Greetings from Slovakia!
Since returning from Off Field Assignment in mid August, we have been busy re-establishing relationships and completing a couple of projects which have been in the planning stage for some time now.
Having good partners is essential in establishing enduring partnerships. It was a joy to return and pay visits to several of our long-term ministry partners in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. These visits with our
partners gave us an opportunity to express appreciation for and plan together about how we will continue to minister together. In Cinobana, this included scheduling a short-term ministry team for next year. In
Kosice, it included adjusting the feeding project established last year so that the funds are better utilized and the impact of the project widened. In Banska Bystrica, our meeting was an opportunity to begin plans
to complete a project we have been working on for a while.
In partnership with the Slovak Bible Society and our colleague Keith Holmes, we planned to dub version of an animated video portraying the Biblical story of Ruth into Roma, Slovak, and Czech languages.
Additionally, the DVD will also include subtitles for each language. Working with over thirty amateur actors/actresses in three different languages was certainly a challenge. But thanks to our wonderful friends
and the hard work of Keith, the finished product should be available by 7 December! Already the video was played for select audiences to gather feedback and to check for any egregious errors. The reception,
especially of the Roma version, was very positive.
The overwhelming physical needs of the Roma in Slovakia demand a response. For next year, we are looking to carefully expand the Roma Hunger and Health ministry to meet these needs.
Already we have established new partnerships in Lucenec and Jasov, Slovakia and Decin, Czech Republic. We have begun discussions with a group of Roma churches to develop a self-supporting
network to provide employment opportunities through agricultural activities.
Our partnership with Heifer Slovakia will be a key component of this network.
During the Lenten season Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Faith Comes by Hearing have partnered to offer an opportunity for all CBF churches in the United States to focus on hearing Scripture.
The Scriptures have not been translated into the Roma dialect spoken in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. To support the translation work of a group of Roma ministers in Slovakia, we were able to
utilize a shell book provided by Keith Holmes to publish the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son. The translation team has been working for two years and the booklets were the first
time they had been able to hold the result of their work in their hands and read the Scriptures. As they looked at the booklets, they kept lifting up thanks to God and praise for God’s goodness.
We agree.
We thank God for the opportunity to be active in ministry among the Roma in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. And we thank you for your continued support of the Offering for Global Missions which
allows us to live and serve here, and also the gifts to our various projects which allow us to impact the lives of Roma in real ways.
Bruce and Linda Salmon, 1950 Mitchellville Road, Bowie, MD 20716
Visit www.cbfonline.org! It is very user friendly – complete with search engine and
shortcuts. You will be charmed by its attractive format and
pleased with the breadth of information and help. There are quick
links to “Global Missions,” “News and Views,” “Church
Life,” and such. It is augmented by our own Gypsy Ministries
website, which you may continue to access as before at:
www.GypsyMinistries.com
We hope you will enjoy exploring
this website through its user-friendly menu!
Frequent visits will offer updated news and features. On
the homepage there are photos representing Gypsies of the three
areas: India–Banjara, Middle East and North Africa–Dom, and
Europe/Russia–Romany. The photos at first appear in
black-and-white, representing the three sub-sites. Clicking on any
one of the photos changes to color as it proceeds to access the
sub-site. Otherwise, you may access a particular sub-site directly
by simply typing:
http://Banjara.GypsyMinistries.com
http://Dom.GypsyMinistries.com
http://RomanyMinistries.com
Newsletter complied and sent by: Bruce and Linda Salmon, Gypsy Ministries Advocates. Please share this newsletter with others.
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End of December 2009 Gypsy Newsletter
Meet Daniel, a twenty-something young man, who is the newest guitar player and music leader at the Csobanka Roma church. Daniel plays very well but needs confidence to stand before the church members to lead.
That’s where Imre comes in. Imre, an older man, also plays and leads music for Roma worship services. He sees potential in Daniel and is encouraging him in his abilities.
On a recent Sunday Imre led while Daniel was in the background for the praise time. Then the moment arrived when Imre nodded and they changed places. With a grin and a strum of the guitar,
Daniel began singing and the church members followed along. With Imre’s encouragement, knowing someone believed in him, Daniel had the boldness to step forward to use his gifts to serve Christ.
Isn’t this a lesson for all of us? Ministry is also found in helping the next generation discover their gifts and develop their calling to do as God directs.
In Hungarian tradition Santa, or Mikulas as he is called here, comes the night of Dec 5th. The children put their boots in the window on that night and find little gifts the next morning. On Christmas Eve, the
gifts found under the tree are left by baby Jesus and his angels. For some Roma children there are no gifts on either day. With the help of many of our CBF supporters, this is changing.
This year we filled bags with socks, pencils, books, New Testaments, water bottles, Smiley Face necklaces, stickers, candy, pretzels, and many other little goodies. The bags were given to Laszlo, a Hungarian
volunteer with the Roma ministry, to distribute on Christmas Eve. Some of the items were brought by volunteer teams for use with other projects, other items were sent specifically to give as gifts, while others
donated funds to purchase the candy and pretzels. It was the effort of everyone working together that will bring smiles to many Roma children this holiday season. Thank you for your support this past year
through praying, volunteering, and giving to the Global Missions Offering of CBF. You are making a difference!
