Macedonia

Macedonia is a small country, about the size of Vermont. In this mountainous country resides approximately 200,000 Roma. Historically, Macedonia was a part of the Ottoman Empire (Turkish Empire) for about 500 years, which only ended in the early 20th century – about 1918. This is when Islam was imposed in the region.

Following the Ottoman Empire, Communism was the regime in power for the next 40+ years. The Roma, like a chameleon, blend in with whomever is in power, therefore accepted Islam – but it is only a nominal acceptance. From the time of Communism, the Roma became used to being taken care of, rather than making their own way.

The Roma have lived in Macedonia for hundreds of years, but their way of life has not progressed like the ethnic groups around them. Illiteracy has grown since the fall of Communism. Information, therefore, is passed on via oral means – from trusted sources – such as friends and family. Pray that we gadgje (non-Roma) will become a trusted source, so that the gospel message and Bible stories will be truly heard! Pray that the barriers that keep the Roma in spiritual, emotional and financial poverty will be shattered.