Calvin Synod Herald, 2012 (113. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2012-03-01 / 3-4. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD II main role in the formation of its natural landscape. The two rivers and their water resulted in the development of a great variety of habitats, where a colorful ecosystem can be found. Almost the whole of the national park is located in an area, which was formerly a flood-plain. More so, it is a historic place: it’s in Baranya county about 3 miles south from Mohács, near the border with Croatia, - it can trace back its origins to Árpád, and the Roman Empire had written records of it. The fateful battle of Mohács in 1526 with the troops of the Ottoman Empire’s army was fought just outside this village. As a consequence of this loss our beautiful Hungary was divided into three parts. The locals survived protected by the woods and the wetlands. It was not a coincidence that the local youth have been gathering in these parts centuries later still, - the nation’s painful wounds are heeled by the song of birds and the laughter of children. The first evening after our arrival the children were divided in groups of twelve, according to their gender and age groups, I was assigned to a group of second graders, along with a minister. After the children arranged their personal belongings, settled the ownership of their cots and the initial chaotic rush subsided, it came time for introductions, - needed because there were two kids who lived in a state- run orphanage, - they were sponsored by the congregation to be able to come to camp. Most kids volunteered their information freely: their names, parents’ information, their little statements of faith, hobbies, etc. Except the two kids from the state institution most had a strong family background and were the children of fairly well-off parents: “My name is so and so, I am 8 years old, of the Reformed faith, my father is the chief medical officer at such and such hospital”, - the other one “my father is a lawyer”, - “mine is director”, -“my father is a railroad engineer”, and so on... The two “institutionalized” kids have taken seats towards the back of the room, and as the others have finished, an uncomfortable silence ensued. The minister broke the soreness of the moment with a smile and a gentle stroke of their heads: “I know who the two of you are, but please tell the others about yourselves, so everyone gets to know you!” The taller kid cleared his throat: “yes..., hm..., - my name is Joseph K., I am 8 years old. My mother passed away and my father is disabled. That’s the reason that me and my brothers got in the Institution. But when my father will get better, he is going to take us back home!” Silence again! All eyes were hanging on the last little guy yet to speak. Slowly he rose from his seat; he was the smallest of them all. He took a deep breath and with poise he looked around. His dark eyes sparkled clear with a deep sense of intellect, the kind that if you look into, you’ll remember. The minister was about to make it easy on him, but before he could speak a bigger kid interrupted him: “leave this one alone, - he is from the “home”, has no parents, probably not even a name - I heard the other kid calling him “troll”. Slowly this little man made his way to face the other, who was head and shoulders taller, stood in front of him with a wide grin on his face, looked up into the eyes of his insulter and said: “you don’t have to be so full of yourself, - even you could and up in a “home” some day... Otherwise my name is Frank D., I am seven. In the Institution sometimes they call me troll, or midget, but my friends call me Frankie. I never knew my father, nor my mother, but I know for a fact that I belong to a royal family! The moment of deep silence exploded into loud hysterical laughter: “You belong to where?” What nerve! Not even just a nobility claim, - straight royalty! Such pretenses! And at that moment something heart wrenching took place! Before the loud mob could be quieted by us adults they fell silent because the small child was on the move again: he walked before all the other children, gazing into their eyes one by one..., then took a deep breath and started singing. Loud, audible, clear. A voice that only could be inherited, only gotten as a gift, a treasure, a voice that once you hear, it will stay in your memory: Once I was clothed in the rags of my sin Wretched and poor lost and lonely within Blit with wondrous compassion the King of all Kings In pity and love took me under his wing. Oh yes, oh yes, I'm a child of the King His royal blood now flows in my veins Andi who was wretched and poor now can sing Praise God Praise God I'm a child of the King. Now I'm a child with a heavenly home My holy father has made me his own And I am cleansed by his blood and I'm clothed in his love And someday I'll sing with the angels above. Oh yes, oh yes, I'm a child of the King His royal blood now flows in my veins And I who was wretched and poor now can sing Praise God Praise God I'm a child of the King... Sleep avoided us for a long time that night. It was a blessed week, lifestyles changed, friendships cemented. Frankie became the camp’s darling. Last night in camp at the bonfire children and adults sang together that beautiful song: “Oh yes, oh yes, I'm a child of the King...” I love to sing, but that night I couldn’t... That’s when it became clear to me why our Lord, Jesus Christ rebuked, in love, the adults, his beloved disciples. Blessed be his name forever! Peter Osztrogonácz, First Hungarian Reformed Church of New York City CH ANC.F OF ADDRESS FORM Name....................................................................... Subscription No...................................................... Old Address:........................................................... New Address:.........................................................
