Semi-annual report of 2006

Election promotion for the party of Yushchenko, orange ribbons along the main streets.

We would like to inform you once again about the latest news from Transcarpathia, as well as our assistance in the first half of the year and our current projects.

Relief transports

In the first half of this year we were able to send three relief transports with various contents on the journey to Transcarpathia. In addition to toys, eyeglasses, candles and bed linens, other things transported were, for example, tires, heating elements, hot water tanks, wheelchairs, crutches and bicycles.

Two of our board members, Helmut Schramm and Christian Ehrler, are able to report particular “experiences” on their trip to Ukraine in April. After having passed the Hungarian checkpoint in a few minutes, the Ukrainian border control needed four hours in a driving rain, including the time spent waiting in line. Ukrainian customs had them unpack almost everything for a thorough inspection of the most unusual “surprises”. After a lengthy runaround they could finally proceed on their journey. The main problem is especially the fact that everything had been carefully packed into every nook and cranny, only to be unpacked wildly and randomly for “inspection”, and now repacked back into the vehicle so that the doors could be closed.

The Hungarian side got its revenge on the return trip. There the officials passed themselves off as “model students” of the European Union and examined every vehicle so thoroughly that it took almost 2 hours for about 15 cars.

Conditions on Location

The Ukrainian parliamentary elections this spring really didn’t contribute to the political stabilization of the country. Unfortunately, as is so often the case, this back and forth wrangling gets played out on the shoulders of ordinary people.

Within the Reformed Church at the present time there are certain differences of opinion theologically among a small group of pastors. This unfortunately puts demands of time and effort on those important and active persons who are responsible for our projects. Therefore many things have to be put on the back burner for the time being. On 8 April 2006, Vári had a special event, the annual Youth Day of the Reformed youth organization KRISZ. From all parts of Transcarpathia, 1100 young people crowded into the church of Vári to hear God’s word together and to sing and pray. Many topics were discussed in small groups and mutually exchanged between the groups. All throughout there were many opportunities to meet old acquaintances or get to know new people. There was even an opportunity for some table tennis. Many women in the congregation of Vári made sure there was a warm lunch, which was prepared for everyone in gigantic pots. And last but not least, Youth Pastor Szeghjlánik and his team and the other coordinators were very grateful for the fantastic weather.


Youth Day in Vári	Lunch for all

News about our Staff

Pastor Péter Szeghljánik and his wife Kata were delighted at the birth of their second son Gergö on 19 March 2006, and we offer our sincere congratulations.

The “hot wire” coming from the window on the roof. This is how Youth Pastor Péter Szeghljánik is connected to the Internet (and the world)…

Projects and Support Efforts

After our support for the music school in Vári last year by purchasing several musical instruments, we were able to follow up on the appeal we received at that time for an urgently needed photocopier. Mr. Halász, the acting director of the music school, gladly received the machine in April from the hands of board members Helmut Schramm and Christian Ehrler.

Likewise in April an electric hedge trimmer could be given to our partners. It will be used in several places.

Handicapped children are usually a taboo topic in Transcarpathia. Often the residents of a village don’t even know whether handicapped children exist in their town, or in which families. Handicapped children have no place in public life. This makes us all the happier to now be able to help such a family in the village of Vári. The Gálfi family has two sons. The younger one, Gusztáv, is today a 13-year-old and was born with a several handicap. He can neither run nor speak. Since his birth Gusztáv’s mother looks after him round the clock. Other than the sparse public money for the handicapped son, the family has no solid income. The father works his own small farm and produces a part of their daily food. Besides this, with his horse and wagon he earns a little cash as a day-laborer to be able to pay for the expenses of electricity, medicine and bread.

The house of the Gálfi family has no running water, although the public water lines pass only 8 meters away from their property. Pastor Sándor Zán has asked the Benefit Society for support. He writes: “We would like to build this family a link to the water line, so they can have water in their house (for cooking, bathing and home use). That would a great help for the family.”

Gálfi family with Gusztáv (from)

Please send your donations with the key word “Water”.

In another rather large project at this time there are some new construction plans underway. At the initiative of Pastor Sándor Zán and the congregation of Vári a public playground is to be built in the village. The land for this is located right in the heart of the town—only a stone’s throw from the school, the church and the rectory. The project even has the approval and support of Vári’s mayor, yet his ability to help us, especially financially, is extremely limited.

After helping with two smaller play areas for the kindergarten, we at the Benefit Society would like to make this playground in Vári something “impressive”, so it can be a real attraction for children. At the moment the land involved has a rather chaotic appearance. First the fence surrounding it has to be renovated. That is necessary so that cows do not later confuse the playground for a grazing area or even use it as their toilet. Also a monument from the Soviet era needs to be removed before the actual work on the playground can begin.

We would be delighted if you would also become enthusiastic about this project. Donations are requested with the key word: “Playground”.

At left is the long area of ground for the planned playground, which is now overgrown with trees and bushes.

We continue to support the ongoing construction and enlargement efforts at the main office of the Reformed youth organization KRISZ and would like to do our part to bring this work to a conclusion in the near future. Due to the enormous rise in the price of building materials (see our annual report for 2005), the original financial planning has had to be completely revised.

Soon our preparatons for this year’s Christmas package drive will begin for children in Transcarpathia. We will inform you about this in a timely manner.

For today we send our sincere regards from Lengenfeld and wish you a nice summer and vacation and time for relaxation. May God’s blessings go with you!

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