From abandonment to ”a life full of thanksgiving and gratitude to God.” Looking back on the challenges of a past life can bring great thankfulness over where you are today, but sometimes it was a difficult path in getting to that point. God has prepared a time and a way for each of us to have our eyes opened to His Gospel truth.
In Stella’s life, it was abandonment as a child, a choice by an adoptive mother made out of love and sacrifice, the planting of God’s Word in her heart, marriage, the birth of a child, unceasing prayers of a husband, and loving encouragement from him for her to attend church. Finally, after all of this, Stella became a child of God.
The road may be long for some, but in each step along the way God is faithful to perfectly prepare our hearts for all that He has ordained for us to walk through. Sometimes this means that our days get more difficult and there are trials to face. Sometimes it means that we have been prepared for great service to the Lord. Regardless of the circumstances though, God is faithful to prepare our hearts to remain strong and steadfast.
“But in the midst of these trials, their faith did not weaken.” Through prayer, trust, and obedience, we are equipped to stand on His promises. Please continue to pray for the many abandoned children and that their paths will lead them to the saving grace of God.
Stella, a 23-year-old girl, bears in her heart the story of a life that has been marked by hardship from the very first days of her existence. Abandoned by her biological mother immediately after her birth, her destiny at first seemed dark and hopeless. Yet in God’s perfect plan, even the most painful circumstances can become the beginning of a miraculous work.
Despite the difficult beginning, Stella was blessed with an adoptive mother who saw in her a priceless gift from God, even though the family’s material possibilities were limited. Out of love and the hope for a better future, the adoptive mother made the difficult decision to send Stella to a boarding school, where she could benefit from good food and education. This choice, made out of love and sacrifice, was to be one of the most important decisions in Stella’s life.
At the boarding school, Stella was introduced to the Gospel while attending Bible lessons and Christian events organized for children. Although she may not have been aware of the deep significance of these teachings at the time, God’s Word was planted in her heart, waiting for the right time to take fruit and grow.
Years went by, and in her youth, Stella fell in love with Gheorghe, a young man who, like her, had been exposed to the Gospel message through various Christian activities, including martial arts training. Gheorghe had made a baptismal covenant with the Lord, but unfortunately had left the church for a time. Although Stella had not yet made a covenant with God, she knew the biblical truths and yet did not feel ready to apply them in her daily life. Soon after, Stella and Gheorghe married.
After the birth of their first daughter, their lives began to change. Gheorghe felt the Lord’s call again and started to attend a local church. There he renewed his relationship with God. Gheorghe began to pray unceasingly for Stella, gently and lovingly encouraging her to accompany him to church. Gradually, Stella began to attend the assembly and, little by little, the Word of God came alive in her heart. Eventually, she too made her covenant with God through repentance and baptism, marking the beginning of a new life dedicated to Him.
Over time, their family grew, and Stella and Gheorghe were blessed with two more children: a girl and a boy. But life was not without its trials. The birth of their third child, David, was a real test of faith. Born premature at just seven months, David was frail and vulnerable. During that difficult time, Stella and Gheorghe prayed fervently, asking God to strengthen their son and help him grow up healthy. Two months after his birth, David fell ill with pneumonia, and the family went through an extremely difficult time, full of tears and prayers.
But in the midst of these trials, their faith did not weaken. Stella brought all their troubles before the Lord, entrusting the health of their child into his hands. God responded with mercy and healed David, thus giving them proof of His power and boundless love.
Today, Stella and Gheorghe live a life full of thanksgiving and gratitude to God, knowing that He is their rock in all their troubles. Despite the financial and emotional difficulties they are going through, they trust in the Lord and find strength in His promises. The greatest wonder for this family is the salvation they have received and the joy of raising their children in the fear of God, knowing that He is a God of wonders and love.
Stella’s story reminds us that God’s work in our lives never stops. Even when nothing seems to change, when the years pass and the fruits are late in coming, God is at work, preparing hearts and lives for the moments of grace to come. Evangelizing to orphaned children, like Stella, bears fruit even decades later, transforming whole lives and families for His glory.