Gone to be with her saviour - Sonja's story

Bogi, IMJP’s missionary in Hungary, with Holocaust survivor Sonja, whom she had the privilege of leading to the Lord.

SONJA, A JEWISH HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR, PROFESSED FAITH IN JESUS TWO YEARS AGO AFTER BOGI, OUR MISSIONARY IN HUNGARY, BEGAN SHARING THE GOOD NEWS WITH HER. SADLY, SONJA RECENTLY PASSED AWAY BUT, BEFORE SHE DID, BOGI HAD A FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO HER ABOUT GOD, AS SHE REPORTS BELOW:

It’s not easy to write about Sonja, my Holocaust survivor friend who came to faith about two years ago. Rescued from the Nazis and raised by a Lutheran priest, Sonja had a basic knowledge of the Bible and the Christian faith, but it wasn't until much later in life that she came to trust Jesus for her salvation.

Despite her old age, Sonja was always very busy with various academic activities both in Hungary and abroad, and she also ran a small shop set up by her parents.

BE NOT ANXIOUS…

When we met in May she was very anxious. The authorities had sold the building her little shop was in and it looked like she would need to move in November. She was scared about the prospect of this. I advised her to ask her church for help with the move and reassured her that I was always there if she ever needed me.

After she had calmed down, I turned the conversation to God and asked what she had been learning about him recently. She told me she had heard in church that we should always find a reason to be thankful to God. Now, she deliberately concentrates on things she can be grateful for and gives thanks for them in prayer. In response I read her Philippians 4:4-7: ‘…With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God… will guard your hearts…’

I encouraged Sonja to continue looking for the good things from God to be thankful for and trust that he even uses bad things for our good.

It was good to see the conversation with Sonja – which began with worries and sorrow – end with hope, joy and thanksgiving!

HOMEWARD BOUND

This is how we parted at the end of May ahead of a busy summer. In June, I visited Sonja’s shop every now and then but I couldn’t find her. Worried about her, I tried to phone and email but got no response. Finally, I asked her neighbours if they knew where she was and they confirmed my worst concerns: Sonja had passed away.

Her church later told me that she unexpectedly went to her eternal home on 12th June, after three days in hospital.

As I visited the place Sonja was buried, I remembered our last conversation. She didn’t have to move her shop in the end – God had a bigger move in mind for her. He taught her to put aside her worries and filled her heart with peace and thanksgiving.

In his perfect timing, he took her to the place where there are no worries or sorrows, only eternal joy and thanksgiving. One day we will meet her there. I am so thankful that after so much suffering earlier in life during the Holocaust, God used me to bring her the peace that can only be found in Jesus and help her receive the joy of eternal life.

Please pray for Bogi as she reaches out to other Jewish people, like Sonja, in Hungary.