August 22nd, 2013 by Zac

For eleven years we have been here in this city and we have done very little for the Roma (or Gypsy) people. I feel a sense of disgrace to announce it openly. But, God has helped us to break through whatever barriers were holding us back for all these years and we have taken some baby steps toward these needy people.

It started back in April, when our church leadership team felt God leading our church family into the issues of justice and compassion. Since that time, we have learned so much about God’s heart for the poor, oppressed, mistreated, abused and fatherless.

A couple of key Bible verses continue to resonate in my heart.

„The righteous car about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.“  Proverbs 29:7

He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord. And he will reward him for what he has done.“ Proverbs 19:17

When our church family got to the part in the series where we should investigate areas of injustice and where compassion is needed in our city, we were attracted to one opportunity in particular.

About a year ago, two young single girls from another local church in our city, got a passion from God to help Roma (Gypsy) children in the Roma neighborhood in our city. So, for one year, they had been visiting these children each Monday afternoon to do a kids club.

Our church decided to join these faithful girls in this ministry. 

 To date, we have helped with the weekly Bible club until the end of the school year. Then we came with the idea of a week long day camp for the summer. Each day this past week, we have visited the village for this day camp. (See the next post for details about the day camp). 

 We thank God for teaching us so graciously about himself and for leading us to this opportunity to know him better through touching poverty, injustice and oppression.

Our understanding has only just started.