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.

The Word of God made Flesh

Last year during Advent we posted a series of reflections called “Spotting Jesus” in which we reflected on the "Advent" of Jesus around us here and now - where does Jesus appear in our everyday life?  We're continuing that series this year, and the first entry is about East Slovak Romany translation of the New Testament that was published only a couple of months ago.

A month ago, I was blessed to be a part of the celebration for the release of that translation.  At that time I purchased a few of these new Bibles, because I knew I'd have lots of opportunities to share them.  Since then, I’ve been giving copies to a few key people, hoping for both feedback on the translation (which I can’t yet read), and praying for opportunities to purchase and distribute more. 

Any translation is a time-consuming process, and there’s cause to celebrate anytime a new translation is released – most especially into a language which has had few or no translations. Before this I had not taken much time to reflect, to understand just how blessed we are as English speakers to have so many versions of the Bible in our language.  When I was a pastor in Virginia and I encountered some problem while preparing Bible studies and sermons, I could go to the shelf in my office and find at least 10 different translations.  If those didn’t help, I could go to the internet and find dozens more.  I certainly didn’t have to go digging into Bibles in one of my weaker second languages (Spanish or Slovak, for instance) just so I could hear what God has to say.

I expected these people to be interested in these new Bibles.  What I didn’t expect was their surprise, wonder and joy!

“You mean this is in Romanes?  ALL of it is in Romanes?”

“And this is even in OUR Romanes (our local dialect)!”

 [calling someone over] “Have you seen this?  It’s a Bible, in our Roma language!”

I didn’t expect the delight on their faces as they read the words aloud.  Many local Roma are not used to reading their own language, but the translation is written so they can pronounce it as if they were reading Slovak.  When they heard the familiar words coming out of their own mouths, their eyes lit up with joy!

To get theological for a moment, perhaps we don’t often realize what a miracle it is that the Word of God can speak to us in our own language.  In a way it’s a miracle similar to the one that happened so many Christmases ago – that’s what we celebrate, that the Living Word, the Son of God, took on human flesh and expressed God in a human way.  In the same way, anytime you read or hear the Written Word and can understand it, you know that this Ancient Word has taken on English form… and you can know that this Word is speaking directly to YOU.

So these past few days, I’ve spotted Jesus in the faces and voices of people hearing God’s Word in their own native language.   I’ve seen reflections of the Word of God as it has been “incarnated” into the English, Slovak and Roma languages.  It’s an amazing thing to behold… an Advent that we too often overlook.

Celebration in Sabinov

Some photos from the celebration yesterday, where people from around the world gathered to dedicate and bless the translation and publication of the New Testament into Eastern Slovak Romani.

At least 300 people were present at the celebration last night, which was held at the Apostolic Church in Sabinov, Slovakia.  There were songs of praise, prayers of dedication, sermons and many readings from the new translation.  During a time of fellowship, people from around the world hugged and shook hands, celebrating the work of many people - and a mighty God - in the creation of this translation that will serve so many Roma in this part of the world.

One Roma pastor from a nearby village summed up the feelings of those present.  With great emotion but a strong voice he said: We Roma are only a small nation.  We're not much, really just a spot on the map.  But small as we are, now we have God's Word in our own language!  I'm so thankful!

The first hard copies of the New Testament (see photo at right) were sold during the event for a small price, and these printed copies are already spreading across Eastern Slovakia.  A website URL kept popping up on slideshows, handouts and bumper stickers - links to the recorded copy, which may be even more significant than the printed copies, since many Roma in the area can't read it for themselves.

Great things are happening among the Roma in Slovakia - thanks be to God!

A group of pastors and translators join all those present in praying God's blessing on this new translation.

Think About It: Volunteers Needed

We have a request for you to consider.

Each year our team has a face-to-face meeting somewhere.  This year it was in North Carolina following the CBF General Assembly, because all our team members were in the U.S.  Next year, our Romany Team will meet with the Albanian-Ukrainian team on March 27-31, 2014 in Palma de Mallorca, an island off the coast of Spain.

There are many logistics involved in such a meeting, of course.  But there's one important question that we, as parents, think of immediately:  While the M's meet, what will the MK's be doing?  It's an important question for two reasons.  First, the adults will need to give their full attention during the meeting times.  But even more important for us is that this time can be a real ministry to our MK's.  Seldom do they get to meet and play together, with other kids who can completely understand what it's like to be an MK.

