This is the last post for CBF Romany Ministries.

From now on, please go to 

Reflections by Keith and Mary

To read about CBF's work with (not for or to) Romany, look in the archives of this blog.

Below is a brief overview of who served on the team and where.

The CBF Romany Team began in 1992 with the appointment of pioneers "T" and Cathie Thomas. They grew the team to include first Ralph & Tammy Stocks (1995, Hungary & Romany), then Frank & Cindy Dawson (former USSR), Robbi & James Frankovich (focusing on Banjara in India), Keith Holmes & Mary Van Rheenen (resource coordinators, living in the Netherlands), and Amy & Jon Derrick (Slovakia and Czech Republic). Eddie & Macarena Aldape joined the Frankovich's in India. Allen and VerrDean Williams, CBF field personnel who had served in another capacity in Europe, shifted to focus on Domari-speakers.  The Thomases joined them. Earl and Jane Martin, CBF's first emeritus field personnel, served the team as volunteer prayer coordinators.

After the Derricks shifted to assignments back in the U.S.A., Rachel Stephen  joined the team. She served in the Czech Republic where she met and married her husband. The Brunclikova family continues to live in Czechia. Shane and Dianne McNary then focused on Slovakia & the Czech Republic. They were joined there by Jon & Tanya Parks. 

When the Thomases retired from the field, Sandy & Kevin Holmes worked with the Williams. The Holmeses were seconded from another sending agency. Mary Helen Brandon contributed to the Domari work through the two-year Global Service Corps.

Ralph & Tammy Stocks hosted a number of Global Service Corps volunteers. These included English teachers at the Gandhi School for Romany high school students in Pez, Hungary:  Mark Knowles, Penny Mann, and lastly Doug & Clista Adkins, who actually served for 3 years. Doug Adkins created and led the Gandhi School choir. Additionally, Cheri Hornbach taught English for two years at a Hungarian teachers' training college. 

The Stocks moved from Hungary to Bucharest, Romania. Four Global Service Corps volunteers served there. Wes & Cindy Craig (Gypsy Smith School; Ruth School) and Skyler & Ronella Daniel (Ruth School, children with special needs; chapel services + teaching). 
Global Service Corps member Elaine Childs who worked in Croatia also affiliated with the team. 

Since 1992, each of these team members have either transitioned to other roles within CBF, retired, or moved on to serve in other ways. The goal of the team has always been to work ourselves out of a job. We praise God for the many local partners who have made that possible. The Spirit continues to work through Romany Christians across Europe . . . and across the Globe.

God Calls Anytime, Anywhere... (Adkins Complete 3 Years)

Ask Glen and Clista Adkins, CBF Global Service Corps, about their call to Hungary. They were empty nesters ministering in a local church in the USA where Glen worked as the music minister and Clista taught Sunday School, one of several volunteer ministries for her. They came twice to Pecs, Hungary with a volunteer team to teach English at the Gandhi Roma High School. The details are a beautiful picture of how God calls us to minister on His timetable. They answered yes to His call and soon found themselves completely changing their lives to live among the Roma students.

That was three years ago. Their term of service has been completed and they have returned to the USA. Words seem inadequate to describe the impact they have had on the students of Gandhi. Glen built a very talented choir and more importantly built relationships through the universal language of music. He encouraged the students to express themselves and to teach him about their style of music. Clista taught English and served as a resource/tutor for many of the students and staff. She loved the students and was known for always being ready with hugs for all! Both Glen and Clista accepted these students for who they were and constantly reminded them through their actions that they were important and valued. They arranged choir tours (the most recent being an ensemble to the US this summer), helped open doors for advance education, bought school supplies and clothing, secured volunteer teams for fun weeks at school, continually offered words of encouragement, and so many other things. Their ministry was to love these students and if this can be measured by the tears shed as the Adkins said their good-byes, they were very successful.

The Gypsy Team of CBF would like to say thank you to Clista and Glen for being open to God’s leading to serve for three years among the Roma of the Gandhi School. We will miss you and pray for God’s continued leading as you transition back to the USA.

God calls anytime, anywhere. Could He be calling you?

