A brief history of the ICG’s involvement with the Roma…
From the earliest days of the ICG, members have reached out to the Roma living in Grenoble. In the fall of 2010, the individual actions became known to a wider circle. The first time a Roma family came to church was due to the hospitality and care Wendy Chorot demonstrated to Nicolae and Maria Calman and their family. The relationship grew and a number of ICG members acted in very tangible ways to help the Calman family (odd jobs, food and clothing, warm meals, etc.). In early January of 2011, responding to the Calman family’s dire living conditions, the Association St Paul was contacted and they helped get housing for the Calmans (as well as another Roma family). Through the generosity of the church, the apartments were furnished. This was in January/February of 2011.
The contact with the Calmans and the Association St Paul opened other opportunities. Rapidly the church moved to create the Association Familiale Protestante du Grésivaudan, AFPG (March 2011). Different efforts were undertaken by members of the church to respond to the needs of the Roma in Grenoble: food and clothing distribution, administrative help, visiting homes, Vacation Bible School (August 2012), crisis assistance. While Sylvie and I have carried much of this work, many in the church have helped.
In the fall of 2011, it became clear that we needed help and I made an appeal to the Grenoble churches. Pascal Bonnaz, a pastor at the Chandelier Church in Grenoble, responded and informed me of a prayer meeting that was going on in one of the Roma camps at St Martin d’Hères. I attend this meeting for the first time on December 11, 2011. That experience opened a new door of ministry that was completely unexpected.
Over 20 people were squeezed into a caravan that measured 2 meters by 3 meters. The evening consisted of songs, prayers (everyone prayed at the same time and very loud) and the preaching of the Word, many times. Anna Boninsegni a member of the Chandelier Church who is from Romania coordinated the meeting. At the end of the evening, I was sitting next to a man named Christi who spoke French. When asked what the Roma needed most, he said, “Someone to teach us the Bible.”
Sylvie and I joined Anna in her work to organize services for the Roma. This continued till June of 2012 when the camp where we met was destroyed. The destruction of the camp was a part of a systematic program carried out by the government to remove the Roma from their shantytowns. In the previous year there had been sporadic expulsions. For the next 6 months there were many expulsions creating a series of crises that needed urgent attention. During this time were unable to get a regular meeting organized.
Beyond the assistance for the weekly Sunday services, a number of specific actions have been organized as well as ongoing relationships with a great number of Roma. In August of 2012 a Vacation Bible School was organized with help from Nick and Annie VanWingerden who asked Mike and Elvira Babcock, International Teams missionaries in Romania, to come and help us. This was a great success and highlighted once again the spiritual hunger of this people. The AFPG also organized a Christmas gift distribution. The AFPG has continued to support some families (Grancea and Calman).
In January of 2013, a number of Roma indicated they wanted to hold services as in the past. The Sunday evening meetings began anew with an important change. The number of attendees had grown. Since the new start there have been meetings where over 40 adults have been gathered.
This new start pushed us to seek out new assistance for the work. There was a need for a place to meet. Anna Boninsegni approached the leaders of the Chandelier Church to ask if they could provide this. They agreed and the group now meets on Sunday evenings from 5pm to 7pm at 33 ave de Vizille, Grenoble. The advantage of this location is easy access by tram.
There is also a need for better organization. I came into contact with a Romanian pastor, Mircea Detestan, who is a coordinator of a number of ministries in Romanian. One of these ministries is called EBE-Romania. This is a leadership-training ministry that was established in the early 80s. Mircea graciously agreed to visit Grenoble. During his visit he communicated clearly with the Roma leaders on the need to get organized and trained. He helped to write up a plan for the development of the Roma church that will be called Eglise Philadelphie. It was also agreed that I would coordinate this initial stage.
It is important to note that the Roma as a people group have been despised, rejected and hated for centuries. They represent “the least of these” that Jesus talks about in Matthew 18. We are amazed to see the strong faith that exists among those we serve. God’s grace is amazing.
There are times when I wonder if we can continue in this way. There is uncertainty in all we do. Sylvie and I are limited by language and time. We as a church have the same limitations. The situation for the Roma is extremely precarious. On the other hand, too much has happened and too many relationships have developed, we cannot turn back.
What we do know is there are precious brothers and sisters in Christ who need to be affirmed and built up in their faith. There are many who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. When we celebrate together our common life in Christ, amazing things happen. The world will know we are Christ’s disciples by our love for one another.
A rare hush fell over the group that morning. The normal murmur of softly giggling children and squirming bodies had stopped suddenly as curious ears strained to listen.
Even little Florin and Marcu ceased their usual tussling to turn dirt-smudged faces and dark round eyes toward the front.
David’s question still hung in the air. “What did he say?” asked Pastor Matt, his Bible story of the prodigal son suddenly interrupted by the 12-year-old’s unsolicited inquiry. Elvira, who stood in the grass nearby, translated little David’s question from Romanian to English. It was simple, just four words in fact. But the unexpected depth, cloaked in a child’s innocence, seemed to surprise everyone.
“Why are we here?” he had asked.
I just discovered this post. Ryan and Andrew were a great help here in Grenoble. It is good to read about their experience. To hear the rest of the story follow this link...
The changing of the
calendar year is always a moment to reflect on God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Yet it feels like this year is more significant than others.
As a family we’ve celebrated Anastasia’s graduation from high school and all that represents. Sylvie and I are grateful for the spiritual growth we see in our children. The picture to the right is the first time we were all involved in leading music at the ICG.
At the ICG we’ve seen growth in maturity. We are reaching out in many different ways. God is at work among us and through us. We are thankful for the part we can play in taking the Good News of Jesus Christ to those around us.
We are blessed through those who pray for our ministry and give to make it happen. We are a part of an amazing network of individuals and churches that see God at work in France and who join us as we follow Christ into the harvest.
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