Ion says that people thought he would never do more than be a shepherd. But God had a different plan. It is easy for orphan children to feel lost and alone after being abandoned by their parents, but even in the loneliest of times, God can work all things together. Through the SGA-supported Orphans Reborn ministry, loving men and women become the “love” that these children long for. A love that is full of the message of the Gospel, and the working of Christ shown through their lives.

Ion was able to see Christ in the lives of the people who were loving and helping him. It was this “action” that helped him realize that he could follow Christ in the same way. He learned that true faith means to live out what you believe. As you begin to change your ways from anger or grief to a true joy and peace, you become filled with a hope that guides you into the future. 

For Ion, that future became a testimony of mercy and grace, as God helped him become something so much more than that of what everyone else thought he would be. Here is Ion’s story as shared by SGA Storyteller Tatiana . . .

I want to tell you the story of Ion. He was born into a poor family with four children. Their house had a roof made of straw. Sometimes, they kept a goat or a cow inside the house because they had no other place for it. When Ion was seven years old, his mother died. She had a liver problem. After that, their father did not want to take care of the children. He took all four kids to an orphanage 124 miles away from home. There were orphanages closer, but he wanted to leave them and live his own life. He said he would visit them every summer, but he came only twice in nine years. 

Life in the orphanage was very hard for Ion. He felt alone. He missed his mother and father. Many times, he thought, “Why didn’t I die instead of my mom?” He had no hope. He did not study well. He thought maybe he could be a shepherd, just so he could have food and a place to sleep.

At the orphanage, some Christians came. They talked about God’s love. These people helped him feel better. He started to pray. He put his trust in God. When he was in ninth grade, his father died. At first, he did not feel anything. But later, he understood he was now without a mother and father.

A church in Chișinău . . . had a project. They wanted to help orphans. But there were some conditions: the children had to study well, do sports, learn English, go to church, and help at summer camps. Ion wanted to try. It was hard, but he saw it as a big chance.

God started to change his heart. His thoughts about hate and revenge went away. He learned that true faith means to live out what you believe. So, he decided to follow Jesus and eventually got baptized.

With God’s help, he finished university. He studied teaching and sports. He got married. Now he has two children. Ion says that people thought he would never do more than be a shepherd. But God had a different plan. He says, “We should not be proud. We must be humble. Then God will bless us.” 

This story shows that God can change anyone’s life, no matter how hard it is.