My struggles were real | Old Harbour native Francene Allwood publishes first book ‘Only Believe’

Being an author one day was always a dream for Old Harbour’s born and bred Francene Allwood. But after “hitting rock bottom” a few years ago she found inspiration and belief to share her own personal experience detailed throughout the pages of her debut book titled Only Believe.

Speaking at a ‘soft launch’ for her book at the Old Harbour Open Bible Church recently, Allwood said: “This moment is a very significant one, because I am living my dream,” she told the small gathering of mostly close friends and relatives. “Writing has always been a passion of mine, as far back as I can remember. Today, I am also giving God thanks for blessing me with this wonderful talent that will touch so many lives.”

“Only Believe is basically about myself,” she continued. “It highlights a period in my life when I hit rock bottom, so to speak. There was not much going on in my favour. I became the centre of attention, especially when I went out in the public domain. I was even laughed at on some occasions. My struggles were real and they were also many.”

Those struggles, however, drew the Believer in Christ closer to her faith she said. Through supplication and hard work she rose from her lowest ebb highlighted throughout her 147-page book.

“I drew close to God because there was no other way out for me. It was then that God delivered me, to the point where I was once more on the mountain top,” said Allwood, a train teacher in primary education.
The book, in short, provides solutions to challenges Allwood encountered and not too dissimilar to other persons, who are feeling hopeless.

Allwood said: “People need to be equipped on how to overcome. The book was written with guiding principles on how to receive breakthroughs.

“Only Believe is really a book about how to overcome in a nutshell. I have included in my book some very powerful testimonies that I guarantee will change your life.”

The 39-year-old added: “One such testimony is one which I was healed from a very painful eye condition known as astigmatism (This is simply a problem with how the eye focuses light). All I did was pray over a cup of water after which some was poured into my eye. This happened in 2003 when doctors failed. Today I am still walking in my healing.”

She said her book also provides solutions for persons in financial difficulties, while readers will “learn the spiritual prescription to combat negative thinking”.

“It was written also to help you to ‘come outta brukness,’ which I know you all want to know how,” said the young author who has started working on her second book.

“When you are down to nothing, God is up to something, but it takes only one simple instruction and it is, ‘only believe’”.

So far sales have been going very well, she told Old Harbour News and can be purchased at Solid Care Pharmacy in Old Harbour.

The book will be made available in other book stores in the coming weeks, she said. However, person can purchase directly from the author at a discounted price by calling +1 876-372-3880 or via email at franella36@gmail.com.