The song of Zechariah about his son John the Baptist and the coming Messiah seems especially fitting in these seemingly uncertain times (Luke 1:67-79). "Praise to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and redeemed His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation.... from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us....to enable us to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness before Him all of our days. And you, my child, ... will go before the Lord to prepare the way for Him, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, ...to shine to those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace."
This past year we have seen the fruit of many years of prayer in our lives, especially with the official opening of the clinic June 3, getting our Romanian licenses to practice medicine, and God's continued provision for our work here. He continues to provide funding for our clinic expenses, donated medicines and supplies through Christian Aid Ministries and Global Health Ministries and others, and a committed Christian staff. He provided 4 volunteer doctors to work here while we were back in the States in October. We also appreciate Kara Kelly, a missionary RN working with us and training the Romanian staff.
We still continue to need support and appreciate your prayers for our financial needs. Each month we have been able to pay our employees' salaries and other expenses because of your donations.
Life is never dull and boring, but November was even more interesting than most. Linda's sister, Blue, was here the week before Thanksgiving. The embassy called and asked if we would like tickets for President Bush's speech that Saturday, congratulating Romania on being invited into NATO. So the 3 of us were seated in the third row behind the podium just off CNN's coverage of President Bush shaking hands with former president Constantinescu and others. Linda was glad that we didn't get on camera (mainly because of her hair and the rain). We had to sit in the cold drizzle and rain for 3 hours, and when the President arrived we couldn't use our umbrellas because the Secret Service agents on the surrounding rooftops had to be able to see everything. But it was great! I remember 50 years ago when I was only 8 years old and a Czech pastor spoke at our little church in northern Minnesota about the torture that he had experienced at the Communists' hands before he escaped. I remember praying to God to "do something about the Iron Curtain." Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that 50 years later Romania would become an ally, much less that we would be here to see it happen! God didn't bring down the Iron Curtain just so that we could be part of NATO. We believe that God has a much greater plan for this entire region.
In spite of this major step forward for Romania, there are still many changes needed here. There is still no "safety net" here. Most of our patients are still trying to live on less than $50/month. One patient that Linda saw on Friday was so worried because her pension is $47.50 and her apartment maintenance bill for this month, which covers heat, hot and cold water and gas, is $35.60. Her 2 room apartment is small, but she has to pay a percentage of the entire building's bills. The vast majority of our patients are in the same dire straits and are very appreciative of our charitable medical services, as well as our caring for their emotional and spiritual needs. So your support is extremely helpful and needed for our work here.
Linda received a thank you letter from a young Romanian woman recently, stating, "God led me to you in a special moment in my life. I have understood His love and grace through you. You told me so clearly about my disease that I could see the devastating consequences of sin. But I could also see that despite my wrong behavior I am not rejected. Thank you so much for your patience and love. Thank you for all the explanations you gave me so I could understand better the way God created me. Thank you for treating me like a person."
Another patient, a 51 year old man came to me complaining of insomnia and anxiety. The real problem was that he owed money to someone and because he couldn't pay them back they had gone to an Orthodox priest to put a "farmec" (a spell or curse) on him. I shared the verses from Ephesians, Chapter 1, that Jesus is the name (and power) above all names, and that His church doesn't put spells on anyone, but also that we can claim His spiritual protection if (and only if) we know Him personally. The following Monday he prayed to receive Christ as his Savior.
Thanksgiving was fun and relaxing, sharing a turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin and pecan pies with two other missionaries. We're looking forward to Christmas with our neighbors Dave and Jennifer Cox, their three children and 3 other missionaries. Our artificial tree is up, but so far with no decorations for the cats to try to knock off. It really feels like Christmas. It's cold, below freezing for the last 10 days. Today it snowed! Both Christmas Day and the 26th are official holidays here, as are both January 1 and 2.
Next Saturday our clinic will host two parties that Daniela, our social worker, is arranging. One in the morning is for 73 children who will receive shoeboxes with gifts from Operation Christmas Child. We don't have room in our clinic waiting room for 73 children and their parents! Please pray that it will work (maybe in 2 groups?) In the afternoon Daniela will have a party for her "Women's Club." Also, she and Kara prepared a list of about 40 especially needy people who have come to our clinic. Students from Bucharest Christian Academy have collected almost 300 nonperishable food items for Christmas baskets for them. Linda's been making Christmas cookies for the parties.
As ever, we really appreciate your prayers, your financial support, and cards, letters, and emails. Christmas cards and letters can be sent to us at Milt and Linda Hanson, CP 23-8, Bucharest, Romania (on 4 different lines).
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!