Dedication of Sinti Romani New Testament

This past Sunday was a big day for Sinti Romany believers. After 25 years of work by dozens of people, both Sinti and non-Sinti, the printed New Testament in their language was dedicated in Marburg, Germany. As one Sinti believer said as part of the ceremony, "We have never had anything that was ours. We have never had our own country or our own government. But now we have something that is ours--the New Testament in our language. Hitler cannot take it away from us. The devil cannot take it away from us. It is ours." Many Sinti died in concentration camps during W.W. II. It was extraordinary to worship with both German and Sinti Christians on this special day.

Photo: Kennedy and Otta, two of the many Sinti who helped with the translation project, talk with a visitor from Wycliffe Bible Translators. Otta holds a copy of the New Testament in her hands.

Gypsy Team Meeting

Our team usually meets twice a year - once electronically through the miracle of web-conferencing and once face to face. Since we all live in Europe we can take advantage of very cut-rate European airlines and going during the off-season. Recently we, along with families, gathered in Palermo, Italy for 4 days. We were joined by our Team Coordinator, Becky Smith and CBF's new Member Care Coordinator, Tere Canzoneri.

We spent our time reporting on what is happening in the Romany (Gypsy) ministries in our areas. We planned strategy for continuing to share the Good News. We networked and shared stories. We took turns praying for each other and giving devotional thoughts. We shared meals and enjoyed spending time together. It was a great time and we were all refreshed.
 
We are thankful for God's provision allowing us to serve Him in our areas.  Thank you for your partnership of praying, serving, and giving.

The Loss Of A Friend

On March 9th Project Ruth and all of its friends and supporters said farewell to a dear friend. Vasile Moceanu passed away from cancer on that day. Many will remember him as the first face they met upon arriving in Bucharest as he worked as the official driver for Project Ruth for many years. Every team of volunteers and every GSS/TCM teacher had the privilege of meeting this humble servant of God. A skilled driver with a detailed knowledge of the streets of Bucharest Morceanu safely delivered all such visitors to their many destinations. Although he spoke little English visitors were warmly welcomed by Moceanu with a handshake or kiss on the cheek.

Moceanu was a delight to the children of the Ruth School. He regularly delivered lunch to the children attending Obed Day Center and his pockets often held pieces of candy for the Roma children. While he waited in the van for staff or visitors to complete their errands you would often find Moceanu reading his Bible. He was recognized in his family and his church for his steadfast belief in God. His faith stood firmly throughout his final days and he was a strong witness of God’s love to the many friends and church family who gathered at his bedside daily.

The Project Ruth family grieves the loss of our dear friend but rejoices that he has found wholeness and peace and complete joy in the presence of God our Father.

Say What?!?!

IS HUNGARIAN GOVERNMENT READY FOR AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AT HOME IN THE LIGHT OF PROPOSED EUROPEAN ROMA STRATEGY?

Posted by: ValeryNovoselsky on the Romano Liloro web site of Roma news

"Last month, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared Roma issues a priority for the Hungarian Presidency of the European Union. He promised to work towards a “functioning Roma strategy” at EU-wide level to improve social inclusion of Roma citizens. While the Prime Minister’s pledge to enhance Roma rights across the EU is commendable, the rhetoric has done little to console Hungary’s Roma, who continue to face discrimination, including in the form of hate crime. They have been waiting for justice to be served and for Hungarian officials to lead by example when it comes to addressing the daily struggles of Roma at home. Setting aside its high rhetoric in support of Roma rights across Europe, there is much that Hungary’s government could do at home ... It’s time for the government to prove that Hungary is serious about standing up for its Roma citizens at home as it pursues initiatives at the EU level." - Paul LeGendre, Director, Fighting Discrimination Program.

**It is the opinion of Ralph and Tammy, after 15 years living in Hungary and continued communication with Roma friends, that the Hungarian government is saying, "Do as I say, not as I do." They are "talking the talk" but from what we've observed certainly NOT "walking the walk." Join us in prayer that this will change.

Wedding Bells

When an invitation to pray turned into a request for a wedding sermon, of course Shane agreed.  

Stefan and Lisa's daughter Ruska was getting married; but Feri the groom's family did not speak Slovak.  In what has become a familiar tag-team, Stefan and Shane conducted the wedding service with Shane preaching in Slovak and Stefan translating into Romani.

Not only was it an incredible honor to be asked, today's wedding was testimony to the power of personal relationships as the basis for ministry partnership.  Join us in saying a special prayer for Feri and Ruska, the newlyweds.

Shattering Stereotypes Through Education

Shattering Stereotypes Through Education

http://blog.soros.org/2011/02/shattering-stereotypes-through-education

Through the Romaversitas program, the Roma Education Fund provides financial and educational support to talented Roma university students across Hungary. More importantly, the Romaversitas program is helping to shatter stereotypes. Zoltan, Aliz, Dezso and Erzsebet are enrolled in Romaversitas; in addition to being Roma, they are also aspiring astrophysicists, professors, filmmakers, and architects.

*CBF field personnel partner with several different schools and projects to foster education among the Roma.

Media on the Move

Last month Keith went to England to record the 30-minute Ruth DVD in Western Kalderash. He finished recording in three days, came home, mixed it, and sent it off to be "proofread" by the Kalderash-speaking church in London.

This month Keith begins to record the approximately ten-hour audio New Testament in Sinti Romani. He and recording partner Arthur Wijnveen will start tomorrow, February 9, in Hamelin, Germany. I am not going to ask them to bring back any rat-shaped breads (see photo!). We are going to ask you to support this project with lots and lots of prayer. As we have seen time and time again in recording projects, prayer makes a huge difference. They are going to begin with the voice of "Paul," generally 70-hours' worth of recording. They will be recording at different places in Germany and the Netherlands. They hope to be finished by the end of March. Perhaps this recording will go as smoothly as Ruth in London . . . . We'll keep you posted.