Day 17: Cliciova, Romania

We walked along the rutted roads, offering bibles, groceries, and prayer to anyone who might welcome them. Marioara found the rare visit to her home a joyful thing. Her husband died from the ravages of alcohol when he was 40, and her children moved away to places where a living might really be made. 60 at the time, her hope rested in the pension she would receive when she was 62. The 300 Lei (about $100 US)  monthly was almost more than she could comprehend. So she waited – and hoped.

She wanted to see a miracle. It had been so long. And she wondered if God even saw her anymore.

She took the bible, opened it up and sighed – and then quickly closed it again. “I can’t see the words – I’m too old – but thank you for the gift.” Then, a friend on our team smiled and pulled out a pair of reading glasses – something she had haphazardly thrown into her purse before traveling nine time zones ahead to serve. A simple, incidental moment became Marioara’s miracle.

Where have you seen miracles?