Bucharest, Romania [G. Uba, CD EUDNews]. November 17, 2014.
A grandfather was explaining to his four year-old grandson what a mirror is and how it works. “The mirror is like a big eye that helps you see who and how you are. It shows you if you’re happy or sad, clean or dirty, lonely or surrounded by people. It does not hide anything from you. Therefore, in order to know how you should look, you have go to the mirror daily and it will tell you what you need to fix”.
On October 19, 2014, in a school hall in Onesti, Bacau district, one hundred mirrors were placed filling the room with light. And to illustrate the metaphor, one hundred blind people were gathered by the Bucharest “Rise and Walk” Association (the association for the disabled established four years ago). The aim was to form a close-knit group that has become a family through mutual suffering, hope, friendship, faith and through the testimony of a life tested to its limits.
The association is organized by pastor George Uba and Aurel Burcea (a physically disabled himself), who has been editing a magazine from his wheelchair, for 10 years for 3000 people with disabilities. His only purpose is to offer a “home”, an atmosphere of love and joy that a life full of meaning can bring, to those who can't walk, can't see, can't hear and can't speak.
The Association is supported by volunteers mainly from the Adventist Church, but welcomes any volunteers from the community, it also established a church for the disabled, where worship, study and missions are the elements of a spiritual life that makes them feel complete, building up their faith and assurance of heaven.
Now, more about Onesti, the 11th chapter of the “Rise and Walk”Association: “We are a big church, with a lot of talents from the Creator, but we do not have the possibility to get involved in missions and offer our lives for the good of others”, said Mr. Titu Gruia, the elder of the church. “Come, brother Uba, help us open a subsidiary in our town for the people with disabilities, as our Lord says: why are you here without work?”
Even with the weaknesses of a young and inexperienced pastor, and an axious and hesitant elder, God rewarded their enthusiasm… hundredfold. The same happened at the inauguration of the subsidiary, 100 sight-impaired were present. The mayor was so open to this project that he offered to send invitations to all the people with disabilities listed on the town data base. The only disappointment for us and the city hall employees who helped us, was the size of the meeting hall – it was too small to hold the crowd. There wasn't even enough room for the physically disabled. Now we are looking for a bigger hall for the November meeting.
The 100 blind people learned what to expect if they joined the Association: they will be able to use their talents at the regular meetings; each one will have the chance to tell their story, not only to get to know each other better, but also for unity; they will be able to express themselves in songs and poetry, in stories and dialogue; they will go on trips and camping; they will visit hospitals and prisons to offer counseling for people who face breakdowns; they will have training through seminars and from the experience of others; they will put on programmes in churches and institutions and will promote the true values of life. Above all, the blind will be mirrors for those who can see, in them we will see ourselves: who we are and what we need to change.