For a more comprehensive look at the life of the Gandhi students go to: IAMROMA.com - a DVD ministry of FBC, Greenville, SC

Gandhi Ensemble Mid-Tour Update

The Gandhi Ensemble has taken the USA by storm. They've only been in the States for a week and a half but they have been singing their hearts out with eight concerts! The venues have been packed with supporters eager to hear this talented group. The standing ovations have been a great encouragement to these seven young people. The group not only sings, they also teach about the Gandhi School and their Roma culture. They've been reunited with many friends that have visited their school over the last 10 years. At FBC, Greensboro they sang with their new friends from the youth choir that visited this past spring. In Virginia they were reacquainted with the Latino friends they went with to the Baptist World Alliance Youth Meeting in Germany two years ago. Don't worry though, they are having fun too. Among several things, they've enjoyed the theme park, Carowinds, and touring Washington DC. Please continue to pray for them as they travel, sing, and teach others about their unique culture. Check out iamroma.com for information on the rest of the tour and the new DVD just released about Roma culture in southeast Hungary. Thanks for your support!

(Thank you Elaine Sarratt, FBC, Greenville, SC for the photo)

Gandhi Ensemble Meets Student.GO Team TAG

It was hard to tell which group was more excited - the Americans just arrived in Hungary to spend six weeks among the Roma or the Roma heading to the USA tomorrow to spend three weeks among the Americans! The Student.GO team went over to the hotel to meet the Gandhi School Ensemble for pizza and a little jam session. It was a perfect evening to sit outside, enjoy the cool weather, and watch Joshua, lead musician for the ensemble, try to teach, Kolby, uncoordinated American (his own words), to play the kanna (metal jug). The Roma students gave us a mini concert that had hotel guests coming out of their rooms to listen. Your prayers are needed for tomorrow, please. It is a big day for all. The Roma students fly out for Atlanta and their first night in Greenville, SC. The three American students load up the van and head for the village of Szakmarcseke to do their first week of kids' camp. It's likely there will be little sleeping among any of them tonight!

Gandhi Ensemble to tour USA!

The Gandhi Roma High School Ensemble under the direction of Glen Adkins, assisted by Clista Adkins, will tour the USA this summer. This very talented group sing traditional Roma (Gypsy) music as well as Hungarian and American. Make plans to attend one of the concerts listed below - load up the church bus, invite your friends - all concerts are free! See you there!

June 23, 6:45pm, CBF Commissioning Service, Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC

June 24, 9:00pm, CBF General Assembly, Resource Fair, Charlotte Convention Center, Hall B, Charlotte, NC

June 27, 8:45am, 11:00am, 6:30pm, First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC

June 28, 7:00pm, First Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC

June 29, 7:00pm, Fort Trial Baptist Church, Bassett, VA

June 30, 6:15pm, University Baptist Church, Charlottesville, VA

July 4, 9:40am, 11:00am First Baptist Church, Augusta, GA

July 6, Time TBA, Northminster Baptist Church, Jackson, MS

July 7, 6:00pm, First Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA

July 8, 8:00pm, Montego Plaza, Dallas, TX

July 9, The Hartford Insurance, Frisco TX; Hotchkiss Insurance, Carrollton, TX

July 11, 8:15am, 10:30am, 5:00pm, First Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL

July 12, 4:30pm Hymn Society for the United States and Canada Conference, Sanford University, Birmingham, AL (Conference registrants only)

Gandhi & Campbell - Day 3, The Last One

"Rain, rain go away..." so the old children's song goes. Unfortunately the rain was accompanied by gail force winds and very cool temperatures. The day started with a warm breakfast of sausages and pancakes with gallons of hot chocolate. We crowded into the common room for English lessons and play time, only venturing out for bathrooms (in another building) or a hot drink (also in another building). During the last devotion time Jonathan shared about the greatest hero of all: Jesus Christ. Then as is our tradition, we held a talent show, took a group picture, and finished up with S'mores. Who knew you could make S'mores in the oven?? The talent show was fun with lots of lively music and the students went wild when Glen and Clista sang an old bluegrass song. Tears flowed as we reminded the students they are loved by God, they are loved by us, and they can do ANYTHING they put their hearts, minds, and energies into. Gandhi students are the best!