We're looking for someone to love our children during these days.  It's an opportunity to minister to these MK's and to their parents, as well as a chance to visit a place that (from all we can tell) is absolutely gorgeous!

Think about it.  Pray about it.  Let us know (contact the Parks - jparks AT thefellowship DOT info) if you're interested - or if you have an idea of someone else who might be.  See the description below for more information.

Childcare worker needed!

Who: Couple or individual to provide childcare for four children of CBF Field Personnel (one preschooler who loves LEGOs, one 2nd grader who loves math, and two 3rd graders who love to chase pigeons)

What: Childcare during team meetings – programming can range from just kind-fun activities to VBS-type ideas. Depending on the volunteer’s comfort level, some sightseeing or museum visiting, etc. with the kids is also possible.

When: March 27-31, 2014 (Actual dates of the meetings)

Where: Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Why: To serve God through service to these missionary families. To have fun with some awesome kids. To learn more about how CBF is serving around the world.

Costs: Because this is a volunteer position, it is necessary that all expenses be provided by the volunteer.

• Lodging for a couple - $280; includes breakfast and lunch during meetings and 4 nights hotel stay (dinners are not included in this cost) 
• Transportation – flight estimates from ATL to PMI (just to give an idea) are around $1000 per person. 
• Other fees to consider – local transportation during meeting, any activity expenses, other meals, souvenirs, etc.

An Example of Forgiveness

It was a unique service at Devleskero Kher (our Roma/Slovak church) that morning. There were 50 people visiting from Norway, at least 30 from Germany, a team of five from the USA, and many Roma and Slovaks present. The two large visiting European teams had been working tirelessly in the villages in the area. The American team had just arrived the night before, and they were still fighting jet-lag from a long trip across the ocean. And the church members were exhausted from a long week of hosting such a large group. Despite the tiredness in those present, there was a lively service of worship and praise. Songs and testimonies in Slovak, Romani, English, and Norwegian added to the spirit of unity and global celebration.

The spirit of the Lord was certainly in that place. As the service progressed, each of the leaders of the churches (German and Norwegian) had been asked to say a bit. The leader of the German group got up to speak. He thanked the church for their hospitality, talked of how much he and their team had grown from their experiences in the villages, and told a few stories of their time together. He then proceeded to tell about his Grandfather, who had been one of the leaders in the Nazi party. (For those who are not aware, the Nazis killed an estimated half million Gypsies during the Holocaust.) 

With tears in his eyes this man confessed that he did not know what his grandfather had done to the Roma, but because of his grandfather’s position in the movement, he was sure that atrocities had been committed to Roma because of his grandfather. He apologized to the Roma present, on behalf of his family, and on behalf of his people, for the horrors that had been done to them. There was not a dry eye in the room as the pastor of Devleskero Kher invited some of the older Roma men and women to come to the front and officially accept this heartfelt request for forgiveness. In response, one of the Roma leaders admitted that they had demonized the German people as well, and asked for forgiveness as well. 

We were witness to a prayer of forgiveness and reconciliation between these two different groups of people. The walls of hatred which had been present for many years was beginning to diminish, if even in this one place. And all I kept thinking was, ‘if reconciliation cannot happen within the body of Christ, where will it begin?’ 

As Americans, we cannot fully understand the long-standing hatred between these two groups. We cannot fully grasp what this kind of forgiveness takes. More than likely over a half-million Gypsies were killed, most of them not documented because the Nazis didn’t think the Gypsies were even worth writing down. The hatred is strong, and the bitterness has been around for years. But, we got to witness a small portion of the wall crumbling as one man was bold enough to seek forgiveness. 

Where have you allowed bitterness and hatred to keep you from full fellowship with Christ? How can you be an ambassador of forgiveness and humility in love in the body of Christ? This kind of healing doesn’t come from the world. This is the kind of healing that can only start with God’s people. What kind of healing can only start with you?

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Article: When "special" means segregation

This editorial recently appeared in the Slovak Spectator, Slovakia's English-language newspaper.  Written by staff writer Beata Balogová, it addresses one way that some countries' school systems intentionally segregate the Roma... with results that can have a generational impact.

26 Aug 2013 | Beata Balogová | Opinion

Photo by Sandy Carter, (c) 2013 Sandy Carter Photography.

