Georghe Comes to Faith in Christ

Georghe is originally from Romania and always has been an out-going and kind personality. He grew up in a Pentecostal Christian home not far from Bucharest. During the communist years in his country, things turned very corrupt, with Georghe finding his way to success, also, through corrupt money making schemes. After many years and many 'up and downs', he was arrested and put behind bars in 2005. I came to know him in the Forest prison in 2006. He was always smiling, happy, and ever willing to talk and to listen to the message of God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ. But, whenever I would ask him the question, "Georghe, are you ready now to put your full trust in Jesus' work on the Cross of Calvary for your personal life, to turn your heart and life over to Him?" He would always say, "No, I'm not ready yet. I need to think about it more."

He was later transferred to St. Gilles prison, where I visited him some more; then on to Ittre prison where I was also able to visit him, also. He must have thought "Man, this guy is everywhere! I can't escape his always asking me if I am ready to ask Jesus into my life." In reality, I stopped asking him, because I know that after a point, always saying "No" to Christ can harden the heart. So, I just kept on being there, visiting him, and with time, came to befriend him, (Matt. 11:19). Finally in the Ittre prison, he tired of his life in confinement, and thought of suicide. I talked him out of that; then, he decided to go into an isolation cell on a hunger strike until either they gave him work or they would transfer him to another prison. After 2 months in isolation, they transferred him to the psychiatric wing of the Forest prison where I visited him again. After they found him to be of a sound mind, he was given a job in the kitchen and was put in a regular worker's cell.

He had a day off today, and was alone in his cell, so I felt lead to share with him from Luke 16 and Matthew 16 where Jesus talks about what it really means to follow Him..."For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" This question and its logic really spoke to him, and Georghe said, "Always before, I was carrying my baggage from my past life along with me, and I never wanted to give it up. But, now, all that baggage has been stripped away. I see clearly now, and I'm not held back to make a right decision this time." I said to him, "You truly now have nothing to lose and everything to gain." He smiled and shook his head in agreement. "Would you like to make your decision today to ask Jesus Christ to come into your life, Georghe? To make Him to be your hope and reason to live?" I asked. "Yes, I'm ready." was his reply. We both, then, got down on our knees as I lead him in the sinner's prayer of repentance. When we finished, we rejoiced together in Victory in Christ for his soul.

When I returned home from the prison, I shared right away what happened with Marianne. She asked me "Was that in the morning or the afternoon?" I said that it happened between 3 and 3:30 in the afternoon. I asked, "Why? Were you praying for me at that time?" She said , "Yes, that's right when I took 45 minutes to pray for you." Praise the Lord! Prayer works! And, that's team-work. Thank God for a praying wife. And thank you, for your prayers, as well.

Please remember to pray for Georghe as he now begins his new life in Jesus Christ.
Thank you,
& God bless you!
Ken Barickman
A/G Missionary to Belgium