Saving My Assassin

Freedom Is Precious

I am currently in my first semester at bible school Christ For The Nations.  One reason why I love my time here is because I get to hear from guest speakers weekly.  Today I had the pleasant surprise of hearing a lecture from Virginia Prodan, a political refugee exiled 28 years ago from communist Romania.

I first heard about Virginia around a month ago from CFNI president, Dr. Dennis Lindsey.  He had her autobiography in his hand, saying it was an excellent book about a Christian woman's God-given courage.

I purchased Virginia's book, Saving My Assassin, and am halfway finished.  It is so hard to put down.  I wish I had more time to read it.  Being in school, I have a book report due next week and then another book I have to have read in 2 weeks.  So my day consists of alot of reading.  Virginia's autobiography is the last book I read before I go to bed.  I try to read it as much as I can before sleep wins and my tired eyes shut.

So you can see my pure excitement when CFNI introduced her today at 11 am lecture.  I soaked in every word she spoke.  "We are just instruments in His hands.  When God gives you a job, He gives you everything, including the courage to go on.  All He needs is our availability." Virginia Prodan states.      

Virginia was a lawyer in communist Romania.  One day, after seeing one of her clients full of joy despite his circumstances, she told him she wish she had what he had.  He asked her if she went to church.  She wasn't sure what his question had to do with his joy but she replied yes, on Easter and Christmas.  He invited her to his church and she accepted his invitation.  At the service, the pastor opened the bible and read, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  John 14:6.  Virginia realized, as a lawyer, she had been searching for truth in the wrong places- law school, the government, the justice system.  She finally realized the truth was from God.  Virginia accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior that day.

It was not easy to be a Christian in communist Romania.  Virginia received death threats for  defending Christians and churches.  One day in her office, a 6'10" man walked in and pointed a gun at her, claiming he was there to kill her.  Virginia's heart was beating so fast and loud but she was still able to hear God when He whispered for her to share His love to the assassin.  Virginia did as she was told and in her office, the man was saved!  In the book, the assassin contributes one chapter from his point of view.  He describes what he was thinking and how he felt in Virginia's office that day.

"God's love conquers everyone." -V.P.

Virginia says God's message to us is that He has a job for each one of us.  But if we refuse, He will find someone else.  Trust Him.  Give Him a chance.  Put your dream at the cross.  Say, "Lord, I give you my dream.  I want your dream because it's much bigger.  Walk with Him in His amazing dreams for you.  He will change you, your community, and your country.  Your life will never be the same.   

Virginia now lives in Dallas.  She graduated from SMU Law.  One of her daughters also graduated from SMU and the other daughter graduated from Harvard Law.  Her son is in the United States Air Force.  

After lecture, I quickly walked to my dorm to retrieve my book copy for Virginia to sign.  "Freedom is precious!" -V.P.

"I am a petite woman but I have a HUGE God." -V.P.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Golden Rock Pagoda, Mon State, Myanmar

Image
Golden Rock Pagoda, Mon State, Myanmar Golden Rock Pagoda (Kyaiktiyo Pagoda) is the 3rd most important pilgrimage site in Myanmar. The pagoda is located at the top of Mt. Kyaiktiyo, which is the highest mountain of Paunglaung mountain range.  Getting to Golden Rock Pagoda first required a 4 hour bus ride from Yangon to Kinpun Base Camp.    en route to Kinpun Base Camp, Locals drying fish. "Snake fish" refers to the appearance of the fish.  Its from the processors gutting, cleaning, and drying the fish. From Kinpun, people can transfer to an open truck to Yatetaung Gate. These trucks are old dumptrucks rebuilt with seats to fit passengers.  The ride itself was quite an adventure, reminding me of a rollercoaster as we traveled on the winding road up the forested mountain.  I couldn't help but smile the entire way up. Traveling up Kyaiktiyo Mountain. These engines have power! View while traveling up mountain. Theravada Buddhist flags- color
Read more

It's In The Little Details

Image
pexels.com     Last night after dinner, my mom was holding our family dog Mango and I heard her say, "it's in the little details".  She was referring to Mango's crochet sweater that he was wearing.  These days, I feel Mango has better fashion sense than I do.  Mango had on a beautiful sweater and my mom was admiring it.  Earlier that day, we had a guest come to the house and Mango was dressed to be the host with the most.  What my mom didn't know was when she said those five words, it made me prick up my ears.  This made me think of this past semester when my teacher Will Ford taught us the Hebrew word "qashab", which means to prick up the ears, be attentive, listen.  More on this word later.  First, let me explain why these five words meant so much to me and were the perfect seal to end the day.   Rewind to earlier that day, about 1:30pm.  I went to my workplace to get some things done and to drop off coffee for my friend Laura who was wor
Read more

Help-Portrait 2011

Image
A Picture is Worth... During the summer of 2011, while having lunch with my dear friend Kasie, I told her about my growing passion for photography.  In response, Kasie told me about a non-profit organization called   Help-Portrait and said it sounded like the perfect fit for me.  Founded by photographer Jeremy Cowart in 2009, Help-Portrait is a global movement where one day out of the year, photographers are asked to find someone in need, take their picture, and give it to them for free.  Along with volunteer make-up artists and stylists, these professionals work together to give back to the community.   With the help and support of family and friends, I was able to create a Help-Portrait event at a local nursing home, Presbyterian Village North.  The significance of this place is that my parents worked here in 1982 when we first located to the States from Vietnam.  My mother was a dietary aid and my father was a dishwasher.  Elderly residents taught my mom English, which
Read more