Poet or Fraud?

"You have only helped the others!"  The cry comes from every direction and the anger and frustration increases.  The resentment comes from Roma and Gadjo alike.  To disappear behind a screen or into a meeting is no solution, and is an even lonelier place than remaining face to face with those seeking justice.

"I can't help everyone equally!  Even Jesus didn't attempt that!"  The appeal to reason runs into the sand as the voices become more impassioned.  We fall into silence, into a vortex of sorrow.

Soup is served. To me before all the others.  "Kade summi si o mai lasho summi me xalem ando se murro traiio."  "This is the best soup I've tasted in all my life."  A smile breaks through the silence.

"Show me that!" It had been hidden in my pocket but had buzzed.  "You've got a new one!"  My iphone 4s, symbol of wealth and power, betrays me.  The deepening gulf has little to do with ethnicity or culture.  The gaping gulf is about money.  As my inheritance finds it's electronic route into my bank account, I think of St Francis.  Is the only route to authentic solidarity with the poor, obedience to Jesus' invitation to renounce all wealth?

"Look at his cigarette! In a minute it will be no more.  Ask for the comfort of the Holy Spirit and you will never be thirsty again!"  I shift the ground to escape the uncomfortable question in my heart.  "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness .... and then think about rent, eviction, food, sick relative." Another good quote straight from my armoury of verses painstakingly learnt by rote.  It rings hollow.  Has the gulf deepened or is a seed sown?

Back home to a vicarage now fitted with two power showers to wash away the loneliness and unanswered questions.  I stare into my Macbook and type... "You're a poet...or a fraud."

"Search me, God, and know my heart;  test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  [Ps 139:23-24]

New Luton Roma preacher!

Vasili has just arrived in Luton with his family to live with Bobby, the father of the triplets. See earlier post.  The two brothers have been part of the revival that has touched many of the Roma communities in Romania.  They bring to us great spiritual passion and commitment.  Here is Vasili yesterday breaking open for our little church the parable of the sower.  Only the seed that falls on the good soil bears fruit.  Many are so weighed down with the troubles of this life, that they are unable to receive the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

I had been praying for the arrival in Luton of Roma men of faith, able to lead and speak, since we began LRC a year ago.  The prayer has been answered!  Everything depends on the emergence of Roma leadership over the months and years to come.  Some of the tiny seeds have fallen into good soil.  We await the harvest.

Meanwhile the issues facing the Roma here become ever harder.  The Job Centre has moved the goal posts, and are no longer recognising the self-employed status of the Roma we take to interview for National Insurance Numbers.  There is a deep injustice here.  Whilst Romanian citizens are legally allowed to settle here, and are only allowed to work as self-employed, the powers that be now refuse to recognise their very best efforts to work.  They are thus trapped in poverty with all the negative consequences of that on the whole nation.

We walk by faith, not by sight, keeping our eyes fixed on a God who intentionally sides with the poor and is poised to bring justice to the oppressed.  

Seeking wisdom...

I've been back and asked why the Roma woman is not allowed to share in the administration of Communion with me in the old people's home.   "She was seen begging in town." "She has not been CRBd".   "You can take communion on your own and don't need a helper." "She strokes people's hands."  

My responses:

"She had to sell flowers in town to feed her 5 children.  This is an offence.  So would allowing her children to starve be an offence."

"She can easily be CRBd."

"In our church we try to do all our ministry in two's and whenever possible and man with a woman."

"We can easily ask her not to stroke hands."

I pray for wisdom and insight...