Gandhi & Campbell - Day 2

Today could have been titled: How to Entertain Teenagers on a Rainy Day in a Small Space. The weather did not cooperate. It was rainy and cold with a a gusty breeze. This did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Gandhi nor the Campbell students. The Super Hero English lessons went smoother with more participation as the leaders grew more comfortable and the students grew bolder. The normal outdoor activities gave way to bracelet making, Wii playing, cards, folk dancing, assembling a puzzle, purse making from bandannas (the genius idea of Shirley Womble), movie watching, and of course, lots and lots of English conversation. We kept the food coming and the hot water pot full for tea and hot chocolate. The day ended with devotions led by Savi on the Bible Hero, Moses. Savi began his story time by saying, "Jo Estet!" which means good evening in Hungarian. The kids broke out in cheers and clapping. A great moment was watching the girls, eager to share their culture, teach Anna how to do a Roma dance. Despite the rain and gloomy skies, the day was filled with fun.

Gandhi Gimnaszium & Campbell University - Day 1

With the beginning of English camp today we marked the 5th anniversary of providing a fun-filled English-learning experience for Roma students at the Gandhi High School in Pecs. This is the 3rd year the student ministries of Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC, has partnered with the Stocks and Adkins to lead the camp. The excitement was so high and the reputation of fun so well known that there was a waiting list of teenagers that wanted to attend this year.

Today centered on getting to know one another, eating good food, practicing English, and playing games. The Gandhi students had barely gotten into the camp before a quick game of 'Round the World started at the ping pong table and the chalk lines were being drawn for 4 Square. The English lessons this week center on Super Heroes. Tonight during the devotional time, Campbell Divinity student, Shirley Womble, told the story of a real hero from the Bible, Queen Esther. Two girls called out because they are named Esther but were not familiar with their namesake.

Tomorrow promises more fun, story telling, games, and of course, lots of food (what else can one expect when 29 teenagers are hanging around?). Please pray as the Campbell team builds relationships that they will be the hands, feet, and mouthpieces of Christ. Please pray for the rain to hold off and the temperatures to be warm.

Clista Adkins & the Gandhi School IN THE NEWS

20/04/2010 - In this video, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) Field Personnel Glen and Clista Adkins talk about their involvement with the Gandhi School.　
The Gandhi High School in Pecs, Hungary, was founded with donations from several Romani organisations in 1992 to be the first Romani high school and has been running since 1994. It was named after the Indian Mahatma Gandhi, to emphasize the Indian origin of all Romani groups. The purpose of the middle school is to provide a school-leaving exam to improve the prospects of Romani children in Hungary and to foster pride in Romani culture. The school is financed by the Hungarian government with additional funds from the EU and donations. The school consists of 6 classrooms where about 250 male and female pupils study, mostly until the ages of 14 to 18. There are also programs for adult education. The first group of pupils who started in 1994 took their school-leaving exam in 2000 and of 18 pupils, 16 have applied to universities and 7 have been taken up. Less than 1% of Roma in Hungary are university graduates. Although the school is open to all, currently only five non-Roma are enrolled.
Link: http://dreamzz2020.blogspot.com/2010/04/working-with-roma-people-at-gandhi.html

Boldog Valentine Nap (Happy Valentine's Day)

"Boldog Valentine Napot!" (Happy Valentine's Day) with those words the week of FBC, Greenville, SC being with the students at Gandhi ended. The team members handed out valentines of crocheted book marks to each student with a reminder of God's love for them. Good byes were said and a few tears were shed. Thank you FBC, Greenville for investing in the lives of these students the last six years. It has been a terrific partnership with many Gospel seeds planted.

Gandhi's Got Talent!

Simply saying, "Gandhi's Got Talent" is an understatement! The students of this school are exceptionally gifted. The week of English tutoring and special events traditionally ends with an all-school talent show. This year was no exception. The talents ranged from traditional Gypsy dancing (as seen in the photo) to hip-hop to modern Hungarian pop. The library was packed with students eager to cheer on their friends. The talent portion ended with the FBC, Greenville group leading a routine to "Love Train" which turned into a free-for-all dance session. After the awards were given out everyone was surprised with ice cream. As the students made their way to their dorm rooms you could hear laughter and the refrain of "Love train, join hands, love train, get on board..."

