House Group in my home

Since my illness the House Group from the Gazdagrét Ref. Church meets in my home. The group was recently characterized as being a group of prayer warriors.

Kool News from the Hospital

Kool News from the hospital

This time not news from Anne-Marie but news about her. Just a few observations about her stay in the hospital. Let me begin with the following: a room for three with three women. They are all roughly the same age. It is home-from-home for Rosza. She is Romany. Next to her, there is Marika, of Slovak-Hungarian origin, and next to her, a Dutch lady who has been living in Hungary for many years. They have to share the ward. But, they share much more: all three belong to minority groups; two of the three are immigrants. This in itself creates a bond. But this is strengthened by the mutual help and attention and especially by the many intense discussions. What about? Actually, you can already guess: about the meaning of the Bible, about God's presence in their life, their questions and difficulties and then reading the Bible and praying together. This is possible even though one is a Roman Catholic, another is from an Evangelical Church and the third is Reformed. Again this demonstrates that missiology is not an abstract activity, restricted for only academia.

The ward is at the front of the building: a splendid view over the Danube. The location and the roommates almost make you forget that something really is amiss. The problems with Anne-Marie's back, the inflammation and the herniated disc are being treated intensively. Slowly the therapy, which initially consisted mainly of medication, is being extended. It is expected that next week she will still be in hospital. No date has been set for a discharge. As well as the contact with the roommates, it can be said that the relationship with the nursing staff is fine. You see them come in: a friendly enquiry, a bit of attention. They are happy to take charge of a patient like this. The Hungarian health care system? Considerable problems, an antiquated structure and so on. The care at the bedside in a Roman Catholic hospital of the Order of Mercy? So far mainly praise, even though you have to provide for various things yourself. Friends bring groceries to the hospital, together with the many messages that were sent following the first report about her illness. Anne-Marie is extremely grateful for the many prayers and expressions of concern.

Mineke Hardeman

February, 11 2009