The first time I saw them was in our suburban church at Riverdale, Maryland,. They had come in halfway during the worship service , and seated themselves on the left side of aisle, two rows behind us. They were unmistakably different from the other people who attended that church. Sonya was fair olive skinned, with dark hair and attractive features, a disarming smile (she was the quintessential 'Esmeralda' gypsy in the movie Hunch Back of Notre Dame). Jerry her husband also dark haired, looked more like the ubiquitous American with plaid shirt and jeans. They were visitors to the area and chanced upon our church which sat off a quiet connecting road between two busy main roads. ( I learnt later, Sonya wanted to ‘drop off their ‘tithe money’ before she succumbed to the temptation to spend it,) After that day, they never showed up again. None of us knew they were gypsies. Some months later, and by some chance , I bumped into Jerry at the local grocery store (Safeway). Apparently, they had returned to the area, and found a place to stay 15 minutes from Riverdale apartments, where we lived. (That old apartment had its own stories to tell, the tenants like fixtures some of whom have lived there for decades)
Anyway, we sort of hit it off immediately. They were eager to know how our personal journey(s) that brought us to know the Lord Jesus as personal Savior, and we exchanged our stories (testimonies). We found out that Gypsies although comfortably conversant in English, did not go to school, nor send their children to school ; so they never learnt to read nor write. They are basically a sub culture people group who lived their lives outside the 'system'. The women folk were the ones who earned the money by holding private fortune telling sessions with their clients, carving a niche in a particular area/town, and erecting these “Palm’ reading signs to attract people needing a ‘guidance’ or some spiritual counselling or a direction in life; not unlike our local 'bomoh' services. Although the initial ‘payments’ for services may be small ( small cash, small household goods eg . toasters etc etc ), but eventually as the client's trust and confidence grows, they may be asked for bigger items like cars, and sometimes even houses(!). The gypsy men did not work and mostly spend their time playing golf, maybe indulge in car selling /fixing dented car fenders, or doing some black top work (tarring driveways or parking lots). Their daughters learn the fotune telling “trade” from very early on and acquire their disarming verbal and personality ‘skills’ that elicit trust and rapport with their clients. (Sonya told me she had her first client at a ripe young age of 12). Like most gyspsy families, their marriages are arranged and involve big dowries ( yes, the gypsies in America can trace their roots to Romania, Europe and centuries earlier to the country of India). Wedding customs like using 'tali' (Indian wedding custom) is widely practiced in gypsy weddings.
Completely. fascinating.
The problems for Sonya and Jerry began one day, when she happened to picked up a small pamphlet (a gospel tract) left at house which told of the message of God's redeeming love; the message of Salvation thru the sacrifice of Jesus, his death, (burial and resurrection,) as payment for our sins. The amazing thing was when she picked up the gospel tract, she was ‘supernaturally’ given an ability to understand it even though her mind couldn't process the lines (of words ) on the page, her heart unmistakably 'heard' Holy spirit speaking to her. She never went to school and was never taught to read! She was stunned as she felt her heart respond to this tract that spoke of God's love for her, and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. She cried several days as the Holy Spirit brought the conviction, and ministered deeply to her. She could not understand what was going on within her nor explain to her family. Only later she began to comprehend as she sought out advise from those in her community, gypsies who had become born again Christians. At some point she made a pivotal decision that would change her life forever (and her husband Jerry’s); she became a believer and follower of Jesus. "I felt such joy in me," exclaimed Sonya. But her new found faith also brought immediate persecution as she would not engage in age old trade of palm reading anymore ( the Word of God forbids it). This was a big big issue, basically their only source of 'bread n butter'.
She didn't yield, despite increasing pressure from her mother in law (Jerry 's mother) who even promised her a house in a nice section of town.
After the attempts to bribe her failed, her mother-in-law began to physically assault her (even while she was pregnant with child) and threatened more violence. As a result, her husband Jerry decided to skip town overnight with a just few bags and a very pregnant Sonya.
It was about that time our paths crossed.
For several years we were immersed into the gypsy world and their culture. We became close friends with Sonya, Jerry, Sonya’s father (Joe) and mother (Helen). Joe also became a born-again Christian as result of Sonya's witness, as did Sonya’s younger sister, Gina. Sonya's mother, Helen who could not give up the palm reading (or did not have the conviction to do so, was very unhappy about all that has happened.) She had envisioned a good life for her daughters, not having to see them struggle to earn. Jerry had to resort to selling 2nd hand used cars to make ends meet and needless to say, things were very tough on them. It was a baptism of fire. But you would never know it from their faces. They were always so joyful and thankful that they now have names written in the Lamb's Book of Life ( Revelation 13:8 )
The times we spent with them were always rich in fellowship, of common faith, of first time parenting, our seemingly transient unstructured lives and (of course) our financial challenges. The uncertainty surrounding our lives drew us to each other even as it drew us to the Lord. (at that time I drove an ice cream vending truck while awaiting for some direction from the Lord).
And so, in America, far from home, the gypsies became our 'family' and in more ways than one, we became our brother's keeper.
There was a day we had such good fellowship and time passed unnoticed, but they would insist we stay on for dinner, (and which we did). After dinner, I went to get some ice cubes from the freezer, and much to my dismay found it completely empty; they had shared their last tray of meat in the freezer with us. Omg!
And so almost 30 years on I still fondly remember this gypsy family who received us like their own.
It amazes me the relevancy of the gospel that it would reach into a 'hidden' people group, unable to read, but yet they become receptive fruitful ground for the seed of salvation to land.
I'm reminded, its really not a head matter ( intellectual) , its a heart matter.
Sonya, Jerry, Joe, Helen, Gina Mike, we may have lost contact here but one day I look forward to seeing your lovely faces once again.
Amen.
