Calvin Synod Herald, 2007 (108. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2007-05-01 / 5-6. szám
8 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Continuedfrom page 7- TRAC Update people to return to the villages, build their own schools - as in Felor - and restore a future to these churches. Finally, we are working on plans to have Rev. Michael Gali and his (school teacher) wife, who are working to build the school at Felor, to come and visit our Christian schools in the Michigan area, in the hopes that we may be able to work together in the future. In all, we have a very full program going; and we appreciate your support, and especially your prayers that the Lord may bless these efforts to restore and build His church in this troubled land. Rev. Bernard Woudenberg Transylvania Reformed Assistance Committee (TRAC), 6970 Bauer Road, Hudsonville, Michigan 49426, Phone: 616-667-1940. TRAC Diaspora Mission Reports (The provision of Sunday services by seminary students for small village churches which have no pastors.) 7th February 2007 After three quite difficult weeks of exams and a short vacation, the 3rd year began the diaspora-mission again. On February 4,1 preached the sermon in Pulyon. We didn’t hold the service in the church. It was very cold. It was wintertime. We got together at the parsonage, with 11 people. The text I took from the gospel of John chapter 4:1-14. As Jesus goes trough Samaria, he stops by the well of Jacob where he meets a Samaritan woman, who came to draw water from the well. I tried to explain to the people what this meeting, or rather, this dialog between Jesus and that woman, means to us today. I purposefully underlined the word “water,” and the “flowing fountain” that gives eternal life. Jesus Christ is the only one water, drink, which fills our heart, soul full with life, hope and love. As we spoke with some of the villagers who were at the service, I felt that they really listened to me, and they went home with something. The seeds were scattered, and I hope they found good field to grow up. At lunch I found out that long ago, 170 people lived in this village and there was a Hungarian school. Nowadays only a quarter this number live here. But still it was good to see and feel the kindness and the belief that keeps this small community together. I came back to Cluj very happy and with a “full heart,” because that Sunday I felt the truth of this verse said by Jesus: “Where two or three come together in my name, I am there.” Arpad Lazar 3rd year student 11 February 2007 We managed to leave for the villages, together with the doctor, about 8:30 a.m.. I went to Oroszfaja; and in the church there were nine people: two women and seven men. The text was from Genesis 28:15-16: “Wherever you go, I will watch over you, then later I will bring you back to this land. I won’t leave you -1 will do all I have promised.” Jacob woke up suddenly and thought, “The Lord is in this place and I didn’t even know it.” Sometimes it happens that God speaks with us but we don’t realize it until it’s over. We should pray for ears to be able to hear the word of God and listen to Him. What He has to say to us is so important and so beautiful. He says He will never leave His people. He will be there for us; and whatever He promises He will do. Who is the man that makes such promises and keeps them? Sometimes we forget so easily our promises; and we are angry when others do not do the same. God made the beautiful promise that He will be with us whenever we need Him; and He does it. We should not forget this. After the service we went to Komlód where the doctor was meeting people, since there wasn’t a proper place at Oroszfája to meet patients. We arrived to the Institute around 7 PM. I had wished to give the people a little hope; and the text of the service gave me hope too, because everybody has a little fear inside. So it’s good to hear that somebody is always by our side; and the Lord takes care of us. Mihály- Levente Csíki, 3rd year student 15 February 2007 Outside the weather was a very bad, with gray clouds, and it was raining. But this weather didn’t influence my wish to go preaching. I accepted with joy the request to go to Szarvaskend to preach. I was there once a year ago; and I enjoyed being in that village again. When we arrived with the car, people were already waiting for us on the street. They smiled and invited us into their house in a very friendly manner. On the table there was coffee to drink. After a little while there came others too, and I talked with them. I knew a few of them from last year; and it was a great feeling to meet again. I entered the church with a smile on my face, because these “friends,” eight women and one man, expected me. The text was from Matthew 5:14-16: “You are like light for the whole world.” It’s so hard to be a light in the darkness. As a lamp needs energy to get light, so do we. From where? From where can we have the power, the energy, to shine like the stars on the sky? Only from our Heavenly Father. It was so strange to hear from people that in spite of all their problems they still feel God’s love, help, and his presence every day. “God is our loving Father who takes care of us, and who doesn’t abandon His children.” With this thought, we left Szarvaskend and these sentences heard from the villagers still strengthens me in my bad days. I pray for God’s blessing for this congregation and wish for them
