Subject: Liz Lewin, a hairdresser from Leeds who is married with one child.
Age range: 50-60.
Interests: work, church, walking and friends.
RJL: How did you become a Christian?
Liz: I had left home and was living alone. My business as a mobile hairdresser took me to visit wealthy clients in big houses – I thought I had made it! I started asking meaning of life questions. I was visited by Jehovah’s Witnesses and talked to them, but I had a problem with their views on blood transfusions. After I left home my parents had become Christians and when I had to have an operation they were praying for me.
My surgeon and his wife invited me for tea and we became good friends. They are Christians who go to the same church as my parents and through their witness I realised that I was in rebellion against God, but deferred making any decision. I went to their church and one day they invited me to see a film at their home and God spoke to me through this. Then I went to Mission England and when Billy Graham gave the invitation I went forward.
RJL: How did becoming a Christian affect your life?
Liz: As a result of my conversion I lost a lot of friends and struggled with being single – and then the Lord led me to Steve, who became my husband.
RJL: How did your parents become Christians?
Liz: My dad was in the Freemasons, who encouraged reading the Bible, and he did so on a regular basis. He was reading about the feeding of the 5,000 and wondered why there was bread and fish left over. He asked a work colleague if he ever read the Bible, and it just so happened that this man was a Christian. Dad asked his question.
His colleague didn't know the answer, but he invited my dad to a mission at his church. Dad went along and the preacher challenged him and said: ‘My prayer for you is that you will find no rest in your soul until you find Jesus as your Saviour.’ That same evening my dad could not sleep until he trusted Christ. My mum was converted a few months later.
RJL: Please explain how you came to be a hairdresser:
Liz: I had a Saturday job in a hairdressers and loved it. I asked them for an apprenticeship when I left school.
RJL: Do you have any regrets about your choice of career, or do you enjoy what you do?
Liz: I have no regrets. Being a mobile hairdresser means I have on-going relationships with my clients and as a result they open up to me.
RJL: Does your job give you opportunities to witness?
Liz: Being in people’s own homes makes it easier than if we were in a salon. People are more willing to talk. Some times I pray for them – there and then.
RJL: Does your work ever conflict with your faith?
Liz: I generally do not work on a Sunday, but will if it is important to a client, to show love to them. Some of my clients blaspheme a lot.
RJL: What is hard about being a Christian in your work?
Liz: My heart’s desire is to share the gospel so I find it hard if people won’t open up. I have been asked to cut the hair of a transvestite but have not yet decided how to deal with this. Sometimes clients are awkward and I need patience!
RJL: Are there any conflicts between your job and your home/church life?
Liz: No. I am my own boss, so I can arrange appointments to fit around my home and church life. I don’t work evenings.
RJL: Are you subject to any particular influences which are not compatible with your Christian beliefs?
Liz: I am in danger of wishing I had a big house like my clients do, etc., but I realise that Steve and I have been so blessed by the Lord and that these things are fleeting
RJL: Would you recommend hairdressing as a career for a Christian?
Liz: Yes. When you are an apprentice it is very hard – I nearly gave up. Being my own boss is lovely.
RJL: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers about being a hairdresser?
Liz: Having their hair done is such a good ‘tonic’ for people that I get a lot of job satisfaction.
Quick Fire Questions:
• Boiled or scrambled? / Depends on the meal!
• Shoes or trainers? / Shoes
• Fellowship group or prayer meeting? / Fellowship group
• Country or seaside? / Country
• Shopping or sunbathing? / Shopping
• Flowers or chocolates? / Both!
• Estee Lauder or Chanel No5? / Chanel
• Facebook or face to face? / Face to face
• Jumper or cardi.? / Cardi.
• Book on the beach or in the bath? Beach
• Hotel or B&B? Either
• Bus or train? / Train
