A Memorial Memoir - Siegfried Michaelis

I had the opportunity to get to know Sieg and Arlene Michaelis when I moved to Holland to lead the Celebration Community of Harderwyk Ministries in 2018.  After Arllene passed away in October of 2023, I would see Sieg on Sundays at worship, and occasionally visit and share conversation with him.

He was quiet, gentle and over time let me piece together the amazing story of his early life and personal faith.  He had written out that story several decades ago as he made public profession of his faith while joining a new church.  It was read by his son Eric at Sieg's memorial this month.  I'm thanful for their permission to share it with the body of Christ at Celebration-Harderwyk in this way.

A Memorial Memoir by Siegfried Michaelis

The time is World War II and the place is Berlin, Germany, and I was born. My father, a Jew, and mother, the gentile both of my parents became Christians early on in their marriage, through my father's brother, who was a believer.

My father, a tailor, was forced to close his shop and was used as a forced laborer in a factory and later on tearing down buildings that were bombed out. My father lost all his civil rights. He was arrested for several days and then released, while others were not released. We could not own a radio. His ID card read Herbert Israel Michaelis, adding the name Israel because he was a jew.

As a child I took a lot of abuse from other children and adults.

The last two years of the war, Berlin was bombed day and night, allowing for little sleep, and spending many hours in a bomb shelter.

We experienced many close calls that today I recognize as God's grace and protection. One time a bomb hit right next to the bunker and we were not harmed.

Another time the air raid warning was late and in the panic that followed, 27 people were trampled to death. We were already safe inside the shelter. Our building was bombed and my father repaired what he could for our living.

By the end of the war, my father lost three brothers, one sister, a mother, and many cousins in concentration camps.

The end of the war brought many hardships. No food, no water, no utilities. My father raised rabbits in the basement for food, traded cloth for food. Many times I went to bed hungry. Yet God provided even the few things that we had.

In 1947, I spent three months in Norway with a family. The churches had provided families for children from Berlin, with the new with the same background that I had. It was quite an experience. These families opening their homes to us. They fed us and clothed us.

I remember in 1948 the Soviet Union imposed a land blockade on Berlin. Allied forces had to airlift food and coal for almost a year. All food and coal was rationed. God provided again in that my aunt sent us care packages from America.

In 1949, my parents and I were able to emigrate to America, and came to Chicago. One thing that I remember when we were in camp, awaiting to be set on a ship - some men were having a discussion, which included my father, how they wanted revenge of what they did to them. I remember my father saying we need to forgive them.

During my high school days, I realized I had to accept Christ as Lord and savior. On my own, I had to make it my faith, and not my parents' faith.

I was involved in a youth group at the church I was attending. There I met a wonderful girl. We've been married for 30 years.

We had four wonderful sons. Kevin, our first child, had Down syndrome. He went home to be with the Lord at the age of 6. The others are all married and have wonderful wives.

There are many things I don't understand.

-- Why did my relatives die in concentration camps?

-- Why did I have to go hungry to bed?

-- Why did Kevin have Down syndrome and die?

All that I know is that God is a loving God, and his plans are not always our plans. But, he is the Master Planner.

I want to leave you with two verses.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The other verse has meant a lot to me over many years:

Psalm 37:5 - Commit yourself to the LORD, trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass.