GoodNews International

"Preach the Gospel to all creation" Mark 16:15

On our first day of evangelism in Campina, Romania, Brother Marius was my teammate as interpreter and guide. As we found one another that first morning on the steps of our home-base hotel, Marius urged me, "Come on, Brother Jonathan, I have some Gypsies we will meet with."

All the stereotypes of gypsies began flooding my mind. I sensed revulsion and fear welling up inside me. I put off Marius a few moments as I discreetly asked one of the younger girls if it was a wise thing to visit the Gypsies. With concern on her face she shook her head saying, "Oh, I don’t think so."

Feeling somewhat affirmed but still uneasy, I made the same inquiry of one of the more mature Romanian members of our team. "Do you think it’s a good idea to go where the Gypsies are," I asked.

"And why not?" was the direct – almost curt – reply.

Acts 1:8 flashed into my mind. I had preached on the very text in the past and was planning to preach on it again in Campina later that very week. In preaching Acts 1:8 I always point out the significance of Jesus’ emphasis on Samaria.

Now God was engraving on my own heart that his word applies to me, too – not just to the disciples or to the people to whom I might be preaching. Paul’s words in Romans 2 challenged me: "You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?"

It is his own command to go to the hard places, and his promise is his own presence (Matthew 28:20) and the power of the Holy Spirit. I silently acquiesced to what I knew God’s will to be – so clearly laid before me in His word. At the same time I prayed a prayer of confession for my sinful attitude and asked His forgiveness for my bigotry, for my lack of faith and love.

And what did God do as we obediently went out in faith to carry the gospel to a people so despised around the world? We encountered our first contacts, two Gypsy couples, as we approached their home – a ramshackle lean-to affixed to the outside wall of an industrial building. They were in their horse-drawn hay wagon with its huge rubber tires, heading into town with two children. They couldn’t visit, they told Marius, because of the errands they had to accomplish. So Marius and I headed on down our road only to see the group turn their carriage around and motion us into their open-air living room.

Pleased they had changed their plans for us, Marius and I made our way in and took our seats of honor on overturned plastic milk crates. Then, through the translation Marius provided, I began to share the testimony of God’s work in my own life. Eagerly and politely they listened to the gospel and responded unanimously that they wanted to know God’s forgiveness and the certainty that his gift of eternal life belonged to them.

After praying a prayer of faith with them, I spoke with them of the brotherhood we shared in Christ and that, regardless of whether we see each other again in this life, we will be together in heaven.

I mentioned how pleased I was to be their brother, whereupon I detected a skeptical smile on the face of one of the men. Quickly I prayed, "O Lord, don’t let me lead them to doubt your love for them by my superficiality. How do I show them the reality and sincerity of my love?"

Then the power of the Holy Spirit enabled me to say and do something that certainly wasn’t in my plans originally. Hardly thinking it through, I indicated for Marius to make a request of them. "In America it is customary to give a strong embrace to your family members. May I give you an American ‘bear hug’ as your American brother?"

Their skepticism changed first to shock and then to an amazed awareness and acceptance that there is a love that transcends race, culture and social status. The man on whose face I had first noticed the skepticism was the first to nod and say, "Da." Yes, he would accept my expression of love. As I hugged him with all my strength, he planted a holy kiss on my right cheek. The other three followed, and together we celebrated our family relation in Christ.

I visited in several other Gypsy homes that day in Campina. Such conditions are hardly imaginable even in the poorest American home. But God’s love reached in and almost 30 Gypsies that day entered my family – God’s family for eternity. Oh, Lord, the privilege was all mine. May you receive all the glory.