Romany believers from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Moldova have been going abroad to work for many years. 

Isn’t it possible, someone asked pastor Petru Ciochina earlier this month, for believers to earn a living in Moldova and build up their church there?  No, Petru replied. He gave the example of two women who wanted to work in a sewing factory. Oh, they were told, this work is too hard for you; you wouldn’t like the hours; the pay wouldn’t be enough for you . . ..” 

Really, they didn’t get the job because they were Roma. (Note that it was different in the Soviet days when these two Roma women did work in a sewing factory--a factory which subsequently closed.)

Even if Roma can find work, salaries in Moldova are low but living expenses (due to inflation) are high. And Roma tend to have more than just two children. children. It would be difficult to earn enough in Moldova to support their families.

So the Roma go abroad. They come back for holidays, family celebrations, and to attend to business at home. Some go to Poland to beg (by Catholic religious sites). Christians do not do this. They go to Germany or the Netherlands to work. For example, those in North Holland have jobs in greenhouses picking tomatoes and cucumbers. 

They miss worshipping in a language they understand. They miss fellowshipping with other Christians. So when we visited those working in North Holland with their pastor and worshipped together it was especially meaningful. To us all.

Pray with us for all who go abroad to work. 

And welcome those who must go abroad to work, for whatever reason.

Prayerfully, Mary & Keith

NOTE:  North Holland is a province in the Netherlands. Amsterdam is in the province of North Holland. Rotterdam and De Hague are in the province of South Holland. We live near Arnhem in the province of Gelderland.