The Chair John Hunt again provided an insightful interview with one of our newest Rotarians Karina Wood. Karina was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and is the fourth child (in 5 years) and only girl, to Lionel and Verity Ling. Karina said that there was a lot of fighting between her brothers and herself when she was little! Her parents were Salvation Army Officers so they moved a lot. In her childhood Karina lived in Kalgoorlie (WA), Port Pirie (SA), Kadina (SA), Thebarton (SA), Elizabeth (SA), Mooroolbark (Vic), Ballarat (Vic), Oakleigh (Vic) and Ferntree Gully (Vic). Her father was a very caring man who often brought the homeless, alcoholics or drug addicts to their home for meals. They even housed a drug addicted lady in their caravan for a time. Karina recounted these and other childhood memories which ultimately developed her own personal values and beliefs, some of which are not to smoke, drink or gamble because she has seen the devastation these can cause to the lives of others.
Karina entered the Salvation Army Training College to train for ministry in 1988, aged 20. She graduated and was ordained in 1990 and commenced full-time ministry. The Training College was where Karina met her husband Peter and they were married in 1991. They celebrate 25 years of marriage this July. Since 1991 Karina and Peter have lived in: Pascoe Vale (Vic), Mt Hawthorn (WA), Geraldton (WA), Mildura (Vic), Toorak Gardens (SA), Daw Park (SA), Aberfoyle Park (SA), Moil & Alawa (NT), and now Warrnambool. During this time her three children Daniel, Nathan and Kirsten were born. Following Kristen’s birth Karina suffered post-natal depression and ongoing ill health. It wasn’t until sometime later that her cousin (a doctor) diagnosed her with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis which was the answer to years of depressive episodes. Treatment for this condition has been a miracle for her and has changed her life.
Karina recounted a special memory of her time in the Northern Territory and spoke about a war veteran and chronic alcoholic, Ned. He came into the Salvation Army many times and had a great faith in God, despite his condition. Sometimes he would collapse from alcohol. One day he collapsed at the Life Centre and while Karina had his head in her lap waiting for the ambulance, he said he “just wanted to go home to the Father”. She said it was a privilege to sit with Ned and tell him that God loves him. Karina explained that people become homeless because of experiences that have happened to them and that homelessness is not a choice.
During the interview John asked Karina to sing a verse of “Amazing Grace” which she did beautifully. Karina is also blessed with a lovely singing voice.
Thanks Karina for sharing some of your life experiences with us.
$7.00 was won by Marie Bennett - don't spend it all at once Marie!