Making Maria's Day

Our teams love visiting with sweet Maria when we are in Dumbrava, Romania. She is one of 160 elderly and frail currently being cared for by our ministry partner, Viorel Pasca. Here is an account, in Viorel's own words, of a recent celebration that he was able to provide for Maria. 


"We are glad that through a small gesture and inexpensively I could bring light and joy in the life of a sick widow abandoned by family. Eleven years ago, her only son took all the money that would buy a house and left, not to receive any word from him. After two years on the streets of Oradea, Maria suffered a stroke, became paralyzed and was sent to Dumbrava. Since then, nine years have passed, during which no relatives ever visit and she remains confined in bed without opportunity or hope that they will return.

Several weeks ago when talking with her, she said among other things that June 26 she will celebrate 65 years. I thought then that will be a great opportunity for us, as we have the privilege to bring some color and joy that I speak of so often. So Friday, June 26, at noon I went into her room with a cake ordered for her.

What can I say! Nothing compares with the joy that you receive when you see someone happy, smiling and eyes in tears of joy after a gesture that you made. How true are the words that 'it is more blessed to give than to receive'! The cake was shared with all the other nineteen patients in that house, making that summer afternoon into quite a celebration."

--Viorel Pasca