THE SHORT-TERM MISSION MEMBERS have been back for two weeks, but surely part of their hearts remain attached to the Roma villagers in Slavonski Brod, where God's great work never ceases.
During the trip everyone observed and reflected upon this ministry in their own way. Collectively, we came up with several issues that might concern outsiders. Here are some of the main issues about this missionary. Hopefully by reading it brothers and sisters will be able to offer informed support and prayer to Andy and Lim in near future.
During the trip everyone observed and reflected upon this ministry in their own way. Collectively, we came up with several issues that might concern outsiders. Here are some of the main issues about this missionary. Hopefully by reading it brothers and sisters will be able to offer informed support and prayer to Andy and Lim in near future.
1) Running the iClub
iClub is an Internet bar near Slavonski Brod's town centre, where a bunch of teenagers come upon paying a small amount of membership fee. Andy started it few years ago, instead of establishing a church immediately for the ministry, in purpose of developing good relationship with the Roma and local teens. Surviving profitless, the iClub lives partly on normal income and the rest on church offering. Resources are not adequate; manpower is not enough either. Nevertheless, Andy and Lim are called by God to relocate iClub to another venue closer to the Roma village, which implies more resources will be needed.
iClub is an Internet bar near Slavonski Brod's town centre, where a bunch of teenagers come upon paying a small amount of membership fee. Andy started it few years ago, instead of establishing a church immediately for the ministry, in purpose of developing good relationship with the Roma and local teens. Surviving profitless, the iClub lives partly on normal income and the rest on church offering. Resources are not adequate; manpower is not enough either. Nevertheless, Andy and Lim are called by God to relocate iClub to another venue closer to the Roma village, which implies more resources will be needed.
2) Starting family Bible study
This is a crucial transition towards building a church for the Roma village. After gaining a certain level of trust from the Roma kids through UNA festival and other UNA activities, Andy and Lim are now taking a further step to mingle with their parents, their families. Praise to the Lord, over thirty families expressed interest in this bible study when we went to visit their homes. So the couple, along with the translators, will go into each house to conduct a five-section bible study in the upcoming days. Regardless how many families would continue to commit, the immense workload born from this project is undoubtedly the most urgent challenge ahead.
This is a crucial transition towards building a church for the Roma village. After gaining a certain level of trust from the Roma kids through UNA festival and other UNA activities, Andy and Lim are now taking a further step to mingle with their parents, their families. Praise to the Lord, over thirty families expressed interest in this bible study when we went to visit their homes. So the couple, along with the translators, will go into each house to conduct a five-section bible study in the upcoming days. Regardless how many families would continue to commit, the immense workload born from this project is undoubtedly the most urgent challenge ahead.
3) Jehovah's Witnesses' invasion in the village
Almost every family in the village knows and has had contact with people from Jehovah's Witnesses, and their level of acceptance vary. Some families might confuse Andy and Lim's bible study with the JW's. The couple strives to clarify their oppositions to JW before the villagers.
Almost every family in the village knows and has had contact with people from Jehovah's Witnesses, and their level of acceptance vary. Some families might confuse Andy and Lim's bible study with the JW's. The couple strives to clarify their oppositions to JW before the villagers.
4) Language barrier
Despite already having a basic understanding of each other, most communications between the Roma people and the missionary team relied strongly on translators. From teaching kids origami crafts to home visiting to bible studying, there was not a time a committed translator was unnecessary. The four volunteering translators - Željka, Sergej, Palma and Safet - have all fully devoted themselves to this ministry. They spoke to everyone and gave us guidance every minute, and we could imagine that exhausted feeling. Two of them are not based in Slavonski Brod. Therefore, provision of more translators and an increase of language ability would be a huge help to the ministry.
Despite already having a basic understanding of each other, most communications between the Roma people and the missionary team relied strongly on translators. From teaching kids origami crafts to home visiting to bible studying, there was not a time a committed translator was unnecessary. The four volunteering translators - Željka, Sergej, Palma and Safet - have all fully devoted themselves to this ministry. They spoke to everyone and gave us guidance every minute, and we could imagine that exhausted feeling. Two of them are not based in Slavonski Brod. Therefore, provision of more translators and an increase of language ability would be a huge help to the ministry.
5) Implantation of a Roma church
A big goal of this ministry is to have a church built for the Roma villagers. It may happen very soon or quite later, depending on the progress of family bible studies. Venues, manpower and resources are all concerns. And after the church is built, daunting follow-up work will start rolling up. Much wisdom and patience is needed and, by that time, a new vision from God may needed to be sought as well.
A big goal of this ministry is to have a church built for the Roma villagers. It may happen very soon or quite later, depending on the progress of family bible studies. Venues, manpower and resources are all concerns. And after the church is built, daunting follow-up work will start rolling up. Much wisdom and patience is needed and, by that time, a new vision from God may needed to be sought as well.
6) The general culture of the Roma villagers
You might identify it as uncivilized, but whatever it is, Roma people has life attitudes we find hard to empathize. They don't have time concept. They don't work. They don't treasure education. It is difficult to tell which would result better -- as missionaries whether we should try to correct their attitude or learn to cope with it. As for religion, Roma in general perceives religion as a kind of historical or even ethnic inheritance. Many call themselves Christians without knowing the true meaning of believing in God and to live out a Christ-like life. To change their mind-sets fundamentally – to make them realize faith is not a cultural but a spiritual matter, understanding Jesus is not a religion but a relationship, would be one of the ultimate goals of this special ministry.
You might identify it as uncivilized, but whatever it is, Roma people has life attitudes we find hard to empathize. They don't have time concept. They don't work. They don't treasure education. It is difficult to tell which would result better -- as missionaries whether we should try to correct their attitude or learn to cope with it. As for religion, Roma in general perceives religion as a kind of historical or even ethnic inheritance. Many call themselves Christians without knowing the true meaning of believing in God and to live out a Christ-like life. To change their mind-sets fundamentally – to make them realize faith is not a cultural but a spiritual matter, understanding Jesus is not a religion but a relationship, would be one of the ultimate goals of this special ministry.
7) Andy and Lim's personal needs
Andy and Lim have been running this ministry for four years, neither a long or short time to describe. Their families, friends and spiritual siblings scatter across Asia, Europe and America; and they sometimes struggle between reuniting with family and their missionary work. Their main source of regular spiritual support comes from the only Baptist church in town, which consists of around 30 people. May God grant them more encouragement!:)
Andy and Lim have been running this ministry for four years, neither a long or short time to describe. Their families, friends and spiritual siblings scatter across Asia, Europe and America; and they sometimes struggle between reuniting with family and their missionary work. Their main source of regular spiritual support comes from the only Baptist church in town, which consists of around 30 people. May God grant them more encouragement!:)
8) STM team members' personal developments
It is easy to just come and go and forget about what we wanted to get out of this mission trip. During the last few days of the trip, team members shared their concerns about their life afterwards, where the real impact of the trip would manifest. Some consider coming back and to continue to commit to this ministry for long term. May God continue to inspire them through the way He favours.
It is easy to just come and go and forget about what we wanted to get out of this mission trip. During the last few days of the trip, team members shared their concerns about their life afterwards, where the real impact of the trip would manifest. Some consider coming back and to continue to commit to this ministry for long term. May God continue to inspire them through the way He favours.