The home behind the old wooden fence…
We turned onto a broken-down dirt road
Passing a large warehouse filled with the musk of construction work
Next to it, a wooden fence resembling that of an abandoned junkyard
Some pieces of scrap metal thrown askew on top
Surely the home we were visiting was beyond this point
I paid no mind to that old wooden fence as the car drove on
Just moments later, I felt the motion of our vehicle turning around
Okay, so we’re going the wrong way, I thought
We approach the old wooden fence, and the car is put into park
Mia, the social worker, and Nicoletta, the teacher, get out of the car walking towards that old
wooden fence
As I followed close behind, all the words in the world were racing through my mind, yet none could define the image before me
I’ve often thought of building my own home while growing up
Marry the love of my life, serve in church together, and during the off hours, spend our time
renovating and cultivating a place to house our forever lives
It would be so fun to build my own home
To have the white picket fence
To build my own foundation
To have the option
There was no option in this old wooden fence
They did not choose to have no running water,
To have six people sleeping in a broken-down shed within the walls of the old wooden fence
A sweet, curly-haired toddler greeted me with an ear-to-ear grin as the adults spoke to each other
in the language still foreign to me
I bend down to watch the little girl
Hand gripping her stuffed animal, she reaches out to grab my hair with her gentle little fingers
Such innocence in a moment I felt was so full of corruption
There’s much more to say about my moments spent behind the old wooden fence
I could speak about the bunk bed in which all the children shared
I could speak about the older brother of the curly-haired toddler who stopped going to school
I could speak about the two goats that roamed within these minimal walls
Instead I wish to leave with the promise of innocence and wholeness in a world of corruption
Just as the sweet girl reached out to me with a gentle touch
So does our all knowing creator reach out to our world with a gentle healing hand
The promise of wholeness will not be fully reached here on our side of life
There will always be an old wooden fence
But this is not to discourage
This is a reminder that in spite of what we see today
In the midst of the pain and confusion,
We are sent
Sent to go beyond the old wooden fence
Sent to befriend the world
Sent to steward his creation
Sent to be the innocence and healing hands of Christ in spaces of corruption
This isn’t about that old wooden fence
It is merely material in an eternal perspective of things
This is about the image bearers that live behind it
“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” – Romans 10:14-15
Christina Smith | WMF Romania Intern
Christina is a Multimedia Journalism student with a passion for using storytelling to serve others. As a Word Made Flesh Romania intern, she has spent the summer documenting stories, building relationships, and learning from the children, families, and staff of the Galați community. Through writing, photography, and videography, Christina hopes to use her journalism skills in humanitarian work that reflects the love and dignity of Christ. She believes some of life’s most meaningful stories are found in simply being present with people and listening well.
As Word Made Flesh Romania celebrates 25 years of ministry in Galați this week, we are honored to share a reflection from current intern Christina Smith. Through her time alongside the children, families, and staff of the community center, Christina witnessed firsthand the impact that consistent, caring relationships can have in the life of a vulnerable child. Her reflection offers a glimpse into the heart of a ministry that has faithfully shown up for children and families for the past 25 years.