Visiting the Roma Village

The Roma people are a separate people group here. Descendent from northern India,  they have their own culture and way of life. They exist very separately from the remaining population of Romania. There is a good amount of tension between the Roma people and the Romanians. Cycles of poverty and neglect keep the Roma separate or “other than” and continue the cycles of tension between the remaining Romanian population.

 

I knew I would love going to the Roma village for kids ministry, but as there was currently a group of people here for the purpose of doing ministry, I didn’t think my opportunity would come so soon. 

 

I very quickly and unexpectedly ended up going to Roma ministry early in my time in Romania with little notice. I went with three girls from M squad, Gina, Camden, and Bailey, all of whom had been to Romania previously. 

 

 

There are about five different Roma villages that Hope Church Romania partners with, bringing occasional clothing donations and doing children’s ministry. On the way to our particular spot, some of the girls chatted, trying to decide if they had previously been to this particular village or not. 

 

Given that this was my first time to go to Roma ministry, I knew I had never been, and listened to their easy chatter and their excitement over getting to go to the Roma villages. 

 

We soon pulled down a dirt road, a fairly uncommon occurrence here in Craiova. The streets here are beautiful and paved. Craiova itself is structured like a city, albeit a very small one, with city blocks, sidewalks, and concrete everywhere you look. It is even complete with flocks of pigeons just like you find in countless other cities including Chicago. 

 

So in this setting, the dirt street stood out. As we drove down it, little faces began to peek out of houses and buildings. And soon, they were fully in the streets calling to their friends. As we all climbed out of the van, the kids quickly flocked to us, smiling widely and standing close. 

 

This street felt familiar. It is reminiscent of so many places that I have been around the world. The houses much smaller than what we see in the rest of Craiova. The houses feel like those I’ve seen in Peru, or maybe even Togo. Dirt floors, tin fences or doors, many having no doors at all, just open holes where doors or windows could go. Kids come out in mismatched clothing, the littlest kids often half-naked and covered in dirt. All of them look at you with big beautiful eyes, the oldest kids often greeting you with soft and gentle smiles. Specific to the Roma community is their love for beautiful earrings. Girls and boys alike have simple but beautiful earrings dangling from their ears. 

 

As more kids began to crowd around, Camden, Gina, and Bailey started to sing Jesus Loves Me with hand motions. The kids were so excited to mimic both the motions and the English words coming out of our mouths. 

 

As the girls continued this and other songs, I looked behind them and continued to welcome more and more children slowly trickling into the group. I haven’t had too many experiences where I cannot speak the local language, so it is a new experience for me to welcome kids without verbal language. 

 

I smiled and waved, and motioned for kids over to join the group. I looked at each kiddo in the eyes, particularly the more shy and hesitant ones, and waved gently. In doing so I waved at a small boy being carried by a beautiful girl with a small frame, beautiful eyes, and a gentle demeanor. The little guy clearly loved waving and kept waving over and over, each returned wave making him smile slyly. 

 

The girl made her way into the group with the little boy on her hip. He held an inflatable teddy bear, which she moved gently for him to be able to hold it more easily and tightly. She placed him down gently at the feet of one of her friends, seemingly motioning that she would be right back, and ran down the street. 

 

As soon as she was gone, the little boy began to cry and walk in the direction where the girl had just run. This path was taking him right past me, so as he neared I squatted down and put my hands out slightly, honestly not expecting much, but willing to try. 

 

Much to my surprise, he came quickly and willingly to my arms. The girl returned only momentarily later and retrieved him from me with a smile, now with her 4-year-old sister at her side. My new little friend, however, reached out wanting to return to my arms. With a smile and an eyebrow raise his older sister held him slightly out towards me. I readily grabbed him, setting him on my hip, and we all joined back in the singing and dancing. 

 

The older sister ran free, joining the chaos and games, laughing and having so much fun. I held my new little friend through all of our activities. Little man contentedly and quietly sitting on my hip. The sweet 4-year-old sister too timid to join the chaos leaned against my legs, intermittently giving me quiet hugs. 

 

Each time I returned to the Roma village, this sweet sibling set greeted me, and I them. With Little Man, Noel, on my hip we would join the songs and dancing and games. With Little Sis, Ana, tucked close by my legs. 

 

It was simple. Few words were exchanged. But we did communicate with smiles and giggles and high-fives and hugs. But in this seemingly simple friendship, I learned a lot. I saw an older sister, Margaret, with light, sparkling eyes fight the internal battle of caring for her siblings and wanting to just be a kid. I watched her protect and love and care for her siblings, making sure they were set somewhere they were content and safe. I watched her lanky 10-year-old self play and laugh with a joy that was contagious and quiet and sweet. I saw the power of the simple act of consistently showing up. 

 

Both Margaret and Ana were quiet and timid. They moved quietly and carefully. But this wasn’t with a lack of bravery. Margaret in particular showed me how brave she was each day as she fiercely protected and fought for her younger siblings. I saw how deeply they loved each other, and how gently she cared for them. 

 

I was reminded what it is to delight in the simple things. I loved my time in the Roma village and my friend April and I often said we wish we could stay longer. Our visits always felt too short. 

 

 

 

With love,

Kayla

 

*my sweet friends names have been changed