Gypsy Ministry Aiud

Having recently returned from Aiud- Romania, I would like to relate to you all some news that would make you able to somehow touch the people you help and pray for. Realistically, I know how “pray for” goes. We have good intentions but when someone actually brings it up we realize that we have (too often) forgotten. I also know that our intentions can be realized to a deeper degree if we know the people and their circumstances. It is my responsibility to facilitate the knowing of people you desire to help and I have not been diligent.

SO: One particular October day, Cip and I went to a small settlement on the outskirts of the city to invite the parents to bring their children to our Christmas program. On our way back we stopped at a stereotypical Gypsy camp of wagons we had seen. This segment of Gypsy is a very low percentage of the Gypsy population, maybe less than 3%. I admire the way Cip is so ready to meet new people, he said “let’s start by asking if they have anything to sell”. We had two little kids with us, which they thought were very cute, and it was no time at all until we were invited to sit with them and visit. Other times I have seen groups like this very wary, suspicious of strangers or aggressively trying to get something from you. One man asked me to sit by him and offered me the box he was sitting on. He sat close and leaned on my knee with his arm, much like a good friend would do. Cip asked if they had heard of Jesus Christ, none had. Well, he had to start close enough to “The Beginning” for things to make sense and after about 40 minutes of explanation they participated in a prayer, with the desire to know God. After this the fellow who sat close to me commented that he recognized me from a dream he had the night before. In the dream two men showed him a beautiful house, a palace with many good things and asked what it could mean. What do you think, how would you have answered? I still expected them to ask for something before we left but instead he invited us to stay to share their lunch. What was happening there in the ditch where the chickens scratched and the dirty children slept in covered wagons? God is ever so hidden and yet if we watch, it seems we can plainly see the effects of His presence.

In a section of the city called Propilor we have about 60 souls using an abandoned house and alley to live in. Beggars and garbage scroungers mostly but some of the strong young men must sometimes find temporary labour jobs. At four o’clock this particular day we find mostly women and children home and they ask “what can be done to rid us of all these rats? We have a man whose toes are chewed off and a baby whose nose is damaged in the same way.” Show me I asked. It was true. The rats are into everything and the people are afraid of them especially when it gets dark. Cip helped them to fill out a request to the city for a solution. The receipt in acknowledgment of the request might be all the response they get so we obtained some used oil to put in the holes but there are so many, we need more oil. This should discourage the rats from using those holes, anyway, we will see. My friend’s stomach was very queasy because of the smell and when he seen the dead dog that put him over the edge of coping.

He recovered in time to have a drunk abuse him for not fixing all their problems. He kept it up for about half an hour while the others told him off. It didn’t look like it was going to end so Cip went close to him and told him that he had said enough and it was time for him to be quiet or leave. Surprisingly he did quiet down while we had a lesson from scripture as the people sat quietly on the curb. We had brought 40 or 50 jars of Uncle Ben’s Chilli Sauce to give to them and the drunk was very surprised and ashamed when Cip gave him some too, after giving us such a hard time.



I’ll end with this account of a single mom, her little boy and her mother. Cip got word that a lady wanted to see the pastor. We didn’t have an address but only a general area on a particular street. We did find her and were invited inside. A very pleasant family, deserted by the husband and newly unemployed, she now lives with her mother. Many questions about the Bible, church and troubles in life were raised and discussed. Her spirit was much hungrier than her stomach but we left them a loaf of bread and a jar of chilli sauce we brought and they expressed their intention to pursue this further. Her and her little boy showed up at church the following Sunday and then came for lunch to Cip’s apartment. You might think by her gentle manner and nice dress she was used to being in church. I wonder how many people we pass by like this and are satisfied that they seem alright. It is such a privilege when someone lets us get close enough to have such an effect on their very existence. Through good reputation and gentle character Cip was trusted almost immediately.

Such a variety of circumstances these Gypsies come from, such a sure hope that draws them. Some will enter heaven insignificant, as the poor, sick man Lazarus did but some will be great examples of the power of the truth to transform. Those who are transformed have the hope of being elevated to the role of a servant, like the prodigal son but find themselves accepted as a son.

We thank God for all of you that have a concern for this ministry for you are indeed fellow labours in bringing the truth to this part of the world. We affirm the idea that what God has started, He will bring to fruition, if we remember; evil is overcome with good. Let us not give up out of fear.

Paul Schnell -Canada

Vice-President House of Hope Association