Reflections on the passing of Florena Predescu - by Elena Tanase

Florena Predescu

Died on January 28, 2009 in Pitesti, Romania

For those of you who do not know her, Ms. Florena was a very dear friend and sister in Christ. Although the world would have considered her average, she certainly was not an average Christian. On the contrary, she was quite special. Ms. Florena was baptized approximately in 2002, by George Micu, one of the Christians who tried to start a work in Pitesti, Ms. Florena’s home town. A year later, George moved to Bucharest, and she was left alone, the only Christian in a fairly big city. Although the circumstances of being a newly converted Christian in a heavily Orthodox religious culture could have discouraged many, she was not discouraged. Sunday after Sunday, without exception, Ms. Florena would go to Falfani, in my mother’s home, with the Christians from Bucharest, and worshiped there with my mother, my father at that time and the Christians that went there from Bucharest. After my father passed away in August 2007 and my mother went for several months to Spain, Ms. Florena continued her faithful journey of serving God. Sunday after Sunday, in the winter, she would go to Bucharest – approximately a three hour one way trip, using public transportation— to worship with the Christians in Bucharest. She did this for nearly eight months, until my mother came home from Spain in July 2008. Then Ms. Florena’s desire was to continue to worship in the village with my mother, who herself was also the only Christian left in that village. Unfortunately the Christians from Bucharest no longer could make the trip to Falfani on Sunday afternoons, as they did for thirteen years. The situation was quite challenging for both Ms. Florena who was left alone in Pitesti and my mother who was left alone in the village. Ms. Florena was again the one willing to walk the extra mile. She started to go to Falfani every other Sunday to worship with my mother. It was not easy. She would leave Pitesti in the early morning for an hour long ride on a bus that would take her to the village, where my mother lived. They would spend time together, encourage each other, worship together, study together. I was so grateful when I, my mother and Ms. Florena came up with this arrangement in October 2008, after it was determined that the Christians from Bucharest would no longer continue to go to the village on Sundays. And so it was, until the end. Ms. Florena would faithfully go there every other Sunday, just as she said she would.

Ms. Florena had a wonderful attitude about life. Although she was poor in the eyes of the world, she was rich in the ways that count. I have never heard her complain about anything. I have never seen her discouraged. She had so very few material things, however she lived like she did not lack anything. She had a pure joy and a measure of contentment that only GOD can put in our hearts. Ms. Florena was a joy to be around. Her very small apartment was never too small to invite many people, friends, neighbors, college students to study the Bible in her home. Her door was always open. Her heart was set on GOD and on doing HIS will.

Ms. Florena worshiped with my mother on Sunday, 1/25/09. It was a good worship. When I talked with my mother later that day, she said that Ms. Florena was doing well. They ate together that day, spent time together, laughed together, worshiped together. Everything was ok … just one week ago.

Dreadful news came my way last Thursday on 1/29/09, when I called my mother. Through tears, my mother was trying to explain that Ms. Florena passed away Wednesday morning, due to a heart attack. The next door neighbor found her dead at her door Wednesday morning. Her family rushed the burial, and she was gone from among us the next day, on Thursday. She was buried according with the Orthodox ritual, with priests and having a ceremony in the Orthodox church…. with none of her brothers and sisters in Christ being there for her on the last way. It was too late when my mother found out about what happened…. Ms. Florena was already gone from us. The shock was immense. The grief is great. The very thought that she died alone, that she tried to ask for help but she did not make it…. it is hard to bear. However, GOD will be our comfort, for indeed, she was not alone. GOD was there with her opening the gates of Heaven before her. Although I take great comfort in knowing that she is with the Lord, I will feel her loss for years to come. Not to see her again in this world it will be my loss.

My mother would miss her even more, as without Ms. Florena she has no one now to worship with on Sundays. So, whoever you are, reading this, please pray for my mother that she would be comforted and her faith would be strengthened. My mother’s name is Ana Tanase.

Why do I write this? I feel that I owe it to Ms. Florena. I can not just let her go from among us, without anyone knowing. She was not just a Christian. She was a wonderful Christian. She truly was the real thing. Her presence will be greatly missed. We bid you farewell, dear sister. You will not be forgotten here, as you will live in the hearts of those you have touched with your faith.

