It’s been quite a while since I first posted my personal crisis of faith. It was February 14th. A disabled Romanian man was standing outside our church begging for money. Around his neck was a medical report from an emergency visit to a hospital in Koblenz where it was stated he suffered from Leukemia.
After initially passing by without offering assistance, my wife and I, together with a friend who spoke Romanian, left our prayer room to speak with him. It started us on a long journey – far longer than we could have imagined.
We provided an update on March 20th after taking he, his wife and son to a Christian physician and how it had been transformative to them – that someone actually cared about them.
For those who may have wondered what happened to them, here’s our latest update. As you can imagine, there was no way they could stay homeless on the street with a 2 year old. German officials would have taken their son, made him a ward of the court and sought foster parents. It would have been catastrophic.
A Selfless Pastor Provided a Place in his Church
Without discussion, our pastor friend decided to allow them to stay in his church. He recognized this was a family in crisis and felt by faith his church should respond. He didn’t have the proper facilities, but he and his congregation made do. A corner room just large enough for a bed, without even a door, and just off the church entrance was given to them. The pastor allowed them to use the kitchen and invited them to attend their church services.
It was a difficult transition, and not one without problems. They were dirty, difficult to interact with, and their son was often breaking things. Stains appeared on the chairs and carpets, and it brought complaints. It was a real difficulty for the pastor. Yet from mid-March through mid-September, it was their home and at times, we wondered how, and if, it would ever end.
Not Just a Place to Stay, but a Job as Well!
Progress was grindingly slow as all of us had to learn the rules for government assistance, and our best contact from Caritas had to take a lengthy sabbatical to care for his aging parents who were suffering health problems.
We learned it was helpful for one of the parents to have a job. Again, our pastor friend stepped up and offered a mini job cleaning the church. Given their background, it was not without risk. But it was necessary to allow them to purchase health insurance, a requirement his Leukemia. We decided to provide financial support to the church to help alleviate the financial burden.
Others Stepped Up Too
My wife provided training so that the church was properly cleaned, and expectations of congregants were met. She also helped by navigating a labyrinth of meetings and requirements from various offices within the government.
I provided taxi service to the Doctor and translations (with Google) of the prognosis. The Christian doctor refused payment, carrying the cost alone as his Christian service. And our friend from church translated countless meetings we had to resolve issues, makes expectations understood, answer questions and provide updates.
A congregant also volunteered to help us with our volunteer work in a Christian Charity to lighten our load. And of course, our contacts at Caritas were invaluable, always available with support, answers to questions, recommendations and general assistance.
A Hopeful Sign Followed by a Heavenly Break-Through
In the midst of all our challenges, God was there. As spring gave way to summer, both parents accepted Christ and were baptized. There was finally reason to rejoice. It gave hope, energizing us press on.
Then in September, a contact offered us an apartment. Though offering it to the Christian Charity we work in, he agreed to give it to us, even waving the security deposit! Without approval for government housing support, we moved forward as there is a critical shortage of apartments in Koblenz, particularly affordable ones. It was a step of faith.
To our amazement, the next two meetings with the government brought all the approvals without issues. Our Romanian friends got approval for their apartment and financial support to complement their mini job. All along, we had been in God’s hands, and He was showing us just how big His hands are.
A Day of Genuine Thankfulness
Which brings us to today. Today is Thanksgiving in Germany, a time of thankfulness for God’s gracious provision of a good harvest. It’s a time to reflect on God’s goodness and grace. As we met for pre-service prayer, I was moved to tears by God’s faithfulness, His unending care, His love for the least of us and His transformative power to save the lost.
We have so much to be thankful for. Not least is God’s provision for this family. Not only housing and job but salvation! All of it was unexpected. But that’s God. He’s got it all in grip. Even the leukemia remained in remission over the passing months. Yup, that’s God.
Yes, I’m a witness to one of God’s greatest miracles and I can’t help but rejoice and be thankful. But all those who extended God’s love to this couple are not just witnesses, but participants in the realization of this great miracle by which all the nations of the world are blessed (Genesis 12:3) – blessed to be reconciled to God through Christ. That God would use us in realizing this goal is perhaps an even greater wonder!
An Invitation to Partner with us in Prayer
We’re far from done. There will be doctor’s appointments to confirm disability status. We must seek to get them German language courses and we need to find a kindergarten for their son – no small task as they are all at capacity. We still need to secure health insurance for them and schedule dental work. And of course, we must help them learn more about Christ.
But we hope that this story will move you to pray for them. More so, we hope it inspires you to step beyond your comfort zone, and in faith, extend the love of Christ to the least in our world, humbly expecting God to accomplish even greater works in others through you!