Karina Machado presents an original voice from her 2009 book Spirit Sisters. Rhonda Rice, a scripture teacher from Sydney, tells a story that encompasses various spiritual and paranormal threads. Rhonda has experienced otherworldly encounters since she was a little girl doing her best to cope with the tragic loss of her baby sister, Laurel. In the wake of that devastating day, an angelic encounter paved the way for a lifetime of mystical encounters.
In her 30s, Rhonda had a near-death experience and in her 50s, she began to see “the visitors,” as she calls them, strangers who look absolutely alive who materialise beside her bed. Today, in her 80s, Rhonda continues to have spiritually transformative experiences. At the beginning of our conversation, Rhonda shared a story about being on a cruise just before Covid, and having an accident that should have seen her seriously injured or worse. Instead, she felt herself supernaturally lifted “in a whoosh,” as she described it, to safety onto the bed.
Earlier, Rhonda’s partner had insisted she come and see an artwork onboard the ship. As it happened, the piece depicted a beautiful angel. Later, Rhonda reflected on that as she came through her mishap unscathed. She believes it’s the same guardian angel she met as a child.
Angels figure prominently in Rhonda’s story, especially when she describes the aftermath of the unfathomable family tragedy. I wrote in my book Love Never Dies that stories are “memorials built of words and hewn with love, not cold stone or marble,” and Rhonda’s story reminds me of that. Yes, it’s a slice of Australian history, a first-hand account of days gone by, but beyond that, it ensures that a precious toddler called Laurel will never be forgotten.
Rhonda's story appears as "Faith's Envoy" in Spirit Sisters (Hachette Australia 2009). Her account of seeing the visitors is included in Chapter 1.
Connect with Karina Machado at karinamachado.com
Buy the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters as a paperback at Booktopia.
Buy the e-book of the 10th anniversary edition of Spirit Sisters at Kobo.
Buy the audio book of the original Spirit Sisters (narrated by me) at Audible.
Connect with Karina on Facebook.
Connect with Karina on Instagram.
Theme music: Mysterious by MusicPond, from Audio Jungle
I acknowledge the Dharawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the land of Sutherland Shire, in NSW, Australia, where I live and record Spirit Sisters, and I recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and community. I pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
From Tradesman to Spiritual Channel –Ben Medhurst shares his extraordinary journey
“A Veil Has Lifted” – How a mystical experience at Uluru birthed Lynda Deans’ calling as a spirit-inspired artist
Five sacred truths I learnt on the Camino de Santiago
Healing the Healer – After she died, Sara returned with a new soul contract
The Psychic Detective – Debbie Malone on life as a medium, and the case files that haunt her
”The substance I was flying through was LOVE” - the near-death experience of Jacob King
“They can be in their world and they can be in ours” – Chrissy’s ghostly encounters
Halloween Episode! The General Store – “My God, the place is packed with ghosts!”
“We don’t die, the only thing that ends is our body” – meet psychic-medium David Gammal
A dream, a ghost girl and a past-life memory – how a spirit gave Kate the courage to trust her calling as a psychic-medium
“I’m walking the planet from my heart” – How Ash Perrow is living true to the “contract” of his near-death experience
From Trauma to “Truforgiveness”– Part 2 of Natasha McKenna’s 40-year journey to healing and purpose
Trauma, “Truforgiveness” and a Promise from God – Natasha McKenna reveals her 40-year journey to healing and purpose
Driving Into Infinity - Paula Lenz was at the wheel of her late brother’s car when his spirit took her on a detour into the universe
Miracle on the Highway
”There’s only one cosmic play-dough. Everything is God” - Part two with near-death experiencer Susan Dyer
”I promised God I’d return and live transparently” - Part one with near-death experiencer Susan Dyer
“Nobody dies alone” - Delving into a lifetime of mystical encounters with near-death experiencer and spiritual explorer Mariel Forde Clarke
Missionary From the Light - Yvonne Sneeden’s message of hope
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
Rudolf Steiner Audio
Conspirituality