DISTRESSING stories related to Roma communities with unemployment rates in excess of 90 percent begin well before encounters at labour offices where many Roma are told that there are no jobs for unqualified applicants, or for those with qualifications, that a non-Roma candidate would be preferred anyway. These stories often start on the day children from these marginalised communities are sent to special schools where they do not actually belong, while their parents are told by those who ‘classify’ them that these classes ‘for children with special needs’ are actually much better because they will be with other kids like them.

Many of these marginalised children will never be able to get out of this trap and will continue living in settlements or ghettoes, while the non-Roma population continues to build walls to protect themselves from those they call ‘nonadjustable citizens’.

(click here to read the rest of the article...)

Article: A Unique School

A few weeks ago our friend Pavol Ičo, the English teacher at the Roma high school here in Kosice, had this article published in the Slovak National Newspaper, the oldest newspaper in the country (their website is here).  He writes about the importance of the work they are doing there, and why education among the Roma here in Slovakia is such a difficult but vital task.  With his permission, I posted a translation of that article on our blog, and am reposting that article here.  We are proud of Pavol (who is Slovak) for publicly tackling such a difficult racial issue among his countrymen!  

Please remain in prayer for this school - it has been almost completely defunded, and its future is uncertain.

(The footnotes are ours, provided for clarification.)

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Pavol Ičo (center) teaches at the Roma Gymnazium in Kosice.

A Unique School

About 70 students study at the Roma private gymnazium (1) at #9 Galakticka Street in Kosice. That’s not many, compared to the average Slovak gymnazium; but on the other hand, keeping in mind the fact that more than 85 percent of Roma children study in “special schools,” (2) then each gymnazium-level Roma student – and especially graduates – are actually very rare.

Our efforts, as teachers in the above-mentioned gymnazium, are particularly aimed at giving the students as much direct knowledge as possible during the learning process at the school. The results of these efforts are demonstrated by the fact that, during its ten years of existence, the school has graduated nearly 70 students. Only a small number of Roma are able to handle all the requirements demanded of gymnazium graduates, which is understandable when you consider the type of environment these students come from. (3)

Study in the gymnazium is especially difficult for Roma girls.  They often become mothers at an early age, and therefore have little interest in education.

So how have we managed to bring such a relatively high number of Roma to graduation?

Certainly it is mainly a question of providing access. The Roma student indeed sees the teacher first as a person, and so it seems effective to approach the Roma pupils in view of the theory of humanistic education, that views education (and the entire learning process) as a coming-together of two personalities. And particularly these Roma pupils, who in everyday life struggle with a lack of attention from their parents, with poverty, with hunger and often also with physical punishment and sexual abuse – these students deserve respect and attention from the teachers, if only because they have interest in education and because, in place of criminal activities, they have chosen a more difficult path: the path of learning. But even considering this fact, in our gymnazium pupils are not graded more leniently than elsewhere. And our school’s educational program, as well as the thematic lesson plans, are based on the state’s educational curriculum.

However, we approach individual topics with our students using fun methods: knowledge competitions, for example, which do not require a word-for-word reproduction of knowledge and concepts, but focus instead on the overall comprehension and understanding of the given issue.

Despite the fact that most of our graduates have been accepted to universities at home and abroad, the state barely gives us any financial support.

They say there is no need for Roma gymnaziums. They say that talented Roma students can study in standard gymnaziums. But which “white” parent would sit their child beside a Roma classmate? And which Roma would be able to endure the bothersome teasing of his much wealthier classmates?

For now, therefore, Roma need their own schools. Schools in which they will not be seen as second-class citizens, schools in which they can see that that an interest in learning can produce more than just screaming from white teachers.

The path to improving the education level of Roma will undoubtedly be challenging, but the very existence of three Roma gymnaziums in Slovakia is proof that this path is not impossible.

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(1) The Slovak word "gymnazium" doesn't really have an equivalent in English.  It's a form of secondary education that focuses students toward university study, rather than vocational or trade study.  Gymnazium study can last up to eight years, and would occur when U.S. students are going to middle- and high-schools.  Not all students study in gymnazium - some spend those years in a professional schools or vocational/trade schools.

(2) "Special schools" - Roma are often placed into schools for those considered mentally disabled.

