Romania: Transformed by The Gospel
By Cristian Oprea | SLM Romania Director
Puzdrea Alexandrina, a 75-year-old widow lady, shared the following story with Cristian Oprea, Director of SOL Romania International.
Fifteen years ago, I was sitting outside my house when two young men approached my gate asking if they might speak with me. They introduced me to a course called Light from the Gospel of John.
I had been struggling. I attended a church, but its teachings were unbiblical and empty. I had been crying out to God for someone to feed me from God’s Word. These men gave me Light from the Gospel of John, and I went inside and prayed to God, praising Him because I knew this must be the Lord’s answer. Next, I asked God to show me the way to a church where I could be fed and truly worship God.
As I finished that first lesson, the Lord answered my prayer. There, on the last page, was the name of the church these young men attended, and where the Bible courses were being used. Within two minutes, I filled out the “coupon” included in that course to enroll in the Source of Light lessons. Immediately I heard from SLM and I worked quickly and joyfully through all the courses.
Having understood my need of a Savior through the Source of Light courses, it was a great joy for me to come to Christ, get baptized, and join Hope Baptist Church. God truly answered my prayer through those two young men at the gate and SLM!
One never forgets their first love… Source of Light is my first love. Now in a nursing home, I need special permission to leave, so sometimes I can’t go to church. For a while it was hard to worship here. The former director was not open to us sharing our faith, but a short time ago she left, and her replacement is open to spiritual discussions.
Since then, God has allowed a small group of us, 11 believers, to have a small church meeting here.
I have been meeting with various people here at the old folks’ home and as a result of planting seeds of the Gospel, God has allowed me to lead three people to Christ. I am discipling them using “our” Source of Light materials.
Over the years, I have faced many challenges. I have no family to care for me which is why I am in the nursing home. Having had three heart attacks, they told me I could not live alone. They said I needed to have open-heart surgery, but that the procedure could kill me. I told them,
“I am not afraid to die as I know where I will go. Let me live with this condition so that here, with so many sick and dying people, I might share the love of Christ until my last breath.”
I had a roommate with mental issues, who was antagonistic to my faith, but I have been blessed by her being removed from my room. Even more of a blessing, you have visited with me with the International Director of “our” mission. This has indeed been a blessed day.
I can’t say enough to say thank you to you and to Source of Light for bringing the Good News to my village and for the work you do for so many others around the world.
