This year's Offering for Global Missions highlights the work of Shane & Dianne McNary. Shane explained to me their approach to work with Roma:
We intentionally chose to come alongside of Roma organizations who were either already engaged in ministry/work or who needed a catalyst to begin their work. We made it clear that we were there to assist as needed and not to manage or assume responsibility.
Slovak contains two main words to describe a project where two or more are working together, cooperating: spolupraca, literally working together; and druzba, friendship. While druzba would sound so perfect to describe what we were aiming for, we learned that the word had historically been used by Russians to describe the 'cooperative' work done between Moscow and Czechoslovakia. Druzba came to mean the antithesis of working together. It was a top-down, dominant-subjugated relationship. Paternalism resulted from druzba. Therefore, when we wanted to test the waters, so to speak, about working together, we would continually speak of spolupraca and then mention druzba as the model we were not interested in. It communicated very, very clearly beyond the meaning of the words to the true intent of the relationship we sought.
Each work began with listening to what they (the local Roma) were doing or wanted to do so we could discern if it was something we could assist with. Sometimes there were things which were excellent, but not a focus of our ministry. In those cases - a bio-farm that employed Roma, a Catholic priest who was working with the community to repair a football (soccer) pitch - we listened and learned and said clearly that this was not something we are engaged in.
Another key, early conversation when we were listening and learning about what the groups were doing was when we began to brainstorm together about how we could collaborate. If we could come up with a project or series of steps where we were comfortable journeying together with them, I would insist that they understand what I meant when I said, "Tomorrow I will die. So whatever we commit to, together, today, you must be willing to carry it on without our presence." If they understood, we would move forward. If it was clear that the project required our presence, then we backed out.
On money (I highly recommend Jonathan Bonk's Missions and Money, revised and expanded edition. Should be required reading for every missionary), other than the one-time-only gifts which we did intentionally and with full awareness of those we sponsored, we were very careful not to rush in with money as a fix for any problem. When we did commit to working together, we were very clear about the use of the funds before we ever transferred any money . . ..
And finally, trust. My trust was not primarily that the Roma would spend money the way I wanted, for what I intended, and in ways that would please me. My trust was always that the money would be spent for what was most needed - both program money with schools, churches, NGO's and with individuals. And because my trust also extended to those I partnered with, I no longer saw money/resources as the primary measure of ministry anyway. Faithfulness to the relationship I had established took precedence over successful implementation of the program/plan/budget I had worked out with them.
Shane and Dianne McNary worked with Roma during the 19 years they served with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Slovakia and Czech Republic. They have now transitioned to working with CBF Great Rivers Fellowship (Shane) and as advocate for the Offering for Global Missions (Dianne).
