“My mother Leila is very giving and supportive. She treats people equally and is a good listener and an amazing mother. She is always there for me and I know I can count on her, not only as a mother but as a friend as well. Her care, love and understanding towards me and to everyone is inspiring. She is the strongest woman I know. After being by her side through some of the toughest years of her life, I have seen what she has been through. How she struggled, the tears she shed and the pain she had to endure. All through these life storms, God’s love has kept her safe and she has pulled through. I know many sons would say this about their mother ,but truly I am one of the most blessed sons in the world, to have a mother like mine. You can’t help but laugh and open your heart and feel comfortable with my Mom.”

“I have known Leila since she arrived in the UK more than 22 years ago. Far from being the wicked stepmother of myth, fairytale and legend, Leila has proven herself to be a stepmother who cares and is genuinely concerned about not only her own child, but also her stepson. Her relationship with my mother, as my father’s first wife, is unique and the bond of love, which continues to exist between Leila, JJ, my mother and I, even in the absence of my father, is very special.
Leila is a woman of phenomenal strength and by piecing together this record of her life’s journey, she puts into place the foundations of a legacy, which will continue to inspire people, long after she is reunited with my father. With that fateful and glorious call, “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter now into your rest.”

“My sister Leila is a very compassionate person and family oriented. Thrifty but not selfish. She always likes to help and give to other people. When it comes to life storms she is very strong. She is understanding, a good listener and very devoted to the Lord. She is industrious, her life is always about work and supporting and helping the family.”

“Since our mother died, my sister Leila was like a mother to us. She took the role and responsibility of a mother. In my childhood, I looked up to her as a mother, more than a sister. She is brave, strong and has wisdom and principles in life, which she lives by. Although I now have my own family, Leila is always there ready to help when needed. I thank God that He uses her in many different ways. Most of all, she brought me and my family back to the Lord because of her love, support and encouragement, my wife Richel, myself and my three children are now serving the Lord.”

“Since we were small children growing up, Leila was always the one our father relied on to help our mother look after our young siblings. Because we were very poor, on top of working on our farm, Leila has also worked for other farmer’s, as well to earn more money. She is a very kind-hearted person, who never complains. She worked really hard to help my brothers in their studies until they finished high school. Even after she was married to Venroy and went to England with her son JJ, she continued to help the family whenever she could. She has a strong faith in God and she trusts Him. She has been through many struggles in life, but they have helped her become who she is today as such a wonderful person.”

“My Aunty Leila to me, is the greatest person in the world who I know. She is one of a kind and one in a million. I appreciate all the advice she has given to me, I take it in with much gratitude. She has helped and supported me in my studies. She has helped me with the treatment of my thyroid and ovarian cyst operation, which was life threatening. Through her prayers, God has touched someone’s heart and that person was so kind to send a huge financial help as well towards my cyst operation. For all that Aunty Leila has done, I will be forever grateful. Looking deep inside her, I see a strong, wise woman; the giving, helpful, loving, caring kind of woman that I hope to become.”

“Leila came into our lives a few years ago when she joined South Hill Church. Her remarkable story is a tribute to her love and faith in God. She has overcome many troubles with perseverance, hard work and faith, knowing that God will bring her to a better place. Many people have been blessed by her prayers and friendship, as well as her smiling face! She is an amazing person and she has an amazing story!”

“I met Leila at a time when I felt emotionally drained and my walk with Christ was based more on routine than passion. The fire that was instilled at the start of my relationship with Christ had started to wane. With my work, two children and a husband there never seemed to be enough time to spend quality time immersing myself in the word of God. When I was approached by Leila about joining a women’s group, at first I was a bit apprehensive, but then having listened to what God had instilled in Leila’s heart my apprehension was put to rest. Having attending the meetings there is no doubt that God’s purpose is being unfolded in each member of that group.
As 2 Timothy 1:9 says, “Who hath saved us, and called (us) with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. May the beauty of Jesus continue to abound in all of us.”

“I am beyond blessed to have a selfless Aunt who turned out to be my second Mum and treat me like her own daughter. I really respect and admire Leila for being such a hard working mother, wife, sister and Aunt. She loves God more than anybody else in her life. I am a personal witness of that. Looking back when we have conversations, most of the words that come out her mouth have a significant meaning in life and can change the way you look at things. I really don’t have any regrets after I listened to her and followed her advice. I appreciate so much every little thing that made me change because of her wisdom. She taught me everything about God. She really touched my heart and my spiritual wellbeing. She is amazing! She helped me to fulfill my dreams. She is incredibly generous and has helped me to start and finish my studies. She is a fighter, a strong woman and a warrior. She always puts God first that is why impossible things become possible to her and she knows that God is always with her.”