Elena Tanase

Safe at home

It was a very long trip, but Ben and I are safe at home. I wanted to post this now, but it will be a few days before I update again. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

in Him,
alan

Last night in Romania - 2008

It is late Monday night and Ben and I have packed to return home tomorrow. There will be a lot of clothes to be washed in WV when we get home. We have been gone for three weeks and it has been a good trip to Romania. In many ways things have gone well, in some ways better than I expected.

Yesterday we received word that Charles Nicks arrived safely in Constanta and will begin his work there. The brethren in Constanta do need encouragement. It had been my plan to bring George Badara with us to Pitesti to work in the gospel, but that just did not work out. Perhaps there will be another opportunity to spend more time with George. I hope the church there will find a way to get things together and move forward in their work for the Lord. There have been many setbacks in the work in Constanta in recent years, but there remain a few who hold to their faith in Christ. It is my earnest prayer that they will find a way to establish what remains and move forward in their faith.

The brethren in Bucuresti seem to be doing well. They received us for two weekends with politeness. It was truly good to see Christians that we have known for years and even meet a few new ones. Although there seemed to be some concern about things written on this blog after my last visit in Romania (October 2006), there should be no further reason for concern after this visit. They treated us very well and it was a pleasure to be here.

I would be remiss to not say anything about how Cezar was a most gracious host. When in Bucuresti we stayed in his apartment. At present Cezar seems to be doing very well, but we learned that recently he had a serious infection that was life threatening. To look at him now you would never know it. It is our hope that his health will continue to be good and he will have strength and energy all of his remaining days.

Liviu came by to see us tonight. We talked some about the work we did in Pitesti and even discussed future possibilities for even more work to be done there. In Morgantown, WV we are planning a seminar for evangelism (cf. Evangelism2go.com - look for the 2008 seminar button) for this coming November. I told Liviu that I would try to interest some workers to come to Romania to help in an extended effort for next summer. IF things can work out for men to come, perhaps we will be able to lay a foundation for a scriptural work in Pitesti. We will see what we can do - and what the Lord will do for us.

I want to thank all who have followed our work through this blog. I am new to "blogging", even though I did this on a previous trip. I find it a good way to get information to people around the world, almost immediately. I wish that the trip back home could be as fast. If all goes well we will be in Pittsburgh, PA before midnight tomorrow - and then to Morgantown, WV sometime after midnight. Keep us in your prayers as we travel. Until next time, we remain yours...

in Christ,
alan and Ben

Friday Night

It was our last day working in Pitesti. We began in the morning and had studies all afternoon. First we finished up a study of the book of Revelation with Florena. Then after a while we had discussions with two ladies who were from a pentecostal background. After we finished up with the Bible studies we retired to our apartment and made our plans to leave for Bucuresti tomorrow.

I cannot say enough good things about those involved with the work we tried to do here in Pitesti. Liviu and Ben are two young men that are serious about the gospel and dependable in every sense of the word. Sometimes I feel it would be much better to just sit back and watch them work in the gospel for they are both competent teachers. There were times when I just marveled at how fast Ben was picking up the language again. It had been 9 years since he had been in Romania.

Florena was a gracious host to our efforts to teach the gospel. She brought us students and made her home available to us for classes. We spent about 6 or 7 hours a day in her apartment studying with her and those who came for Bible studies. We covered a lot of ground with a lot of people, some of whom I remember teaching two years ago (October 2006). I hope that in time God will give the increase for these efforts.

I have several contacts with whom I plan to communicate through email. Perhaps in time this avenue will also open up other possibilities for the gospel.

For those who have followed our progress through this blog and have supported us with prayers and encouragement, I hope this information related through the internet has been an encouragement to you. If I have a chance in Bucuresti, I will update again before we return home early next week. Until then, may God bless you all.

In Him,
alan, with Liviu and Ben

Friday morning

It is morning here... Friday, my last day in Pitesti. It has been a busy three weeks. The seed has been sown. Whether there will be a harvest or not remains to be determined. Already there is one soul in Pitesti who has turned her heart back to God. She is an open door for the gospel in this area. I remain impressed with the manner in which Florena Predescu has opened her house to us and brought her friends to study with us.

