Definition of perception -a result of perceiving; observation.
Definition of reality-a thing that is actually experienced or seen.
When the lady at our hostel expressed her concern for the neighborhood that we would soon be lodging in for the weekend it went something like this ” thats a gypsy ghetto, it’s too dangerous and you will not be welcome there”. She stated that the children would even throw rocks at you. Immediately when we heard that we adopted her perception. Many taxi drivers even refuse to take you there. Jeremy and Pam went out to the community before us and were able to scout out the land.
The next day five of us headed to the outskirts of Sofia, Bulgaria. I couldn’t believe the drastic difference that just a few miles had. I literally felt like I was in a different country with people who looked nothing of European descent. This Gypsy community felt different, not dangerous or threatening but ripe for a shower of Gods love.
We were greeted by one of the ministry host’s family members, they were so warm and friendly. It was such a joy for them to share their home with us and that was evident. We managed to learn a few basic words that first day and ventured out to grocery shop, it was there that smiles were exchanged and I realized that I was not going to allow a perception of this community become my reality.
On our last day in this community Jake and I were walking by a woman and her baby and I did a double take of the baby because she was so beautiful and her mother motioned for us to come into the gate of where her home was. Once we got in she shared that her 6 year old daughter Jerry knew English. Jerry came out and sat down, we all talked for a while and shared some smiles and laughter. I asked Jerry what she liked to do and one of the things she said was sing. Jake then chimed in and told Jerry that I sing. He encouraged me to sing for her and I sang ‘Jesus Loves Me’, but I said you in place of the word me.Jerry just smiled and soaked it all up. Her mother allowed me to pray with the family before we left.
In that moment I gained His reality about that community.