(3) Most of the students at this school live in the infamous Lunik IX ghetto in Kosice.

Hurry Up and Sing!

A second-year student at the Roma gymnazium.

Today we spent our last day of the school year at the Roma gymnasium on Galakticka street in Kosice.  The school faces an uncertain future - it has recently been defunded by the Slovak government, and is in danger of closing.  More than just our last visit for the year, today might have been our last day there, period.  We were a bit emotional as we made the 30-minute bike ride and talked about the different challenges that the school faces.

As we arrived at the school, I realized I had forgotten something important... the kids had asked us to sing for them today, since this would be our last day. My somber mood dissolved in a quick flurry of activity.  We borrowed a guitar from the school office, quickly tuned it up, and rushed into the hot classroom to play for the kids.

It ended up something like a concert, with the kids listening and clapping loudly when we were done.  We didn’t have printed music with us, so we were limited in what we could sing for them – mainly worship songs that we play often when we worship as a family, a few simple children’s songs and American folks songs that I could play with basic guitar chords.  We even taught them a couple, though they were mostly shy to sing along – “Father I Adore You,” “The Bear Went over the Mountain,” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”

Of course, teaching a simple worship song to kids – in a language they barely understand – is nothing like an evangelistic meeting!  But today was a great way to end this school year for us:  with a reminder of the relationships we’ve been able to build this year, and a reminder of how incredibly open and curious these kids have been when we’ve talked about the reason we’re here.  

Whatever the status of the school next year, we are praying for more open doors with these kids, to help them find a hope and a Love that can make a difference in their difficult lives!

Language Learning: Incarnational Ministry

What is mankind that you are mindful of us, human beings that you would care for us?  (Psalm 8:4, adapted from NIV)

We were sitting in a parents’ meeting at the girls’ school, which was of course conducted entirely in Slovak.  Tanya and I played one of those games where you try to see if you can figure out – from the words you know, facial expressions, body language – what’s going on.  (“One of those games” I call it, as if it’s not something we do several times every day.)  I had to leave the meeting early, so I wrote out my guess for Tanya before I left.

Turns out I was completely wrong about the meeting.  I lost the “game.”  I usually do.

It happens all the time, but for some reason this time made me think – why do I bother?  Why do we have to climb over the language barrier, when there are easier ways to get around it?  There are plenty of people here in Kosice – I’ve met them – who get by in English and never bother themselves to learn the language.  After all, many Slovaks want to practice their English, which is rapidly becoming a lingua franca, a common language.

Or instead of paying for language lessons, we could pay someone to be on hand 24-7 to translate for us.  This would be easier, and would give someone a job.

If we took one of these approaches, who knows what we could be accomplishing right now??  Instead, we’re slogging through language lessons, learning at a snail’s pace and being “children” all day.  As several missionary friends and colleagues have told us, “Sometimes we want to hang a sign on our neck that says, ‘We may look stupid to you, but we have Masters’ Degrees!’”

So why do we do it?  Because we believe that learning language and culture are “incarnational.”  Maybe you already know what it means, but I’ll explain it anyway.

By sending Jesus to become a human being, God did a pretty amazing thing.  Sometimes I tend to forget just how amazing it was that God shoved all his god-ness into a tiny human body, bounded by time and space, subject to silly human limitations like hunger, thirst, tiredness, and emotions.  That’s what “incarnation” means – from the Latin verb incaro, meaning “to put into flesh.”  Jesus was God, squeezed into human flesh.

He didn’t just pop into existence as an adult – he came as a baby.  The Sustainer God would not have survived if a “mere” human woman had not given him sustenance and love.  God the Author of Creation had to struggle in lessons to learn his “Aleph, Bet, Gimel…” (ABC’s).  God the Three-in-One had to struggle with friendships and relationships as he grew into adolescence and adulthood.  I could go on, but you get the point.

Now, imagine God decided to do accomplish salvation some other way.  What if he did not come in human form – what if God simply “zapped” us with salvation instead?

In essence, in the act of the incarnation God said, “human beings are important enough to me that I want to become one of them in order to save them.”  Jesus’ coming brought immense dignity to what it means to be a human being.  And that was part of the salvation – affirming that we humans are worth saving.  So he did not simply zap us with salvation, nor did he just appear on earth as a fully-grown human man.  Jesus came to experience everything that it means to be a human being:  birth, childhood, being a teenager, experiencing pain and exhilaration, sadness and joy, tiredness and laughter.

