Bucharest, Romania [Horea Tamasan; CD EUDNews]. The distribution of population helps us conclude that some of the largest unreachable areas are found in the big cities. We should therefore give priority to displaced masses that crowd urban neighborhoods. According to Jesus` method, the Church is supposed to get out from the Sanctuary and reach the people, by discovering their need and unselfishly serving. The most apparent latest need is health but their biggest and invisible need is God.
The Caravan is not a new idea, but when elder Horea Tamasan, treasurer of the South Transylvania Conference saw a bookmobile (from Germany and owned by a businessman) he thought, ”This is what we are missing”. The Conference leadership instantly got an idea. After a friendly talk, the owner donated the bus to the Conference. It was aimed to reach the heart of the city through health services, and at the same time, offered opportunity to discover books on health, family and spirituality.
The Health Caravan belongs to the Personal Ministry Department, but, because there are several overlapping ministries, there is a need for a project committee, with the Conference Treasurer, Secretary and the Personal Ministries Director.
The Caravan serves the best in large centres. Everything takes place in the streets, where the people are. The huge vehicle attracts attention instantly. Health Care for free? That is great! People have to register at the first pavilion, and while they wait, they can look over the books. Behind the tables, there is a colporteur to help with the literature. Those interested, go up into the Caravan and complete a form with their personal address and the books can be borrowed for 2-3 weeks. Under the second pavilion, two trained health educators take the blood pressure, fat percent, and so on, and calculate the heart age and warn about health risks. Finally, the last volunteer offers them the chance to attend a Health Club. Many show interest for it. With this approach, those interested in spiritual or health books are identified and further contacts are possible.
The impact is encouraging and promising, not only to the workers, but also to the administrators. Adventism is perceived as a relevant body that wants to bring wellness to the people. Even non-SDA members were offering to serve with our group of volunteers.
Following are the statistics for the 6 weeks of activity in the above locations: We visited 11 cities in the Southern Transilvanian Conference area. People passing through the Caravan totalled 6026. Contacts numbered 2033 and at the moment 250 of them are participating in the health club at the church. More are to be contacted for the other church programs.
"We thank the Lord for this blessed project in Romania", said EUD Communications Director, Corrado Cozzi, "Communication is mission, mission is communication!"
