Evangéliumi Hírnök, 1999 (91. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1999-03-01 / 3. szám

8. oldal

1999. március

Though none go with me still I will follow... (5)

In the school, with her beautiful blond hair, Judith draws the attention of everybody to herself. She is the second wife of the famous singer who died recently, the one who sang about the water of life in “John, the Hero.” The widow, who now is suddenly alone wants to learn a profession to support herself and their child. For a while Kamilla keeps in secret that the singer influenced her in her childhood. As if Judith felt some kind of spiritual relation, they talk a lot together and before exams they study together.

There is a small parish not far from the school, and after the long journey from home on overcrowded trams, Kamilla sometimes goes to the parish just to cool herself and to quiet her spirit before school, which makes learning easier. One day it turns out that Judith is practicing Catholics. Kamilla happens to meet Judith there. Both of them are surprised a little bit, but they are not suspicious, they know that neither of them went there to watch the other. One can feel that and trust in the other even at times when otherwise the parishes are full of spies. The friendship becomes tighter, Judith introduces Kamilla to her friends and when the choir of their parish makes an excursion, Kamilla goes together with them.

A very devoted boy, Joseph is a member of the choir. He likes to talk to Kamilla and they have mutual sympathy towards each other. Later he introduces her to his parents who are not against the Baptist girl until she falls in love with their son. Kamilla tells the members of her congregation that a catholic boy wants to marry her. Everybody reacts differently. There are some, who understand that the little orphan girl would like to have a family, but among the Baptists there is only one boy to about ten girls. The pastor, very diplomatic as usually, does not give opinion, just highlights the problems of mixed marriages. Some members are very upset and they give their piece of advice as well. But in the end Kamilla decides for herself that to be loved is good and to have a family is very desirable. But how could she fulfill her promises she has already made to the Lord? Joseph is very religious but definitely not the type who would like to go the heathen as a missionary. They politely say goodbye to each other. The separation is painful and Kamilla feels

that because of her decision she might remain alone for life. From that time on she is afraid of dating, she does not want to disappoint boys she cannot marry, so she avoids even the possibility of temptation.

Coming together with another group of young people also influences Kamilla and prompts her to a more devoted dedication to her decision. After completing school, Kamilla gets a job just next to the place where Aunt Susan lives. Her first husband, who died a long time ago, was the brother of Kamilla’s mother. Because of distance, in the past Kamilla met Aunt Susan very rarely. She is more than eighty years old, very religious and leaves her house for use by the Baptists. Often, there are prayer meetings in her house or in the house of another woman. Kamilla likes to go to see her aunt and to stay for the prayer meetings. The first prayer meeting virtually electrifies her. She is in flames again seeing and hearing young people of her age kneeling down and praying fervently as she had never heard before. Later Aunt Susan tells her that two of the young people were the children of the pastor who was dismissed just recently from work as the congregation’s leader. What was his sin? He wanted to evangelize in the nearby Russian army fort, giving Bibles to one of the soldiers stationed in Hungary. From one day to the other the pastor is put out on the street together with his wife and four children. These children still come back to pray together with the members of the congregation that sent them away? How unusual that is, this time Kamilla does not see, she just enjoys the love, the warmth, the intelligent faith that radiates from them. Her prayer life as well becomes more intensive, and her relationship with the Lord is renewed. “Am I not worth more to you than ten boys?...” -speaks to her a gentle but firm inner voice which is impossible to resist.

Rev. Kamilla Füredi

ON PRAYER

Prayer is a joy.

Prayer is the sunshine of God's love, prayer is hope of eternal happiness, prayer is the burning flame of God's love for you and for me.

Let us pray for each other, for this is the best way to love one another. ßiother Teresa)

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,

Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father - brothers all are we,

Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now,

With every step I take let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment, and live each moment in peace eternally,

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

AND GOD SAID NO

by Claudia Minden Weisz

I asked God to take away my pride, and God said, “no.”

He said it was not for him to take away, but for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, and God said, “no.”

He said her spirit is whole, her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience, and God said, “no.”

He said that patience is a by-product of tribulation. It isn’t granted, it’s earned.

I asked God to give me happiness, and God said, “no.”

He said he gives blessings, happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain, and god said, “no.”

He said, “suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow, and God said, “no.”

He said I must grow on my own, but he will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God to help me love others as much as He loves me, and God said, “ah, finally, you have the idea!”