the hungarian gypsies..an eye-opener

Just wanted to say that I love loggin in here. So refreshing to hear what is happening at H2O and in your individual hearts and minds. Molly (my sis) says that things are hoppin and that God is really moving in and among you. Awesome! God is forming some neat relationships here in Hungary with me a few other Hungarians. What a blessing to be accepted and really get to be friends with 'the natives.'
One thing that has really hit me this year is how incredibly racist it is here. I could go on and on about it, but I am just not used to the kind of hatred that is between Hungarians and the Roma (Gypsy) people. For those who don't know, the Roma arrived here from somewhere in India a few centuries back. At one time, they wandered in caravans and entertained the masses as they journeyed from village to village. However, because of industrialization and the now sedentary life of modern society, they now have to find a way to survive. Integration is nearly impossible because of the walls built up from both sides. Theft, violence, lack of cleanliness, begging, homelessness, early pregnancies and young marriages...all of these characteristics isolate the Roma from European people...but much of this just a part of their own culture and heritage. I have brought up the subject of the Roma in class with my ninth graders. These are some of their comments:

' I hate them . I wish the Roma would just leave Hungary. '
' They stink and they should go away and have their own country.'
' Hungary should give them their own part of the country and be separated from 'real' Hungarians by walls.'

An ongoing struggle in Hungary, as in many countries in Europe. My students try to draw comparisons between the struggle for equality of the African-American in the US. But this is comparing apples to oranges. In America, we at least are working in the the right direction. (in my opinion) there are at least laws to protect our minorities. Most African Americans want to be considered American But not here. Roma don't want to be like the ethnic Hungarian. They are shoved aside and the government has its hands tied in helping them.

Anyway, as you can see, it has been an eye-opening experience. If only my students could see that they are the hope for the future. That the way they treat others will either continue the cycle of hate or will at least curb it a little, hopefully starting a new trend. If only they could see how Jesus would treat the Roma. How He would have reached out and loved them. Treating them with compassion because of their plight. Never condemning but reaching down into their confused and displaced lives. And show them love. What can be done?