REACHING THE 98%

When Jeroen and Marieke responded to God’s call to go as ECMI missionaries to Romania, they did not imagine the impact their obedience would have. The ministries they started, the church they planted, the many they would help. For one man, Mr. Dumitru, it meant saving his life.

Mr. Dumitru was one of the regulars who first started attending their soup kitchen. Some time later, they were able to build for him a small house in the woods, where he could live. Things were going well. However, last year, his health started to deteriorate rapidly, becoming increasingly weak and even losing consciousness.

The hospital then refused to treat him, but the ECMI workers determined not to give up. They contacted other doctors, got him referrals, and advocated for him until, after much work and prayer, he was admitted. The next day, he underwent surgery for prostate cancer and received six bags of blood transfusions in the days that followed. The surgery saved his life.

After leaving the hospital, Dumitru stayed with an elderly woman to help him recover. When Jeroen and Marieke visited, what followed was unexpected: a moment of gratitude, conversation, and prayer together.

Transformation is sometimes dramatic, sometimes quiet—but it always requires faithful workers willing to be present and serve others sacrificially.

“Transformation requires faithful workers willing to serve sacrificially.”