CEE Story From The Mission Field
Thank You! Part 3
January 6, 2006
CEE Leadership wants to thank you for your generous giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Many lives have been changed because of you. Your gifts have helped us plant churches, spread the word of God and lead nationals to go out as missionaries. Through out this holiday season, we would like to share a few of these stories in a three-part series. Part three:
“You were the key to Greece; but, we were the key to their hearts”, quote from Zuphi, a Romany/Gypsy church planter from Romania, on a mission project in Larissa, Greece.
Your gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering went far beyond their normal routes. They left your wallets, through your local church offerings, through state and national conventions, to the direction of IMB leadership, to the hands of on-field missionaries. But, this time, they went one step further. They went all the way to another country.
Your Lottie Moon gifts helped sponsor the first ever Romany/Gypsy international mission project to Greece. In March 2005, nine laymen and women, left Romania to minister in five Romany Greek communities, in and around, Larissa (between Thessalonica and Athens). Their project was precipitated by six months of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting training. They learned about culture, missions, and ‘teaming’ as they became the volunteers. Many US team have come and ministered among the Romany, but this was THEIR TURN.
They partnered with a Greek pastor, IMB colleagues, and national believers to share the gospel through stories, drama, and music. There was no need for any translators, since the Romany language is universally compatible. Within minutes of arrival, the Romany believers were inside the homes, on the patios, and sharing not only coffee and pastries, but also the gift of eternal life.
Your Lottie Moon gifts also provided follow-up funds for one team member to return to Greece for three months. Your gifts and generosity, not only allowed missionary personnel to train national leaders to be missionaries, but they allowed the trained to train others. “The gift that keeps on giving.”
It is very easy to say thank you on behalf of our national partners, our new believers from Greece, and my family. Your gifts allow us to minister, live, and follow God’s call.
Boyd Hatchel
Strategy Coordinator
Romany/Gypsy, CEE