My friend Kim works with the "forgotten elderly" in Romania, some of whom were rescued from the streets.
Before one of her trips to visit her "Elder Orphans," I gave her a Hungarian Christian book. It was unlikely she could use it since Hungarians only comprise 6% of the Romanian population, but I felt led to offer it.
While in Romania, Kim's team distributed prescription eyeglasses to some of the seniors who hadn’t been able to read for years.
When Irina was fitted for her glasses, Kim remembered (from previous trips) that Irina often sat holding a book, wishing she could read it. But since Kim's last visit, Irina had given her only book away assuming she'd never be able to read it again.
This seemed so tragic, but Kim had an idea. Through an interpreter, Kim asked Irina's nationality.
You guessed it ... Hungarian! Irina was thrilled and immediately began reading the Hungarian version of a Christian book called You are Precious.
As you can imagine, this situation made Kim, Irina, and me feel precious in God's eyes.(1)
Matt.10:29-31: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
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💙 Read Kim's story about this situation for more details: "Sight to the Blind"
(1) I encourage you to read Isaiah 49:15-16 and these 1-minute devotions that explain how precious we are to the Lord:
What it Means to be "The Apple of His Eye"
God Enjoys Us
Fact: God Loves His Children
Some details:
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| Irina couldn't read her only book, so she gave it away. |
↪ The book was actually a children's book, but it had an adult message and lovely illustrations.
↪ Kim’s ministry: Elder Orphan Care Facebook, Elder Orphan Care website. Kim used the ITEC I-See program to provide eyeglasses.
Bible Love Notes
what a precious story! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! Isn't our God great?
ReplyDeleteGail, thank you not only for writing this blog, but for being a major character in the story God wrote! Your friendship has been used by God to bless and encouragement me and "my world" more times than I can count. I thank God that He loves me so much that out of 7 billion people in the world I get to call Gail Purath my friend! How rich I am! :)
ReplyDeleteHow neat is that :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteLove it! It's so good to recognize God working through us, in ways we never imagine!
ReplyDeleteIt's so encouraging to see how God works so perfectly in filling our every single need! Another reason why this devotional is very dear to my heart is, well, because I am Romanian! I moved to USA 5 years ago, a change that was extremely hard for me, but I can thank God He was with me every single minute. So, knowing that you have friends ministering in my dear country is so comforting for me. I know the needs are far more greater than we can imagine. I will pray for Kim and her team, so they can reach more souls and show them the love of Christ.
ReplyDeleteI read this over at Wow Dee Wow and now your version of the same story. What an amazing story!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you lived over there? Cool! What a blessing to be able to return there every year for awhile.
ReplyDeleteA gal from our church travels over to Romania nearly every year (or as often as she can) to minister over there. She loves the people over there. We've met some of them and they are very gracious.
Also, just wanted you to know that the "Making Your Home Sing Monday" linky party is up and ready for you to link up your posts this week.
Thanks so much for linking up to the "Making Your Home Sing" linky party today! :)
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