GodMan Showings to the Roma of Bulgaria

October 2007--The sun had just begun to set as we arrived in our van full of US Missionaries and Bulgarian Pastors.* There was a small crowd of children gathered around playing. We heard whip cracks as the boys send their homemade tops spinning through the parking lot. When we disembarked from the van many more people came out of their homes to see these strangers who did not speak their language but were setting up an outdoor movie screen. Part of the group interacted with the babushkas that came out to greet us, complete with head scarves, multi-print clothing and weathered faces. And another part of the group began taking photos of the children and having fun with them while the rest worked quickly to set-up the film equipment as the day faded to darkness.

Crowds gathered, from where we do not know, but they all suddenly seem to appear out of the darkness. The children sat on the ground, the ladies were seated on stools and chairs that they brought with them and the men and teens were scattered here and there standing around the outskirts of the semi-circle. There was excitement in the chilly overcast night. Cars slowed down when they passed at the curious sight. Before the night was over there were people watching from the front and back sides of the screen. As others strained to keep up with the action from their porches, windows, balconies and even roof tops.

The Americans introduced the film, the music began playing, the story began; dubbed in Bulgarian, all eyes were transfixed on the screen. We were using the Slavic version which included a live action wrap of three children who get themselves into trouble by stealing an ipod; interwoven is the animated story of Jesus. This version stresses the fatherhood of Christ, his forgiveness and doing the right thing. It is powerful and those closest to the screen are mesmerized. It is a tough crowd, the ones on the fringes are restless and talkative but they do not leave. (It is hard to expect reverence for a story many are seeing for the first time). We watched the emotions on their faces as they laugh, cry, cringe and gasp as the life of Christ unfolded before them and as they identified with the real characters in the film. Then came the best moment of all when one of the team members comes forward to give an invitation to have a relationship with Jesus. Hands shoot up all over the place from those who prayed the prayer for the first time, including those from the back who refuse to leave, even at the persistence of friends. Then they are introduced to a local pastor, needs are prayed for as others packed up the equipment.

Many disappear back into the darkness of night for their home. The children however stuck around for more love and attention; often asking for "one more photo" or to use the few English words they knew. We are told over and over that this is the first time anything like this has been done in their village; that no one has brought the community together for anything before. And yet, here they were, all together at a crossroads together watching the light of the gospel in some pretty dark places both spiritually and in the natural. Several times we came across elderly women crying with joy that their prayers have been answered with our presence, message and love for their people.

*We showed the GodMan film each night in a different Roma Village. Each had slight differences but the story above was a harmonized account of all the nights.

Photos from the trip can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimart4ch/

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
The GodMan Film: http://www.bookofhope.net/pages/page.asp?page_id=8304

ROMA PEOPLE: Also known as Gypsies, some are transient but most live in permanent housing often considered squatter communities. The Roma in Bulgaria vary in number between 370,000 (official) to possibly as many as 750,000. It is thought that they originated from Northern India migrating in 1000 AD; mostly to Eastern Europe but can be found worldwide.