Passing the Torch

Thirty years ago this German deaconess (Sister Luisa Sator) started an organization for the translation and distribution of Scripture in Romany languages, beginning with Sinti Romany. She wanted the work to be taken over by Sinti themselves as soon as possible. 

This has been happening gradually for many years. This past Saturday, the Germans in the organization formally handed it over to the Sinti, specifically Pastor Kennedy and Otta Laubing. 

Romanes Arbeit Marburg (Romany Work Marburg) is now in Koblentz. This photo shows former director Jens Döhling handing the organization over to Otta Laubing. He does this symbolically by giving her the files for the entire Bible in her heart language.

Keith and I have worked closely with Otta, Kennedy, and others at this organization for over 20 years. Every dubbed and recorded item on display last Saturday had been recorded by Keith. Otta and Kennedy now hope to record the Old Testament. Keith is willing to train some Sinti to do this themselves. 

It was wonderful to be part of this celebration, to see old colleagues and make new connections. (Armin & Ursula Peter, left, receiving gifts in acknowledgement of their work as translation coordinators. Keith took many a recording road trip with Armin.)

Mostly it was incredibly encouraging to see God at work, changing lives and empowering people. 

Thank You for this amazing experience and this amazing day. 

(And the cake, made by one of the Sinti, was amazing, too! 

 O Debleskro Drom, on this cover of the entire Sinti Bible,  roughly translates as God's Way.
Talk about being fed from the Word of God . . . .  )

New location for Romanes Arbeit . . .

Pastor Kennedy Laubing also shared a word with us all. 

And then we headed back home, filled with more than just cake.

How do you mail a letter? The easiest way, where I come from, was to either have the stamped addressed letter sticking out of the mail slot in your front door or to put it in your mail box and put the flag up. In either case, the mail carrier would pick it up. 

So naturally, when we moved to the Netherlands, I did this. 

The mail carrier kept pushing it back in the front door with the rest of the mail. 

I kept putting it back in the front door mail slot.

After several days of mutual frustration, I asked a friendly Dutch person how to mail a letter. It was quite simple. Bring it to the post office or drop it in one of these orange Dutch mail boxes. Easy, once you know the system. Baffling and frustrating if you do not.

I, the stranger, am deeply grateful for the locals who were (and are) willing to help me cope in this strange land. Consider being a helpful local when you see a stranger in your own land.  

Matthew 25:35 " . . . I was a stranger, and you welcomed me . . ."