Bibles for Romani villagers

In rural villages throughout Hungary, Bible Society is working to bring Bibles to people, many of whom are Romanis, once known as gypsies.

These two young Romani men were amongst those who received Bibles during a recent Bible Society trip to the village of Hernandszentandras, in Hungary.

Take the village of Hernadszentandras, for example. In October, 2010, it was affected by the country’s worst-ever environmental disaster when a retaining dam at an aluminium plant burst, spewing a river of toxic red sludge out into villages and waterways. Many of the doorways here still have sandbags piled up outside, a reminder of the battle which many people fought and, in many instances lost, trying to protect their homes from the flooding.

Now, the villagers are struggling with an uncertain future. But on the day that Bible Society arrived many people came from the village and the surrounding district eager to receive a Bible.

The words of gratitude spoken as the Bibles were handed out was a welcome reminder of just how much God’s Word is valued by those who can least afford it.

This article is from The Word at Work – Autumn 2012