"May Jesus himself and God Our Father who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work and enliven your speech."

 (2 Thessalonians 2:16 & 17 - The Message)

Thank you for your support of the work of Gypsies For Christ during the past year. We appreciate your prayers and giving without which we would not be able to continue the outreach to the Gypsies of Eastern Europe. This summer we were away from home for four months. We had many blessings and encouragements and our share of setbacks too! From next year we plan to spend six months at home (October to March) and six months abroad (April to September.) We do not know how this will work out but as always we value your prayers and gifts for the work. Look out for details of our plans in the Easter 2002 Newsletter.

We found that the building used by the church in Partizanske was badly in need of repair and cleaning. During Kumar's visit and with his help Sonnie and Stano tidied it up and made it safe again. We visited Handlova with Kumar and Jackie and made contact with the Gypsies there.

We arranged with Dita, a Gypsy lady, to run a playgroup for the pre-school children in the block where she lives and it proved to be very successful. We were delighted that Dita felt able to continue the work after we left.

We also help Katya with the older children's groups and started English classes which were popular with the Slovak children.

The Dorcas Sewing Group got going and those who persevered were pleased with what they achieved.

Steve Jones spent some time with us in Partizanske and Stano was glad of his help in the church. We gave time to building up relationships in the community and helping out wherever we could.

A major building project was completed in our apartment (top right) and now we have a new bathroom and shower for all our visitors to enjoy.

We did not spend much time in Hungary this summer. Rosemary took Kumar and Jackie on a day visit to introduce them to Pastors Imre Kovacs and Andras Berki and their families.

Then in July we attended the wedding of Deana and Zoltan in Verpelet. It was a very happy occasion and we were able to see all our friends again.

Children from the AWANA Club in Recsk, Hungary

In August we travelled on to Tirgu Mures to renew contacts there. In Chirileu we found that the Gypsies were once again without water. The Romanian villagers had diverted the supply for their own use and we thought of what happened in Genesis 26:13-33. As we were unable to resolve the problem on the spot we plan to take it up with the Romanian Embassy in London. We delivered medical supplies to Dr Eugen Dudas who took us to visit Gypsy families in Hadereni. In 1993 this area was the scene of terrible violence against the Roma - their villages were burned and three women lost their lives so a memorial is held there every year. A similar incident took place in Vulcan in 1997. We were not able to deliver the supplies for Bahnea as the school was closed for the summer holidays and these will be handed over on our next visit. We then went on to Craiova. Steve Jones and Liz Peake had arranged a programme in the nearby village of Gingova. We had been there before so the people were glad to see us. We were able to show our JESUS film there and in Comestani, the next village - there was a good response. By the grace of God we were kept safe in a nasty accident with a horse and cart on a country road. Steve was driving at the time as Sonnie was not well. By the end of the trip we were tired and glad to be on the way home. Our final engagement, before setting out for England, was in Velky Krtis, SLOVAKIA. On a previous visit the Gypsies did not have a church there but now one meets in a hired hall. PRAISE THE LORD!

We were in the Channel Islands twice this year in September/October - as the guests of the New Life Christian Fellowship and the Full Gospel Business Men's fellowship International, Although we had missed the best of the summer weather we had a lovely holiday combined with our other engagements. These included a meeting in St Paul's centre, St Helier and interviews for BBC Radio and the Jersey Evening Post. The second visit was for Sonnie to speak at the dinners of the Jersey and Guernsey chapters of the FGBMFI. It is always a great joy for us to meet friends again and to share with them in their churches and home groups so we do look forward to our annual visits. We are grateful to everyone at Bethlehem and the New Life Fellowship for all the support they give GFC and for the warm hospitality and friendship we receive. It is a great blessing to us.

Late in October we heard the good news that Stano and Alice's baby had arrived - Daniela - a little sister for Tatiana. The family is doing well and would value your prayers for the future.

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Early in November we were informed of the unexpected death of Dr Eugen Dudas. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family. Please pray for them and for our Medical Project. We need to find another doctor if it is to continue.

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The AGM was held on November 17th 2001 and we thank everyone who came along and made it such a success. The next one will be on November 16th 2002 - so put the date in your diary. Our Trustees meeting will be held on January 19th 2002 and we will be making plans for the New Year. We would value your prayers as important decisions will be made then.

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'In Search of the True Gypsy - From Enlightenment to Final Solution' by Wim Wilens (University of Amsterdam 0 7146 422) is an attempt to trace Gypsies as far back to their roots as possible and explain why stigmatisation has continued from the distant past to the present day. 'A False Dawn - My Life as a Gypsy woman in Slovakia' by IIona Lackkova (University of Hertfordshire Press ISBN 1-902806-00-X) is a fascinating life history and a magnificient literary achievement which enables the reader to become immersed in the Gypsy way of life.

This summer we said "Goodbye" to our Pastor Simon Smith and his family as they moved away to serve the Lord in the Philippines. We miss them and keep them in our thoughts and prayers as they work in a differcult and dangerous enviroment. The Woodford Christian Life Church now has two new Pastors - Chris Scott and David Wade - we welcome them and their families. Once again we take the opportunity to thank the WCLC for enabling us to send out our Newsletters, for their prayers and all the valuable support they give us. We appreciate it very much!

We would like to pay tribute to all our interpreters (too many to name) for their valuable contribution to the mission of GFC. Thank you and God bless you all. We were glad to welcome Szilvia Dan from Budapest at our AGM and introduce her to some of the GFC family here.

Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can NEVER extinguish it.

(John 1:5 & 6)

Greetings for Christmas and the coming year.

From the Trustees and Team of GFC.