The following is an email that our contact in Romania, Cristi Golas, shared with us after we left. The story is such an amazing testament to what God is doing in Pitesti, and a great summary of the sort of things that happen when people consistently commit to working for the Lord, even if it takes a long time to see results. The girl in the story, Florina, was a girl that we worked with in Razboieni.
“I hate God! ”
This is what Clara said to me in a Bible study 8 months ago.
When I heard this I said to myself: “ O Lord, there is no hope…..”
But God was working many years ago through many different situations (very hard ones).
Two years ago Clara and her sister Mihaela went to Italy because Mihaela had cancer and she needed to see a doctor there. Florina was 7 years old at that time and she is Mihaela’s daughter. Florina was with them in Italy.
While they were sitting in their home in Italy one morning, several guys entered in their house with guns and took Florina. They put her in a house with some other children and forced her to beg on the streets for them…
They abused her in many ways.
Clara and Mihaela were devastated and they hired a detective to find Florina.
After a week Florina was found and they discovered that Florina was almost sold for $80,000 in a different part of the world to some other guys to use her.
Clara and Mihaela had Florina finally back.
Mihaela, Florina’s mother was very ill and she finally was sent to Romania. She is from Razboieni, so they came back and lived in Pitesti, Razboieni.
Mihaela died after a few months and Florina stayed under Clara’s protection and they lived together.
After Florina’s mother died she started to join our program. Florina’s father died too when she was two years old.
So, now back to where we are right now.
For more than one year Florina is coming every week to the program and she is very involved and happy.
Clara observed Florina’s attitude and how much she talked about us back home and how much she liked it.
Last Sunday Clara talked to me.
She wanted to tell me the whole story.
She said: “First of all, I saw how happy and enthusiastic Florina was, every time she came from your program. Second, I listen to you with how much passion you talk about your God and I started to think, why…. After all this I changed my mind about God.”
I have spent three hours in the mall today with Cami (my wife) and Clara. My kids were playing with Florina and we listened to Clara’s testimony.
She said that this week she felt free, because she asked for forgiveness to God for how mean she was and how bad she talked about Him.
Also, she wants to be part of our church. Tomorrow she is coming for the church service.
Clara was crying like a baby for three hours in the mall as we were talking.
She said that she feels very different and free. She has never felt like this ever before.
Clara took me by surprise. Actually God took me by surprise with Clara.
Clara is overwhelmed right now because of God’s love. Please pray for her and Florina. Florina is a very sweet and happy girl.
Praise the Lord for His family. All of you who are reading this are His family. Thanks for you support.
We would like to buy some clothes for Florina and some food. If you have something on your heart to give for them and to bless them, please do.
God bless!
Cristi
A photo I took of Florina in Razboieni. When I took this photo I didn't know anything about her story.
