She was Preparing for her Death - But God was Preparing for her Life
- Personal Ministries
- Feb 14
- 3 min read
Ileana's challenging 88-year journey culminates with her baptism, as she shares how God has guided and sustained her throughout her life, leading up to this moment.
Wartime Memories during Childhood
Ileana recalls with sadness her childhood in Romania during the Second World War. “My childhood ended in the spring of 1944 when the Red Army invaded my village. My parents and four siblings had to leave everything and flee. For more than six months, we slept under the stars or in abandoned buildings. By October, we managed to return to my home village. Everything was devastated. My parents were absolutely exhausted; consequently, my dad passed away in November 1944, and my mum followed only two weeks later. They left behind five children at the beginning of a harsh winter.”
Later, she was sent to an orphanage. “Throughout the years spent in the orphanage and in education, I did not receive one hour of religious education as the communist system had seized power. My daughter grew up in the same system. Not one moment of formal religious education; the Communists wanted to eliminate the Word of God.”
Invitation to Bible Study
Fast forward to the year 2000, when Ileana encountered for the first time the Seventh-day Adventist church and started Bible studies. “I remember that the phone rang, and a pleasant voice asked me if I would be interested in enrolling in a Biblical study called ‘Sola Scriptura’. I said, ‘NO.’
But immediately I felt a deep sense of regret and a few minutes later I called them back and accepted their invitation. After the completion of the Bible course, I felt a deep internal turmoil. I remembered the faith and the traditions of my parents, and these did not appear to fit with what I was reading in the Bible.” (Ileana comes from a Christian Orthodox background, the predominant religion in Romania.)
Though her wish was to get baptised at that time, various obstacles prevented her from taking the step. However, over the years, Ileana has been watching and listening to Hope TV channel and reading the Bible at home.
Preparing for Death
Years later, she joined her family in Wales, where her journey continued. Pastor Adriana first met Ileana in 2019 when she received an email from Ileana’s daughter, Mirela, on her behalf. Ileana, being in her 80s, has expressed numerous times the wish for, when she passes away, to have an Adventist pastor at her funeral.
Preparing for Life Eternal
Following the pastor’s visit with Ileana, they started Bible studies together. On several occasions, she mentioned her desire to be baptised in the Seventh-day Adventist church, as the church’s teachings are based on the Bible, and she has accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour.
The day of her Baptism has finally arrived on August 24, 2024, marking 24 years since her journey began. While Ileana was preparing for her death, God was paving the way for her life eternal.
God’s Watchful Care
She recalls with gratefulness, “During my life, I have been through a lot of trials, sorrow, illness, facing many challenges. Yet, God saved me many times. One day, I was walking with my daughter hand in hand near a tall building. We paused briefly and a massive piece of concrete fell from the upper storeys and landed where we would have been walking. It was a miracle to be alive. On another occasion, after three months spent in a hospital with no hope of recovery, when everybody was certain that I was dying, God preserved my life.’’
A New Beginning
Ileana's story is a testimony to the grace and power of God. Despite many life challenges, God has kept her over the years, leading up to her baptism at Carmarthen church. Ileana accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour and received the hope of life eternal.
