What is your greatest joy?
Maram - a refugee from Irak
Why’s She Smiling So Big?
That joyful woman is Maram, a refugee from Iraq. But her smile isn't because of a wedding or graduation—it’s because she just gave her life to Jesus and got baptized in a cold Romanian river (behind her) last Sunday!
It was pouring rain, but Maram wouldn’t delay. “Let’s do it today,” she said, full of faith. We prayed hard, asking God to hold back the storm. Stefan, one of the missionaries that work with international here, asked the Lord for a sign—a ray of sunshine. And guess what? As soon as Maram stepped out of the water, after the baptism, the clouds broke and the sun shined down just for one minute. God showed up!
Maram's story is nothing short of a miracle. Raised in a strict Muslim family in Iraq, she was married off young and became a mom by 19. She fled to Romania with her abusive husband and daughter. Her husband was beating her a abuse her so they got divorced and she ended up homeless. A Christian group took her in a center. Still clinging to Islam, she cried out to God—and He answered in a dream, calling her to Jesus.
Someone gave her an Arabic Bible. She dove in, hungry for truth. The peace and joy she felt were brand new. Soon, she connected with our “International Connect” team, joined a Bible study in Arabic, and started growing fast. Today, she’s working, speaking Romanian, raising her daughter, and walking joyfully with Christ.
After the baptism, we celebrated at our home. When asked how she felt, Maram beamed and said, “I am very grateful.”
Her passion reminded all of us what a gift it is to know Jesus. He still saves, still speaks, and still shines light into the darkest places.
In the past few months, two new Bible study groups have launched—one in Arabic, one in Farsi—full of brand-new believers from Muslim backgrounds! Fadi, a Syrian missionary, leads the Arabic group. Milad, from Iran, leads the Farsi one. Both are praising God for the chance to disciple these new Christians in their heart languages. What a blessing to see how God bring nations to us, (more and more immigrants come to our country, from Middle East and Asia) and how the Gospel crossing borders and changing lives!
Campus ministry - God’s Opening More Doors in Secular Universities!
Our partnership with universities in Bucharest is growing fast—faster than we imagined! Just last month, professors from the Business Faculty reached out, asking if their students could meet business leaders who operate with integrity and Christian values.
We jumped on it.
We invited a Christian businessman to share his story. Over 200 students showed up to hear how faith shapes his life and work. What a powerful way to plant seeds of the Gospel! We're praying God softens hearts and draws these students to Christ.
Our most recent family photo—taken this Easter during a visit to Nelu’s parents.
Please Pray for Sarah and Andrei
Sarah is in Cluj, about 300 miles from Bucharest, finishing her last year of college as a psychology student. Right now, she’s deep in final exams and working hard on her senior thesis.
Her younger brother, Andrei, is wrapping up his last year of high school and gearing up for his big baccalaureate exam next week, followed by college entrance tests.
It’s a stressful season for both of them—lots on their minds and hearts. Please lift them up in prayer. Ask the Lord to give them peace, strength, and victory in their exams, and that they’d experience His presence in a powerful way during this time.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers!
With love in Christ,
Nelu Natalia, Sarah and Andrei