South Africa
She was larger than life. People either loved or hated her. Vivacious, energetic, creative, loud, volatile, quick to forgive and forget, and oh, so giving.
As a young girl, Olga Eisner rebelled against her father’s drinking, which was always followed by abuse, and she left home to board elsewhere for high school. She became a teacher even though her heart yearned to be a social worker. She was good with the children, being firm, consistent, and caring. Her classrooms had enchanting nooks where children’s poems were created in art forms. Many were drawn to her lively dance classes, and she orchestrated the best school concerts.
Her first marriage was a rebound, which she said should never have happened, as he was such a kind and gentle man who didn’t deserve that. Having been told she’ll never have children, it was a surprise when she had her only child. As she was a creator of children’s stories that played on the radio, with all the creatures having the most interesting names, of course, she created a name for this creature of hers and named her Emra. She remarried when this little girl was a few months old, leaving her with her father, and reclaimed her three years later. Little Emra fearfully watched her mother’s explosive spirit rise up towards her new sister, the daughter of her stepdad.
It wasn’t long before the bonus dad, Pappie (Afrikaans for Daddy) Dykhorst, got a brain tumor with not long to live. Olga prayed and said “God, if you heal this man, I will search for You till the day I die”. That instant he came out of his coma and was healed. A miracle.
Emra became the witness of seeing God make what seemed impossible, possible. Not just the healing of Pappie, but in the decades that followed, the transformation of Olga’s person. She kept her promise to God, till her early death at age 65. She studied every religion and developed a relationship with God that seemed like breathing, it was so natural. You could see her up in the early hours of the morning, walking and talking with Him in the garden. Her restless nature, arguing with Him, questioning, pondering. Then into The Bible, digging for answers, debating with theologians. “Fanatical”, she was labelled. She didn’t mind – she was all in, had made a promise.
God healed her spirit from its hurts and pain, broke down her pride, tempered her anger, quietened her voice, gave her the gift of poetry and a passionate love for Him. When she unexpectedly left this earth, in 1996, Olga Dykhorst no doubt was worthy of the welcome, “Well done My good and faithful servant”. She pioneered the way for her child to love and live for God, to create for Him – how could Emra not be this, having seen the reality of God so tangibly.
Emra
United States of America
Here is one story of gratitude out of many gratitudes that I have in my life.
Both of my kids live out of town. This is my statement thanking God for how He has taken care of them when they left the nest, our home.
My son went to college on a baseball scholarship. He moved to Pennsylvania. I prayed that God provide a family who would love him, nurture him, and watch over him. A coach from Georgia Point University saw him and asked him to come play for his school. Jon ended up moving to GA. It was in this college that he met his wife and his new family. Today, they still love him and call him son-in-law. This Rubin family is the answer to my prayer. Thanks to the influence of this family, Jon became a college pastor, and today he serves his church in this capacity together with his family; his wife Rebecca, two children: Arlo and Luca, also baby to be, my granddaughter, in February. Praise God! So thankful God responded in a permanent way.
In 2020, my daughter, Elaine moved to Virginia. I prayed that she would find direction and a path to stability outside our home. After much prayer and supplication, God allowed her in 2021 to meet a young man, named Enrique. The minute she told me, “Mom, I met someone.” I started praying that this relationship becomes formalized then that they would get officially married. In 2022, he proposed with a formal ring and they also got married. Today they have moved to Washington state. Being that he is in the Army, they have relocated to Washington.
I am thankful to God that when my kids left our home, God took care of them. Today they are both happily married. Though they live outside of Florida where I reside, I have witnessed God’s tender care and mercy providing them with stable relationships and mapping out a plan that seemed impossible to me. All things are possible with God. If He took care of my kids, God will take care of you.
Elenor Quinones
United States of America
It was about 14 to 16 years ago, I was a single person living in San Diego. My two daughters were grown, one in Alabama and one in Chicago, so of course, my grandchildren were with them. I had good friends but felt a deep sense of loneliness because I missed my family.
My church at the time was a good starter church, but not a lot of thorough biblical teaching. My job was good, but at the end of the day, loneliness would set in again and again. I began to wonder what my purpose was away from my loved ones. Many times I was content and kept busy with events after work. For many years that was enough…for a while. Depression was setting in until one day I reached out to God and told Him that I can’t do this anymore. I need my family! It’s interesting to me how often I forget to ASK God and try to figure everything out for myself. You can probably guess that God stepped in and answered my prayer. Why do I find this so astonishing that our perfect Heavenly Father will go to any length to bless us with more than we could ask?
About two days later I received a phone call from my oldest daughter saying that they were moving to San Diego! Did I hear that right? My daughter and her husband who never cared for San Diego and thought it was too conservative were now coming here. Graduating from college in San Francisco, her views were fairly liberal to say the least!
Well, those years were some of the best years of my life. My first grandchild, Ava, was about four years old. The times were precious and magical as we played and imagined the most wonderful thoughts and the most fun make-believe games. Those years together were priceless, and God blessed us richly! He answered my prayers in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It is so true that He has better plans for us than we could ever expect.
So, again I wonder, why am I so surprised when God answers me in the most perfect way? Maybe I’ll never understand that as long as I live on this side of Heaven but I’m so thankful that He is my Perfect Heavenly Father and also thankful that His ways are not our ways!
United States of America
In 2011 my mother had a stroke that put her in the hospital. This particular stroke was a bad one and affected the left side of her body. She was paralyzed on that side for about 24 hours. The doctors revealed that she had multiple strokes before this one, as was shown by the blank spots in the brain scan. It looked like a rickety road. The doctor explained that all the dark spots were signs of brain damage. We all wondered how she could still be functioning, moving, walking, talking, and existing. The doctor said it was a miracle and he couldn’t explain it. There was a block to her stem cell, so they put in a stent so her blood could flow to her brain properly.
I stayed at the hospital with her from the time she got there until she left. When she recovered from the surgery she began physical therapy to train her left side how to move again. The doctors said she wouldn’t walk, but she proved them wrong. She refused the wheelchair and was determined to walk and she did. She worked hard and never gave in to her fears. She walked out of the hospital and went on to have a good ten years. After all the strokes.
It seemed like her recovery and living a full life with the function of her limbs wasn’t possible. But God made it possible. My mother loved God, she always prayed, and her favorite scripture was Philippians 4:8. She kept her mind on God and good things and never wavered in her faith and love of God. She was an example of faith in action.
Shamar
United States of America
My mom was a lioness, fierce, explosive, yet fair, kind, and fun.
Over the years of her walking with God, learning from Him, growing in Him, I saw her change – become more patient, self-restrained, and humble.
Only God can change the person.
And then there’s me…
He knew me, wanting my life to be all in for Him.
Yet life got in the way – my inherited weaknesses, I didn’t even see, overtook me in my search for love and to be seen.
I left Him, He relentlessly pursued me and won me back.
The healing process began and finally, I now live on purpose, relentless in return for Him!
A miracle!
Emra
