The bus had been winding its way through the remote countryside of Romania for at least 45 minutes.. I can’t remember where I was but the occasion in 2004 became very significant to me.
Our Vacation Bible School (VBS) team had completed the morning bible school activities. As usual, in the afternoon we participated in a different type of activity. Today’s activity was a humanitarian one.
We finally stopped at a very old looking motel type building. It appeared to be as painstakingly maintained as funds would allow. The director explained that the 22 residents were old discarded people. Many of these people had families, but the families had grown larger over the years and there was little money, or space to keep them with the family so they were essentially discarded.
We were told many of them were just left on a street corner in town in hopes that someone would care for them. How could people do that, I wondered. Where was the love? But then the reality of the situation sunk in. You do what you have to do. These old people were no longer productive, bringing money in or doing work for the family. They were not unloved, just un-needed, a burden to the family. Does that justify abandoning them? But that’s a topic for another time.
The building was U shaped and enclosed a small courtyard, but it was just a space with makeshift chairs and benches against the walls so people could sit outside as the weather permitted. There were a few men but most of the residents were women with a scarf on their heads and who wore leggings to keep their feet warm, even in the summer.
We went to each one and said a greeting, and gave him/her a hug. I recall one wizened old lady with tears in her eyes as I gave a greeting in Romanian and hugged her. She said many things to me I didn’t understand.I just smiled, nodded my head and squeezed her hand, trying not to shed tears myself.
The VBS team gathered in the middle of the concrete and weed courtyard and sang several songs. Our Romanian leader said a few words, read some Bible passages, and we sang a few more songs. The voices of one song, “Sanctuary” blended so beautifully that I had to stop singing; I was so moved emotionally.
I had an “I’ve got to do something” moment. Looking around me, it was obvious many others of the team felt the same way.
The director gave us a tour of the facilities. The rooms were sparsely furnished but neat and orderly. The kitchen area cupboards were almost bare so the food we brought was obviously needed. The was not a government facility, but a privately funded effort to help the discarded people know that God cares, that God loves them; that God is with each of them as their life ebbs away.
Even today when bad things come my way I remember those people and how lucky I am. Now, when I see people in need, when I have an “I must do something” moment, I am highly motivated to give what I can. To paraphrase what Jesus said, “Even as you do for the least of these, you have done so for me.”
Amen
Next week: Prayer, Care and Love
vbsdisciples.org 