Sustained in a new country
In the late 1970s, I arrived in the United States with my seven-year-old daughter to join my husband, who had already been here for three years. We came from Romania—a beautiful country, but one that was ruled by an oppressive Communist regime.
In the 1950s, a handful of Romanians had contact with Christian Scientists from Switzerland who brought them the Bible, books by Mary Baker Eddy, and copies of the Christian Science Quarterly. A Russian woman who was known as a follower of Mary Baker Eddy also visited my mother and stayed with us a few days at a time, talking with my mother, grandfather, and me. But during that time my mother’s dearest friend, a Christian believer, was killed by the secret police. My mother decided she had to drop all connections with Christian Science for her own safety and the safety of her family.
Just two weeks after my daughter and I arrived in the United States, my husband declared that he wanted a divorce. I was not expecting such a surprise and felt lost and desperate. My English at that time was very poor. I had no job and no means to start a life on my own.
I telephoned my mother and told her the news. She advised me to find a Christian Science church. I did not know where to find a church, so I bought a copy of The Washington Post and searched the religion section. I came upon the address of a church located not too far from my home. From then until now, I have remained at this church and love it.
As I started attending services at the church, a lot of love and understanding were showered on me. I met many church friends who helped me to understand Christian Science and its teachings. I learned about God and the weekly Bible Lessons. I listened to tapes on Christian Science, including hymns from the Christian Science Hymnal. I bought Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy on cassette tapes and listened and learned. The ideas on those tapes shaped my thinking. I learned that I was not a victim of my divorce, or of any material circumstances. Instead, I could recognize that God is my Father and supporter—and that as I followed His guidance I could live a life on my own with my daughter.
The church members invited me to their homes and into their families. I eventually became a member of The Mother Church and that branch church, and even served as the chair of the usher and elections committees.
Later, there came a time when I needed a second job. My ex-husband, who’d paid child support, had passed on, and my income was insufficient to raise my daughter. So I started a part-time night job. This income helped me over the years to raise my daughter and help my family in Romania.
I do not know how I lasted—working long hours each day and night for more than 20 years—but I know that each night when I left my house for work, I was protected by God’s power, love, and nearness. Many times I asked God to show me the way. Hymns such as No. 151 , “In speechless prayer and reverence” (Ellen J. Glover); No. 263 , “Only God can bring us gladness” (J. O. Wallin); No. 342 , “This is the day the Lord hath made” (Laura Lee Randall); and No. 137 , “I need Thee every hour” (Annie S. Hawks) were my daily guide and strength.
There were many trying nights, much stormy weather, and hard work, but I felt God’s protection every moment. Serving God and mankind made me strong. I attribute my survival to God’s power and my introduction to Christian Science. I have been sustained by the knowledge that God is Love, “the great I am , the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence” (Science and Health, p. 587 ).
