CEE Story From The Mission Field
The Key to Their Hearts
March 31, 2005
Boyd Hatchell, SC for the Roma team in Romania, visited the wealthy community of Sofades, Greece, in November to prepare for an upcoming mission trip he was planning with a group of Roma believers from Romania. He was not warmly received. The Roma there were skeptical of him and indifferent to his presence. However, when he returned with his Roma brothers in tow, the atmostphere was warm and hospitable. Within fifteen minutes, the team members were having lunch and coffee in their homes. The Roma told Boyd, “You were the key to Greece, we are the key to their hearts.”
March 4-13, 2005 a team of Romany Christians from Romania ministered in Romany communities in and around Larissa, Greece. Boyd Hatchel and Jim Whitley traveled with 9 Roma from Romania. After two days of traveling, they joined American volunteers from Virginia and Greek nationals for a week of ministry to Roma communities. It was amazing to see how God united the cultures to minister together.
"We have prayed that God would equip and call Romany believers to reach other Roma. We have seen it take place in communities in several European countries and now God has allowed us to see Roma reaching Roma internationally,” said Jennie, Boyd’s wife.
Having a common language was a bond that united the Roma from the two countries. Even though the dialects were slightly different and each has borrowed words from their host culture, they were easily able to communicate. In addition to the language, their shared history, similar appearance and like culture were connections between the two groups of Roma.
As the Romanian Roma entered once community they exclaimed, “These are our brothers, our people, the Roma.” The Romanian Roma recognized the commonality and brotherhood were open doors provided by God.
"It would have been easy for them just to talk about things in common,” said Jennie, “but they used the openness to talk about how they were different – because of a relationship with Jesus Christ. They were bold witnesses of the Gospel.”
After months of planning and preparation, the trip was an incredible experience for the team members. They had learned new ways to present the Gospel and effective ways to share their testimonies. They had practiced telling stories from the Bible. They had developed and practiced a dramatic presentation and music. The week in Greece was a time to apply what they had learned.
Part two of the mission trip is for each team member to continue living with the Greek Roma in order to continue teaching them. He or she will be responsible for providing follow-up in the communities where the team ministered with a goal of starting new Bible study groups. One of the team members, Simon, was the first selected to stay on. His plan was to be in the city of Larissa for three additional months. He returned to Romania with the team and planned to return to Greece two days later alone (because of entry requirements), but on his return trip to Greece he was denied exit at the Romanian border. Please pray that he will soon be able to return. Pray for wisdom as he ministers in Larissa.
The Roma Team is especially grateful for the volunteers from First Baptist Church Collinsville, VA, the Strategy Coordinator for Romany ministry in South Europe, B.E. and the Greek church in Larissa. Their efforts made the trip possible. If you are interested in knowing more about how you can be involved in supporting this team and its upcoming ministries, go to the Team Romany website at www.teamromany.com.