Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-09-01 / 9-10. szám
12 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD It is imperative that we find some income generating use for those rooms as soon as possible. It is also good stewardship to use the freed space toward the extension of the mission opportunities of the Bethlen Home complex. A plan that is important but not as urgent is to study the possibilities of the expansion of the cottages on the hill. The long term planning will have to also focus on possibilities of creating a Conference/Retreat center, a museum for materials sent from our churches, youth camp facilities (buildings, playgrounds, swimming pool, etc.). To speed up the process, three subcommittees were organized. One lead by Rev. Bertalan and Mr. Dózsa will start working on the general overall vision for the complex. Although some parts of this vision will come to pass in a somewhat distant future, it is important to have a general idea of where we are going, in order to avoid building something in the short-term that would become an obstacle later for the larger project. Another subcommittee will study the situation of the cottages, the need and possibilities of expansion, the changing needs of their residents, possible new attractions for people wanting to move here, etc. The subcommittee I am a member of is headed by Mr. Robert Fiok. Rev. Posta is also a member. Our task is to look into the possibilities of the reutilization of the spaces that will be freed up in the old home. Taking advantage of Mr. Fiok’s position at the Township, he will be our point man to the local government administration. We need their cooperation for matters of water, sewer, road maintenance etc. In this plan we need to realize that some rooms in the North Wing do not correspond to the current codes for skilled nursing units. They will have to be transformed for other uses. Perhaps they can be used for step-down units for some residents who need to transition from independent or assisted living to a more advanced level of care. Perhaps they would qualify for assisted living units, perhaps they can be incorporated in some special treatment programs. There are many options that we need to consider. We need to find something that generates at least the cost of maintenance, something that is needed and something that is doable with minimum investment in the shortest time. Before we can even begin to plan we need to see what are our water and sewer and firefighting capabilities. This part is important not only for the immediate planning, but also for the general complex plan. At this moment I would like to ask you to help us with your ideas. I will provide step-by step reports of our work, but I would like to really be the representative of the Synod. Please do not send me criticism of our work. We get plenty of those. I ask you to please send me constructive suggestions, opinions, questions, ideas and wishes. I can assure you that it is the intention of all parties involved to create a plan that is incorporating the most possible wishes, desires, visions, needs and maybe even dreams of our Hungarian Reformed Church community. Please help me in this important process. We want all of you to have a sense of ownership of this entire process. After all, the Bethlen Home is ours. We all need to have an input in this new phase, and all of us will need to get involved in creating the means for realizing our dreams. Please remember we plan to do our work not to please ourselves but to glorify God. Thank you for your attention and support. Soli Deo Gloria! Rev. István Nyeste TRAC Update - Summer 2004 Dear Christian Friends: While the work in Transylvania has been going on in a very satisfying way, things being planned here for the summer have become the chief focus of our attention: W e have been planning and are about to embark on our annual summer visit to Transylvania. As usual, it will be at the time when the students have finished their studies for the season and go out into the villages for which they have been providing services throughout the winter. There, they will live with the people, visiting with them, teaching the children, holding daily services in the churches, bringing the gospel to people in the community who are not attending church, and preparing for a final mass service and conference with all of the churches together in one place. Accompanying me on this visit will be four members of the family of Rev. David Shank from Virginia, Jonathan Steen, a medical missionary student who has been living in California, and Betty Achterhoff, a former missionary nurse in Nigeria who is contemplating the possibility of working among the people in Transylvania for the coming year. During this visit we will also be examining our other programs and making evaluations for the coming year. After we return, Dr. Bakos, the doctor who does our medical work, will be visiting her son in Detroit for a month. This will provide her with an opportunity to become acquainted with our committee and with supporters in the Grand Rapids/Chicago areas and meet interested people in both places. After Dr. Bakos leaves, we hope to have Krisztián Barticel and Zsolt Farkas, the two seminary students who have done much of the organizational work for the last few years, come to visit and work directly with us - if visas can be obtained from the U.S. State Department for them to come. We would also like to inform you that the Garage Sale held again this spring was eminently successful. Large amounts of goods were donated, the weather was fine, sales were brisk, and a sizeable amount of funds was added for our operational requirements. And for this, we must thank our secretary, Mrs. Helen Vander Wall, along with her friend, Mrs. Pat Schipper, who together carefully organized the whole operation, advertised it, and did a great deal of work. To them and to all others who helped, we wish to express our greatest gratitude. Please remember us and the saints in Transylvania in your prayers. In the service of grace, Rev. Bernard Woudenberg The Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee (TRAC) 6970 Bauer Road, Hudsonville, MI 49426 Phone: 616-667-1940
