CEE Join Us Section Title
From the fringes to the Father
Ivan’s past can be described as one of a man caught up in the world’s downward spiral. He has struggled with alcohol, drugs and the wrong group of friends. He has spent nights sleeping near toilets in public bathrooms and on the street. Each instance has made an impression on the Romany man, yet not one situation impacted him like when the power of the Holy Spirit—and simple advertising—came into his life.
Boyd Hatchell, IMB missionary and strategy coordinator for the Roma of Central Europe, said members of the Romany Fellowship—a meeting of Bible study and worship directed at reaching Roma—put up a small poster advertising the weekly gathering on its front door. The poster read, “Are you looking for joy, peace, happiness and meaning in life?”
“We had put a sign up, just so people would know what we're doing,” Boyd said. “Ivan walked by one Sunday, saw the poster … walked in and began to say, ‘Yes, I am looking for that,’ and just began showing up on a weekly basis.”
Boyd said Ivan was drunk and smelled like smoke that first Sunday, which raised questions regarding his level of serious commitment. However, Ivan’s visit extended beyond one Sunday and now changes in this Roma’s life are evident.
“He was on the fringes of society,” Boyd said, “but he began to come and stick around. His general appearance has begun to change and he is a regular at the (Romany Fellowship) meetings. He has made radical changes in his life by his desires.”
Boyd said he wants to meet with Ivan more to discuss baptism and his growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Please pray for Ivan as he battles temptations to return to old habits. Pray his heart is open to the Holy Spirit’s power to make him a new creation in Christ and share what the Lord has done in his own life with other Roma.