Looking at the situation from a strategic point of view, Pitesti has always been a good place to begin a work in the gospel. There have been efforts in the past to preach the gospel here. Florena is the result of such efforts and she is indeed a Christian. She has to travel every Sunday to be with Christians in order to worship. It is a journey she makes faithfully. How much the better if she would have brethren here in this city with whom to worship and serve God.

This weekend I will be in Bucuresti. Next Tuesday we will return home. It is my fervent prayer that in all parts of Romania the gospel will be preached and good hearts will be found. May God send forth workers into His harvest.

in Him,
alan

Thursday in Pitesti

It is almost midnight and we are in the apartment. It has been a long day. After Ben and I returned to Pitesti, we had some Bible studies at Florena's apartment. There was a lady there named Elena from the Pentecostal church. Later, we had the Pentecostal preacher come by for a study. I was impressed with the sincerity and the humility of the man. In many ways his approach to the Bible was the same as mine. He also shared many of the complaints I have against the Pentecostal doctrines. After only one study it is hard to say where our discussions my lead, but I was very encouraged by the sort time we had together. Perhaps with further study we will be able to discover how much common ground we share and how much difference actually exists between us.

After the studies we went to see Veronica. She seems unchanged in some ways and yet different in one most important way. The old spark, the joy, the zeal for life that she manifested in the early years when we were in the church together seemed diminished. Perhaps I only saw her after a long day at work, but I cannot help but think there is more to it. She received us with gladness and was extremely happy to see how Ben had grown. She also listened when I tried to talk to her again about her soul and the eternal destinies that await us after this life is over. I spoke of the need that her children have to know God... and to know the truth. We left after our short visit there and returned at last to our apartment. We have only one more day here in Pitesti. We will begin studies at Florena's again sometime after 10 AM on Friday.

in Him,
Alan, Ben and Liviu

Falfani

I am back from Falfani. It is Thursday morning here in Pitesti. Ben and I had a quick trip to the village. We left yesterday afternoon and returned this morning. It was a visit I felt I needed to make.

Last night we had a visit with Florina and her son, Dragos. We talked about things from the past. We talked about eternal things that remain to be settled in the future. We looked at some pictures and then went to sleep. It was late when we got to bed.

In the morning when I awoke they were gone gone to work. That was as expected as they start their day early. Dragos is working in construction and Florina has a job at a bakery. We did not expect them to take time off work to entertain us. It was just so good to have the evening together.

Early today I went to the cemetery and found where they had laid my friend, Vasile, to rest. He died last year in August. Sometimes I regret so much not being able to be here during that time. But, finally I was able to make this visit and pay my respects to my departed brother in Christ. It was early and we were alone there, as Ben was still sleeping. I feel like at last I can rest in my heart knowing that he is resting in Abraham's bosom. In saying this I do not presume to judge his eternal state of affairs. I only trust in the promise of God to those who have faith. Vasilie Tanase was man who became a child of God late in life, but from all that I know about him it was a conversion born of sincerity. May God be merciful to all who humble themselves and repent,, trusting in the blood of Jesus.

in Him,
alan

Falfani

It is late Tuesday night here and if I do not hurry with this update it will be early Wednesday morning before I get it posted. Too late, it is already past midnight. Our internet connection was not working earlier in the evening. However, for now it is back and again I am in contact with the outside world. I do want to thank everyone for their words of encouragement. I have expressed to Ben and Liviu the words you have sent. They, too, are grateful for the support.

Today we began our studies again in the home of Florena Predescu. Our student today was Ilie, an older man who has an interest in Bible study and has been almost daily to her house for lessons. Today I pressed him a little concerning how he was thinking, what he was thinking and perhaps it will bear fruit in the future. That is one thing that I am trying to emphasize this week and that is the need for each individual to know what he / she believes and to take a stand for truth. Perhaps there are enough believers here in Pitesti to begin a small work. But, only more work and a little more time will tell if such is available. May God give the increase.

