Bonus Pastor Foundation Newsletter

“The Israelites were ready to give their golden jewelry to Aaron, that he might cast for them the golden calf, which they thought would be a god for them. Those were really meant to be ornaments of the Israelite women and men, or to perhaps help them in times of need. Yet they gave their gold for an idol which didn´t help them, much more: it harmed them by stirring up God´s wrath. How many precious things are offered for the idol of an addiction: health, good relationships, love, patience. And how much time, money, material goods are wasted just because some are addicted to the thought that alcohol or some other drug is going to make them happy. God sent His Son to change us from this kind of wasting life to one that brings gains to ourselves, to our beloved ones and to God Himself.”

(Constantin Petri?or, Roman Catholic priest from Zal?u, January 24, 2007, Treatment Camp in Romanian)
 
Staff
- Ferenc Bálint, a former client at the DTC, has begun his training and probationary period to became a staff member at the DTC.
- Teri Sz?cs is planning to finish her work at the DTC in April and to return home to Budapest where she will write her Ph.D.
· The Board decided to employ one person to help Sándor Magdó in different kinds of projects such as fundraising, car leasing, car repair, etc.
 
The Aftercare Conference in P?net
The number of participants, 60 – 70, was not as high as usual. The theme of the Conference was “Hopes and Disappointments”. The biblical messages were based on passages from 2 Kings 4, the story of the birth, sickness, death and resurrection of the Shunammite woman's son.
 
Case study
“I asked the group of homeless to make the effort to pay for their own bus ticket if they wanted to come to Panet, to the Aftercare Conference. I also agreed with them that I would bring them back to the Shelter by van, promising to take them the following (Saturday) morning back to Panet. No one made any “effort” and not one of them showed up Saturday morning at the agreed meeting place. Not even the hope of some good meals was enough to motivate them to come.” (Kálmán Adorján)
 
The Romanian Treatment Camp in Ozd 
Our foundation organized this camp together with another organization from Ia?i. Four of their staff came, all very keen to learn and gather experience. We had 24 participants, of which 4 were women. There were three groups, almost equal in size, from 3 different regions in Romania: Moldova, Banat (Arad and Timisoara), and Cluj.

Kálmán Adorján, who was one of the camp organizers reported, “As a whole, this Camp was a good experience.  It is very likely that it will have to be repeated at least once until the model can be properly handed over to those who want to use it in their own work with addicted people. It was also an opportunity for many churches, groups and individual Christians in Romania and abroad to unite in prayer and ask for God's blessings upon this event.”
 
“It was interesting for me to experience that even when I understand the words, I do not understand properly the feeling and thinking of a person with another language. This was my first time as a helper in an “international” situation.”(Tünde Geréb)
 
Farm development, Ozd
According to the figures, the Betalef operation should bring in a significant profit averaging 3200 euros per month. Part of this will be used for finishing developments, but the rest should be clear profit.

Last year we came to an agreement with the local (Ozd/Bichis) mayor’s office that they will give 60 hectares to the baroness from the 104 she can claim back (in this way lands also remain for the village). BPF is involved in this issue since the baroness is ready to donate 50 hectares to BPF which would be a huge help for Betalef. However, the representants of the maior’s office changed their standpoint and don’t want to give usable lands. We probably face a long legal process.

We are planning for the summer which includes, among other things, the activity of visiting work teams. If you know somebody interested in volunteer work in Ozd, please contact us at the following e-mail address: volunteers@bonuspastor.com.
 
Praise points
The Romanian-language camp
For the clients in the DTC
For good co-working with the Romanian team
For the balanced financial situation
 
Prayer points
For the forming of a Romanian support-group in Arad and perhaps in Cluj
For the Therapy Camp in P?net, February 19 - March 2