Helena Smrcek

In August of 1986 my family defected from then communist Czechoslovakia. This dramatic change in our lives made me search for the true meaning of life. I realized at the age of 16 that possessions, status and money are a very unreliable source of self worth, as all those things can be taken away in the  blink of an eye.

In the depths of my homesickness and loneliness, on the brink of depression, God sent me a group of missionaries. They were only a couple of years older than I was. 

They seemed to be happy, and I often wondered what makes them that way.

As we got to know each other, I realized that their happiness didn’t come from worldly possessions, US and Canadian passports or high status. They were happy because they knew Jesus.

I started to explore their faith and wrestled with years of communist indoctrination. I needed to come to terms with the fact that there is a God, despite all that I had been taught. The next step was to accept that He loved me; perhaps that was the most difficult process of all. How could He?

When I finally prayed the sinner's prayer and received Jesus as my Saviour, I was free. I felt that I had finally found a home. At that time we were unsure where in the world we would end up. We waited for a reply to our refugee application, but I understood that no matter where we went, He would always be with me.

Twenty some years later, I’m not sure if there is a line somewhere in my soul distinguishing myself from God. He is part of all that I do.  My life is busy, but I always try to place His values in the forefront of all my decision. I love to write stories that tell of the search for Him. There are millions of seekers out there, lost, as I once was, looking for someone to love them.  I feel I need to do my part in telling them that He forever does.