Ordinary People with Extraordinary Lives

What do you tell a grieving child who asks, “Why did God let this happen?”

In this episode of Ordinary People with Extraordinary Lives, host Arlenys Buckelew sits down with author Erika Seibert Iliev for a heartfelt conversation about grief, suffering, God’s sovereignty, and helping children navigate some of life’s hardest questions.

Erika shares the personal story behind her children’s book, Ask Wise Old Owly: Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen?, including her family’s experience with illness, loss, and the grief that inspired her to write it.

Together, Arlenys and Erika discuss how parents can talk honestly with children about suffering and death, why these difficult conversations matter, and how Scripture can point grieving children toward the goodness and faithfulness of God—even when we don’t understand why something has happened.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, ministry leader, or someone walking alongside a grieving child, this conversation offers biblical encouragement and hope for navigating difficult questions.

📖 Buy Erika’s book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Ask-Wise-Old-Owlie-things/dp/B0HHWR22N2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7HD8RTBL01M8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b1TONTiuEU0ZxN71n-1R1w.NtaDOp7XQVsTy1_mlgj1VyluEU7TbTh-ZzOFBjg-MII&dib_tag=se&keywords=ask+wise+old+owlie&qid=1791325080&sprefix=ask+wise+%2Caps%2C240&sr=8-1

🌹 Learn more about Erika:
https://thisthornyrose.wordpress.com/

If this episode encourages you, share it with someone who may be helping a child walk through grief.

Ordinary People with Extraordinary Lives is hosted by Arlenys Buckelew and features conversations about faith, testimony, redemption, and the extraordinary ways God works through ordinary people.

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Website: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Find us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com

To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?  

Please email us: [email protected]

What happens when the plans you carefully made change in a matter of seconds?

During my first mission trip to Cali, Colombia, our team experienced a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that completely changed our schedule, accommodations, and many of the ministry plans we had prepared for months.

In this episode, I share the full story of the earthquake, what happened afterward, how our mission trip changed, and what the Lord taught me about trusting God, biblical hospitality, serving others, the urgency of the gospel, joy in trials, and holding our plans with open hands.

“The heart of man plans his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9

Sometimes our plans change—but the Lord’s purposes do not.

Our short-term missions team was supported and sent by Redeemer Bible Church. To learn more about our missions ministry or support its work, visit https://redeemeraz.org/missions.

To learn more about Iglesia Bíblica Cristian de Cali, go to their website at: https://ibccali.org/

SUPPORT COLOMBIA

If you would like to support relief efforts in Colombia through financial giving, food, medicine, or humanitarian assistance:

Colombian Red Cross
Emergency response and humanitarian assistance in Colombia.
https://www.cruzrojacolombiana.org/en/

Give to Colombia
Supports humanitarian and community-based initiatives throughout Colombia.
https://givetocolombia.org

World Central Kitchen
Provides meals and food relief to communities affected by disasters and emergencies.
https://wck.org/news/meet-the-press-wcks-response-director-reports-from-colombia/

MI OPORTUNIDAD

Mi Oportunidad, which means “My Opportunity,” is an organization led by Rosenberg that serves children in underserved communities in Cali by providing resources, opportunities, and care—and, most importantly, opportunities to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Learn more, support their work, or find out how you can get involved:
https://fundacionmioportunidad.com

CONNECT WITH ORDINARY PEOPLE WITH EXTRAORDINARY LIVES

Website:
http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ordinarypeoplepodcast/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives/

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https://twitter.com/ordinarywith

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@ordinarypeoplepod

Find us on the B.A.R. Network — The Art of Worship:
https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Contact Andrea Cline:
https://andreaclineaudio.com

Support the podcast:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?Email: [email protected]

"I don't belong here."

For years, those words echoed in Dr. Tai-Danae Bradley's heart. Growing up in a broken Christian home, walking through her parents' divorce, battling comparison, and questioning whether she was smart enough, Tai often felt like she didn't measure up.

Yet God faithfully used every season of weakness to deepen her love for Christ and shape the woman He was calling her to become.

Today, Tai is a mathematician, former Google researcher, professor at The Master's University, and founder of Mathema. But her story isn't ultimately about academic achievement—it's about God's faithfulness, the beauty of quiet obedience, and finding your identity in Christ instead of your accomplishments.

In this conversation, we discuss growing up in a broken home, how God used suffering to strengthen her faith, living as a Christian in New York City, overcoming comparison, persevering through graduate school, discovering the beauty of mathematics as God's creation, teaching at The Master's University, and why every testimony—even the quiet ones—is a remarkable display of God's grace.

Whether you've struggled with comparison, questioned your purpose, or wondered if your testimony is "ordinary," this episode is a reminder that God's greatest work is often accomplished through seasons of weakness and faithful perseverance.

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Website: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Find us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com

To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?  

Please email us: [email protected]

Can you grow up in church, know the Bible, and still not truly be saved?

In this episode, Pastor David Mataya shares how his life went from outward “Christian” to a train wreck of sin, anger, and a broken marriage—and how God used it all to bring him to true repentance and faith in Christ.

You’ll hear about head knowledge vs. heart change, false assurance, and the life-changing power of the gospel.

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Website: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Find us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com

To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?  

Please email us: [email protected]

After growing up in a broken home and chasing the empty promises of sin, Terrell Medina encountered the gospel at a winter camp that changed everything. In this episode, he shares how God saved him, shaped his calling through discipleship and missions, and ultimately led him to serve as Student Pastor at Redeemer Bible Church.

📍 About Redeemer Bible Church

Redeemer Bible Church is located in Gilbert, Arizona and is committed to faithfully preaching the Word of God and making disciples of Jesus Christ.

https://redeemeraz.org/

Follow Terrell: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrellmedina/

X: https://x.com/terrell_medina

Ministry: https://selahcommission.com/

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/ordinarywith  

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Website: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Find us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com

To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?  