Ready to Jam

The Gandhi Choir meets on Tuesday evenings and is led by Glen Adkins. This past Tuesday arrangements had been made for the choir to give a concert to the visiting team from FBC, Greenville. Imagine the cheers and clapping when the four musicians of the choir walked in wearing matching shiny silver and black shirts! It was a special surprise for Glen and for the guests. The young men enjoyed the attention and shouts of "Hey good-looking!" The girls were equally decked out in traditional attire or their very best clothes.

The choir gave a a beautiful performance with several students singing solos. They are very talented singers and musicians. Definitely a group of teenagers that the Gandhi School can be proud of.

A special thanks to all who have partnered with CBF to provide Global Service Corps workers in the past (Mark Knowles, Penny Mann) and present (Glen and Clista Adkins) to be the presence of Christ.

Fun With the Gandhi Bible Club

The Gandhi Bible Club began in 2000 when CBF placed the first Global Service Corps person, Mark Knowles, at the Gandhi School to teach English. It was a partnership with the Hungarian Youth at the Pecs Baptist Church assisted by Tamas and Szilvi Goebl. When Penny Mann arrived a few years later, she and the Goebls continued the club. Today the Bible Club members meet with Glen and Clista Adkins and the Goebls.

This past Monday the First Baptist Church Greenville, SC team provided a few surprises for the Bible club and a good time was had by all! The evening began with singing, an icebreaker game, and a devotion on the Good Samaritan. These students understand what a Samaritan may have faced during Jesus' time. Also the lesson of "Who is a Neighbor?" was good for all of us.

The second half of the club time was spent playing Bingo by placing red hot candies on the cards as the numbers were called out. Next pictures were taken of the students to be placed in frames with the week's Bible verse theme on them. Lastly there was food! Teenagers the world over love to eat and these are no exception. The homemade Valentine sugar cookies were a welcome treat until the teens spotted the chocolate. This was all topped off with chips, coke, and hot cocoa. What a night!

Gandhi, Tshirts, & Hot Cocoa, Oh My!

Most of the Gandhi students board at the school dorm and they begin trickling in between 5PM-8PM on Sunday evenings. What better way is there to be greeted on a cold wintery night than with a steaming hot cup of cocoa? In one of the common areas the FBC Greenville folk set up a hot chocolate station and a table overflowing with tshirts. The hot chocolate was a treat and the marshmallows were a new thing for some of the kids. Since there is no equivalent in Hungarian we called them "sponge candy". Like most teenagers, the Roma kids love tshirts. The long-sleeved, red t's with a light bulb on the front were very popular. The theme this week is "Let your Light Shine". There were lots of shouts of greetings as the older students came through the doors and saw members of the Greenville group - some have come multiple times and the relationships have grown.

Great way to spend a cold, snowy evening in Pecs, Hungary

**In the picture are three of our students assistants helping with the tshirt distribution - Kitti, Barbi, and Ricsi

ET gets a Computer

FBC Greenville has been investing in the lives of the Gandhi students for several years. When they first started ET was a young student, small, but very vocal and energetic. The team members have watched him mature into a wonderful young man. Most of us, though, will always picture that little boy trying to help FBC member, Henry, clap in rhythm to a praise song and seeing ET burst into laughter when Henry couldn't quite get it.

ET graduated last year from Gandhi and this past fall began his studies at the university in law. To show support for him and to say how proud they are of what he has accomplished, FBC Greenville gifted ET with a computer. When it was presented to him today at lunch he was overcome with emotion. With tears in his eyes he thanked the FBC members over and over. It was a huge gesture of encouragement and will make life easier as ET becomes a lawyer.

Thank you FBC, Greenville for caring about a young Roma boy and continuing to support him through the years.

Gandhi Staff Appreciation

The staff at the Gandhi Roma High School in Pecs, Hungary works hard. As a way of saying thank you for all they do to teach and help the Roma youth the team from FBC, Greenville, SC provided lunch for them. With Valentine themed table decorations, gyro sandwiches, and homemade cookies the staff was made to feel extra special. Becky Bouton, team leader, presented Erzsbet, Gandhi director, with the gift of a bag and then each staff person received one. The food was delicious and the fellowship sweeter. Thank you hardworking Gandhi staff!

