Miracle Shoes

Each time I visit the Bread of Life Home in Brosteni, my schedule includes meetings with tutors, situations the children are facing at school, or other things that fall under my responsibility as the campus pastor. Sometimes these things seem repetitive, but working with these amazing children is always exciting, especially during one of my recent trips.

I remember coming through the gate and seeing Alex wearing some worn-out shoes. You could actually see his toes through them. I was puzzled thinking he might have ruined them while playing ball or biking or something because I knew that all the children should have decent shoes. But, none of my scenarios were correct. Alex did have another good pair of shoes, but he wanted to keep them in good shape and not wear them to play. So he found an old pair he was using to play in. When I discovered all these details, I took Alex to the room where we have extra clothes and shoes to look for a better pair he could wear for play. As we searched through the existing sizes, we did not find one pair that would fit him, so I made a deal with Alex thinking I had some at home that might fit him. I told him to wear his good shoes, and I would bring him an extra pair when I came back. He agreed with this plan, and I returned home and continued through the next few days with other responsibilities. As I was preparing to return to the BOL Home, I received a call from Alex. He kindly wanted to remind me about the shoes. I looked through the pairs I had at home, and nothing seemed to be his size.

I was a bit concerned that I might not fulfill my part of the agreement. So I presented the situation to the youth at the Gura Humorului church. One of the boys at church wanted to help and gave me two pairs of shoes. They were much better shoes than I was expecting. The next day when I returned to the BOL home, I met Alex and showed him that I have not one pair but two pairs of shoes for him. Upon hearing this news, Alex astonished me as he exclaimed, “this is great” because Filip, his friend, also needed another pair of shoes. So he gave one pair to Filip. To their surprise, both pairs of shoes were new and fit well. Seeing Alex receive good shoes that fit and seeing him willing to share his blessings was so encouraging to me. It was a little miracle that made them both feel cared for and loved.

About a week later, we were celebrating the children’s birthdays for the month, each of them receiving a donated shoebox gift. Two of the boys Fabian and Iosif received in their shoebox a pair of shoes. Fabian comes to me with big wondering eyes and tells me that in his shoebox gift, there is a remote, but he cannot find what it controls. None of us could figure it out, and then we realize there is a little note on the back that reads, “the shoes are rechargeable.” The sneakers had lights in the soles that you could turn on and off and change colors. Now I know this is not a practical gift, but it was overwhelming to Fabian’s mind, a new pair of shoes that fit and were playful at the same time. In his eyes, this was the best gift he had ever received.

Iosif, one of the older boys, is very shy and had recently shared with Alex that he needed a pair of shoes. Iosif and Alex came toward me, both having broad smiles on their faces. They share with me Iosif’s need for shoes, and that in his shoebox, there was a pair of new shoes that fit him. Just a week after Alex received his new shoes, God created a second “miracle” for Iosif.

I think all of us can remember such moments in our younger years when a small miracle enhanced and boosted our faith. In moments like these, God surprises all of us with His kindness. Sometimes He works through deliberate actions, and other times He is the one that hears the inner cries and needs of shy children like Iosif, and He makes things happen. How beautiful that God uses all of us, even shoebox gifts, to bless His children and for His glory. Praise God.

Dorin Ciocan