Through my experiences of working in Romania, camps with Rroma youth in Serbia, and my research project at Bible College on "The Rroma people of Romania and key ministry approaches needed for the next decade," my eyes have been opened to see that Rroma are people just like you and me, created in the image of God and loved by Him.

 

When I went on my first Rroma youth camp in Leskovac, southern Serbia, I was very conscious of what was in my pockets and what jewellery I was wearing. By the end of that camp, I knew that these youth were just like every other youth I have worked with- they want to belong, be known and be loved. What greater way to give them this opportunity than through the love that can be found in joining God's family.

 

While I was in Râmnicu Vâlcea, România, in the summer of 2013 and for the second half of 2014, I was involved in ministering to local Rroma communities, a local church which opened its doors to everyone, including Rroma, and I also continued to develop the research I had previously started. I knew that there were many people, including foreigners, Romanians and Rroma, working with Rroma communities around Romania, but that many of those people are weary, unequipped, under-resourced or just struggling to become more effective in growing their ministries. Some, however, are thriving and could assist their fellow workers by offering what resources they have.

 

Seeing these needs amidst others, I established what is now called the Rroma-Workers Network, in November 2014. Part of establishing and developing this network saw me travel to and spend time with these workers around Romania, to gain a better understanding of the broad spectrum of Rroma ministry around the country. 

 

The network is continuing to grow and be developed as we work with them to help identify the gaps and needs in workers' ministries, enabling them to envision and strategise about how each of them can minister more effectively, whether they work with children, youth, in Bible translation, church planting or other ministries.

 

The network now has over 180 contacts from around Romania, as well as contacts from other European countries, who contribute to the networking. And the great part is that more people are spreading the word and workers are starting to get alongside each other and grow the available resources.

 

Whether workers have been working with Rroma for a long or short time, sharing resources means that workers don't have to reinvent the wheel. By sharing established resources such as curriculums, Bible translation material, youth camp materials, women's Bible Study materials, offering man power to run programs and camps etc, offering access to facilities which can be used by others... prayerfully the burden will be shared.

 

In May 2016, we held our first RWN five-day conference in Lacul Surduc, Romania. Bringing together 43 workers from around Romania, the conference provided the opportunity for Rroma-Workers to be further equipped, to share in fellowship, and the space to dream big and pray together about how we can reach the Rroma people of Romania more effectively for Christ. And, with an estimated two and a half million Rroma living in Romania alone- it's a big task and definitely a long term vision.

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In June 2018, it was a joy to see some of the same workers, and quite a few new ones, join us for our second RWN conference, this time in Vlahița, Romania. Throughout the week we discussed workshop topics  such as "Rejection and Healing", "Mutual Trust", and "Jesus-Centred Youth Ministry Strategy, and a focus on Prayer". It was also a privilege to hear from Paul Crișan who had an amazing testimony, and who had also ministered to Rroma communities for decades (He sadly passed away in Jan 2023). The ripple effects from these initial discussions at the conference are just starting to show, but prayerfully the connections made will multiply in the years to come, and strengthen each worker in their individual ministries.

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Our third RWN conference, again in Vlahița, Romania was postponed three times due to COVID19. Despite some workers also unable to attend due to the War in Ukraine, it was a blessing to finally hold the conference, by the theme of "Restoring Dignity Together", in May 2022. This conference including a deeper look into the Dignity of the Rroma people, as well as into the lives of the workers. Additional topics included Orality and a Q&A session to help the workers delve deeper into some of the challenges within Rroma ministry.

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Plans are now underway for our fourth conference, booked for May 2024.

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