“I’m scared. They both look like sweet babies, but I know one must be a demon.” The terrified young mother pulled me into her dark, smoky hut and pointed to a mat where two tiny figures squirmed—identical twin baby girls, just a few hours old. I knew the superstition about twins among this particular group of Romani and understood the mother’s intense fear. The Romani had no prenatal care or education, and they understood little about the biology behind conception and pregnancy. They believed that when twins were born, it meant the devil had gotten into the woman during her pregnancy and left behind a demonic mirror image of the baby.
I heard whispers outside as the village discussed what to do with the babies. They couldn’t allow a demon to stay in their village and bring curses and death. They didn’t want to kill the babies, since one was just an innocent newborn. One elder suggested leaving them in the forest and letting nature take its course.

I called the chief elder and his wife into the hut, and we sat down with the young mother. I had spent several years building trust with these people, and they knew I would never lie to them or put them in danger. It was time to put this relationship to the test.

“I know another story about how twins are made. Sometimes, when a woman becomes pregnant, the tiny egg that is growing into a baby can become split in half to form two babies. This is not a curse, but a special blessing from God. These babies should be a cause for joy. They are a great blessing to this village!”

After a long discussion and many prayers, I left hoping the villagers could overcome their fears. The following day, I returned and was greeted by the beaming mother. She handed me her daughters, the fear in her face replaced with pride and love. “This one is Simza. The other one we named for you. She is your namesake.”

I hope my training in childbirth education and care that I will share with Balkan women will have an impact on their maternal and child health. But more than that, I look forward to sharing the beautiful message of trust and love in Jesus—a love that casts out all fear.

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