… We have stayed with a Roma family. This house is always open to God’s children. One of the earliest Roma believers from this city lives here. However, not all members of this family are Christians. The head of the family, Nicholaj, the younger son, Alexei, and the wife of the oldest son, Tanya, are Christians. The mom and Volodya, the older son, are not Christians yet. After all, for the two days we spent at their house, Volodya was taking friendly and sensitive care of us. He turned out to be an interesting and profound conversation partner, who knows many Christian truths. Unfortunately, he is not a Christian, as he admits himself. Please pray about Vladimir, about his repentance.
Gypsies are very hospitable and very sociable people. They are remarkable for careing for their parents, respecting and honoring them. These days we have seen a beautiful picture of Alexei’s and Vladimir’s attitude toward their aged and sick father. It’s just a biblical model of relationships between adult children and their father.
The Roma houses, which we have visited, despite the prejudice about gypsies, are clean, ordered, and delicious food is on the tables.
Roma have many different traditions. Some traditions are purely pagan, and anti-biblical. These traditions are deeply rooted in the mentality of the people. When a Roma person becomes a Christian, he/she meets strong resistance from relatives, and the change by itself is not easy. Particularly problematic is the attitude to women in the family. The daughter-in-law, particularly in the early years of her marriage, has a hard time. However, the mother-in-law gets special respect. She is the queen of the house.
It was a pleasure to have fellowship with the brothers. Some of them, I already knew before. They have grown remarkably. Some Roma people, after becoming Christians, start learning to read and write. They do so because the Roma people are arrogant in regards to education.
Christians not only learn to read and write, but also begin to study at the Christian Bible colleges, universities, and seminaries. They become mature, dedicated and gradually get involved in ministry. Our friend and brother, Alex Bezkorovainy, is one of the examples and it is such a joy to observe the God’s process in his life.
Bezkorovajniy Nicholaj, Alexei’s father, have suffered two heart attacks, has had clinical-death, who repented when he was already sick. But in spite of serious illness, his memory is phenomenal. He remembers poetry from his youth, and Christian verses, which he has learned recently. I was stunned by his personal poem, especially the ending, where he wrote:
I came to God for health
But He lovingly gifted my salvation.
From his mouth it sounded especially uplifting and touching…
The main reason for our visit to Stakhanov (Luhansk region) was the ordination of Vyacheslav Selivanov into the pastoral ministry among the Roma people.
Vyacheslav and Oksana Selivanovi repented 20 years ago. They are indigenous Stakhanov citizens. When the first gypsies repented and started attending their church, they became friends with them, and later their regular mentors and teachers.
Many guests and many pastors came to the ordination, including two Roma pastors, and a senior Baptist pastor of Lugansk region Sergey Morozov. His speech before the ordination was very emotional, expressing joy and love toward the gypsy people. I think that it was inspiring and warm for young Roma Christians.
For me, personally, it is special joy, grace and honor to be a witness of what God is doing in different nations, and keeping his oath to Abraham of blessing in Christ to all people. It’s a great, impressive, and brings a special joy. It seems like God has allowed us to look at the 1st century, as if watching the Acts in reality.
Pray for the Roma people, so that many believe and witness to others.
With gratefulness, Taras Pristupa
