My latest read...

I am currently reading this book called Bury Me Standing. It is about the Roma people (the Gypsies) and their journey, their traditions and their culture that has isolated and demonized them in every country they have ever settled in or travelled through.

It is a totally fascinating read and a real eye opener, not just about this group of people but about the reality of the cultures, attitudes, perceptions and traditions that divide and separate people the world over.

These people have traveled, probably from India, all over the world for the last 1000 or so years and have no written record of history or language and yet no matter how much time or distance has separated various groups they are still tied by language, tradition, superstition and ritual. Amazing!

I am only about 1/3 of the way through this book and I have to say that I'm really looking forward to learning more about these mysterious people because most of the kids we work with are gypsies. The more I read however, the more I think that I will never understand the mind of a people who have been exiles in a foreign land for as long as they have existed, and seem to have embraced that position.

But as a follower of Jesus maybe I have something to learn from these people. Maybe we can all learn something from a people who have consistently been counter culture, who have consistently treaded their own path and who have constantly walked a road less travelled.

I pray that in my life I can do the same in the name of Jesus.