Isn't this really what we're all called to do, to step outside of our own little world and to enter someone else's?  Not to save them - that's not our job - but to be the presence of Christ to them  in some small way?  Isn't this part of what it means to "act and think like Jesus" (Phil. 2:5)?  And in the process, we find our own world is made a bit larger and better because of it.  The way we see it, this is what it means to learn someone else’s language and culture.

So yes, we could survive here in English… there are many people who do.  But learning about the languages and the cultures are a form of incarnational ministry – becoming like children, so that we can more fully understand what it means to be a part of these cultures.

Photo: Tara Green, 2012

We’ve already seen evidence this can make a difference. I saw it in the bright smile of a Gypsy woman when I finally made her understand that I wanted to know the name of the food she was preparing… in the ROMA language, not just the Slovak language.

We saw it in the face of a young waitress who asked us why we wanted to stay in her “small unimportant country.”  She stood for several seconds in stunned silence after we told her that we thought her country was beautiful, her people charming, her language fun and challenging.

I saw it in the grin of a dear Roma friend when I asked him to show me how to play guitar in the Gypsy style, even though I already know a different way.

I saw it in the smile of the locksmith down the street, who lit up when I told him I was (slowly) learning his language and wanted to watch him make a copy of my key.

Maybe learning languages and cultures aren’t just stepping-stones to ministry.  Maybe, in some mysterious way, they are a ministry in themselves.

Pulse of the Planet - Roma

Photo Credit: Carol Silverman

Pulse of the Planet is a short daily radio program on NPR stations that blends information with sounds recorded from real life.  Yesterday a Facebook friend alerted me that  Pulse of the Planet had recently replayed a series of four programs they produced about the Roma people in 2011.  The programs feature music by Roma musicians, basic information about the Roma, and some windows into their everyday lives.

Go check out the programs when you have time - there are four programs (about two minutes each) and you can stream them on the website or download them as MP3.  Access the stories below.

It's refreshing to hear accurate and respectful portrayals of the Roma Gypsy people, which are not common in television and movies!

Part 1 - Roma: Origins

Part 2 - Roma: Nomadic

Part 3 - Roma: Census

Part 4 - Roma: Amplified Music

Day 7: My Disciples Have Love for One Another

Join us in praising God for the following ways He is at work with the Romany

A young man who graduated from the Ruth School four years earlier returned to school, successfully completed high school, and received a scholarship to Polytechnic Engineering University in October 2011.

A small group of believers in Detva, Slovakia, were touched by the ministry of Romany believers from Cinobana. The group in Detva asked to have regular meetings, modeled after the one in Cinobana. The first meeting took place this past January 25. Praise the Lord for this next phase of the partnership where a successful model of ministry is going to be reproduced in another community.

Women in the Romany village of Vulcanesti, Moldova, have begun making and selling handicrafts.

The Ruth School in Bucharest, Romania, has a new principal, Mrs. Holban. Weekly chapel services started this year for children and staff.

The last two sessions of the Gypsy Smith pastors’ training school have been filled to capacity. More Romany church leaders want to attend the sessions than can be accommodated.

Jon and Tanya Parks have been commissioned to join CBF’s Romany Team. They will be teaching English at a Romany elementary school in Slovakia.

Even though Sinti Romany traditionally oppose having their language written down, Sinti leaders in Germany are not only becoming convinced of the need for God's word in their own language, they are also spreading the printed New Testament as language-learning material among their own people.

An outreach to Romanian Romany immigrants in England is growing. The local pastor is partnering to produce appropriate media materials in this language.

Yet another Student.Go team touched the lives of many Romany children during their ministry this summer.

Various team members faced health issues this past year . . . and can rejoice in on-going healing.

A Romany leader in the Czech Republic shows Christ’s love to others by running a Roma Education Center. A side benefit: increased understanding between Romany and Czech in his home community.

A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples,if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35

Day 5: Education/Training Ministries

The Roma people across Europe face many challenges today–they are pushed to the edges of towns, treated unequally, and many people simply do not understand them. But not all the problems come from other Europeans. The fact is that some of the Roma have lived up to all those negative stereotypes they are known for today. They are mistreated, so they mistreat others … and the cycle continues.

