RETURNING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS - English Translation of a Romanian Christian Novel: English Translation of a Romanian Christian Novel

By ELENA COSTEA

Creative non-fiction Christian story, translated from Romanian, showing how capitalism and socialism affect children's minds subconsciously. Filled with real-world examples of living in a free country that later became communist. Family life explained through the eyes of children. Seasonal changes the family enjoyed and the challenges faced by the government restrictions of religion and free will. Traditions, culture, and language endured and survived these changes. Language keeps families united. Faith builds and strengthen family ties. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the people around them in order to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Vivid insights, lively narratives, and down-to-earth practicality to understand cross-cultural lives for modern readers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781794804296

Book preview

Returning Home for Christmas

ELENA COSTEA

Portland, Oregon

U.S.A.

RETURNING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

Copyright © 2021 – Elena Costea

United States Copyright registration number:

1-10928789832

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Original Romanian paperback edition printed in 1997 under the title ACASĂ.

This book is a work of creative non-fiction.  Although names and characters have been renamed, the places, events, and incidents are actual.

Edited by: Laura Davis, Portland, Oregon

Translated by: Ana Ionesi, Portland, Oregon

Published by:

Romania Youth Ministries

2870 NE Hogan, Suite E436

Gresham, OR 97030

[e-mail]

www.romania-youth-ministries.net

ISBN (Ebook): 9-781794-804296

Contents

Dedication............................................... III

Preface................................................... V

Acknowledgments ................................. VI

Chapter 1 .............................................. 1

Chapter 2 ............................................. 19

Chapter 3 ............................................. 31

Chapter 4 ............................................. 59

Chapter 5 ............................................ 68

Chapter 6 ............................................ 81

Postscript ............................................ 88

Romanian Christmas Traditions ............ 89

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those who fondly remember Christmas holidays at the family home in their ancestral homeland. Although times were difficult, we treasure our vivid holiday memories, including Christmas decorations depicting the manger in Bethlehem.

We Romanians have deep roots, but now the branches rise above and beyond those roots to various countries overseas. Although our youth may not know much about our country, far away in Europe, hopefully they will never forget that Romania is a blessed country.  

I dedicate this book now translated into English, to all those with a Romanian heritage, and anyone who wants to learn about life in Romania. Teaching our culture through stories can enable the Gospel to supernaturally penetrate other cultures and reveal the One whom we worship, Jesus Christ.

I also dedicate this book to my parents and grandparents, who sleep in a small church cemetery in the home country. They went through life working hard and praying for us, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to have better and satisfied lives. Also, to all my relatives and friends, may this be a sign that I carry you with me in my soul here, thousands of kilometers away, with fond memories of our younger years.

This book is also dedicated to the loving memory of my father. His love for Jesus and his faithful prayers throughout his long life were used of God to call all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to life in Jesus Christ.

PREFACE

My father helped me understand complex theological concepts in ways that help children better comprehend events and activities in life. In reading the Bible with my father, my desire grew to write and share these true stories, providing deep theological truths in a form that is easily understood by young minds.

As a parent, you may be wondering if your children are too young for these stories. Whether you realize it or not, children learn about God every day. We teach them about God’s power and beauty when we marvel at nature, and they learn more of it when they see people doing good deeds. Children grow in faith when we, as parents, help them understand right from wrong. This story is full of examples of God’s mercy, grace and power.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Ana Ionesi for her amazing work in translating this book and publishing it. Thanks also to Laura Davis for her kindness in editing the translation. 

I want to express my gratitude, deep appreciation, and admiration to this fantastic team of people who have made themselves available to God for printing this book. Together, they have taken great care to make a smooth transition from the original story into the English language and the American culture.

Chapter 1

Dr. Pop’s Family in 1964

Winter had come with an intense blizzard in the Argeshel Valley. The Poiene (Meadow) village stood hidden and shuttered, up on the hill near Voineasa Forest. The village streets were deserted. From the chimneys, tiny traces of smoke rose to the sky through the howling snow. The lights coming from the small windows of the houses looked like small, fearful eyes. Hardly anyone dared face the blizzard by walking up to the market or the Café.

Yet despite the blizzard, people were busy in their yards, preparing for the holidays. It was so cold that even the dogs had disappeared into the coops or some other shelter. Near the gate of the Villa, a truck with a cover over the truck-bed was stuck in the snow. It was carrying the new doctor's luggage. The village had been waiting almost a year for the doctor to arrive. A few people were hustling around the truck. Everywhere in the town—at the market, the Café, or the mill—there was talk about the new doctor.

The news had reinvigorated the inhabitants of the village, in spite of the cold. People were glad that they would have a doctor again, and the Villa would again be inhabited. The Dispensary at the Villa had closed a year ago, when Dr. Alexander, their fellow villager, had left to work as a sanitary inspector. Many villagers despised the Alexander family. The