Hope for Romania
April 2nd – 11th, 2012
Greetings to everyone in the Name of our Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ,
In this fervent season when we remember Jesus’ triumphant entrance in Jerusalem, Maranata Church in the city Radauti, RO, had the privilege to triumphantly enter its new church building by the Grace of the Lord. During the trip in Africa in February – March 2012, the Lord moved me with compassion towards Romania. Even though we celebrate Easter on April 8th this year in the Western world, I did not want to lose the privilege to miss the dedication of the church which our mission financially supported. There was a great opportunity for the Gospel to be preached to almost two thousand people that came from Radauti and surrounding villages. People from the upper classes including mayors, bankers, officers, businessmen entered for the first time in the Pentecostal church there and they were surprised how the living church of Jesus Christ was powerfully and excitingly worshipping in the beautiful new church building.
“How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them”. Psalm 84:1-5
Even though when the church service ended, there was a sleet storm and people ran home after the church was dismissed. I had the privilege to spend quality time with my cousin Petrica Moloceniuc who drove me from the Bucharest airport to Radauti and Mircea Lubanovici, a parliament representative from Third College diaspora. Pastor Liviu Acsinte from Piatra Neamt was also present to the dedication of the church. Among them were other church leaders including Lutu Tibei (the president of the Pentecostal Union), Constantin Sherban from Suceava and other leaders of churches in Romania. From the USA, we had Constantin and David Antemie and other brothers from Portland and Phoenix. In the afternoon, together with the local pastor, Gheorghe from Goshen church I was committed to visit elder brothers and families in need in Radauti despite the bad weather. What a blessing we were to those families when we helped them financially. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27
For the evening church service, I visited my home village Satu Mare and I had a message called “How to live under God’s Blessings” because there were four mothers that brought their baby children in dedication to the Lord. “And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” Luke 18:15-17
Another purpose for this trip was to revive and refresh our vision that we had for over two years which was to start a Christian School in Romania. We make the necessary steps towards obtaining the land for the project from the government. So far, we encountered many obstacles but God who is keeping His promise will continue leading us every step to don’t give up but move forward because He is in charge of all the land of the Earth even though man tries to hold onto it for different purposes. I have visited officials from parliament and ministers of education, together with the BHIM Team of Romania. Catalin Sireagu graduated as an honor student from Cluj University and recently moved with his family to Radauti for this purpose to be involved in the school project. Every good work and vision has to pass through tests like God tested Abraham and his son Isaac.
“And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” Genesis 22:1-5
When I reminded the BHIM Team in Romania that God allowed for us to be tested, they were very encouraged to move forward and believe God for the victory that will be with the school project because they passed through a lot of trials and were deceived by the officials. Our only hope now to depend on God who will open the door.
The next evening, I ministered to the Soldiers for Christ Church in Marginea where a lot of people experienced revival among the orthodox churches and moved to a level of fellowship with the living God. This movement is happening all over Romania where people are going from dry and traditional lifestyle in the orthodox idolatry, and seeking and finding a true relationship with Jesus Christ who gives them life abundantly.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
A tragedy happened during this mission trip. A woman of four children from Vicov village had crossed the street and was hit and instantly killed by a car. One of her sons was also hit and was transported to the hospital while being in an unconscious state. I was moved with compassion when I heard this and met with her husband and children and encouraged them with words of Hope and helped them financially. Some people question when something like that happens, where God was when that God hit her. The answer is in the same place where He was when His Son Jesus Christ died on the cross. God is always present but he acts according with His divine purpose that he has for every creature. To some He sends angels to protect from danger; while to some He allows to die and cross over to the heavenly realm. No matter what His will is, the most important thing is for US to be connected with Him at any time because life on Earth is fragile. I participated to the wake of the woman to encourage the family to be strong at this time.
On another night, I preached at the Goshen Church in Radauti. During this trip, I visited also Philadelphia Christian School in Suceava which is founded by Pastor Ioan Badelita ten years ago. It is a blessing for the city. I visited some poor family in the villages around Radauti and Suceava. Since most of them are farmers and consume their livestock during the winter, they remain with a lot of needs in the spring time before the new crops season. I helped them financially and prayed for them. Petrica Moloceniuc and Catalin Sireagu (our BHIM representatives) drove me to Cluj where we met the managers from Sanvel Steel factory where we already gave the deposit towards the steel for the school project. On our way to Cluj I visited a poor family in Cimpu Lung (a city in economic distress) and helped them financially and prayed for them. I also met Paul Sirbu, my brother-in-law’s brother in Cluj who brought me to the rail station and took the night train to Bucharest for the flight to Chicago the next morning.
I thank the Lord for this opportunity to visit Romania again and be a blessing with words and in action.
“Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Rev. Constantin Lupancu together with the Blessed Hope International Mission Team
