Rhonda Malkmus
How Near Tragedy Led to the Biggest Blessing of Her Life!
by Rhonda Malkmus,
Co-founder of Hallelujah Acres
In 1981, an event happened in the twinkling of an eye that changed my life forever! It changed how I think, what is important to me, and who I am. On a rainy, foggy night, I was driving along a rural road in Iowa. As my car approached an unmarked railroad crossing, my passenger yelled, "Oh my God, there’s a train!" I slammed on the brakes and my car screeched to a halt and stalled inches from the railroad crossing. Realizing we were too close to the track, I took my foot off the brake to try to restart the engine and when I did, the car inched ever closer to the path of the oncoming train. Frantically, I tried to restart my car but to no avail. There we were with no time to escape. I truly expected to meet the Lord that night.
After the initial impact the car flew through the air. When the car landed and finally stopped rolling, the very first thought I had was, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5:18). With fear and trembling I thanked the Lord as my hand landed on the window crank. The train engineer had already run to my car. I called to him to open the door, but he was in shock and thought we were dead so he simply stood there staring. Imagine his shock when I rolled down the window and climbed out of the car. Then I opened the door and helped my passenger to safety. By the grace of God my friend and I walked away from a potentially deadly accident!
We were rushed to the hospital where we received many x-rays. The doctors were amazed that they could find no broken bones, only one small laceration and many bruises. However, in the days, weeks, and months that followed, I learned the kind of impact a freight train can have on the human body. My fillings were shattered, as well as the enamel on many of my teeth. As a result of the accident, I developed arthritis in every joint of my body.
Almost overnight, pain had become my constant companion. The pain was so intense that there were days I thought going to heaven would have been easier than living. If I sat in a chair, I could hardly get up; if I stood any length of time, I could hardly sit down. I had to run hot water on my hands each morning before doing anything else to get them to function. My right elbow, which had been dislocated, ached constantly, and there wasn’t an area in my spine that wasn’t affected. Due to the pain often being almost unbearable, I was relatively inactive, and this brought many unwanted pounds. Yet I knew God allowed this accident to happen for a reason, I just didn’t know "the rest of the story."
By the fall of 1990, the arthritis was so severe that my doctor advised that I move to a milder climate. When I arrived in Tennessee, the first person I met was George Malkmus! Meeting George was the second collision in my life! But this one would bring joy and unveiling of God’s purpose for my pain. George began to share with me that a changed diet and lifestyle would no doubt improve my life and health. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, I began to change my diet to The Hallelujah Diet®, and over a period of time it truly did change my life.
Today, my health has been completely restored, and I can now do things I could only dream about before. I have lost over 80 pounds and I am free of pain. I usually walk two to four miles daily over very hilly terrain, and also do weight resistance exercises for one hour every day. After experiencing the health a simple diet change can bring, “Hallelujah” is a most appropriate word. That’s why it’s our mission to teach the world God’s plan for diet and health, and to share the message: You Don’t Have tobe Sick!
Of course, George and I can’t do this alone. We have Olin and a host of Hallelujah staff members and Health MinistersSM to help us spread the message far and wide. Join us as we continue to share the good news of The Hallelujah Diet®!
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)
Printable Version
