A special report from Bucuresti, Romania
by Alan Williamson

December 1998

In the summer of this year I wrote about an "empty seat", an encouraging story relating the courage of a new Christian in Romania who was struggling with her
newfound faith, overcoming all obstacles to assemble with the faithful when the Lord's Day came. Her example has been a great blessing to many around the
world, many of whom who have written to encourage her in her struggle. But, it is another seat that is now empty in the church in Bucuresti, Romania. And in
this we have no encouragement; only a deep and abiding sense of loss.

For those who have been associated with the brethren in Romania, there are a handful of names that automatically come to mind when one "talks of" the church here. They are the "old guard" of Romanian Christians, the ones who have been here from the beginning. While many others have come and gone, these are the ones on whom you could depend to "be there": at the airport, at the Bible study, at the assemblies, at the get togethers - wherever they were needed.

But, there is one face that will no longer be seen among the brethren in Bucuresti. Veronica Drugescu has left the church. I know that those of you who have known her, worshipped with her, stayed in her home, eaten at her table, loved her through the years will feel the heartbreak that we all have felt here in Romania. I would that such a news would never have to be written. And as I write it now, I do so through my tears.

This decision to leave the church was taken by Veronica because she has decided to get married in February of the coming year. The problem is that the
man she will marry is divorced (and thus, he has no right to be remarried). Circumstances surrounding this decision appear to be unstoppable and as
a result, Nica has left the church. Her words to me were, "I don't belong there anymore". Her seat will be empty.

When I spoke with Veronica she told me that her heart was "hardened" and there was no way she would turn back from the decision to marry this man. I
know she believes this. But, even as she spoke these things, her tears denied her words. I believe there is still a possibility to reach her before she takes
this most permanent decision (marriage). But, it will require the faith, prayers and efforts of many... and most important, the grace of God in heaven, to help Vero to realize the enormity of her error. Will you help?

Nica knows that many of the Americans who have been to Romania will try to write or phone in an effort to dissuade her from leaving the Lord. She has assured me she will read your letters and talk with you on the phone. I pray that she will... and that you will write her. Those who know Veronica personally will not need help in knowing what to write. But, for those of you who have not met this lady, let me tell you some of what I know about how she has helped the church here in Romania.

Veronica Drugescu is one of the two Christians that remain from the beginning of the work in those early years after the fall of communism. In the early 1990's Wendell Watts and David Teel came to Romania to preach the gospel. Wendell rented a room from the Drugescu family and Veronica translated for him in the numerous Bible studies that he had at that time. Veronica was converted during Wendell's second visit to Romania (1992). In the years that followed she worked tirelessly helping all the Americans in every way that she could. The list is long for those who stayed in her home, even longer for those who have eaten at her table. I do not believe there is an American who has been in Bucuresti who has not tasted of the warmth and hospitality of this Christian.

My experiences with Veronica go back to my first visit to Romania (March 1993). She was one of the "new Christians" at that time and her eagerness to help was one of my first impressions of Romania. Probably at some level or another, her willing spirit was one of the things that influenced me to come to Romania to work in the gospel. It was in her house that I first tasted Romanian hospitality (and their special ethnic foods). I stayed with her family one night when I was "in between" places to stay in Bucuresti. She even washed my clothes when my two week visit unexpectedly turned into a month long stay. In these and a thousand other ways, she found a place in the hearts of those she served.

When I returned to Romania in February 1994, Veronica was still active and involved in so many aspects of the work in Bucuresti. I learned from Kerry Keenan and Buddy Payne how much of an asset she was to help them teach personal Bible studies (translating). I learned from others the great sacrifices she often made to be available to them when she was needed, often neglecting her own personal needs and responsibilities, that the gospel might be preached as widely as possible. I knew that she would be one on whom I could depend if I ever came to live in Romania.

In July 1995 I moved with my family to live in Bucuresti. Veronica, along with many others from the church, was at the airport to greet us. In the time that I have lived here she has been a constant source of encouragement, a fountain of help and an ever dependable support for any good work that we tried to do. Many were the times that she helped prepare gospel materials in the Romanian language, then she was always on hand when they were distributed. She was oneof the few who worked long hours into the late nights hanging up posters for our gospel meetings. She frequently was the go between in any official business that we had with the government here in Romania.

On a more personal level, she was my teacher (Romanian language). She was my guide in all things cultural, saving me from many mistakes. She was my friend, one of the best I have ever known. She was, and remains, my sister in Christ. My love for this warm soul who has helped so many constrains me to do all that I can to recover her from the error she is making.

I would that all who read this would take a few minutes and write her a word of encouragement, something to let her know that she loved in the family of God. Even if you have never met her, she is your sister in Christ. For her soul Our Lord died. For her soul I am asking you to write letter. Remind her of the wonderful grace of God as it was expressed in the sacrifice of His Son. Speak, if you will, of the degrading nature of sin and the consequences of disobedience to God. Express your concern for her decision to turn away from the love of God. Appeal to her from your heart not to do this thing. Pray to God that she will repent from her sin.

Here mailing address is:
Drugescu, Veronica
Str. Turda, Nr. 100
Bl. 30B, Et. 4, Ap. 16
Bucuresti, Romania

Her phone number is:   011-401-666-1903
* keep in mind that Romania is 7 hours ahead of eastern standard time. To reach Nica at 10:00 in the evening, your call should be placed at 3:00 in the
afternoon EST.

It is my prayer that a thousand letters will arrive in Nica's mailbox. It may be that such an expression of love will melt her heart and turn her back to the Lord. I spoke with her tonight and reminded her of the love that awaits the return of the prodigal. May she come to herself and return to our heavenly Father... before it is too late.

With much sorrow,
Alan Williamson