The tragic early death of a young man, Filip Faragau, after a long battle with cancer, is providing the inspiration for a unique ministry in the city of Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Violeta, Filip’s widow, carried out their shared desire to provide affordable accommodation for cancer patients and their families in the city. In the months leading up to Filip’s death they met many who could not afford the cost of staying there, either to access treatment themselves or to care for loved ones receiving cancer care. The seed was sown for what is now ‘Casa Filip’, in Violeta’s own words, ‘a nice, comfortable place, where people could come and stay without having to spend a fortune for their accommodation’. Slavic Gospel Association (UK) have supported this vital work prayerfully and practically from the start. Filip and his family were valued, long-term friends of the mission.
From its inception, this project was directed at both the physical and spiritual needs of those who came to stay. The opportunity to share the love of Christ and the message of His saving grace would be of supreme importance. In October 2017 a suitable house was found. Violeta speaks of a series of ‘miracles’ which enabled her to purchase and then prepare it for use. An ‘unknown’ friend paid for all the building work. A hotel was closed and Violeta was offered its furniture free of charge. The interior decorators finished their work to a high standard in double-quick time. Soon ‘Casa Filip’ began to touch hearts and lives. One lady felt that she was left alone in a large and unknown city. She met a lot of love and warmth at Casa Filip and wrote: ‘In the fight with this ugly disease, I saw that I am not alone.’
