The children came barefoot and in rags. They could not read or write, as they were not allowed to go to school. Barna had to teach them to read the alphabet so they could learn Bible verses and begin to read the Scriptures. Eventually they could do Bible correspondence courses.

Children came to Christ and their lives were changed. They began to pray for their parents. Adults, too, trusted the Lord. The Good News Club led to the establishment of a local Gypsy church with nearly 100 members! Parents--who had before been thieves and drunkards--were transformed by the grace of God and began to nurture and look after their children.

Now these Gypsy children attend the local school along with the Romanian children. And God is using their witness. Recently their math teacher came to Christ, testifying that the changed lives of Gypsy children led to his conversion!

There are now over 2,600 Good News Clubs like this going on in Europe. Nearly 50,000 children attend every week, most of whom are from non-Christian families. Even many in the Christian community avoid Gypsies but we know that God's Word must go to every child of every nation. We want these children to be loved and love in return. We want to see stereotypes broken and lives changed. But most important, we want them to know Jesus and accept Him as Savior.

Like Barna Kovacs, Mike Petkof in Greece is also working hard to reach Gypsy children. He has been able to use his skills in reading and writing Greek to minister effectively. Because the Gypsies don't generally attend any type of school, the majority of them cannot read or write. So Mike has begun to teach Greek lessons to all who are interested. He's supplied pencils, paper--even alphabet books--so these children can come to him and learn more. Mike then has Bible clubs after Greek lessons.

Mike vividly describes one of his first experiences with the Gypsies, "I looked around at over 100 children...and the Lord just broke my heart." Before sharing a lesson that contrasted our physical birth with our spiritual birth, he asked some of the children when their birthdays were. To his shock, not one Gypsy child knew his birthday! Only a few could begin to guess. Immediately a dream was planted in Mike's heart to plan a gigantic birthday party--he can't wait to see the precious looks on the faces of these children when they see cakes, presents, streamers-- just for them! Mike says "...these people are hungry to come to us and want to hear what we have to share--all because we were willing to love them in Jesus' name."