Calvin Synod Herald, 2007 (108. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2007-01-01 / 1-2. szám
10 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 2006 TRAC Highlights Dear Christian Friends, It has been some time since we have written, and there are many things that we can tell you about. 1. Last spring, we completed a very successful season of work in the villages both with the preaching engagements and the doctor’s visits. 2. In the city, the students continued to carry on their work in three different areas of activity. They visited the sick in the various hospitals and brought them comfort from the word of God. They also brought food and basic necessities to some of the poor of the churches. And their work with the homeless was carried on very regularly, both in bringing food and fuel where it was needed, and in holding regular worship services on Wednesday evenings, which these homeless people have come to see as very important in their lives. 3. This past summer, a group of approximately 18 people visited Transylvania to work in the orphanage at Bogata and the school that is being constructed at Felor. The orphanage in Bogata, called Emmaus House, is always an interesting and fun place to visit. The children there come from many diverse and difficult situations; but their lives have changed completely since being taken in by the Emmaus House where they receive a spiritually uplifting education in a Christian, home-like atmosphere. It’s a pleasure to be able to be with them for a few days. In Felor, they found a school that is well on its way to completion. The hope is that they will be able to begin classes this coming September. 4. In turn TRAC planned another trip to Transylvania in the fall. On this trip they visited the projects in which Zsolt Farkas has been involved in Oradia since his graduation, both in Diaspora and Homeless ministries. But the chief purpose of the visit was to begin the new season with the students in the seminary. We spent some time with them discussing and preparing for their activities through the coming season. On the two Sundays we were there, we went out with them into the villages. And during the week, we accompanied them on their homeless visits and met with them as they led the homeless people in their weekly worship and study meetings. In all this, we appreciate the support and cooperation we have received from all of you who in prayer and contributions have helped to make this work possible. And we certainly trust that the Lord will use it to the strengthening of the cause of the Gospel in Transylvania. In the service of grace, For TRAC Rev. Bernard Woudenberg Hudsonville, Michigan TRAC Homeless Mission April 5-6, 2006 As we prepared for the Easter holiday, we organized a special mission. I wanted to tell the Easter stories and customs at the end of April, because for today, I prepared the crucifixion and the passion stories, to thinking a little more about the Resurrection. As usual, after we made the sandwiches and the tea, we went to the church where the homeless people were expecting us. Almost everybody completed his homework, meaning that they read the Passion story (Matthew 26-27). After the greeting and a few songs, we discussed these stories. In the end, I summed up the message. They had a lot of questions. We even acted out this message: I asked the strongest man to stand in the middle of the room with his hands forward. Then I asked them about the different sins that they had committed. I then symbolically put them in Kuti Steve’s hands. When he couldn’t bare it any more, he put the heaviness under the cross. He said that now he understood why Jesus had to suffer so much. Only He is able to bear our sins. We prayed together and we closed our meeting. But after the blessing, everybody remained at his place and asked to sing a few more songs. After we sang, we talked about painting eggs after Easter. Everybody’s homework was to read Matthew 28. It is a very good feeling to see how seriously they take everything and that they like to be there together. It is important to them to be together as a group, in love. All this gave us power, knowing our work is not in vain. It moved us closer to them and enabled us to do this mission better. We also made the food packets to distribute. Besides the food packets, we also gave a sack of clothes to Laci and Jutka. Laci was very happy to tell us he would be working the next week. He would be helping with the cleaning and taking out the garbage at a warehouse. For this, he would receive money and his lunch too. We talked a lot with Kuti Erzsébet. She and her husband were happy that spring came. István started to take off the moldy roof. He told us that he would like to rearrange things and change their little cottage around. The gas bottle already had to be filled up and we filled it for them. Then we went to Pavel. He came running out from the cemetery because he had to dig a grave. He was also happy about spring because now he would have more work to do. We left Erika’s packet with him because he was working and we asked him to take the packet to her. We visited the Lejan family. We took them a pair of shoes and a food packet. After that, we spoke about Lejan’s dreams. He told us that a few nights before he had nightmares and that he was afraid. He asked us to pray for him. Then we went down to visit Ms. Rednic. We talked about Wednesday’s service. She told us that she felt very good there and that she would like to come every day. We also visited Mr. Csete Sanyi. He showed us his little dogs, and he was so enthusiastic as if he were a little child. Afterward, we talked with his wife. She told us that she felt much better.
