Obed Dyes Eggs

Is it done yet?

"WOW!" (in Romanian) is the word we heard exclaimed over and over as the Obed Day Center students dipped their eggs in dye and waited patiently for the colored eggs to emerge.  For being such well-behaved children they received a chocolate egg and a chocolate bunny.  One little boy ate his so fast I wondered if he took the foil off! It was a fun time.

Yeah! Eggs for breakfast

We had a few blue fingers in the process.

8th Grade English Club

 We call it English Club but it's really just a fun time after school where we speak some English.  This week they learned the words pillow, cut, scissors, stuffing, and "please don't point those scissors at your friend."  We made pillows and you can see the girls were very serious about it.

 The boys, not so much.  They made new head wear.

You can guess what happened next.
Pillows + 8th grade boys = PILLOW FIGHT!

It was a fun activity for all of us.  But I admit I will think seriously before again giving lethal weapons in the form of scissors to hyper-just-finished-my-school-day middle schoolers!

International Roma Day

Posted on the Roma Virtual Network by Romano Liloro
Our CBF Team asks you to join us in prayer - On the Stocks blog and the CBF Gypsy Ministries blog will be a daily prayer request.

8th of April: A Call for Unity!   

Roma around the world celebrate this day in tribute of the first World Roma Congress held in Orphington, near London in 1971.      

Since 1971, decisions of the World Roma Congress largely shaped our struggle for dignity. Ever since, a moral high ground enshrined in those decisions elevates our determination to the cause. They present a transnational political code for future generations of the Roma people.

Since 1971, we are resolved to be called Roma. We stand up beneath the green and blue flag embellished with the red, sixteen-spoked chakra wheel. We sing a common anthem that echoes our history of determination to peace and unity. We speak Romanes, the language whose endurance is a living source of connection with our brothers and sisters all around the world. We are citizens. We are proud to be a Roma Nation. We commit to live together with other people and Nations in peace and mutual respect.

With these words in our hearts and minds, Roma world-wide could celebrate International Roma Day together in unity under the motto: United in Peace, Prosperity and Solidarity!

On 8th of April 2012, at 12:00 noon all the Roma around the world can unite through the flow of the rivers, seas and oceans. Let us gather at noon to cast flowers into our nearest river, sea, ocean. Let the spirit of the International Roma Day unite us!

A large group of Roma activists in Budapest will gather and cast flowers into the Danube. We call on all Roma to organize celebrations, cast flowers and share this information with others in order to initiate the unity of Roma in the world.

Organizing Committee, Budapest 8th of April

Gypsy Smith School - March



Our March class

Our three graduates

The Roma church leaders gathered in Bucharest at the Ruth School this week for their quarterly classes.  They readily admitted it was hard to concentrate on Philippians and Missions & The New Testament with the beautiful spring weather. 

The leaders shared openly during their worship service on Wednesday night and again on Thursday night for our graduation celebration.  For three men this marked their eighth course so they were given certificates and Bibles.

We have a break in classes during the late spring, summer, and early fall months because so many of our leaders are able to get seasonal work.  We will meet again in October.

Thank you to all who have supported the Gypsy Smith School through prayer and support.  It is making a difference in the lives of the Roma leaders and their congregations.

"I was sick and you helped me..." Gardner Webb University's Healthcare Team

Access to preventative care is difficult for our Ruth School students and the Ferentari community.  This past week a group of nursing students and professors from Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC offered healthcare clinics to those in need.  They concentrated on offering assessments in the village of Glina at the Roma Baptist Church, for the Ruth School students and staff, and for the Ferentari community.

     It was a busy week as they also led chapel with a skit on using the gifts God gives us.  With a big stuffed dinosaur that had a full set of teeth, the team showed the younger grades how to adequately brush their teeth and then presented them with a brand new toothbrush.  Our older grades heard a talk on making good choices and to "just say no!"  For the staff a seminar on building self-esteem in students and a small gift of an apple timer helped them to feel appreciated.  Through generous donors the team provided a family health kit for all the school mothers attending the Moms' Club.  The moms were given information on keeping their families healthy.
     Thank you Gardner Webb University, team members, Smilemakers, Inc (donated stickers, toothbrushes, gifts), and others that donated.  Thank you to all that prayed for this week.  Project Ruth, the Glina community, and the Ferentari community were blessed.

Brittany's Life in Romania: The Beginning of Something Beautiful!

**This is a repost of our friend, Brittany Garton. A group of friends from Brittany's alma marter is here to paint a mural on the wall of the Ruth School. Click on her title to see the entire article with pictures.

Brittany's Life in Romania: The Beginning of Something Beautiful!: The Bluefield College team arrived safely in Bucharest on Friday evening. After a quick dinner, the team fought through their jet lag and b...