We were standing outside in the
afternoon sunlight behind a small home in a nearby Romanian village.
In front of us was a casket holding a 55-year-old gypsy woman, who
Pastor Zsombor baptized just two years ago. Around us were her family
members and friends, most of whom did now know Christ as their
savior. Next to me was a beautiful young gypsy girl named Paula. We
first exchanged smiles before she came up next to me and put her arms
around my waist. We couldn’t speak the same language, but I enjoyed
squeezing her hand while the service continued. Our team sang a few
songs in English and shared some testimonies. Pastor Zsombor gave the
main message, including the gospel. He believed this was a divine
opportunity to witness to the family. There were enthusiastic “Amens�
from one man near the casket who I learned later was a fellow
Christian friend of the woman.
After the service, four men loaded the
casket on the back of a wagon pulled by a white horse. I walked
behind along the rock road with Paula and other children grasping my
hands. The horse and cart stopped near a path up a steep grass hill.
The men unloaded the casket and carried it up the treacherous incline
while the rest of us filed behind. They buried her on the hill
overlooking the village. After praying, we walked back down, me still
holding the hand of my new friend Paula.
I’ll admit, I first thought it was odd
that Pastor Zsombor was taking us to a funeral, but in the end it was
a blessing. If nothing else I enjoyed the company of my new friend.
She definitely captured my heart. I know God is using the story of
this woman who died to reach her family and friends who still don’t
know Jesus. It’s another reminder of how important this life is, and
how quickly it can be taken away. I pray the words of truth spoken
that afternoon will reverberate in the ears of all who heard, and
that my friend Paula will come to know the truth of Jesus in her life
since she is a precious child of God.
