First Contact with the Gitanes

This isn't the exact camp I visited. The one close to us has more trailers, but otherwise very much the same.

Gitanes are one group of Gypsys. They originate from Spain. Most speak Spanish, but somehow are related to gypsies from Romania. I will tell you that I am not prejudiced, but all gypsies are pickpocket, low-life thieves. The two times I have had someone try to pickpocket me, it has been gypsies. They invade the city, occupy the intersections and offer to wash your windshield...for money. That's great if your windshield is dirty. If you wave them off, they usually take their squeegee and draw a heart on the windshield right in front of your eyes...now they have to wash it off. Then they ask for money for having washed your windshield. Drives me and everyone else crazy. They are obnoxious, aggressive, demanding and pushy ...and I think that is why I think God has begun putting them on my heart.

I recently read a magazine article on how they were also rounded up and put into concentration camps like the Jews and a large number were also sent to the gas chambers. While most gypsy groups are constantly on the move (each city in France must have a campground reserved for them) some have taken to squatting on unused land. There is one such camp near us.

A couple of weeks ago a company that sells shoes to large sporting goods stores gave us their samples. About 100 pairs of shoes...all the same size. We usually give them away to the kids at our basketball camp. But I thought why not take some over to the gypsy camp and see what kind of contact we can make.

The camp is basically a wide place in the road, between a hill and a large dry water runoff resevoir. A few rundown camping trailers, now turned into somewhat permanent housing. I walked in and shouted out...no one opens a door. I can hear people inside, but they have no idea who I am. Probably the last stranger to set foot inside their 'yard' was an immigration official. Right about then a van pulls into the yard with two men inside. I introduce myself as the evangelical pastor from down teh road. Turns out these are gypsies from Spain. They are traditionally christian, evangelical, usually somewhat pentecostal.

I open my sack with a couple of pairs of shoes (brand new and next year's models) some left over t-shirts from the basketball camp. Now the doors to the trailers open up, two women come out and a handful of kids. Some are still in school at this hour. I ask their shoe size and have shoes that will fit several of them. We talk a bit about the church they go to. I have heard about it, but never met the pastor or actually seen it. Gypsies keep pretty much to themselves. I tell them I will come back Sunday afternoon with some more shoes for the rest of the kids.

Still curious to see if God might have anything in store for all of us together...I might ask them if they would be interested in a Bible study ??