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| Filipsu Mic |
I am in a picture with most all of the regular congregants. This house is where they met for church in the winter. Sometimes in the summer they meet outdoors or at another house. The pastor, Attila, loved the animals and on the Sunday we were there, some were newborns. Some background info about how I came to be in Romania:
Through contacts at Wofford, I became acquainted with Teleios Ministry. After prayerful consideration, I decided to join Floyd and Bonnie Parker, the ministry leaders, in Romania for a weekend during their Fall trip. Before flying to Romania I did not know what to expect. I'd been informed previously about Attila Toth’s work and about the multitude of needs within his congregations in and near Reghin. I didn’t know what role I would play or what my “purpose” would be in visiting on that October weekend. I only thought to myself, ‘I’m going to a wedding for someone I’ve never met, in a language I don’t know, and in a place I have never been.’ Since first hearing of Teleios’ work in Romania, I have looked forward to seeing the work there in person, as well as trying to envision what God’s mission would be for me in Romania, if, in fact, he wanted me to be there in February.
I was wholeheartedly welcomed by the wedding party on Saturday. I often recall the big smile Lala’s father had whenever I saw him. Each time he greeted us, it was like seeing an old friend. No one seemed to ask, “Who is this strange, new person?” It was natural to them for me to join in celebrating the wedding of Lala and Ester. The wedding moved me in such an unexpected way. I had been to weddings of Wofford classmates over the summer, but this wedding was somehow different. I emotionally watched as Ester’s family “gave her away.” The joyful emotion that the families felt, I, too, was experiencing. I was reminded that this bride and groom were also my family, and I could cry, applaud, laugh and celebrate this wedding along with their friends and family.
Visiting the Gypsy slum was also an important part of my weekend. I didn’t know how to prepare to face the level of poverty people just like me would be living in. But even in this place, I was welcomed into homes and greeted warmly by the children and adults whom Attila ministers. I know that Attila’s work with the Gypsies could be considered never-ending, but the list of challenges didn’t seem daunting or impossible because of his faith that all would work according to God’s plan.
The other time over the weekend when unexpected emotions rose within me were when I attended the church service in Filipsu Mic. I had to leave in the middle of our worship time to go to the airport. It was sad in one way for me to leave. On that day, I had been in Europe for just over a week. As I went to leave, they told me they would pray for me as I find a church in Salzburg. I was surprised by their compassion for me, a person they barely knew. Yet so quickly they thought to pray for my need. It was nourishing to spend time with these believers before returning to my new (but still a bit foreign) home in Austria. My hope of returning to Romania was strengthened by their love and faith.
