Who is on my doorstep?

by James Vaughton, CEO

A few years ago, I remember God speaking clearly to me through the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, as told by Jesus in Luke 16:19-31. The question that lingered was, who is on my doorstep? Was I in danger of being the rich man—ignoring those on my doorstep— consciously or subconsciously?

We are understandably concerned about COVID-19, for our families, our friends, our communities but what about the forgotten, the hidden and the marginalised communities sitting ‘on our doorstep’?

I’m writing about Europe’s 10 million Roma people who migrated from India in the Middle Ages and are now found mainly in the Balkans, some central European states, Spain, France, Russia and Ukraine.

Today, around 80% of Europe’s Roma people live in makeshift buildings located in overcrowded neighbourhoods on the edge of towns and cities. In one community I visited last year there was a single water tap for the whole village.

Normally reliant on the cash earnt through manual labour, begging and seasonal work, the impact of coronavirus lockdown has meant that the Roma are not able to make a living and left asking how they might feed their families. We may feel some relief about the easing

of lockdown, wondering whether we might be able to take a holiday abroad later this year. For Roma people on our doorstep, malnutrition is a greater risk than COVID-19.

Our UK partner, Andrew Saxton of Life2Romania, reminds me that the Roma are a humble and generous people and increasing numbers are turning to Jesus and attending church in search of hope at these times. During the present crisis and with your support, TEN has been able to bring aid to several Roma communities, enabling local pastors to bring life and hope.