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Ada Robinson’s journey of faith and natural healing inspires others

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Ada Robinson’s life is an extraordinary testament to resilience, purpose and faith. At 84, she continues to inspire others through her unwavering commitment to natural healing and her profound connection with God.

For more than 30 years, Ada has called Michigan home, but her roots are deep in Arkansas and Chicago, where her journey began under challenging circumstances.

The eldest of 11 siblings, Ada was thrust into the role of caregiver at a young age, a responsibility that would shape her life and passion for healing.

“I stood on step stools to cook, to wash and to raise the children,” she recalls. “I was the first daughter of an aging father and a very young mother who was terrified of everything. When you grow up under those conditions, you become what you have to be — responsible.”

Ada’s early years were marked by poverty and hardship, circumstances that demanded resourcefulness. Living in the segregated South during the Jim Crow era, her family had limited access to medical care.

Relying on plants for healing

“We didn’t have doctors nearby,” she explained. “When my siblings got sick, we had to figure out how to take care of them ourselves.”

Her father and grandparents taught her to rely on the plants and herbs around them to address common ailments. This knowledge would become the foundation of her lifelong dedication to natural healing.

Raised in a time when racial and economic injustices were rampant, Ada’s family was forced to navigate a world that often felt unkind and unwelcoming. Tragically, her mother died when Ada was just 17, leaving her fully responsible for her younger siblings.

“By then, I was already like a mother to them,” she said. “My father always told me, ‘Take care of your mother and the children,’ and that’s exactly what I did. If I didn’t do it, who was going to?”

Despite the hardship, Ada says she found purpose in caring for her siblings.

“I didn’t know it was hard because when you don’t know something, you can’t name it. It was just part of life,” she explained.  

This sense of purpose helped her persevere even as she grappled with the knowledge that she had sacrificed her own childhood to ensure the survival and well-being of her family.

Her experiences as a young caregiver laid the groundwork for what would later become her calling. Ada’s first foray into natural healing came not from choice, but from necessity. She remembers the struggles of her family’s poverty, especially when they moved to Chicago, where medical care was available but unaffordable.

“We had to go to the Cook County Hospital for free services,” she recalls. “But you’d wait all night to see a doctor. I remember thinking, ‘If only these people knew that they could do something different, maybe they wouldn’t have to be here.’ That thought stayed with me.”

Healing becomes a mission

Those formative years instilled in Ada a deep belief in the power of natural remedies.

“I didn’t know back then that it would become my mission, but God knew,” she said. “I was standing in the hospital, looking at people waiting, and I thought there had to be a better way. That was the first spark that eventually became my passion.”

Over time, her commitment to natural healing grew, and she began to incorporate herbal knowledge into her own family’s life. One pivotal moment came when her brother returned from Portland, Ore., where he had discovered the benefits of herbal remedies.

“He came back transformed,” Ada remembered. “He’d been struggling with blood pressure issues and being overweight. He was taking a whole shopping bag full of medicine.

“When he returned, he looked like a different person,” she added. “He introduced me to herbs, and that was it. I started learning everything I could about herbs and natural remedies.”

A divine message

Ada’s journey was also marked by divine inspiration. One day, while going about her routine, she felt a message from God.

“I know it was God because I didn’t know anything at the time,” she said. “God told me, ‘You need to open a school of natural healing,’ and He even gave me the name – ’The Village of Natural Teaching.’”

At first, she brushed off the idea, focusing on raising her children, but over the years, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was meant to share her knowledge with others.

Eventually, she established The Village of Natural Teaching, a place where people could learn about plant-based remedies and holistic health. Before the COVID pandemic, Ada hosted guests at her home for two-week stays, teaching them the principles of what she calls “living food,” which is uncooked, plant-based meals that nourish the body and soul.

“Living food is exactly that – food that’s alive with nutrients,” said Ada. “I teach people how to prepare it in a way that their body can digest and thrive on.”

Through the Village of Natural Teaching, Ada has helped people with various chronic conditions, from cancer to AIDS, to transform their lives.

