Elias Riz, my father,was born in 1927 in British mandated Palestine, the area that is now Israel. He and his family lived in a small town, which likely wasn’t very modern or advanced. But his father, Yousef Riz, worked with the British as an officer so he had connections which others may not have had.
In 1942, when Elias, was about fourteen or fifteen years old, he was in school and would help with jobs at home when he could. One day he started feeling unwell. He had a fever which grew by degrees in the next few days. As the symptoms worsened, Elias stopped attending school and stayed home to get better. He felt generally unwell and developed some abdominal pain. Each day his temperature kept increasing. Eventually headaches, extreme fatigue and a chest rash also developed.
Early on, his parents started suspecting that Elias may have contracted typhoid fever. They called for the doctor to come to the home, the typical way doctor’s visits took place back then. When he came and examined Elias, he confirmed his parent’s conviction, he did indeed have typhoid fever. The doctor gave them instructions of what to do and left.
Typhoid was common in the 1940’s, a bacterial infection that can spread throughout the body, affecting many organs. Contaminated water, poor sanitation, hygiene and food safety are all great risk factors in the spreading of typhoid. A vaccine for typhoid fever was developed in 1896 by Almroth Edward Wright but it was initially used primarily for soldiers during wars, since they were more susceptible to contract the disease due to harsh living conditions. It is unknown when the vaccine became safe and commonly available to the general public. Unfortunately, antibiotic treatment also was not available until 1948. There was little in the way of medicine for treating this disease.
As Elias’ health grew worse and worse, his parents became increasingly concerned. Not everyone who contracted typhoid fever survived. Ten to twenty percent of those who battled this disease would succumb to their symptoms. The disease ravaged Elias’ body and his parents’ fears soared. Elias eventually could not keep any food down and he refused to eat.
Yousef and his wife asked the doctor to visit daily, which he did. Yousef was able to ship in some special medicine from England, which unfortunately did not work. The doctor instructed Elias’ mother to change his sheets daily. Either she washed them in very hot water or she simply burned them in an attempt to stop the disease.
Elias battled typhoid for weeks and it was nearing a month since the start of his symptoms. His parents were beginning to lose hope as they watched the disease ravage their son’s body, his frame growing thin and gaunt. Eventually he could no longer eat or drink anything.
During one of the doctor’s visits, he was very grave as he predicted, “I’m afraid to say, your son will likely pass away. He is too far gone, hasn’t eaten in many days, has grown incredibly thin and, instead of improving, his presentation is declining. If he says he wants to eat something, give it to him. Sometimes typhoid patients have lucid moments before death.”
Although his parents had suspected their son would likely die, they were plunged into despair and sorrow.
When the doctor left, Elias was lying in bed, likely contemplating the dire prediction he’d heard from the doctor’s lips. I don’t know if he called out to God for help. I’m sure his parents would have been seeking God’s face and begging him to spare their son’s life. They were religious people and attended the Catholic church.
While Elias was lying in his bed, he suddenly saw St. George come floating into the room, riding on his horse as he is depicted in pictures. Elias’ eyes widened in shock as this vision appeared before him.
St. George held a spear in his hand and appeared very stern. He pointed it toward Elias, poked him and said, “Why are you lying there? Get up and eat.”
When the vision ended and St. George vanished, Elias called for his mother and asked for food. She was afraid that this was a sign of his impending death, just like the doctor had mentioned. Pushing the terror aside, she brought him some food and watched as he ate.
Although the recovery was gradual, Elias slowly grew stronger and his health improved until he was completely healed.
In 1948, when Elias was twenty years old, he and his family moved to Amman Jordan. Elias eventually contacted a young woman he knew who was living in Nazareth, Israel. Her name was Rose, and although she lived in Israel, she was Lebanese. He asked for her hand in marriage. After her parents agreed to the union, Rose moved to Jordan and the two were married shortly afterwards.
Elias and Rose had a son who died at a year old, plunging them into sorrow. Soon a daughter came along (me – Nadia) and another little girl was born two years later bringing some needed joy and reprieve to their grief. Shortly after that, in 1959, when their baby was a month old, they made the momentous move to the United States by ship. Elias’ brother and immigrated there and this is what drew them to join him. (I, Nadia, remember having a birthday on the ship, with a cake and the other passengers singing to me.) The ship arrived in the United States August of 1959 and they settled in Chicago. A few years later they all became U.S. citizens. Elias and Rose had two more children, another daughter and then a son.
Elias, my father, often told us children this story of his miraculous recovery from typhoid fever. He credits God for sending St. George with a message, instruction and revelation that he would get better. My father eventually had a tattoo of St. George on his forearm with his birth year,1927, beneath it. Clearly this encounter was very impactful for him. I am so grateful for this incredible testimony which was passed down by my father. What a legacy of God’s miraculous intervention. I am here today because God spared my father from death so many years ago. God still rescues and delivers his people.
Submitted by: Nadia F.
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Once we get to Heaven and God shows us a reel of our life, we will discover how many times we were rescued, protected or redirected by supernatural means. What a divine privilege it is that, during our time on earth, God gives us snapshots into the supernatural realm, unusual happenings that announce that Heaven is present and involved in our lives.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11
If you would like to share a personal story of supernatural protection or angelic activity in your history, please reach out. Private message me on Facebook messenger and I will explain the details. I would love to share your testimony through my newsletter mailout and, if you are willing, on my blog as an encouragement to others. As it says in Hebrews 3:13, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’”.
Also, you are welcome to share this story with your friends and family, or with anyone who needs some encouragement.