Tomorrow afternoon (after our studies) I plan to go to Falfani for one night. Ben will travel with me. It is a visit that I need to make, although it is not one that I am really looking forward to making. It seems to me that almost everyone that is dear to me from that village is no longer there. Mrs. Tanase is in Spain and will not return until early July. She went there to help take care of her grandchild, a daughter of Steluta. Geta is also in Spain (in Madrid). Elena is in the US. Of all the sisters, only Florina remains in Falfani. She will be our host for this visit and I spoke with her today on the phone. She is very glad to have us come and will treat us like family. Of that I am certain.

The other Tanase, and I am speaking of Vasile, is still in a way there in the village. He passed away about a year ago and is buried in an obscure corner of the orthodox cemetery. The last time I was in Romania I was present when he and Ana celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Already at that time he was very sick. But, he is resting now. Because he became a Christian, he went to a better place where those who have faith in Christ receive a heavenly reward.

My purpose for visiting Falfani is two-fold. I want to pay my respects to my brother, Vasile. That is something that has been in my heart to do since he passed away. But, more important I want to try to talk to his daughter, Florina, about the gospel. In every visit that I have made to Falfani I have tried in every way I know to touch her heart with the message of salvation. I will try again tomorrow... and Thursday morning. Perhaps God will open her heart as He has done with her parents and two of her sisters before her. I pray to God that they will all see the need to repent toward God and be saved through faith in Jesus.

For this purpose I continue to try with all in the Tanase family, even with the grandchildren. This past Sunday I spend a most pleasant day with some of the brethren from Bucuresti and with Anda, Geta's daughter. She is granddaughter to Ana Tanase. Anda is all grown up now and lives in Bucuresti. I have already spoken to her and mentioned that I want to talk to her about the gospel. This I will try to do this coming Sunday when I see her again in Bucuresti.

Time is really flying by us now as we press forward in our work. I called George Badara and I do not think he will join us here in Pitest. I am really sorry that this opportunity was missed by him. But, sometimes the best plans do not work out like you wanted. Maybe in the future there will be other opportunities for us to work together.

One more thing I hope to do while in Pitesti is to meet with Veronica. She was disciplined by the church in Bucuresti during the time that I was in Romania. She left her faith and has been living outside the grace of God for about ten years now. Every time I am here I try to make arrangements to see her and encourage her to think about repenting. I have used every argument in my possession. On one occasion I picked up a nail and asked for her hand. I pressed it into her palm, not so much as to draw blood, but enough to hurt a little - and I reminded her of the nails that pressed into the hands of Jesus to bring us our salvation. At such a great cost we received the forgiveness of our sins, the price being the precious blood of Our Lord.

I believe I did this a second time some years later (I had forgotten that I had made this point before). It was Vero who reminded me that she already had one nail and this was a second. Now that I am older I do tend to forget things. But, she had not forgotten. And I will not forget her, nor the others who have left the faith here in Romania. As much as is in me I will continue to work for their return, to encourage them to repent. Who knows if perhaps the Lord will work in the hearts of those who oppose themselves, those who have lost their way.

Let me close now as it is almost 1 AM. I am not so tired now, but I surely need to sleep. This is the latest I have stayed up since I have been here and even now I am afraid that the boys will be up before me tomorrow (not). If that should ever happen it will surely spoil my image in their eyes. I would not want that to happen.

noapte buna,
alan

Back in Pitesti

It is Monday and I have returned to Pitesti. Liviu, Ben and I arrived in the early afternoon and we are making plans for our evening here. I would like to go down into the center of town this evening and hand out some flyers. Our studies with Florena and her friends will begin again tomorrow. Like us, Florena was in Bucuresti for the weekend - and to worship with the church in Bucuresti.

Sunday was an interesting day in many ways. There was a group of Americans from Florida who had been in Bucuresti for a time. These were teachers who had been invited by the church in Bucuresti to come and work with them. Their status in the church here was different than ours, as we (Ben and I) were simply visitors. That is certainly as it should be. The church in Bucuresti had not invited us to come and work with them. Our work is in other places with those who had asked us to come and help them in the gospel. It just happens that we are in Bucuresti now for the weekends. I am looking forward to being in Bucuresti next weekend, our last before we return to the US on June 3.

There is much that happened yesterday that needs a fuller discussion and perhaps in time I will revisit our visit to Bucuresti and relate some of the things that happened. But, for now I will take some time to reflect on things that were said to me by some of the Christians there.