When Songs are Forbidden 

The True Story of a Children’s Choir in Romania 

By: Genovieva Sfatcu Beattie, Stephen Beattie 

A famous children’s choir started by the author, dared to sing praises to God during the cruel dictatorship of Nicolae Ceauºescu. Part One describes how Sfatcu Beattie grew up in a poor family and suffered persecution at school. After many troubles she was later expelled from the university she attended for her testimony. It was through seven years in semi-hiding in a church that she listened to foreign broadcasts each night and then composed words to the tunes. Those songs became children’s songs that spread like fire at a time when writing Christian songs was a crime.

In Part Two the reader is introduced to the children in the choir as they travel all over the country, singing forbidden songs in praise of the God of the Bible. Sfatcu Beattie shares their many adventures and how the Lord often turned their trouble into laughter. The children shine for the Lord as they tell their own stories of courage in face of persecution. But it was Sfatcu Beattie's life that was in danger by the Secret Police for being the choir director. This book shares how the Lord used President Jimmy Carter to rescue her from Romania and receive political asylum in the United States.

This book will inspire Christian children and teenagers everywhere to serve the Lord.