My name is Andrew Oyedola, and today I want to share a story that is deeply personal, yet universal — a story of unwavering faith, ancestral wisdom, and the hidden blessings embedded within every culture.
My late grandmother, Victoria Elubeku (1915–2012), lived to be 97 years old. Her younger sister, Adebimpe Adedewe (1919–2020), lived to the incredible age of 101. Together, they represent a living testament to a life of simplicity, faith, and divine resilience.
The Power of Faith: A Foundation for Generations
Grandma Victoria was a woman of extraordinary faith. She never took any medicine throughout her 97 years on earth — she relied solely on prayer and the healing promises of God. She had five children, including my mother, Pastor E.M. Oyedola, and delivered each one by herself in her own room. She would finish childbirth before even calling for help — a sign of strength that seems almost unimaginable today.
When my grandfather passed away, my mother was left alone with seven children. I was just eight years old, and the eldest among us was only eighteen. Yet, through that same unwavering faith, she held us together, raised us, and nurtured us in love and discipline.
Today, I stand as a living product of that faith — now 43 years old, still grounded in the spiritual heritage passed down through these strong women.
As the Bible reminds us in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” My grandmother did not just read this verse; she embodied it every day. Her life was a walking sermon on faith, far more powerful than any words from a pulpit.
God’s Provisions in Every Culture: Looking Inward
Grandma Victoria’s story also shines light on a profound truth: God has blessed every culture with natural resources, remedies, and wisdom for a good life — if only we look inward.
Our ancestors understood herbs, roots, and natural dietary practices. They harnessed local science and environmental wisdom to live long, healthy lives. In a time before mass-produced drugs and synthetic foods, they knew how to nourish the body from the land and how to nurture the soul through faith and community.
God’s words in Genesis 1:29 remind us: “Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.’”
Our people embraced this promise. My grandmother’s life is a clear example of this divine provision in action — simple food, herbs, clean living, and above all, unshakeable faith.
Faith as a Transferable Legacy
One of the greatest gifts Grandma Victoria gave us was the gift of transferrable faith. She didn’t keep her belief to herself; she passed it down to my mother, Pastor E.M. Oyedola, who in turn has poured it into us, her children.
This is the true definition of a godly inheritance, as described in Proverbs 13:22: “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.” While most people interpret this as material wealth, the greater inheritance is faith — the kind that sustains through grief, hunger, and uncertainty.
Through decades of hardship and loss, my mother never wavered. Her steadfastness has become a pillar on which I continue to build my own life.
Strength in Simplicity: The Beauty of a Life Well-Lived
Beyond her faith, Grandma Victoria’s life teaches us about the beauty of simplicity. No excess, no competition, no comparison. Her life was rooted in contentment and gratitude, values we desperately need today.
In a world that often glorifies speed and complexity, Grandma’s story calls us back to a slower, more mindful, and more faithful existence. As Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Lessons for Us Today
Looking at my grandmother and great-aunt, who both lived over 95 years, and at my mother who continues to serve as a pastor, I am reminded that longevity is not merely about good genes. It is about living in alignment with God, embracing natural resources, and cultivating a heart that trusts Him completely.
Their stories challenge us to:
- Rediscover and honor our cultural knowledge and traditional wisdom.
- See faith not as a last resort, but as the first and only source of true strength.
- Value family and generational continuity over momentary success.
- Practice contentment and gratitude, no matter the circumstances.
Conclusion
I am forever grateful to be a part of this lineage — a lineage marked by faith, strength, and spiritual resilience.
As I share this story, I do so to honor my grandmother, Victoria Elubeku; her sister, Adebimpe Adedewe; my mother, Pastor E.M. Oyedola; and every unsung matriarch who quietly shapes generations through prayer, wisdom, and love.
I pray that we, too, can live lives that echo their faith, and that we can pass on such an inheritance to those coming after us.
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