The Widow's Mite

"We don't have a lot but we wanted to help." With those words the director of the Gandhi Roma High School in Pecs presented Glen Adkins, CBF personnel, with an envelope of money for Haiti relief. The students had displayed the sign pictured above asking for donations in jars scattered throughout the school. They gave generously from the little they have. At their request the money will soon be helping Hungarian Baptist Aid in their efforts to help the Haitian people. Thank you Gandhi students and staff!

Gandhi Choir Update...

**New to the Gypsy Ministry Blog? Glen and Clista Adkins serve at the Gandhi High School for Roma (Gypsy) students in Pecs, Hungary. Clista is an English tutor while Glen serves as the choir director. This is the most recent news about the student choir.

During the last two weeks of school, the Gandhi choir was delighted to be invited to perform three times, twice outside the school and once at the Gandhi Christmas program. The choir members loved performing their “new” selections for a gathering of Roma children at a neighborhood community center on a Tuesday afternoon. The following afternoon, the Gandhi kids were amazed at the warm reception they received from an entirely NON-Roma group of older Hungarians at the community center. The crowd seemed to be genuinely impressed by the music they heard, by the talent in the group, and by the fact that an 18-year-old Roma student was translating for Glen (English to Hungarian). As they were leaving the performance, the Gandhi students marveled over the fact that the enthusiastic audience was completely non-Roma. They kept saying, “There were no Gypsies there! They liked us!” What a Christmas gift those folks gave to the Gandhi students!

The next week, the choir sang for a standing-room-only crowd at Gandhi’s annual Christmas program. The solos were beautiful; the new songs were wonderful; and the finale of “Feliz Navidad”—complete with Santa Hats—was a hit! The student body and the faculty cheered and cheered. At the close of the concert, Glen gave every choir participant a Santa Hat that we bought and brought from America last summer.

Most recently the choir has begun their preparations for their spring-break tour of Roma villages in southern Hungary. After the Christmas concert, several new students asked to join the choir, so Glen is beginning 2010 feeling very encouraged. The choir is having its best year yet. This reminds us that God is working!

In Bucharest With Ruth & Gypsy Smith

With the Ruth School and the Gypsy Smith Leadership Training School, that is...

The Ruth Center was abuzz with activity this past week. The November session of the Gypsy Smith School was held with 15 leaders from across Romania attending. Glen Adkins taught on worship while Ralph Stocks taught from the gospel of Mark. This marked the 12th session for Sorin and we celebrated with him in a recognition service on Thursday night. That morning Clista Adkins and Tammy Stocks prepared a banquet of snack foods for the GSS students. We laughed when Mona, Project Ruth staff member, had to explain what dip was and demonstrate how to dip veggies and chips. The food was a bit strange but the men gathered around to eat until only crumbs were left. Throughout the week the halls were alive with singing and accordion music.

GSS was not the only show in town, however. Clista and Tammy provided a Staff Appreciation week for the hardworking Project Ruth employees and teachers. The walls were sprinkled with signs of encouragement and thanks for the jobs they do. Each day the staff received a little appreciation gift of fruit, candy, pencils, or a water bottle with a message of love attached. On Tuesday the Ruth School teachers had their own tea time. "All of this is for us?" is the question we heard over and over. The Ruth students helped us by designing pages for booklets for their teachers. There were lots of smiles and hugs were abundant as we passed out decorated baskets of school supplies. The director, Tita, thanked us by saying the staff felt blessed by the attention and enjoyed it. It was our pleasure to encourage them in their vital role of teaching the Roma children of the neighborhood.

As Thanksgiving nears, please join us in thanking God for this ministry and the people who serve through it. Ask Him to continue to send good people to teach and work at Project Ruth. Ask Him to continue to provide the financial resources for its provision.

Gandhi Choir on Tour

If a picture is worth a thousand words, we must have at least a million here! These are pictures of the recent Choir Tour of the Gandhi Roma High School in Pecs, Hungary. The choir is led by CBF field personnel, Glen Adkins with his wife, Clista, serving as his assistant. After looking at the pictures, read the next four posts below this one for the "rest of the story" in Clista's own words. It was a wonderful experience for all involved in so many ways. Thank you for praying and supporting this ministry. (To read all the blog entries you may have to hit "older posts" at the bottom of the page.)