Summer memory

"Do you want to come to my house?" She asked shyly.

Usually not a significant request. People invite each other over all the time, especially in that culture. But this was an exceptional situation. She was a Gypsy, and I was an American. Most of the people in the village didn't know how I had found them or what I was doing there. Yet there I was, shaking their hands, eating their food, drinking their coffee, playing with their children.
For the Americans reading this, Gypsies - or Roma as they call themselves - are on the 'bottom of the totem pole' of Romania. Their villages are avoided and they are usually treated with distain, mistrust and contempt. They are many Roma who do their fair share to earn such treatment. But there are many Roma who are decent human beings just trying to make their way in the world like everyone else.
Lemona had just become a Christian a few days ago and had soon afterwards led her husband in the Sinner's Prayer as well. The family had experianced amazing Spiritual release from Demonic oppression and were excitedly learning more about Jesus.



Silvana, one of the Romanian Missionaries I was working with, was speaking with some other women of the village, and I excitedly accepted Lemona's invitation. We walked up the hill and over the small wooden bridge deeper into the settlement of tiny Gypsy houses. Girls called out greetings and women asked where we were going. Lemona gave vague answers - the competition between the women of the village was high and Lemona wanted to be sure she had 'first dibs' on whose house I spent time at. We were having a Bible study for the women soon after that, and there wasn't enough time for me to see everyone's home.



The small one-room cottage wasn't significantly different from any of the other homes I had seen. Tapestries covered the walls and Christmas hangings were tucket in conspicuous corners. I thought the decorations were a little humorous, as June had just started. A young man shyly allowed himself to be gently pulled forward by Lemona.
"This is my man." She said with a gentle smile and a hint of pride in her voice. I shook hands with him and he smiled faintly.
I looked towards the doorway and noticed a small crowd had gathered, giggling and whispering about the "gadjo" or foreigner who was talking with Roma and visiting their houses. Two little kids scampered across the floor and Lemona asked if I would take pictures of her family. I smiled and said sure, and the next thing I knew we were having a full blown photo op with the neighbor, the aunt, the friend, and another kid. The men ducked out while they had an escape while the women and I giggled,trying to get the kids to cooperate and hold still while we snapped their picture.



I soon excused myself and said it was time for the Bible study. Lemona nodded with a smile and shooed everyone out of her small one room cabin. We walked out into the sunshine and I told her to go ahead while I ran to invite my friend Ramona to come as well. I found her washing her clothes and kept her company while she finished her laundry.
After I had taken a few more pictures, I ran down the hill where the women were gathered outside for the Bible study. I took turns sitting by Ramona and Lemona while Silvana led the study on the life of Joseph in the Old Testament.



After the study we sang a worship song in the Roma language and then Nicu, Silvana and I piled into the black Dacia and waved to the children who ran after the car.
"So. Did you enjoy your last day with the Gypsies?" Silvana asked. I smiled and nodded.