Bonus Pastor Foundation Newsletter - Juni 2007

Brief evaluation of the last years

The past five years represented two main directions of development for Bonus Pastor Foundation:

- Creating a complete circle of services to our clients, the main issue being the startup of the Drug-Therapy Centre

- Creating a stable financial background: besides two areas of smaller capacity (governmental funding and local entrepreneur sponsorship), the farm was targeted as the biggest possible source of funds.

By the grace of God, the first target was reached. Since the startup of the Drug-Therapy Centre two years ago we experienced and also received feedback regarding its effectiveness. The different services we provide for people with addiction problems (counseling and support groups; 12-day treatment camps; long-term residential) complement each other efficiently in terms of both therapy and expenses. Recovery rates in the therapy models are good, even compared to international figures. When we see lives change, it becomes clear to us that this work should be carried on.

At the same time, the startup of the centre incurs expenses above the amount we receive on a regular basis from donations, client fees and grants. We started to focus our efforts on raising the necessary funds while also working for a stable financial foundation for the long term.

Despite our efforts, the farm has not yet produced a significant profit. The major reasons for this have been the multiple construction projects and the milk quota system. These were required by the European Union and have constituted a large portion of the farm’s expenditures. Although we were able to buy six Holsteins this summer and finish much of the construction required by the EU, we cannot expect a considerable profit before early 2008.

The donation of 70 000 euros received in the Autumn of 2006, along with other unanticipated donations and some loans, helped fund BPF’s activities till now. However, at the end of August, we will not have enough funds to pay most of the salaries and other costs.

Appeal for support

Please pray for Bonus Pastor Foundation’s financial situation and also the success of the farm!

Various

- 5-7 June: the staff who works with clients participated in a three-day training session led by Michael Kaplan (USA) in Ozd. 

- 16-23 June: the first volunteer work team, an American team led by Ryan Voogt, came to Ozd. They did a nice job concreting the yard of the farm. This was a major step in keeping the farm clean, which is a requirement of the authorities.

- 11-16 June: the clients from the Drug Therapy Centre had a week of volunteer work in S?l??ig (S?laj county). They enjoyed the physical work, thereby making a good impression on the village people. They also enjoyed the presence and testimony of the hosting pastor Andras Sipos, who is building up a small center to work with addicts.

- 23 June: We organized a small event in Ozd for the International Day Against Drug Abuse. We invited representatives of the government, NGOs working in similar domains, local companies supporting us, church representatives and the press. The program consisted of a one and a half hour therapy session and a short lecture from Sjaak Monster (De Hoop, Netherlands) about the essentials of therapeutic communities and different models.

- The wastewater treatment system for the Centre is ready and working. (We still need to install a disinfector for the water leaving the system.) We are very grateful to those who supported us in setting up the system: the local company Eco Construct who shipped and installed the system, giving us a huge donation in the form of a discount; and substantial donations from Ryan Voogt and his father, Don Voogt from the US as well as from Opportunity Microcredit Romania.

Case Study

“I was happy to meet the two clients from the Centre which finished their therapy and came home to Udvarhely. They look to be well and plan to attend the support group. I hope that they will find their place in the group and will give a new working model for the others.” (Géza Geréb)

Praise points

- For the volunteer work team
- For those who are working with us in prayer
- For the International Day Against Drug Abuse event

Prayer points

- Farm: summer construction projects, profitability, and authorization
- For clients in the Treatment Camp
- That the clients with whom we are working would be more open to the Gospel
- For solutions to short-term financial needs and also long-term financial stability