“Some people come here desperate and looking for a miracle,” she said. “Then, when they start eating this way, they feel a change. I tell them, ‘This isn’t a Band-Aid. This is a lifestyle.’

“Some take it to heart, but others find it too difficult. Not everyone can walk this path,” she added.

One aspect that sets Ada apart is her compassionate, but firm, approach to healing.

“People want a quick fix. They want you to put a Band-Aid on their problems,” she said. “But natural healing doesn’t work that way. It’s often like our relationship with God. When we’re in trouble, we call out for help. But as soon as we feel better, we go back to our old ways. You have to be committed.”

Climbing out of fear

Her unwavering faith has been a source of strength throughout her life. In her first book, “Climbing Out of Fear,” Ada explores how fear often holds people back from reaching their potential.

“Fear is a powerful thing,” she explains. “God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but he can use fear to lead us where we need to go. My life has been a series of steps through fear, and each step has brought me closer to my purpose.”

In “Climbing Out of Fear,” Ada shares personal stories and reflects on biblical figures who also struggled with fear.

“I look at Elijah, who killed 400 soldiers and called down rain. But, when Jezebel threatened him, he ran away in fear. It’s a reminder that even the strongest can feel fear. The key is to walk through it and trust that God will guide you.”

Even today, Ada continues to walk in faith, sharing her knowledge through workshops, counseling and online classes. Her deep sense of calling drives her to help others, and she views her work as a ministry.

“I have people who come to me and say, ‘How can I learn to heal naturally?’ And I tell them, it starts with a commitment to change your life,” said Ada. “Healing is about aligning with the natural laws that God put in place.”

Ada’s work extends beyond natural healing. As an adjunct teacher at the Barbara Brennan School of Healing, she educates others about the impact of biases and the importance of compassion.

“I teach a class on biases,” she says. “We all have them. It’s part of being human, but the key is recognizing them and working through them. God calls us to love one another, and that’s impossible if we’re blinded by our biases.”

Serving as a death doula

One of Ada’s most unique roles is that of a “death doula,” guiding people through their final moments with peace and dignity.

“So many people are afraid of death,” she explained. “They run from it, but I help them face it with calm and grace. Death isn’t something to fear. It’s a transition, and we should be prepared to meet it with acceptance.”

She believes her work as a death doula is also part of her calling to serve others.

“God didn’t intend for us to suffer,” she said. “I’ve helped many people find peace in their last days, and that’s a gift that I’m grateful to give.”

Ada’s faith and her connection with God have guided her throughout her life, helping her through personal trials and even life-threatening situations. One incident stands out in her memory. She was driving on black ice, when her car began to spin uncontrollably.

“A voice said, ‘Be still and know,’” she recalled. “I froze, and the car straightened itself out. That was God talking to me. I’ve learned that if we listen, God will guide us.”

Life doesn’t stop at 50

At 84, Ada is as active as ever, working on a second book that will delve deeper into natural healing principles.

“Phyllis, my writing coach, wants it ready by April, but I don’t want to rush it,” she says. “I want to put in everything that God is guiding me to share.”

Her life and work have impacted many, and she continues to inspire those who meet her.

“People often say, ‘You’re still working and still writing?’ And I say, ‘Yes, because this is what God called me to do,’” said Ada. “Many of these things didn’t even start until I was 50.”

Her message for others over 50 is clear.

 “Life doesn’t stop. Look at Moses, look at Elijah – God used them in their older years,” she said. “He’s still using me, and he can use anyone willing to listen.”

Ada’s story is a powerful reminder that purpose knows no age limit. Her life is a testament to the power of living with purpose, guided by faith and dedicated to the well-being of others.

Through her example, she shows that a life of service, faith and healing can bring profound fulfillment and inspire others to find and follow their own calling.

For more information

People can connect with Ada at:

Ada’s book, “Climbing Out of Fear,” is available on Amazon and at other bookstores. It is available in English and German.

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