Touch.
A common language without words loudly echoed in our hearts as we embraced the gypsies. They understood the sense of touch and its meaningful communication. It was so simple yet so significant the way the first gypsy lady I met held onto my arm and gently touched my skin. When I prayed for her she tightly and lovingly gripped my hand as a sign of unspoken friendship. The next gypsy lady kissed my cheek as a beautiful symbol of affection and hospitality. But, the children’s language was my favorite — HUGS. The gypsy children held onto me with everything they had as if they were screaming, “I LOVE YOU!” with each touch. They wrapped their arms around me and I held them tightly trying to tell them with everything in me that I too loved them dearly and they were extremely precious and valuable. One little boy was my absolute favorite and every time we would hug he would look up at me with this grin of pure satisfaction. Touch spoke to their souls much louder than any words could have.
You see in Romania Gypsies and Roma people are considered UNTOUCHABLE. Saying that gypsies have a negative stereotype does not even do it justice. They are persecuted and ridiculed. There are thousands of orphans in Romania and most of them are of Roma / Gypsy decent because poverty has led to an increase in child abandonment (about 40% of the the population is considered poor). The Romanian government has also sadly put a stop on international adoption trying to increase national (in country) adoption. The problem with that is Roma orphans are the least likely to be adopted even after children with disabilities. It is so sad because when you see these Roma / Gypsy children your heart will completely melt as they wrap their little hands around you. They are the most gorgeous children and I want to adopt one — maybe the government will lift the international adoption ban when it is the right time for Josh and I to adopt.
