Calvin Synod Herald, 2005 (106. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2005-05-01 / 5-6. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 9 new government, which had no interest in helping Hungarians outside its own borders. The result was that the additional funds promised never arrived. This left the building without a roof and the protection needed to keep it from the freezing weather. At that point, the appeal came through to TRAC (Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee), and we were able to raise sufficient funds to put a roof structure up, which could be covered with plastic sheeting for the winter. Since then, the pastor took out a personal loan to enable them to put shingles on the roof for the winter. Beyond this, however, most of the work ahs stopped. It is estimated that one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars will be needed to finish the building - which might cost well over a million dollars in our land. That, however, is beyond the community’s own means, although they will do their best. Meanwhile, they wait on the Lord to help them attain this end, so important to their faith. Remember them in your prayers; and, if anyone would like to donate to this cause, TRAC will be pleased to send such funds on to the dedicated Christians at Felor. The Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee, 6970 Bauer Road, Hudsonville, Michigan 49426, Phone: 616-667-1940. Rev. Bernard W. Woudenberg TRAC Update Christian Friends: The last few months have been very active for TRAC. At the beginning of December, a group of five went over to Transylvania as part of what has become somewhat of an annual visit to the Christian school at Válaszút. Some years ago, the members of the Georgetown Protestant Reformed Church decided to send special gifts to the children at the school. After several attempts to have these gifts sent from a distance, it was decided two years ago to bring them over with a delegation from the church. This we have done two times now and it has proven to be a very moving experience. These children are not used to the abundance with which we live; and just to see them open their packages with school supplies, hygienic goods, along with small gifts, and then to speak briefly to them about the meaning of Christmas is a special joy. It was, however, at the suggestion of the school administration that we give special attention to the families of some of the poorest student. While the students themselves are well-fed and clothed, living as they do, five days out of the week in the school dormitory, their families are in the dregs of poverty. So part of these visits is to buy sizeable quantities of basic foods and bring them out to their homes. And it is truly a moving experience to stand in their small homes, usually with only one room heated, to speak to them of Christmas, sing Silent Night with them (they in their language and we in ours), and to bring to them food, the likes of which they otherwise would never have for the coming holiday season. We also visited and brought gifts to the children in the Emmaus House Orphanage in Bogata. It is a touching place with somewhat over two dozen children, very frugally run, but with a great deal of love and Christian commitment. One hears a great deal of the horrid conditions in the Romanian orphanages, but those run by the Reformed churches are a pleasure to see, and the joy on the faces of the children reflect it beautifully. In all, it was a wonderful visit and a real encouragement to experience such fellowship with children of God in that distant land. In the service of grace, For TRAC, Rev. Bernard J. Woudenberg F or more information about the Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee and its services, you can contact the TRAC offices by email: trac@sibd.org Bethlen Home Strategic Planning Committee Report The last meeting of the SPC was held in February. The task for this meeting was to listen to the presentations of two companies, regarding their abilities to help us with the planning of the future of Bethlen Home, and chose the one company we consider most appropriate for our needs and purposes. After listening to both presentations, the SPC selected the firm Noelker and Hull. Upon the subsequent approval of the board, this firm already started their assessment of the condition of the old nursing home building, and their evaluation of the possible costs of remodeling for various uses. By the next report we will know more about their findings. Respectfully, Rev. István Nyeste d“ ~[n Live each d?y so that you will neither be afraid oftomorrow nor ashamed of yesterday! T—r
