The Gospel of Restoration
We are not far from the close of human probation and of the work of spreading the Gospel on this earth. The people of God, to whom this mission has been entrusted, are using the means the Lord has given in order to perform this work as effectively as possible. The medical missionary work will hold a distinct place in the task of spreading the message of salvation throughout the whole world, as it can reach all classes of society, and soon it will be the only work that will still be possible.
The Lord’s messenger has written: “I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work.”1
Within the scope of this work, health institutions belonging to our church are entrusted with a special role. They have to alleviate physical suffering and present to people the truth in a convincing way, both theoretically and practically, by the personal example presented by the staff of the institution.
“Our sanitariums have been in the past, and will continue to be, if rightly conducted, a means of blessing and uplifting to humanity.”2
“Some have asked me, ‘Why should we have sanitariums? Why should we not, like Christ, pray for the sick, that they may be healed miraculously?’ I have answered, ‘Suppose we were able to do this in all cases; how many would appreciate the healing? Would those who were healed become health reformers, or continue to be health destroyers?’”3
Although confronted with some financial difficulties which have required sacrifices - both from the employees of the institution and from the church (especially the Romanian Union) - we are glad to inform the believers worldwide, and especially those facing health problems, and those who rejoice over the well-being and the prosperity of the church and its institutions, that the Eden Sanitarium in Breaza, Romania, continues to operate according to schedule. The number of patients admitted is on the rise compared to the winter months of last year. We praise God that He is giving us wonderful experiences in this branch of His work. In the treatment programs of February 2011, we had nearly a “full house” (32 patients out of 36 beds). For the current treatment period, 2/3 of the available beds were already booked well before its start. We have many patients scheduled for this year’s upcoming treatment periods as well.
We are convinced that the medical missionary work will continue successfully as long as God desires - in spite of all adversity.
Our dedication to the work to which the Lord has called us remains steadfast. We believe that our God in whom we have trusted will continue to fulfill the promises written in His word regarding the medical missionary work.
The latest group of patients started the program on Tuesday, April 5, 2011. There are 26 persons, aged 23 to 80. Included among them are four families, of whom one seems to be very interested in the program. Two persons are from Ukraine, and two from Austria.
The oldest person is a lady who, God willing, is going to turn 81 during her stay here. She was here last October as well, with her daughter and her daughter’s mother-in-law. They all enjoyed themselves, so she, together with her daughter, returned to be here for her birthday. Surprisingly for us, the younger of the two has been very interestedly asking doctrinal questions during the Sabbath programs (particularly after the close of the Sabbath School lesson). She has come regularly to all our meetings both now and last October, and frequently, politely asks one thing or another. During both visits, she brought her relatives and colleagues from work as fellow patients.
During the last treatment program, for several days we had as a patient a young woman who was recently widowed. Back then, when the lady broke the news to us about the death of her husband, she was suffering a lot, but she would kindly decline all help we would offer her. Now, months later, she called one of our employees whom she had befriended and said she had made up her mind: She had decided to be converted and to come to our church. She also wanted to have a prayer for the blessing for her son, who at his father’s funeral had been barely 3 weeks old. She spent two Sabbaths with us in March, and one Sabbath afternoon she shared her experience of how God had helped her get over her husband’s death and to have hope in eternal life.
Yesterday some of the patients attended the Sabbath School, the worship service, and the afternoon program. Last week the attendance of the morning and evening worship was greater in number from among the patients than those that attended our meetings on Sabbath.
We are glad to have this news here, and - above all - we are thankful to the Lord that He cares for His work, that He gives us sufficient strength, the needed resources, and even advice on how to run things in His institutions. It is such a blessing to see how He provides for the opportunity for both diseased patients who do not know God and Christians to meet each other in an effort to regain lost physical and spiritual health. We hope to see as many of our patients as possible here and in heaven. We want to share the story of each one’s salvation. We also hope to see many souls won to the truth by the influence of this work.
We are praying that the Lord will continue to bless this work, and we are thinking of you and the various branches of labor in His vineyard. May the Lord bless your efforts. May He help, strengthen, and guide you. “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).
May God bless you and keep you!