Fraternity-Testvériség, 1956 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1956-04-01 / 4-5. szám
FRATERNITY 29 a chapel choir doing four-part choral work and now singing Sunday after Sunday to the glory of God and to the delight of our old folks. This same group of children has visited many of our supporting congregations, presenting them with a fine all-Hungarian musical program. These visits have served as a blessed personal link between our home and our churches, and have greatly enriched our children’s life experiences. Though requiring additional physical and mental strain, the Bethlen Home opened its doors to the children of members of our Federation during the past two summers. These summer sessions proved to be most valuable and happy experiences for pupils and teachers alike. In addition to promoting good-will, they nurtured the faith of our children, love of their country, and stimulated an interest in the land of their extraction. During the summer of 1954, there was an enrollment of 28 children above the permanent enrollment, while in 1955 the enrollment jumped to 60. The value in these sessions lay in the fact that we were able to serve second and third generations of our Hungarian Reformed Churches as well as new Americans. Our course of study included religion, Hungarian reading, writing, history and geography; Hungarian crafts, drawing and music. With an adequate staff it is our wish to continue these summer sessions and thus continue promoting interest in, and good-will toward, our Bethlen Home. Our old people’s department is an ever-growing one. Since more and more of our first generation old folks are becoming eligible for their pensions and social security benefits, and since Christian stewardship is being ever more actively exercised by our 110 supporting churches, the enrollment in the old people’s home is steadily rising. These old people, who for one reason or another, cannot fit into the life-pattern of their children and grandchildren, or are left without anyone to care for them, find a good home here, where they can spend the twilight of their lives among people of their own race and faith. In the Bethlen Home they are well cared for — they eat Hungarian foods to which they had become accustomed throughout a lifetime; they worship in their own language in the church of their faith; they live in clean, modern, adequate rooms; they receive excellent medical and nursing care. Their few remaining years are spent in quiet contentment. Four hundred sixty-seven old people have found a home in our institution during the past 35 years. Our present enrollment is 46. This resume would not be complete without mentioning our life-line, the farm, which is an economic success, in that through production of our own dairy products and meats, we are able to feed our residents at far less cost than if we had to purchase every item of food. About 80% of the food consumed in our homes comes from our farm. Of our 204-acre farm, 90 to 100 acres are under cultivation, while the remaining land is used as pasture. Cultivation as well as harvesting are carried on with modern equipment, while production of dairy products and meats is handled scientifically and with utmost care. A dreamer dreamed ... In 35 years the dream became a half- million-dollar reality . . . 1667 residents found a home within its walls . . . “Once upon a time”. . . and the story of the Bethlen Home goes
