Jeff Reich, Director of Laymen Ministries

In shock, I entered the new airport from the plane by way of a modern corridor. How well I remembered the many previous trips to Romania, beginning in 1991—the bumpy runway; soldiers standing by with machine guns and keeping an eye on any straying sheep or goats that might wander onto the runway; old Soviet era jets dismantled on either side of the runway; exiting the airplane down a walkway into air thick with coal smoke; passengers pushing and shoving their way onto an old bus that took us to the terminal. Once in the terminal, we entered a small smoke-filled room for passport control. Men wearing long black coats, impatiently flicking ashes onto the floor from the cigarettes between their fingers, talked loudly, trying to make sure they were next in line. Customs agents seemed to wear a permanent suspicious glare, as if they were part of the secret police and you were a prime suspect! It was like something out of an old movie. I remember joking with the customs agents, trying to get them to smile.

But all of this had changed. In a mere three years there was a brand new airport, fast passport check-through, and a modern baggage claim area. And to a certain degree, there was a whole new feel in the air—until we started driving through the streets, that is! Much was still the same.

Our old friends Lucian Cristescu and Olimpiu Celea greeted us outside the new airport. Plans were quickly outlined, and we were off for a busy week of meetings, speaking engagements, and just catching up with old friends.

As the familiar sites passed by, I reviewed in my mind the history of Laymen Ministries in Romania: millions of booklets, tracts and Bible lessons printed; hundreds of thousands of books and Bibles printed or purchased over the years; meetings with high-level government officials and prison officers; church planting; training seminars across the country; and evangelistic meetings with Pastor Nicu Butoi. So many memories! So many amazing experiences!

Many of you remember the Desire of Ages project in Romania, a joint effort between Laymen Ministries and United Prison Ministries in 1994 through 1996. Nearly 500,000 books were printed for the prison system. The Desire of Ages was given to all inmates throughout the country, to the entire faculty of the Ministry of Justice, to the members of Parliament, and to the President of Romania. CNN was there, as well as the Romanian National TV news crew, to videotape the event.

One key player in this whole providential event was a powerful man by the name of Major General Ion Chis. He wrote the forward for the Romanian translation of The Desire of Ages, and went with us personally to the prisons, right into the cells, and handed out these precious books to the inmates.

At one meeting at the juvenile facility in Craiova, he stated openly, “We used to put people in prison for distributing books like these. Now we are distributing these books in prison!”

Soon after all this national attention, the Orthodox Church and other powers that be brought General Chis down. His removal from office shocked all of us.

A few years later, with the accusations against him proven false, he was reinstated as a counselor to the chief of the Ministry of Justice. He is now serving in a high position for the Secret Police as part of the Anti-Corruption Force in the government.

On a cool Thursday afternoon, we met General Chis outside the Peoples Palace (see title picture), where his new office at the Ministry of Justice is located. (He told us we could not video tape in his office, or even meet with him there!) He warmly embraced me, exchanged two kisses cheek to cheek in the traditional Romanian style, and grabbed my arm, saying, “Brother Jeff, how are you? It is so good to see you again!”

We toured the Peoples Palace by invitation with a special group, and then went to his home for a delicious vegetarian meal with him and his wife. We spent hours talking about past events, the distribution of the books, and about the prison ministry, HPS (Humanitarian Prison Services), sponsored by Laymen Ministries. Our hearts were touched by the genuine, caring spirit of this man.

He kept saying we should engage in another national project—something that will impact the country as The Desire of Ages project did. He suggested a TV program hitting on family values and the use of drugs and alcohol.

Thanks to your support and the driving force of the Romanian people motivated by their love for Christ, HPS is going strong. Back in 1995, right after the distribution of The Desire of Ages and The Great Controversy and all the national media attention, there were some major setbacks. After General Chis was removed from office, the work of HPS was greatly curtailed when the government put an Orthodox fanatic as the new Director of Prisons for the Ministry of Justice. Our books were removed from some of the prisons. It was a dark time for HPS.

But God is in the business of taking the choices of men and turning them into something positive. Even though there were forces operating to stop His work, He prevailed! Today we have new freedom in working in most of the prisons throughout Romania.

While visiting Romania on this trip in November of 2002, we saw the prison work first hand. We met with HPS workers in the prison at Margineni. After a warm meeting with the Director of the prison (who also serves as a local judge), we were taken to a place were HPS workers hold worship services and Bible studies with the inmates. I was informed that only about half of the regular attending inmates were present at this Friday meeting, as it was a different time and day than usual.

The next Sunday we held organizational meetings at the Union Office with representatives from every conference in Romania. It was exciting to hear the stories and experiences of some of these dear workers in the prisons.

