Bethlen Almanac 2001 (Ligonier)
The Bethlen Almanac
THE BETHLEN HOME A GREETING FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dear Friends of The Bethlen Home, “The Lord says, ‘Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already - you can see it now!’” - Isaiah 43:18-19. The above passage of Scripture comes to mind as we look back upon the wonderful events of this, now concluding, 80th Anniversary year. Throughout 2001, residents, supporters and staff of The Bethlen Home have found many ways to celebrate the good memories of the past. The year long celebration culminated on October 27th and 28th, when many came to Ligonier and to the First Hungarian Reformed Church in Pittsburgh for one more round of reunions and one more opportunity to thank God for the many blessings He has shared with us through the life and ministry of The Bethlen Home. A very special part of the Anniversary celebration occurred on Saturday evening at our Anniversary Banquet. After Rev. Dr. Imre Bertalan delivered the inspirational keynote address, Mr. George Dózsa, Chairman of The Bethlen Home’s Board of Directors, introduced a group of former residents of the Children’s Home, who had attended a reunion earlier in the day. The former residents were offered the opportunity to address the gathering, and several did. They all expressed their gratitude to God for having been blessed with the opportunity to live at The Bethlen Home during a time of their family’s need. The resident’s personal accounts, of course, were very emotional for all of us. Here was first hand testimony of the success of The Bethlen Home’s mission over the years. But even as these now middle aged or older former residents reflected back upon their childhood, each one was making a commitment to the future of The Bethlen Home. And I couldn’t help but echo in my heart, God’s prophecy, found in the Book of Isaiah: “Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already - you can see it now!” And, dear Friends, it is happening already. Increasingly it looks as though construction of the new Bethlen Nursing Home will begin in late spring or early summer. Meanwhile, the present Nursing Home continues 4
