When I moved to Atlanta and once arriving there, I thought I had made a mistake of moving because everything was going wrong. I had no friends, I hated my job. I didn’t like the city. I even totaled my car.
But slowly after a while, God came through and gave me so much to love. He helped me grow as a person, and I no longer felt the regret.
Sierra KIENE.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” – Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
“Lord, today I stand at the edge of a great calling — one that feels bigger than myself, yet rooted in the very identity You’ve given me. You are Creator — not just of the universe, but of purpose, vision, and destiny. And because I am made in Your image, You have planted within me the capacity to lead, build, and inspire.
As I prepare to step into the sphere of public service and global influence, I acknowledge that this is not merely a career path — it is a Kingdom assignment. I am not pursuing a position; I am walking into a mission. One that seeks to lift up, equip, and release women entrepreneurs into their God-given destinies. This isn’t about my name being known — it’s about Your name being glorified through every empowered woman who dares to dream, build, and rise.
God, I need Your wisdom. Leading women globally means navigating cultures, economies, and barriers — but none of those are greater than Your power. You are the God who breaks chains and opens doors. You are the God who multiplies what we surrender. You are the God who makes a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Remind me that my influence flows from intimacy with You. That my leadership will bear fruit when it is first rooted in obedience. That strategy is important — but surrender is essential.
Help me to carry the mantle of leadership with humility, boldness, and love. Let me be a reflection of Christ — not just in speech, but in service. Let my life be a testimony that faith and business are not at odds, but allies in the hands of a visionary God.
And as I build, teach me to celebrate the process — to see Your fingerprints in the unseen hours, the quiet prayers, the small beginnings. Remind me that before there is fruit, there must be faithfulness.
Today, I commit my hands, heart, and mind to You. Use me to open doors for others, especially the women who have been overlooked, underestimated, or under-resourced. Let my leadership ignite a movement — not just of entrepreneurship, but of Kingdom transformation across nations.
Prayer:
God, today, as I prepare to work and do what You’ve called me to do, I want to first acknowledge You as Creator. I’m reminding myself that because I am made in Your image, You have also created me to create. I ask that You would lead and guide me to honor You through my words, actions and work. Remind me that You delight in the process just as much as in the final product. Show me more of who You are. Reveal to me how I can help, bless or equip someone else with what I’m working on. Thank You for this gift, and I pray it brings You so much glory.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Heather
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
In my twenties the deep desire to have a place where women can be restored filled my being after finding an abandoned property near our home. As the winds blew against the dream and I not yet equipped to make it happen, it got buried deep within my soul.
40 years later, after many twists and turns along life’s journey, God resurrected the longing for the place again when we moved to Savannah. These past fifteen years, seeking and finding possibilities, aspects of the dream have materialized, and more are in process.
During the wait, I had to grow personally – heal from life’s hurts, learn greater skills to hear and see others, have a burden for the brokenhearted, and thrive whilst serving others.
Our non-profit, the International School of Story, was birthed with an understanding of the various aspects within it to bring Hope, give light, and life during challenging times for women. Each year, we have added a next step to do so.
For a season, we moved into a physical space, Abode – an aspect of the vision to serve community, startup businesses, and ministries. A place to share gathered stories, and we launched our Publishing House, Marigold Press Books. It is amazing to see this all unfold – impossible tasks, creations, outcomes. There has not once been revenue to step out with ease to accomplish it, yet each time God has made a way.
There is more to come – the picture is still to be completed. We are seeing the greatest miracle of it all – the HiStory Gallery, for the one million one-page stories we are gathering, to display and share, of when God made the impossible, possible. We do dream of a historic Chapel, which was a mere vision given in 2017, not even knowing what it would be for. As for the women’s housing project, this will be a story for another day. We are about to walk through a giant door! I am in awe, a little scared, as we watch this impossibility become possible. Incredible to experience God giving witty ideas to make His plans happen.
My heart overflows with deep thanks, praise, and worship for our Heavenly Father. I am alive, living in the purpose He designed me for and in peace, knowing Him a little better than all my yesterdays, less than tomorrow. What joy lies ahead – learning to love and serve Him and others more!
Emra
Struggles and stress affect everyone differently. Throughout my life, especially since fulfilling my second calling of law enforcement, I have seen evil in action on a daily basis. Whether it’s the teenage girl committing suicide in front of me, violent crime scenes with burned remains, or vehicle collisions with mangled children, police see the worst visually and take on the task of resolving and combatting their community’s sin.
Two professions in the Bible are mentioned as ministers: Pastors and Police (Romans 13:4). Without the promise of God through His Son, I would not be able to see, hear, and smell the carnage of this world. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow and try to do His will, one call or case at a time. We, the police, do not settle – we serve and protect.
W.E. Shelton