Several issues back, in issue #169 of Laymen Ministry News, we featured an article entitled “The Conversion of a Priest in Prison.” At this recent meeting we heard “The Rest of the Story!” The former priest, who converted to Adventism, was eventually released from prison. Now he is one of our strong prison workers for HPS in another city.

Another man who was won to Christ by HPS worker Titel Balbie was released and later baptized. He now serves as an elder in his local Adventist Church! God’s program is working!

HPS, on their own initiative, has begun a new, extended project to help those inmates who have shown a real change in their lives through the power of the Gospel. Some dedicated church members and HPS workers took it upon themselves to purchase a piece of property in the small city of Buchuman. They are currently remodeling a building to be used as a re-education center for worthy inmates.

This center would choose the “cream of the crop” inmates who, after their release, could enter into a six-month training course at this facility. Romanian ex-convicts, as in most countries, have a hard time fitting back into society after their release. Jobs are difficult enough to find in Romania right now, let alone for an ex-convict.

This center is designed to be for educational and spiritual training to help prepare these former prisoners for acceptance back into regular life. The program will have training in agriculture, bread baking, woodworking and other skills. The products made or grown will help support the inmates and the project in general.

The ex-inmates will also be working with church members who will nurture them more fully in the Word of God and the Christian way of life. We know there will be success in this project, and the simple fact that it has already started, without the help or support of any outside organization, shows the serious commitment of those involved.

It is the desire of Laymen Ministries to help facilitate this project by providing funds for a new roof for the building and some of the construction costs. These costs will be around $3500. Not a bad investment for such a worthy project. Even the local city government is interested, as there is no such program in the whole country of Romania. The mayor has pledged to donate even more land next to the facility for extending the garden areas. The Ministry of Justice is excited about the project. Would you like to help?

Another project the HPS workers are excited about is being called “Moral Education for Prisons.” The young people involved in the prison work have especially chosen topics they see as essential for the prisoners to help ensure their success—both while in prison and after release.

The first set of topics to be covered is moral and social in nature. This is basic good manners: behavior in society; good manners at a dinner; how to dress; how to behave in church, while traveling, at entertainments, etc. Training in effective communication will also be given: the difference between hearing and listening; rules for listening; communication between husbands and wives, etc.

Next will come some essential health topics: preventing some common and frequent diseases, including managing cholesterol; leaving off tobacco, caffeine, drugs and alcohol; decreasing fat and sugar consumption; getting adequate nutrition through a vegetarian diet; the importance of water and exercise; and stress management.

Third, are the very important spiritual topics. Prisoners will study Old Testament history through Patriarchs and Prophets, and lessons from Christ’s Object Lessons.

It is exciting to see young people present such practical suggestions, and prepare resources for teaching these important topics. We’re expecting this program to be very useful in helping prisoners transition into being useful, contributing members of society.

On Sabbath I spoke at three different churches around Bucharest, the capital. The churches were full and the people were happy to hear the heart-to-heart messages. We were reunited with friends, new and old. I have always been touched by the warm-heartedness of the Romanian people. Their churches are like big families. They hold Friday night meetings and two meetings on Sabbath, even if they have to walk a mile to get there! Now, how many of us would do that?

I also love the Romanians’ Latin passion—people often touch each other in a way that shows compassion and tenderness. It is not unusual to see men, women, or mother and daughter walking, innocently, arm in arm with each other. Americans could take a few lessons from their old-fashioned family values. Even though the West is starting to invade Romanian culture (mostly through TV), many people still spend quality family time together, especially in the villages. Many values, which our society has lost to a large degree by the moral decay and breakdown of the family, are still alive in this country that has gone through so many hardships.

We just want to thank you again for your support of our Romanian projects. Please pray for this country that is being rocked by serious economic hard times. Inflation is rampant. Many people are desperate. May we each do what we can to help those who seek hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

“How well I remembered the many previous trips to Romania, beginning in 1991—the bumpy runway; soldiers standing by with machine guns & keeping an eye on...”

“...millions of booklets, tracts & Bible lessons printed; hundreds of thousands of books & Bibles printed or purchased over the years...”

“He kept saying we should engage in another national project— something that will impact the country as the Desire of Ages project did.”

“But God is in the business of taking the choices of men & turning them into something positive.”

“This center would choose the “cream of the crop” inmates who, after their release, could enter into a six-month training course at this facility.”

“The mayor has pledged to donate even more land next to the facility for extending the garden areas.”

“Next will come some essential health topics: preventing some common & frequent diseases, including managing cholesterol...”

“Many values, which our society has lost to a large degree by the moral decay & breakdown of the family, are still alive in this country that has gone through so many hardships.”