EDITOR’S NOTE: The following articles conclude a three-day series describing efforts to reach the Roma Gypsy people scattered throughout Europe, Northern Africa, the Middle East and South America. The Roma have strong family and cultural bonds that set them apart, yet they also tend to adopt the cultural practices of where they live. The push and pull of this identity crisis tends to leave them ostracized and poverty stricken. Southern Baptist workers and overseas Baptist partners are reaching out to the Roma by providing literacy and job education, but most of all by teaching the displaced people group of Christ’s love for them.
BRNO, Czech Republic (BP)–“It’s ‘prsi,'” Dad. “‘Prsi!'” 7-year-old Miles Hatchel insisted as he planted his hands on his dad’s knees and leaned into his face as several Bible study participants looked on. With his younger daughter dancing twirls in the background, missionary Boyd Hatchel was faltering in Czech to explain to a new Roma Gypsy believer one of Christianity’s hardest questions: Why do bad things happen to good people?
Recognition dawned on the participants’ faces by hearing Miles’ accurate translation of the word “rain.” It evidenced the family’s ability to adapt to a new ministry in a foreign culture -– as well as each family member’s importance to the work.
Boyd and his wife Jennie serve among the Roma Gypsies in central Europe. The couple met during their two-year journeyman term with the International Mission Board. While serving in Romania, Boyd became convicted about the lack of outreach to the Roma -– a displaced, oppressed people group best known for their history of horse-drawn wagons, colorful clothing and jewelry. Four years later, Boyd and Jennie returned with their two young children to minister to Gypsies in Romania. Then in 2005, the Hatchels -– now with two more children -– moved to the Czech Republic to further Roma work there.
Through efforts such as hosting neighborhood block parties and bringing in Roma believers from Romania as summer missionaries, the Hatchels have seen the work in the Czech Republic grow from an initial Czech-led Bible study to two additional studies and a weekly youth program.
Yet, among the family oriented Roma Gypsies, perhaps Boyd and Jennie’s greatest asset for ministry is their four children. Their blond heads stand out as they interact with the Roma during evangelistic parties and clothing distributions. They also play with Roma children during a weekly Bible study. By involving their family, the Hatchels are able to answer questions about marriage and raising children in a Christian home.
Although the Hatchels continue to learn the Czech language to better communicate biblical truths, they also have found they can build relationships with the Roma by teaching English, which Boyd describes as “an opportunity for us to bring in high school and college students. Even though we have a presence in the community, this is another point of contact. When you have two points of contact with a person, they are much more likely to open up to you.”
Through such interactions with the Gypsy people group, the Hatchels hope to bridge the cultural divide between the Roma and themselves as Ngodje (the non-Roma). It’s paying off as the Roma have become more accepting of the Hatchel family’s role in Roma life.
“To any Roma, you’re either Roma or you’re not,” Boyd says. “I’m some sort of hybrid -– in the middle.”
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Dea Davidson is a writer with the International Mission Board.
