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The Need
Balkan Romani is a Gypsy language spoken by 200,000 to 300,000 Roma gypsies in Bulgaria, the former Yugoslavia, and Macedonia. Approximately 1 million Balkan Romani speakers exist worldwide. Sixty percent are Orthodox, and the remaining 40% are Muslim.
The Approach
Balkan Romani programs are produced and aired for 1.75 hours per week, which breaks down into 15 minutes per day. Three Christian gypsies are currently working on these projects. The programming includes a great variety – including Scripture readings, short devotionals, Gypsy music, and children’s Bible stories.
The Fruit
The Balkan Romani programs are having a great influence in the spread of the Gospel among the Roma people. Part of the success of these programs in changing lives is due to the complementary ministries of two of the Gypsy producers, who are also pastors. Frequently they travel to different villages and neighborhoods, where they are sharing the Gospel, introducing people to the radio ministry, and talking with listeners. Numerous listening communities and small churches have developed as a result of these programs and the ministry of the pastors. Often, multiple families will share a radio and gather every night to listen to the Christian programming in their heart language.
Natzol Zaikov, one of the Gypsy producers and pastors, considers the radio ministry to be important because it “can go where we, as pastors, can’t.” One example of this outreach is seen in the letters that are received from Gypsy criminals in different parts of Bulgaria. While in prison, they are allowed to have a radio, and several have written in thankful appreciation of the Christian programming and its impact on their lives. Describing the common testimony of these listeners, Natzol relates, “Though on the outside I’m locked in a prison cell, now on the inside I’m free.”
Many local Sunday school teachers are even choosing to use the radio broadcast’s for children in Balkan Romani in their weekly ministry. For example, the children are organized into listening and discussion groups. Also, the teachers have taken advantage of the materials and ideas of the producer Natalia.
Anka Emilova, a gypsy Sunday school teacher from a church in Samokov, expresses her thanks for the children’s radio programming, “I have now solar radio receiver and can easier tune to the program. This is great opportunity to listen in our mother tongue to the Good news of our Lord.”
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