Students will be introduced to the Roma, called gypsies, and discover th history, lifestyle and spirituality of the Roma. Roma are part of the contemporary European culture. Mission u, formerly School of Christian Mission, will be held July 10-13 at Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) in Mitchell, South Dakota and July 17-20 at the University of Jamestown, Jamestown, North Dakota.

Participants will investigate ways the church and other organizations are working alongside the Roma. Reverend Debra Ball-Kilbourne had sporadic involvement with the Roma when in Lithuania where missionaries were working hard to open our congregations and outreach for them.

Debra Ball-Kilbourne has served the church as a Christian educator, pastor, annual conference administrator, writer, and teacher for 38 years. She and her husband, Gary, have taught in United Methodist Schools of Mission, now Mission u, many times in the Dakotas, and in other annual conferences. They are the parents of two adult sons and grandparents to beautiful grandchildren. Debra happily serves the Des Lacs and Faith United Methodist parish in Des Lacs and Minot, North Dakota.