Meet Rita

In her own words:

I am an Australian with an English, Scottish and Jewish heritage. In my childhood, Grandma and I invented adventure stories to entertain us while mum worked. And dear Gran did have several short stories published in a popular womens' magazine. My artistic mother also encouraged me, and I spent after-school hours writing little poems in the children's section of the Sunday papers. This kept me in pocket money. And so the writing seed was planted.

After high school I became a student at Sydney's National Art School where I fully committed my life to the Lord Jesus. During this time my family built up a pottery studio and I eventually worked there as a ceramic artist. We were excited when my work was shown in a prestigious down-town boutique.

A few years later I met a fiery young violinist, George Elias Galieh, at a Youth For Christ rally. When we first spoke together and shared ideas, sparks flew!  He was also a member of a quartet and the announcer of YFC's radio program. Maybe the Lord whispered in his ear, because he challenged me to use my art for the Lord. And best of all, we began singing together, and have been ever since.

Two years after we married, we attended the Emmaus Bible College and prepared to serve the Lord wherever He might lead us. We weren't practical, but desired to use our talents in evangelism for His glory. Our son was born at this time and when he was about two years old, we joined Dr Gene Jeffries, an American evangelist whom we worked with for five years.

It was also a wonderful experience working as associates with Billy Graham and Luis Palau on several crusades. Some years later, we formed our own team, and with my husband encouraging me to write my own songs, many were recorded. Today we continue featuring the arts in evangelism, because I also give an artwork presentation as my husband speaks.

Each year we are invited to Thailand for a month to link up with Thai evangelist, Somchai Soonthornturasuk, who is our interpreter. With permission from the Buddhist government, we find ourselves presenting the Good News in high school assemblies, prisons, hospitals, shopping malls and churches. In the process, thousands of John’s Gospels in Thai are freely handed out. Each contains a follow-up correspondence course. And countless times we’re asked to explain the meaning of Christmas, which – albeit commercially – the Thais enthusiastically embrace.

As I wrote in one of my songs,

Who knows what my future will be? His design I can't always see. Yet strand by strand He is guiding my hand as I work on my life's tapestry.

 

What makes a writer write?

All the writers I know say that once you start, you can't quit. In my case I believe my writing, music and art are gifts given by my Saviour to use in sharing the Good News. (Eph 4.) My aim is to captivate my reader while remaining faithful to God honouring theology. This fulfills a long held desire in writing stories that entertain and inspire. I've discovered my passion is to write in the historical romance genre with both intrigue and adventure. And I really enjoy researching the 19th century Victorian Era with all its undercurrents.

Some have asked,"How much of yourself is in the story?" My answer is one hundred percent. How can it not when I must dig deep? Raw emotions are exposed and that's not always a bad thing especially when I can give them over to the Lord for His healing touch. Sometimes I don't even understand the way I act the way I do, let alone my characters. It's not until I pray through the problem I realize a sudden uncalled for reaction had far deeper reasons. Maybe fear, insecurity, hurt, or disappointment were hiding there in my psyche. So in all this, my faith has been challenged and strengthened. I want my readers to experience this too, as they remember how much the Lord cares for every aspect of their lives.