This kind of cycle can be disrupted through education–among Roma and any other marginalized people. Many Roma children never make it to school, or stay for just a few years. The literacy rate among Roma is far below the average for most other European peoples. As a result, few have learned to improve themselves, to resist the mistreatment cycle, or to use their resources wisely. Imagine what could happen when even a small generation of Roma children can break this cycle, setting a powerful example for their people! Make no mistake–education itself is not the answer. But God’s love, along with the patience and compassion of others, can make a huge difference.

Prayer requests:
-For schools that teach and train Roma students – for persistence and for necessary resources
-For parents to have open hearts to allow their children to stay in school.
-For educated Roma leaders to set examples for their people, living lives that will soften the hearts of those who hate and fear them.

A Different Kind of Advent

Each year, the Christmas season starts earlier. Each year, the stress seems greater. Each year, there are new stories of folks (mostly here in the U.S.) who will do unbelievable things to get a popular Christmas gift.

Have we missed something? What's Christmas supposed to be about, anyway? Sure, we know the story - Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Angels and Shepherds... but how did we get from THAT to THIS?

If you haven't yet heard of the Advent Conspiracy (follow this link or click on the picture), we hope you'll check it out. Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, and Love All.

Maybe we're straying off-topic a little bit, but since we're still here in the States this year, we have noticed the need for something like this more than ever. And if you're looking for a way to give a gift that counts, there are plenty of ideas in the CBF Gift Catalog (follow this link) - many that benefit the Roma!

An Unexpected Partner

A couple of days ago, we got our reports from CBF of folks who have contributed in the last month. All the names we recognized… except one, a Mrs. Keatts from a nearby city here in Virginia, who had given us a gift. We searched our contact records to see if we might know her by another name. No luck – we didn’t know Mrs. Keatts, but we wanted to get to know her.

So on Monday, I looked up her phone number and called her. I didn’t know what to expect, but certainly didn’t expect the blessing I received in the next 20 minutes!

Mrs. Keatts is a member of a Baptist church in her city, and each week someone reads the names and assignments of CBF missionaries during the prayer time. Our names caught her attention when some names were being a couple of weeks ago, and she decided she would send a check to us.

In our conversation I learned a lot about Mrs. Keatts. She just turned 80 years old, but she said she preferred to call it “seventy-nine-plus-one… that sounds so much better than eighty, doesn’t it??” I caught her just as she’d come in from working in the yard all morning. She has been a prayer warrior and giver to God’s mission work for decades, and she was particularly glad to hear about our work and the trip we will be taking this coming week. I offered to send our newsletter and she told me not to waste the stamp because she’s having problems with her eyes right now and can’t read very well. I told her I’d send the newsletter anyway, and would pray that God would restore her sight. It was a wonderful, funny and encouraging conversation – an unexpected blessing!

I won’t say how much she gave – suffice to say that it was likely a sizable gift for an 80 year-old to make. She didn’t know why our names caught her ear, but we’re certainly glad she heard God’s voice and answered!

Seeing With God's Eyes

Note: This was originally posted by Tanya on our blog on August 7:

This morning in church, Jon’s sermon was about the faith that Peter had to walk on the water (Peter has a bit of a bad rep, but we often forget that he was the only one to even attempt it!). Jon made a connection to the passage in Numbers 13 where the spies are sent into the Promised Land. When they bring their report back, everyone agrees that it is an amazing new land (flowing with milk and honey). While Joshua and Caleb believe that with God’s help they can conquer the people, the other ten are fearful and say ‘we looked like grasshoppers in our own eyes.’

This kind of faith sees life – and ourselves — through God’s eyes, not our own.

With our own eyes, we know we will sink.

With our own eyes, we are small compared to our obstacles.

With my own eyes, I wonder if we will really ever raise the money necessary to follow Gods calling.

But with God’s eyes, everything is different. When Peter started using his own eyes again, he sunk. Because the leaders of Israel saw the land of Canaan with their own eyes, they were forced to wander in the desert another 40 years.

This lesson doesn’t just pertain to someone moving half way around the world. We all have things that God calls us to do every day that take God’s eyes. We must remember the ways that God has already brought us through the wilderness – and longs to lead us into fullness.

May we not wander in the wilderness another 40 years!

May we all see through the eyes of God – and may we be like Caleb and say, “[With God] we can certainly do it!”