Please email us: [email protected]

Welcome back to Ordinary People with Extraordinary Lives!In this deeply moving episode, host Arlenys Buckelew sits down with Emily Curtis—wife, mother, author, and founder of Hope in the Mourning.

Emily vulnerably shares her personal journey through loss, grief, and suffering, and how God transformed her pain into a ministry that now comforts and serves others.

From spiritual struggles in childhood, to the heartbreak of losing loved ones, to the unexpected birth of a nonprofit after walking alongside a grieving friend—Emily’s honest testimony will encourage anyone navigating a difficult season.

Together, Emily and Arlenys discuss the importance of biblical community, practical ways to support those who are grieving, and what it truly means to find lasting hope in Christ.

🔗 Explore Emily’s Ministry & Resources:

• Hope in the Morning – Website: https://hopeinthemourning.org/• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hope-in-the-mourning/id1807104162

• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HopeintheMourning

• Book: https://a.co/d/bUK3NAn

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Website: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Find us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com

To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?  

Please email us: [email protected]

Join host Arlenys Buckelew and special guest Jenna Ellis for a heartfelt Thanksgiving special of Ordinary People with Extraordinary Lives. 

In this episode, they explore the true meaning of gratitude through a biblical lens— how faith, scripture, and thankfulness intersect in every season of life.

Learn about the origins of Thanksgiving, practical ways to cultivate a grateful heart, and how to remain thankful through trials and hardship. 

Jenna shares personal stories, family traditions, and scriptural truths that reveal how God uses gratitude to transform our hearts and anchor our faith.

Whether you’re celebrating with family, walking through challenges, or simply seeking encouragement, this Christ-centered conversation will fill your heart with hope, joy, and biblical truth.

🙏 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more faith-based stories, testimonies, and biblical encouragement every week.

Follow Jenna for more: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennaellismedia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennaEllisEsq45

X: https://x.com/realJennaEllis

Jenna Ellis in the Morning:  https://afr.net/podcasts/jenna-ellis-in-the-morning/

Follow us on Social Media:  

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/ordinarywith  

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Website: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Find us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com

To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?  

Please email us: [email protected]

In this episode, host Arlenys Buckelew sits down with Saki, founder of the Saki to Nihongo online ministry.

Saki shares her remarkable journey — from growing up in rural Japan with no exposure to Christianity, to finding faith in Christ after moving to the United States. 

Discover how her experiences shaped her heart for ministry, her unique approach to teaching Japanese with Christian content, and how God is using her story to encourage believers and seekers around the world.

Whether you’re drawn to cross-cultural testimonies, learning Japanese, or simply needing encouragement in your faith, this episode will inspire you. 

Saki also shares practical resources for missionaries, language learners, and anyone passionate about sharing the gospel in Japanese.

To learn more about Saki:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sakitonihongo

eBook: https://sakitonihongo.aweb.page/p/7a8d6320-96b7-429f-801e-7528cead9aad?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadep_kcGtAWy6eFd33uw3gWJtMBIV9jLoehWchF12GB2b8o8s0bWvbOwNs8uA_aem_DQcXBtqbbc2OXGnSzodfkg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saki_to_nihongo?igsh=MXJwbDBrcTJkOG12dQ%3D%3D

Follow us on Social Media:  

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/ordinarywith

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Website: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Find us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com

To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?  

Please email us: [email protected]

In this special episode, host Arlenys Buckelew is joined by her friend Jenna Ellis for an honest and heartfelt conversation in the aftermath of the murder of Charlie Kirk.

Together, they wrestle with the critical and timely question:
“How do we respond biblically as the days grow evil?”

Drawing from Scripture, personal testimonies, and the legacy of Charlie Kirk, Arlenys and Jenna explore the Christian response to suffering, justice, forgiveness, and boldness in proclaiming the gospel in an increasingly hostile world.

This episode offers biblical encouragement, gospel-centered wisdom, and hope for believers navigating dark times—while reflecting on the eternal importance of living out our faith with courage, conviction, and compassion.

Follow Jenna for more: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennaellismedia/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennaEllisEsq45

X: https://x.com/realJennaEllis

Jenna Ellis in the Morning:  https://afr.net/podcasts/jenna-ellis-in-the-morning/

If God, Why Evil? Honoring the Life & Legacy of My Friend Charlie Kirk, a tribute by Dr. Frank Turek: https://youtu.be/O4tSLx70A5g?si=Ksd3Bh8YOczAG3ab

Follow us on Social Media:  

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/ordinarywith  

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Website: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Find us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com

To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?  

Please email us: [email protected]

In this moving episode, Pastor Curtis Field shares his story of redemption—growing up in a broken home, battling addiction, and being swept into the Pentecostal movement before truly coming to know Christ.

Curtis opens up about his dramatic conversion, his marriage and family, and the miraculous journey of his daughter Tiana’s ongoing health struggles. Through it all, God’s grace, prayer, and the love of the church sustained him.

Listeners will be encouraged by Curtis’s testimony of God’s faithfulness, the hope found in Christ, and practical wisdom for anyone walking through hardship.

Follow us on Social Media:  

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Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ordinarywith  

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ordinarypeoplepod

Website: http://ordinarypeoplewithextraordinarylives.org

Find us on the BAR Network: B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship B.A.R. Network - The Art Of Worship https://theartofworship.net/bar/

Need help with audio? Reach out to Andrea Cline: https://andreaclineaudio.com

To Support Our Podcast, visit the link below:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ordinarypeoplepodcast

Want to share your testimony or have a question?  

Please email us: [email protected]