July 2009

In 2003 a few of us, mainly from Budapest, set off for the first time to help with Bonus Pastor’s work in Ozd. A few years later we paid another visit to the castle with a different group. We worked on whatever the current group leader told us to do. Then in the summer of 2009 we were able to take part in various parts of the work again. This was a new group, but the feeling of togetherness was the same I had always felt when I was doing volunteer work with my fellow brothers and sisters.

This year we started with scything the grass in the place where we would have to bury the sewage tank for the environmentally-friendly showers and toilets. Next day our group was divided into two groups, with one of them starting to demolish a small building in the garden of the Wheeler family while the others prepared the ground next to the Therapy Centre for building a tool shed. We worked every morning in unusually hot weather and then we went to have a tasty lunch in brick dust up to our ears. After a small break we continued our work, sometimes changing worksites to avoid getting bored. To dig the base of the tool shed was tough work; it took two days for two girls and four boys. Then we started to pour the concrete and erect the steel frame. We talked over each phase of the work which was very useful. We went only for a week and during that time we demolished the small garden shed, selected the bricks which were still in good condition and brought them to the Therapy Centre. We also succeeded in making the 6x6 meter (18x18 foot) base of the tool shed. On the last day we weeded out the vegetable garden by way of rest. Before our departure we came to feel that one week is certainly not enough time for such an amount of work and that we should stay longer. However, we couldn't, because many of us had to return to our jobs.

		All in all, we saw good progress in the building work. In addition, we became acquainted with the therapist and the residents of the Therapy Centre, who invited us at the beginning of the week for a fantastic “gulyas” lunch, and then another day for a “mici” (grilled sausage) dinner. I can still remember the smell of it.

This year our small group had accommodation in the Therapy Centre and in this way we had a better look into the everyday life of the residents. In their free time we had the opportunity to chat with them and we noticed that there is a fine order and tidiness inside the walls of the old 'granary'. Having a talk with some of them, they admitted that they have a tight schedule for every minute, which is good and useful, too. Everybody has his own task depending on the stage he is in – according to the order of arrival at the Centre. There are “old” residents and “freshmen” too. There is always somebody who is in charge of opening the building’s entrance door early in the morning; there are some who do the cooking diligently for all the residents of the Therapy Centre. There are some who do the gardening, others who repair the tools. And because the therapy has its base in God’s Word, spiritual recovery is the other key element beside the work.

It’s always a great experience for me to listen to life stories. One of the clients told me his story about how he got to Ozd. When he arrived, he could hardly talk because alcohol had had such a bad effect on him. There were moments when he wanted to give up the struggle and leave the therapy program, but for an inexplicable reason he still stayed. Today he is fluent in his talk, he is in charge of several parts of the work and has plans regarding his future. He wishes to retrieve his relationship with his daughters, with his family. And most important for him is that he has found his way back to God, who stayed beside him all the time but he didn’t notice it. As he was talking, his frank words were followed by his tears. This is the situation where I realize that everybody needs a second chance – it’s worth SAVING lives!

Looking from outside, the clients take part in a very intensive program. They learn what is useful for everybody to know: to be honest with themselves, with God and with their fellow human beings. They can learn to communicate, to help each other, and also to show and express their feelings toward each other. It’s also wonderful that they have a staff from whom they can ask help, each of the clients has a mentor, who guides them and with whom they can discuss their questions. We were together with the clients during some of the devotions. We think it’s very important that they have opportunities to quiet their minds before God’s living Word, which is like a sharp sword and has great power to change lives.

I’m thankful that the Lord is working in Transylvania, in Ozd, and received us as His helpers. We helped as we could, as a volunteer workgroup. Blessed be His name for everything!
Éva Elek , Budapest (Hungary)