Romanian Adventures: Carla’s Story

We have been incredibly blessed with our many, amazing interns! God is so creative in how He uses various means to bring to us interns from all over the world. One of our newest interns, Carla, came to us all the way from Romania! Please be encouraged as Carla shares her story:

My name is Carla Preda, I am from Romania, Timisoara. Ever since I was young, I loved to help people. I love to see people smile. My dream is to leave behind something meaningful, but I was not always happy with my life.

Thirteen years ago I met a family who, through their lives, showed me who Jesus is. Their names are Beniamin and Eugenia Lup. In 2002 the wife, Eugenia went through a car accident. She needed help, and I was ready to offer it. While in the hospital, caring for her and then moving her into my home, I heard that life change is possible. I always said, “I wish I could be born again,” not knowing that was a Biblical truth. Eugenia told me that this was possible.

When Beni Lup explained to me who Jesus is, what Jesus did for me, and what significance my life can have with Him, I said yes. I prayed to receive Him in my heart, I recognized Him as Lord and Savior of my life. It was a turning point in my life – Jesus changed my life. I have been a single mother since my son Alexander was nine, and now he is 22 years old  🙂

Since I started my journey with Jesus, I graduated a Management University, got a Bachelor Degree in Law and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. 

As we learned in school about Human Trafficking, what it means and how it is devastating for victims, the desire to save victims and prevent potential victims from becoming victims grew and developed into a vision called Butterfly Center.

I now work as a Program’s Director with a Romanian ministry called WorldTeach, a ministry involved in Educational Programs, Legal Representation, Humanitarian Aid and Restoration of Victims of human trafficking.

Our Board Members from the US introduced us to Mark Shaw, whom I had meet while he taught Counseling in one of our partnering ministries in Romania. He told me about the internship program and about this great opportunity to acquire “first-hand experience.”

I was always interested in learning more about Biblical Counseling and effective ways to deal with people in need, so I came to VOH for the internship. After completing my internship, I will coordinate the Butterfly Center in Timisoara, Romania.

The Butterfly Center will be a safe place for victims of Human Trafficking and victims of violence. Once in the Center, the victims will be involved in rehabilitation programs, will be offered counseling, will be offered to learn vocational skills and will learn to become self-supportive. The Butterfly Center is envisioned to have facilities for Bible Studies and Discipleship, Counseling rooms, special rooms for vocational training and places where ladies could live.

I have  prayed for an opportunity to see and to learn in a “real setting”. This has been offered to me at VOH, and I am excited about that. I believe that the Lord will continue to use me as I make myself fully available to Him for His purpose.

My life verse is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!

What an incredible story! Please join with us as we pray for Carla and this future ministry in Romania: The Butterfly Center!

Bethany Dunn
Bethany heard about Vision of Hope while attending Word of Life Bible Institute in Florida. When she began praying about what God wanted her to do after graduating, He kept bringing Vision of Hope to her mind. Knowing that there was an internship available, Bethany applied, was accepted, and began her internship with VOH in July, 2012. Since then she has been amazed at the opportunities God has given her to learn more about His Word and how it applies to everyday life. Bethany now serves on staff at Vision of Hope.