Growing up in the wonderful “Dairy Land” has taught me more than just what my favorite cheese is. Yes, we have plenty of dairy farms, but, we also have fields full of different crops. If you’ve grown up anywhere near farmers, you understand the importance of rain.
While some people are enjoying the sun, others are praying for clouds that will water their fields.
As a young adult I saw those two perspectives of rain and how important it is.This last Saturday I saw another reality of rain.
Our team was presented the opportunity to go to a village and help with a children’s ministry. After a brief introduction at a bus stop, Lynna and I hopped in a car and rode out to what was later described as a gypsy ghetto.
We got to the church that wasn’t too much more than a roof, walls, a few rickety benches, and electricity. There were two girls sitting inside so Maia decided to walk outside looking for the other children.
It was pouring down rain so we set out through deep puddles to multiple adults outside of their homes. Maia, the woman who drove us, asked where the children were and invited them to come. Most people said their children were sleeping but, at 2 in the afternoon, Maia knew most of them were just trying to stay dry.
Rewind to earlier this morning:
I woke up in our beautiful apartment that I’m finally starting to embrace the luxury of, I sipped a hot cup of coffee, had breakfast, and listened to the peaceful sound of the rain through or nice window that we opened for that specific purpose. I even said to my teammate “Oooh, we could watch a movie tonight! I love cozy, rainy days!”
Back to the afternoon:
I’m standing out in the street of the gypsy ghetto, water soaking through my canvas shoes, watching a woman scoop water out from in front of her home with a bucket to try and keep it from flooding.
I remembered my thought from earlier that morning and had quite the reality check.
While rain to me back in America usually meant lazy day (staying in my pajamas, sipping something hot, baking something sweet, and burying myself under a mound of blankets to watch a movie or 5), to some people it means work.. standing out in a downpour desperately trying to bail water from their “yard” to keep their family a little less wet and save what furniture they have.
In just a quick overview, we were able to gather more chcildren, teach them some English, and we help with a few things while one woman taught them a Bible lesson and some Bulgarian (because most of them don’t know how to read or write).
My heart for gypsies keeps growing. I hope to share more of them with you soon!
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10:12 ESV
