This story is shared with permission
I received a message this week via Facebook Messenger. It simply read, "Hey Andy! I'm George. I was at the children's home in Tinca. I remember you there. You came and were like a father to Adela. How are you?"
I am always amazed when the past catches up with me. I visited Tinca in 1998 until around 2005 when it closed. In fact, it was the first place I got to teach about Jesus in a government facility. It was a place where I made a lot of friends, lost some of them to trafficking and death, and witnessed too many things to tell in this one story. This was the place that kept my heart on fire for helping the orphaned.
After the initial message, George sent me his wedding invitation. When I saw his picture, I immediately remembered. I wrote to him and said, "Didn't I know you as Claudiu?" He responded, "Yes" with a hug emoji. I asked him how he was doing, and he responded, "I thank God that he is good to me. He takes care of me everyday by providing work, health, and protection."
I asked if I could share with the RtC family that we had reconnected, and he gave me permission. I then asked what he remembered most about our time together in Tinca. He replied:
"I remember the great activities you did every time you came. Even when I didn't have the love of a parent, you came to be with the troubled and orphaned. I greatly appreciate how you would hug the orphans and your dedication to keep coming to see us. You spoke well of God.
You were a blessing for us, and a ray of hope from God. God values us and loves us enormously. My heart is dependent upon God. I received Jesus in my heart at age 18 and fulfilled his command and was baptized. I professed his name before witnesses as my Lord and Savior. I love this wonderful and great God!
I want to thank you, Andy, for allowing yourself to be used by God for this mission work to visit the orphaned. You are a wonderful man and we both have a wonderful heavenly father. God bless you!"
I haven't had a meaningful encounter with George in almost 20 years. What I learned today yet again is that we plant the seeds and God waters them. My prayer is that this story will encourage you to keep planting seeds. I think my encounter today was simply God's way of affirming his calling, and giving me a little encouragement. Message received!
Andy Baker
Founder and President