Slovakia
Nestled in the heart of Europe, the young country of Slovakia is home to the strong, traditional spirit that has driven its people through centuries of oppression and domination. Through most of the country’s early history, the Slovak culture was under constant attack from the occupying Hungarian forces, implementing Magyarization, the practice of repressing the Slavic culture and forcing Slovaks to adopt Hungarian language and culture. During this period of intense cultural oppression, Slovaks forged bonds with their Czech neighbors who were experiencing similar circumstances at the hands of Austria. These bonds solidified into a unified country of Czechoslovakia when the Austro-Hungarian Empire was disbanded at the end of World War I.
Nazi and communist powers ruled Czechoslovakia in succession, leaving pain and devastation in their respective wakes, and the fall of the latter in the peaceful Velvet Revolution gave Slovakia the chance it needed to reorient itself and its culture. The overpowering influence of the Czech part of the country caused Slovakia to seek autonomy, and in 1993 the two countries peacefully split apart in what was dubbed the Velvet Divorce.
Through the separation of the two states, Slovakia formed its own government and attempted to reassert its Slavic culture. Hungarians still comprise a significant minority group in the county at over 10% of the population, but are continually marginalized by the government in recompense for centuries of Magyar oppression. Roma make up the second largest minority group in Slovakia and a rather large social problem as well. Roma have had a rough existence in Slovakia. Many were wiped out in WWII concentration camps and many of the survivors lost their homes and livelihoods at the breakup of Czechoslovakia. A distressingly high number of Roma live together in rural camps and are housed in cellars, or shacks of wood or cardboard.
Slovaks have a historically Catholic background and over 60% of the population still claims that religion. Unfortunately the majority of the people have never read the Bible and are completely unaware of the need to have a personal relationship with Christ. Also, recent attempts at modernization of the Slovak lifestyle have increased this spiritual void in the lives of the people. With less that 1% of the population having a saving relationship with Christ, the spiritual need in this country is vast. Rather than turning to Christ to rebuild their lives and their identities, the people have turned to political reforms and modernization to improve the quality of their lives. The people are beginning to realize how empty these things really are and are searching for something much more substantial in their lives. What they are looking for is a fulfillment that only Christ can provide.
If you are interested in adopting the Slovak people group and helping them find fulfillment in Christ, contact us at hope4cee@pobox.com.