Marian Jipi is a pastor and church planter in Pitulicea, Buzau, Romania. Often he is called upon to demonstrate gospel kindness as he ministers among the poor in nearby villages. In his recent report, Marian relates a story that underscores the importance of the local church. The following account recalls the words of our Lord in Matthew 25:39-40 when He says, “And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
“There is a very special sister in our church. She had skin cancer, but she was healed through God’s mercy. Since then, she always comes with me when I visit the sick. In the same week when my father died, she fell in her house and broke her arm in several places. She was hospitalized and underwent surgery. She has no children and her husband is not a Christian, so her family are our church members. We went to visit her at the hospital on Sunday, even though we knew she was coming home on Monday. After the morning church service, I invited the believers to join me in visiting this sister at the hospital. The van was full. When we got to the hospital, we realized we didn’t know the room number, so I called her to ask her for it. I didn’t mention to her that she would see us in a few moments. Shortly, I entered her room and all the believers that had come with me. She didn’t believe her eyes when she saw me there. But when she saw all the others she started crying and sobbing. She said, “You had so much trouble this week. I didn’t think you would have time to think about me.”
An old lady that was in that room started crying as well. She asked our sister why she had said she had no one, and now she had so many visitors. Sister Caterina said she didn’t have anyone, but now she was sure that we were her family. We were her brothers and sisters and we didn’t forget about her. The believers that were with me were old as well, and some of them were even using a walking cane. Still, they wanted to visit our sister to show compassion to her. This was the most emotional moment I had ever experienced in a hospital. We are all so encouraged to be Christians, for having each other and for being united by the love of Jesus. This is how we, and all the others, know that we belong to Him.”
Don is serving as the HeartCry Coordinator for Eastern Europe. As an itinerant evangelist, his pulpit ministry is directed toward preaching on the inner life of the believer and the spiritual need of the lost. With HeartCry, his ministry includes organizing Bible conferences and corresponding with the HeartCry missionaries in Europe. He and his lovely wife Cindy live in Tuscumbia, AL.
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