A Day in a Romanian Village

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Perhaps a favorite memory of mine so far would be the day we went to visit two gypsy families in the hills of Viile Tecci. Have I mentioned that our ministry this month is working with an organization called Gypsy Agape? We go into the Gypsy communities to tell them about God and pray for them. We are hoping to host a bonfire soon for some praise and worship too!

Anyway, three teammates and I went out into Viile Tecci, along with Alexandra and Ade–neice and nephew of the family we are staying with. They helped translate for us and show us where to go.

It had rained the night before, causing the roads to be very muddy, which made the trek, shall we say…interesting. When we finally made it to the top (after lots of laughter and slipping and sliding up the hill), we had arrived at our first family’s house. We were invited in, and one thing I have found to be universal, whether in the states or another country, is EVERY women will tell you, you can come in, but the house is not clean (quite honestly, that could be another blog in and of itself). We reassured her we didn’t care. (I should let you know too, that before we met them we were told this family has no money and at times doesn’t even have food to eat and she was worried about a clean house…) So we were welcomed into a small, one room home. There was a bed, a chair, a small tv, and a stove in the corner. The father told us that eleven people slept there! He pointed to the floor and the bed. Instantly my heart broke. The floor was made out of the same clay-mud mixture we were slipping on earlier. He tried to explain to us that he wants to add another room, but there isn’t enough money. We asked if we could pray for them. I prayed for the family and Leisa prayed blessings on their home. They asked us to come back and visit them. I told them we would like that very much. Their children were so beautiful. The cutest faces, with big brown eyes, watching our every move. It was soon time to go and as we left, a grandfather met us and shook our hand, inviting us back. We treked down the hill again and were on our way to the next house.

We arrived to the next home where we were greeted by at least ten children. Babies were holding babies. I was especially taken by a little girl who was holding what looked like a baby doll, but was really a three month old baby. I went over and tried to talk to her. Telling her my name, asking her, her name. I asked her how old she was–she is seven. All the children were wearing tattered clothes that were filthy, if they were wearing any at all. One little boy asked us to play duck, duck, goose, so we took them into the field, at the foot of the hill and sat them in a circle. We didn’t end up playing duck, duck, goose, but instead decided to teach them a couple songs. At this point, we had drawn a crowd, from old to young. Everyone was curious what we were doing and who we were. So I started leading the kids in song. First we sang “Jesus Loves Me,” which is always a classic. Next we sang “Deep and Wide” because most kids get a kick out of the hand motions and how you go faster and faster every verse.

Half way through singing, I looked over at my teammate, Casondra, who was helping a little girl who was blind, do the hand motions. Casondra was lifting the little girls’ hands to make the motions as she sang. The little girl had the biggest smile on her face. Instantly I got one of those cry lumps in my throat and tears in my eyes. I couldn’t sing for a minute. What God was doing in that moment was so BEAUTIFUL. I’ve asked God to break my heart for what breaks His, and He did in that moment, as I watched that little girls’ face light up.