When a Gypsy Dies

The gypsy mom I shared with you all about in the last update died. The one with the four little girls, the poorest gypsy family in Marghita etc... Remember? No one's sure of the actual day or circumstances just that she died. So what happens when the lowest of the low dies in Romania? No one cares, that's what happens. The people of Marghita will probably realize in a few months that they haven't seen 'her' face in and amongst their dumpsters in awhile.

You know if the Mayor of this town had gotten hit by a car and was in a coma in the Oradea hospital everyone would hear about it. All the money available would be used for his care and if he did die, it would be on the front page of the paper and elaborate religious funeral arrangements would be made. But for Mariko, this woman, even trying to get a priest or pastor to come and officiate the funeral will probably take quite a bit of money. Gypsies are nothing here, worth nothing...and this woman was considered the lowest of the low of the gypsies in Marghita. Thankfully God had brought people into her life so that funeral arrangements could be made...mainly through the foundation I'm with. I spoke with one of my bosses this morning, Florin, and he will take care of it. I think though of how the respect she will be given at her funeral would have been so better spent while she was alive.

I read this devotional this morning about how we daydream too much. Why not go and do instead of daydreaming about it. I admit that there was much I daydreamed about in regards to this woman and her girls, yet never went and did. Did she know Jesus before she died? I have no idea and it hurts to admit that.

Gypsy funerals can be quite dramatic. I've only been to one and apparently that was more subdued than usual. I can only describe it as wailing. I'm not sure of it's purpose always but it is protocol in a way I think. And the girls, the precious 4 little ones. Caleb and I spent Saturday morning playing with the younger three at the hospital. I asked for your prayers for these girls last month and if you remember I was so discouraged that the Dad was unwilling to consider foster homes or adoption etc... for them. Well, yesterday our social worker was notified that the Dad wants to discuss options for the eldest, the 5 year old. I don't believe the other children can go into our foundation b/c they are under 2. Romanian law states no child under 2 can go to an orphanage. So, we'll see. But that is a huge praise and change in heart from when I first shared this situation!

Not that God doesn't have awesome plans for the other 3 girls, but there is something different about that 5 year old. You can sense it as soon as you are near her or see her smile from down the street. God has special plans for her...I am committed to His work with her. If she comes to Casa Alba then she'll be learning about Jesus, going to school etc... I don't think I would ever say an orphanage could be an "incredible" change for a child but in this case I would say yes.