“Leila is an incredible woman of God. I remember when we first met. It was at a point in my life when I was trying to connect her son JJ to the youth at a church they were visiting. That day, I had a revelation in my heart and heard God’s calling for me to serve the children in the Philippines. I shared this with Leila and JJ. She beamed so brightly and you could see the excitement in her eyes. She told me that it was by God’s design that we had met because she heard the same calling and vision, several years ago. After spending quality time with Leila and learning about her life journey, it is apparent that this woman is one of strong faith. Her loyalty and simple, childlike faith to trust God in all circumstances is deeply inspiring. She is also such a compassionate prayer warrior and intercessor. The Lord often reveals his heart and strategy to her, knowing that she will faithfully play her part in response to the revelation. She is a remarkable woman, who is like a spiritual Mum to me. She has really supported my mission trips financially and in prayer. I thank God for her in my life.”

“The meeting of our lives was a destiny! It was in the business that our roads crossed through your sister Jane and my friend Valerie Asinero. I cannot remember exactly how we were introduced for the first time, but my first impressions of Leila were – as a woman of few spoken words, with calm demeanor yet strong, a respectful wife, a caring mother, a straightforward, yet sincere person, a friend and always a hard working person.

Years passed and my first impressions of Leila were proved to be true and yet I discovered more. The more I came to know her, the more I knew how strong she was, steadfast and a sacrificial woman for the sake of family. Her love of her parents, siblings and son and especially her husband Venroy was never ending! I watched her in the ups and low moments of her life but that sweet, calm demeanor remained! She never gave up! She persevered and performed well in the most trying times, like a swan. She is the epitome of a real warrior at heart and in mind!
I am so proud of Leila! I am honoured to know her and of her love and passion for Jesus Christ and the sharing of salvation and her obedience to His words. These are her ultimate worship to Him, which surely glorify the heavenly Father the most. The Lord bless you and keep you, Leila. May your dream to build a foundation for poor, homeless, orphans and children soon come true. You are blest to do it. I luv you, Ven and your son Jackie. Keep the faith. With luv in Christ Jesus.”

“Leila and I became friends shortly after she married my brother-in-law Venroy in the early 1990s. I have always found Leila to be very hospitable, pleasant, loyal, well mannered, extremely hard working and always willing to give a helping hand and advice wherever possible. I have never known Leila to lose her cool, nor seen her angry at any time. She has a caring heart for helping children and people in need and loves them as much as she loves herself. She is mentally strong and I have known her to handle difficult and hard situations she has encountered. She has loved through thick and thin, sickness and health, poverty and wealth.

Since Leila became a Christian our friendship has grown even more and I soon discovered her love for the true God and as David in Psalm 119:63 says, “I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.”

I soon discovered that our godly values would rub off on each other, which gave us accountability as true friends. “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (Psalm 111:10)

“Leila Wilks is a very special lady. We met through building our multi-level marketing business. Her persistent, encouragement, good
personality and influence has contributed to our success today. Leila built strong relationship and took good care of her family, using her strong personal values. We learnt a lot from her about how to enlighten and encourage other people. Her story and experience will definitely help many people who want an extra-ordinary life! Thank you for what you have done in our life Leila.”

“I first became aware of Leila at church when an appeal to help her get settled in a new flat was made by one of our Elders. However, it was quite a while until I met her in person. I gradually learnt about her life and situation through conversations with her and realized what a special lady she is. Through sharing and prayer at our care group we became much closer and I really value her friendship.

Leila has a big heart for people in all walks of life. She has a strength and determination to follow God at all times and has overcome so many obstacles to do this. She does so with wisdom and knowledge of God’s word. To know Leila is a blessing and privilege and I treasure her words of wisdom in my life.”

“Leila, a willing servant of Christ Jesus. Willing to be transformed to make an impact on lives for His Kingdom. Leila, you have been such a blessing to my family and me. And with your book so many more lives will be transformed for His Glory.”

“I have known Leila for more than four years. I got to know the real Leila when our lives collided during a women’s conference we attended in Leeds. She is on fire for God, always encouraging and uplifting anyone who will allow her to minister to them. Leila has a genuine heart for people because she shares her life experiences with God. I am confident this book will change your world.”

