On the wall of his house, Vasile has an illustration of one of the parables of Jesus. It shows the right hand of the sower stretched out to broadcast the good seed of the word.

Vasile has no right hand. He lost his arm in an accident at work many years ago. Now aged 70, he has lived alone since his wife passed away. The girl whom they had adopted from an orphanage is married now and does not keep in touch. When he was ill, friends from the Elpis Foundation, Blythswood’s partner organisation in Dej, Romania, took care of him and made sure he received the treatment he needed.

As a result, at this late stage in his life, the parable of the sower has come alive to him and he has become a Christian.

“His perspective on life has changed dramatically,” says Sorina Pop who works for Elpis. “He is reconciled to all that has happened and has become calm and happy.

“He spends his time gardening and taking care of his poultry. When we gave him your shoebox he appreciated every item and asked us to pass on his profound gratitude.”