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Esperanta in Romania

by Ben Janssen

Pastor Matei and his wife, Eugenia, have sustained hope during some difficult times in Romania, so much so that they named their new church Esperanta, the Romanian word for hope. They left their hometown and settled their family in Santamarie for the sole purpose of planting a church in this small village far from the main road. There, they evangelize courageously among the mainly Gypsy population. The love of Christ beams from their faces when they

share the Good News.

Within a year of its establishment, the church outgrew Matei and Eugenia’s living room as many Gypsies came to believe in Christ. As the church continued to grow, the men would often stand and allow the women to huddle with their children on wooden benches during services. Some members began initiating new church groups in four neighboring villages.

When 50 believers and even more children were regularly attending the services, they realized the time had come to beseech the Lord in prayer for a church building. The village itself also needed property for a graveyard, so the church body fasted, prayed, and asked the Lord to provide a building and some land on which they could bury their dead. Soon after, a small building came up for sale, and the sliver of land behind it was perfect for a cemetery. When the Lord provided the money for their new church, Matei and Eugenia’s hearts were filled with great joy.

As renovations on the property began, the congregation realized the task would be difficult. They labored together to bring the building materials from Pastor Matei’s house to the church property.

Eugenia’s little donkey pulled an old cart stacked with materials until he became sick from the unusually hard work. (As he rested from his hard work, the donkey was a sad sight, standing in the meadow, looking at the children. He had done a marvelous job for the Kingdom of God.)

With the donkey out of commission, the only option was to tow the wooden cart behind a car, but they were unsure if the law allowed it. As it happened, a police officer was visiting the village that night, so they waited until he left before continuing their activity. It was after midnight when they were finally able to drag the building materials, again stacked high on the cart, behind their car.

Right now, we are providing some financial assistance as Matei and Eugenia finish the renovation of their church building. When their old car broke into pieces, the Lord helped us provide the funds for another car so they could continue to evangelize.

The Word of God is far too important to put on hold, so to make good use of their time as they wait for the church building to be completed, Matei and Eugenia have started a Bible school in their living room.

Their hearts are in unity, looking for the coming of the Lord. In the meantime, they continue planting churches in all the villages around them.

As for me, I shall always have hope;

I will praise you more and more.

My mouth will tell of your righteousness,

Of your salvation all day long.

Psalm 71:14, 15




		IPHC > World Missions > Worldor ama Articles Esperanta in Romania by Ben Janssen Pastor Matei and his wife, Eugenia, have sustained hope during some difficult times in Romania, so much so that they named their new church Esperanta, the Romanian word for hope. They left their hometown and settled their family in Santamarie for the sole purpose of planting a church in this small village far from the main road. There, they evangelize courageously among the mainly Gypsy population. The love of Christ beams from their faces when they share the Good News. Within a year of its establishment, the church outgrew Matei and Eugenia’s living room as many Gypsies came to believe in Christ. As the church continued to grow, the men would often stand and allow the women to huddle with their children on wooden benches during services. Some members began initiating new church groups in four neighboring villages. When 50 believers and even more children were regularly attending the services, they realized the time had come to beseech the Lord in prayer for a church building. The village itself also needed property for a graveyard, so the church body fasted, prayed, and asked the Lord to provide a building and some land on which they could bury their dead. Soon after, a small building came up for sale, and the sliver of land behind it was perfect for a cemetery. When the Lord provided the money for their new church, Matei and Eugenia’s hearts were filled with great joy. As renovations on the property began, the congregation realized the task would be difficult. They labored together to bring the building materials from Pastor Matei’s house to the church property. Eugenia’s little donkey pulled an old cart stacked with materials until he became sick from the unusually hard work. (As he rested from his hard work, the donkey was a sad sight, standing in the meadow, looking at the children. He had done a marvelous job for the Kingdom of God.) With the donkey out of commission, the only option was to tow the wooden cart behind a car, but they were unsure if the law allowed it. As it happened, a police officer was visiting the village that night, so they waited until he left before continuing their activity. It was after midnight when they were finally able to drag the building materials, again stacked high on the cart, behind their car. Right now, we are providing some financial assistance as Matei and Eugenia finish the renovation of their church building. When their old car broke into pieces, the Lord helped us provide the funds for another car so they could continue to evangelize. The Word of God is far too important to put on hold, so to make good use of their time as they wait for the church building to be completed, Matei and Eugenia have started a Bible school in their living room. Their hearts are in unity, looking for the coming of the Lord. In the meantime, they continue planting churches in all the villages around them. As for me, I shall always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, Of your salvation all day long. Psalm 71:14, 15



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