Remote Tribe Training Center Opens Its Doors in Romania
Fifteen years ago, a 10-year-old girl named Simfora Ostriceonu gave a Bible and a set of lessons to her atheist history teacher, Sebastian Tirtirau. As a result of that kind gesture, Tirtirau accepted Jesus, became a Christian and went on to establish a ministry that is reaching the remote tribes of the world with the gospel.
Had it not been for Ostriceonu's courage during a time when a person could be thrown into prison for sharing the Bible, the events of January 2007 may never have taken place. Instead, thanks to her simple act of faith, more than 200 people gathered in Vama, Romania, on Jan. 21 to dedicate a "Remote Tribe Training Center" that will be used to proclaim hope in Jesus to the far corners of the world.
This beautiful building will house and educate students between the ages of 18-30. These young evangelists will train with guest instructors for a period of six months, after which they will be assigned to various parts of the world for 1-2 years. Tirtirau, who serves as It Is Written's Remote Tribes Coordinator and is the founder of the Pilgrim Relief Society, is uniquely suited to prepare these students. In recent years, his efforts have taken him to the Kalahari Desert, the Arctic and the Congo.
This unique center was built on 50 acres of land donated by Ghita and Minuta Istrate. The Istrates operate a bakery in Vama that produces 2,000 loaves of various breads per day.
A Time for Dedication
The building dedication weekend was a major event. On Jan. 20, Pastor Shawn Boonstra spoke during a large three-hour rally held in a 500-seat auditorium in the nearby town of Cimpulung. More than 1,100 people attended, including the mayors of Cimpulung and Vama, national press and television crews, visitors, and church members.
It was the largest gathering in the history of the church in that area of Romania. Representatives from the Romanian union, Romanian seminary and local conference were present. The large choir from the seminary near Bucharest traveled six hours by bus to bless the meeting with inspiring music.
"It was an exciting day. The mission of It Is Written and the Pilgrim Relief Society—to provide remote tribes of the world with the gospel—received national recognition," said It Is Written Evangelism Ministries Director R. C. Williams of the event.
During the dedication on Jan. 21, Boonstra's sermon focused on the simple beginning of this story—when Ostriceonu gave Tirtirau the Bible and lessons—and how like the widow's mite, it led to great things for the Kingdom. The ceremony was especially memorable due to the fact that Ostriceonu was present during the dedication. Now a second-year medical student, she hopes to someday become a missionary doctor.
In the week following the event, Boonstra taught four days of evangelism classes to the first 25 students to be trained in the new center. In the coming years, many more students from all over the world will walk through the doors of this special building. We hope you will pray for these young people as they minister to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."