CEE Pray for new Workers
Introductions: Believers with a passion to tell the Roma about Jesus
God is at work in the Balkans. Betty Easter, the strategy coordinator for the Roma of South Europe, and her teammate Karen Blackburn face a daunting task—reaching the Roma of eight countries. Betty’s prayer is that 70 new missionaries will join them, but God is already building the team through nationals and volunteers.
Meet Elle, a soft-spoken, gentle spirit who has a heart for the Roma. Elle is a Macedonian following God’s call to missions through working to reach the Roma with Betty in Gjorge Petrov, a suburb of Skopje. Betty hopes to start a Bible study in this small community that has no evangelical churches. Her initial step is building relationships through a new educational center, “Svetlonosets,” which means, “light bearer.” Elle teaches at the center and prays that through helping Roma overcome one of their biggest barriers—illiteracy—and giving them English skills she will win their trust, friendship and a listening ear.
“Working here is a double blessing because I get to help them learn English, which will enable them to get better jobs, but also the classes are small, so I get to know them and have personal relationships with them,” Elle said. “My goal is to later share the Gospel with them and challenge them to accept Christ and repent of their sins.”
Meet Mimosa, a Romany believer with a burden for her people to know Christ. Mimosa’s job is to teach other Roma how to read and write, but her ministry is to penetrate their lives with the truth of the Gospel. Like Elle, she also works with Betty at Svetlonosets. This place of ministry is a direct answer to Mimosa’s prayers.
“Betty and I have been together for a long time and have prayed a lot together,” she said. “We have wanted to open a place to teach Roma how to read and write and to help them learn the English language. God answered our prayers, and so here we are.”
Meet Rule and Adrianna. Rule is a nurse and midwife. Eight years ago she opened a Christian clinic to help those without money or proper papers receive quality medical care. Adrianna is a doctor at Rule’s clinic. This past year they partnered with Betty to host medical outreaches in Romany communities, with the first taking place in Topana, the oldest Romany community in Skopje. In one day 52 children received “well child” check-ups for the first time. The workers then gave vouchers to anyone needing further medical attention, enabling them to access the clinic for free assistance. Betty plans to have medical outreaches four times a year. Rule and Adrianna hope to teach the Roma about good nutrition, birth control and healthy living while introducing them to Jesus.
Meet Lyda, a new volunteer working in South Europe to reach the Roma. She is the virtual strategy coordinator for the Roma of one of the Balkan countries, which means she is a missionary from her home in America. Lyda is making periodic trips to South Europe and beginning to develop a strategy for reaching this people group with the Gospel. Her most recent trip resulted in a better understanding of what barriers keep the Roma from accepting the Gospel and what bridges might help reach them. Since the Roma are highly illiterate, Lyda has been learning how to do Bible storying and is planning to get stories from the Word recorded and aired to the Romany population.
Meet Abe*. He is not Roma, but is burdened to reach this people group for Christ. Abe escaped from his home on his belly while under gunfire several years ago during the Balkan wars. He started a personal relationship with the Lord and started working to help Romany people. Abe used to be a professor and now helps tutor children in the Romany community.
Meet Vali*, a 60-year-old who came to know the Lord 10 years ago. His commitment to use the rest of his life to reach the Roma for Christ caused him to move from his home city to a Romany community. Vali is a printer by trade who prints tracks and other Christian literature. He is also involved in media production, developing radio programs with a Christian worldview on such topics as abortion, spousal abuse and drugs.
These men and women all share a love for the Romany people and an impact on Betty’s small team. They have become her partners in giving hope through the Gospel in South Europe. Learn more about how you can help, write Betty at rose@everyheart.net.
* These names were changed for security purposes.