A visit with the Gypsies.

Monday, 5 October 2009, 10pm in TARAZ:

A few weeks ago, we visitied a party at a local Kazakh Sunday “Club” and met a Gyspy family. After work tonight, we ran to the only store that sells to cheese that we actually like to buy, well, cheese. Our Gypsy friends were asking for money near the store, and we struck up conversation—we remembered them and they remembered us. We spoke only English and they spoke only Russian and Gypsy. In the half hour we talked, nobody understood anything the other was saying, but that seems to happen a lot here, so we didn’t mind.

Several of our students walked past us while we were talking to the family, and they looked SO concerned. Gypsies have a terrible reputation for being pick-pockets all around the world, and Kazakhstan is no different. Our students knew that this family begged for money, and were worried about it. It made us happy to know that we do have people in this city looking out for us, but we assured them that we were among friends, and while they didn’t look happy with our decision to stay with this famiy, they left. Even our fellow teachers eventually showed up and urged us to come with them, thinking we were in a situation we couldn’t get out of. It was touching that so many people cared for us, but it broke my heart knowing that this family was watching person after person try to pull us away from them simply because of a stereotype.

They invited us over (by now a friend of ours had come to translate), we accepted, purchased food to share with them since they had none at their home, and went to their house with our friend, Max. He was able to translate for us, which was nice.

Their house was very small—one room for a family of 7. They lived there, slept there, are there. EVERYTHING. We sat on bare mattresses on the floor and shared a meal with them. It was truly humbling to be in the presence of such gracious hosts who, despite their hard lives, were SOLD OUT for our Father. I was a wonderful night, and after a few hours with them, we said goodbye and Max drove us home.

All in all, a wonderful night with wonderful friends and their beautiful children.