Dear Family and Friends,
Y’all are not going to believe what happened today. I can hardly believe it myself.
I was at Agape Home today cleaning the floor and Daniel was gone with Nicu and Flori was in the garden so I was alone in the house. I saw a car pull up and a man came inside dressed in what looked like a military uniform. I asked how I could help him and he told me he would like to speak with Nicu. I explained that Nicu had left about five minutes before and he asked me if I could call him on the mobile to return because HE WAS FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND WAS MAKING HIS SURPRISE VISIT. At that moment, Flori walked in and began to panic but I had absolutely no anxiety. In fact, my first comment to him was, “I hope this is the last time we have to see you!” Of course I was smiling when I said it and he was simply delightful to me. Flori immediately informed me that my words were insulting in Romanian but he just laughed and said he totally understood my intention.
He then asked me if I would show him the attic, the basement, and the fire extinguishers. I joked and laughed with him about several things but my laughing came to an abrupt halt when he informed me our light fixtures were out of regulation. I told him it didn’t matter because we planned to buy different lighting fixtures when we turn the basement into a sewing shop for pregnant women. He said, “Well, that is not written in the project” and I said “It doesn’t matter, this is something we plan for the future.” He found another violation (materials too near the entrance of an evacuation route) and when we reached the top of the basement landing, he stopped me and asked, “Can I ask you something personal.” I immediately thought, “Here it comes. The dreaded bribe hint I will have to manage to refuse. Lord, give me strength.” He asked, “Can you tell me why you left America to come to Romania?” The Lord spoke to my heart, “Michelle, you have been created and sent for such a time as this.”
I began the story of how I can here on a ten day trip in 1995 as a Christian who didn’t walk faithfully with the Lord. I told him how I went back and finished my Master’s degree (Romanians like education) and then returned to help all those abandoned babies I had first seen. I explained how the Lord changed my heart and my life after I repented and started following Him and how Jesus had called me to Romania to help the orphans in their distress. I told him how many children God had used us to rescue from the hospital and be placed in families. I told him how I hoped women would live in our facility to learn to raise their children and love them. He listened intently and I went I looked over at him at the end, his eyes were filled and he turned to walk into the house without saying a word.
When we met Flori inside, he explained the process that should take place in the event there was a fire. He showed us how to use the fire extinguisher (valuable information for me!) and explained a few other details of the fire department. He then looked at me and said, “I am authorizing you to function. You can pick up your papers Tuesday or Thursday of next week.” I was so astounded that I said, “You are welcome” instead of “Thank you.” I initially thought it was a nervous slip on my part but I think the Holy Spirit in me knew exactly what He was saying. Today, the Chief of Inspection for the fire department heard my testimony and the gospel message. What he does with it is up to him. Jesus loves him, this I know. For the bible tells me so. Little to ones to Him belong. They (I) are (am) weak but He is strong.
So, in case you don’t believe Jesus is still very much alive, I am here to tell you I saw evidence today. He still moves stones away from the tomb. We are one of the only institutions I know who have ever received the authorization to function without a bribe. Today, I understood fully why. The Lord wanted that man to hear how the love of Jesus can change a person and bring them to the Kingdom of God. Today, I hope this was the first step of eternity in paradise for this man. Please pray for him and for me to have the boldness to somehow continue this relationship. What influence he will have for The Lord if he becomes a believer!
Many, many thanks to those of you who wrote to say you were donating funds. We got the funds needed to buy Gabi the used computer, a new printer, and anti-virus software. She was so excited when I called to tell her. The Lord is using so many of you to bless those in Romania!
Now, this last paragraph will really make you smile. The Department of Sanitation came yesterday to do their inspection. They found some things we need to change but because the lady from the department knew Flori, she said she trusted us to change the items without another check and she has given us the approval, too. Do you know what this means?? We will be taking in pregnant women VERY soon…hopefully before we leave at the end of the month.
Prayer really DOES change things!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers. I hope y’all are smiling as much as me this minute!
Basking in the Son,
Michelle
Posted on September 9th, 2004 by Michelle
Filed under: Michelle's Journal