“In 2008, I met Leila, Ven and their son JJ, on a ship when I was travelling back to Cagayan De Oro City. Since then our friendship has developed and we often visited them at their place in Cagayan. Every time we got together, we always had a good time talking about everything under the sun. Leila is a true friend, good sister, a loving mother to JJ and most of all, a wonderful wife to Ven. She is also a very generous and kind-hearted person and I admire her family too. Before they went back to England, they had been through so many trials. In 2011, the typhoon that hit the City of Cagayan and with Ven very ill, I could not imagine how Leila coped. I realized how strong she is in the Lord. In our friendship, I did what I could at that time to help them financially and give support. I am glad my husband Steve and I, have done what we could to help and be there as true friends. Going back to England after the storm and losing Ven the day they arrived, was the saddest moment in Leila’s life. But slowly, she got back on her feet and came out even stronger, to continue her journey in life with her son JJ. Our friendship is the same, we always communicate with each other, despite living so far apart.”

“I met Leila on my first visit to South Hill Church in 2013. As I walked out of the car park, we started walking and talking together. That was God’s Holy Spirit. Leila is like a big sister to me. She is calm, patient, kind and easy to talk to. I have learnt so much from her on my spiritual walk. Leila is positive, an excellent role model and a teacher. She has a spiritual gift of evangelising other people. Leila was the person God used to contact me, to share the formation of the Women’s Support Group (WSG). I love Leila so much.”

“I met Leila in South Hill Church Hemel Hempstead in 2012. Since then God has been using her mightily in my life. She is a powerful woman of God with a child’s heart and a beautiful faith. The scripture below reminds me of Leila’s personality.
1. At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2. Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them
3. He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
4. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
(Matthew 18:1-5) NKJV

“Leila you have been a wonderful witness of what our most High God can do with obedience and trust. Your heart cry is to trust and obey as there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. This is the song of your life as His humble servant. Leila you are also a fervent prayer warrior with a commitment to see hearts saved and lives restored for Jesus. You are a faithful leader of the women support in our church enabling sharing of testimonies and the study of the word for growth and encouragement of all. You are His prized possession and it is such a privilege to know you dear Sister Leila, may you remain humble and seek only His perfect will. Amen!”

“I am a great believer that Leila is taken to certain places in her journey through life for a reason. I’ll never forget it, it was the autumn 1998, I was travelling to what was set to be another great business conference in the Cardiff Indoor Arena, and I met a lovely couple who later became very good friends, friends for life. From the first time I met the late Venroy and Leila, I felt an instant connection. They both had a beautiful smile. Leila appeared very coy, but her smile radiated, Ven on the other hand was quite the opposite, very confident and relaxed. I felt as though I had known this couple for some time. Today, that very coy Leila, by the grace of God has blossomed into a very confident, self-assured individual and has taken up where Ven has left off. Although we don’t get to see each other as much as we would like to, due to life’s inevitable challenges, our special friendship and faith keeps us together. Leila knows that she has a special place in my heart, together with her wonderful son JJ who has developed into a very enchanting individual, overcoming many obstacles over the years.“
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he will be my son” Revelation21:7 (NKJV)

“Leila is a very dear friend, with a passion and zest for sharing the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have known Leila for four years and during this time, we have become close friends seeking to share the gospel, while also supporting and nurturing other Christians. Leila lives out her faith on a daily basis; loving the lost; praying for the needy; and truly living by faith. Leila has been instrumental in generating opportunities for women in our local area to meet and share fellowship together; and she is an inspiration to many people in our church and community. Leila’s sole life purpose is to serve the Lord in all she does and to share her faith with as many people as possible, every single day.”

“Leila has been a friend from our first introduction many years ago. Roger and Paula Galloway introduced Leila to me and I have a deep respect and love for this couple too. It was from this early recommendation and a reflection of their character that I based my initial thoughts on becoming a friend to Leila. Stemming from this alliance and the regard for Leila, I soon found her to be the element of a lifelong friend. It was not long, where I felt and discerned Leila’s honesty, splendid bold outlook and true prosperity of her heart. A doting, loving and proud mother, who has instilled honor and the merits of hard work, through focused achievement to her lovely son JJ. Although Leila has suffered great loss and hardship in her past, she has risen through the mire, with grace and an untiring conviction in her heart, to overcome her trials. The perfect example of a hard working lady, with warmth of human spirit and the resilience of her good character shown in the best light during adversity. Leila is open, caring and compassionate, with a refreshing zest for anything she puts her mind to. She places the comfort of other people as an earnest endeavor, where she tirelessly supports family and friends near and far. The sentences I have used above to describe Leila, are limited in intimating the actual essence of the lady I am honoured to know. In knowing a person, is to be in their company and wanting to be in their company more, because they bring your best out in you and into the open, by being themselves.”