to his purpose.’

Truly Mimi lives with a purpose , and God has blessed her with an abundant life.