Monday through Wednesday nights, we conducted our first Equip Level 1 Seminar for Gypsy leaders. We had about 30 Gypsy church leaders show up and enroll in the course. Just doing that is a big step. First, we charged them a small fee for it. They are not accustomed to paying anything for education but we wanted to establish the principle that there is no "free lunch". This training costs money to produce and deliver and they need to participate. We made it clear that they were getting a bargain rate, but they had to pay. Second, we asked them to commit to a three year program. This too is new; they are not used to making commitments to anything. Whether or not they keep this commitment, time will tell, but at least they made it. Third, we asked them to commit to training five other people. This too is part of trying to build in accountability, something they are not accustomed to in their culture.
There were six lessons of about an hour each in this first series. We teamed up with a young man named Radko who is a Gypsy and a YWAM missionary here. His mission is to reach into the Gypsy community to help them change so this is a perfect vehicle for him. He has been through the program (Level 1) and is currently enrolled in Level 2 (so we will see him again on Friday). He taught the first two sessions on Monday evening. Then we taught the last four sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.
These Gypsy leaders were very positive and enthusiastic about the training. They recognize the need to change in their culture and we think they will take this opportunity seriously. Again, time will tell but we are certainly off to a good start!
Today, we are making the final, detailed preparations for Level 2 which begins tomorrow night in Stara Zagora, a city where we have been going for years. Our hostess, Marina Dimitrova is leaving for South Africa today and our friend Grozdan will pick us up tomorrow on the way to Stara Zagora.
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