Healing Our Broken World One Life At a Time
How does one ever describe the Herghelia Lifestyle Center? From the moment we stepped into the van leaving the airport in Cluj that cold, early spring night, we felt the warmth and hospitality that we soon discovered pervades every part of the life-restoring experience that is Herghelia. Nestled among the rolling farmlands and peaceful forests filled with birdsong, Herghelia is a gem that calls you back time and again. It is little wonder that over 40% of the guests who come for healing return, some of them many times. I’d like to be one of them.
My husband, George, had come to collaborate with a lifestyle medicine project and I, with a rare lymphoma, came as a guest in the health program. I didn’t expect miracles, yet I melted into the loving care of the staff, the daily massages, foot baths, whirlpools, lectures, nutritious meals, music therapy, exercise workouts, spiritual encouragement, and the long walks along wooded trails. When I received my final lab results tears filled my eyes. My hemoglobin was normal for the first time in over 3 years!
Because our stay was extended, we were invited to attend the annual Outpost Centers International Convention (OCI) held this year at Herghelia. Mission leaders from all over the world—Africa, Asia, Europe and South and North America—reported on the miraculous ways God is using their ministries to share His love, sometimes in challenging circumstances. The ministries varied widely from large and modern lifestyle centers to small homespun businesses and modest centers of influence, but each had one primary focus: to share Jesus with as many people as possible. In the large dining tent we had the opportunity to converse with many of these leaders as we enjoyed delicious meals together. Over 400 missions now thrive under OCI’s support. We left the convention eager to be about our Father’s business in a new and vital way. He is coming back soon!
We arrived at Herghelia when the trees were bare and the ground cold with frost. When we left, spring had fully sprung in all its warmth and beauty. We felt it was a fit symbol of the work God is doing through Herghelia and OCI to mend and heal our broken world, one life at a time.
By Dena Guthrie, RN
Dena is a former very passionate coordinator of CHIP (Complete Health Improvement Program), a succesful community-based lifestyle intervention program.
Newsletter XX Summary
This spring, from May 7-10, we had the absolute joy of hosting the Outpost Centers International (OCI) Convention at Herghelia. More than 350 ministry leaders and staff showed up, representing 64 ministries from across the world—part of the 400+ institutions that make up OCI. These amazing people traveled from nearly every continent with one common goal: to share their experiences, connect with one another, and praise God for the ways He’s blessed their projects and organizations.
I grew up in a beautiful church community, in a village where nearly all the residents cultivated vegetables in greenhouses. My family was no exception. Following the local custom of that time, thirty years ago, after completing middle school, my formal education ended. I was entrusted with a small greenhouse to manage, and over the years, I gradually expanded the cultivated land.
How does one ever describe the Herghelia Lifestyle Center? From the moment we stepped into the van leaving the airport in Cluj that cold, early spring night, we felt the warmth and hospitality that we soon discovered pervades every part of the life-restoring experience that is Herghelia. Nestled among the rolling farmlands and peaceful forests filled with birdsong, Herghelia is a gem that calls you back time and again. It is little wonder that over 40% of the guests who come for healing return, some of them many times. I’d like to be one of them.
Every beginning of a new session is anticipated by our team in Herghelia with great enthusiasm and emotion. We look forward to finding out who next the Lord will lead towards us and how He will fill their needs. Amazingly enough, each time this process is different!
My connection story with Herghelia goes back in the year of 1997 when I came across an announcement posted in the Romanian Adventist Review mentioning that the newly opened institution – Herghelia Lifestyle Center – had a few openings for nurses in it’s medical department. I remember thinking: “Wow, what a blessing, a special privilege for a nurse to work in such a setting!” But who was I?! I felt unworthy. I felt that nothing could recommend me for such a privileged position. However, in the following days, a set of circumstances convinced me that the Lord was leading me in this direction.
I am really excited about the OCI Convention I attended this year in terms of discovering and getting acquainted with this organization, its mission, the members and their wonderful work. It was also a chance to get to know Herghelia better, to discover the heart of each team member and learn of their commitment to God’s work in the medical field.
After the OCI event that took place in Herghelia this past Spring was over, in an attempt to evaluate, I came to the conclusion that it was quite unique. Like many of us, I also use to participate in different kinds of projects and events before the OCI Convention. However, none of them was ever like this. This event has opened up to those who love God’s work ample opportunities for involvement and service in different branches of ministry.
Due to the fact that the old building is undersized and outdated, we have decided to construct a new facility for our Lifestyle Center and repurpose the current building for Education/Nursing School use.
Since the new building project will likely take several years to complete, we will need to upgrade the existing building in the meantime to ensure it can continue to serve effectively during these transitional years.
HERGHELIA – THE MOST URGENT NEEDS
- Replacement of old carpet: $25,000
- Extension of treatment area (200 m²): $150,000
- Worthy student fund for “How to start and manage Sanitariums in the XXI Century” – $5000
- Certificate online course on “How to start and manage Sanitariums in the XXI Century” – $2000
- Medical Missionary Nursing School – Reframing the Medical Missionary Training Program – $25,000
Contact person: Valentina Dan
Phone: +40-748-118-084
E-mail: valentinadan1964@yahoo.com
Cont: RO02RNCB0193015969490004
SWIFT CODE: RNCBROBU
BCR Central, Tg. Mureș