The 2012 Romania ISB: Memories of Gratitude
In late March, an international team of eight Gideons from the U.S., Sweden and Germany arrived in Bucharest, Romania to share God’s Word in an International Scripture Blitz (ISB). Following is an account of the strong impression that the blitz left on Kent Olofsson, a Gideon from Sweden.
The process of gathering and summarizing all the impressions and experiences I have had during this week is not easy. After just a few days at home, I have noticed, how very much of my everyday life is directly affected by my experiences in Bucharest.
I have left a piece of my heart in Romania with my brothers and sisters there, and with the Gideons from the U.S. and Germany who participated in the Blitz. I have added memories that I will carry with me forever. The words, “brother,” and, “sister,” have now a whole new meaning. They are no
longer just words, but a very strong feeling that is directly linked to my heart.
Which experiences should I choose to describe? Those which were emotionally the strongest, or those I feel will have the strongest influence on the future?
Is it the memory of a woman who walks past a school where we are distributing New Testaments? She receives a New Testament without saying anything. She seems weighed down and gloomy, and I watch her as she enters a porch a few houses away. After a while, she returns. Her facial expression has changed. She looks touched, maybe she has been crying. She thanks us for the New Testament. She says her child is very sick, and she has asked God for help. She says that having the New Testament in her hand helps her to feel God’s care for her. Her gratitude is enormous.
Or is it the memory of placing a New Testament on the bedside table of an elderly woman at a nursing home. I cannot understand her words because she speaks Romanian and my interpreter is not in the room. But the woman’s whole body language signals gratitude. She holds her New Testament to her chest with her arms folded. She bows to me and the words coming from her mouth are expressions of gratitude and joy, as I understand, and the words go straight to my heart and I am very moved.
I am grateful that I had the privilege of being part of, and seeing the result of what our predecessors and role models have done and accomplished. To take up their mantle is just too much. But maybe I can contribute with a small part, in order for the Word of God to be known among all peoples and tribes. When the Lord calls us to go, then we’ll go!
Kent Olofsson
Sweden, ISB Team Member
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