Pray for Romania - Compassion and Salvation

Week of Feb. 9-15, 2015

< See Left Column. Please include E I Balkans in your prayers.

European Initiative Balkans organized EI’s annual January outreach to Romania, by mobilizing a team from New Live Church in Colorado to a poor Roma village in the Transylvania region called  Augustin, were we ministered to the poor of that village. We are always amazed at just how well the Lord hand picks our teams. The members of this team were no different, Holy Spirit lead servants. We partnered with a local body of believers in the area who assisted us in the work and they will also carry on the work with the new believers. For more amazing photos of this outreach please take a look at this link on Flicker https://www.flickr.com/photos/europeaninitiative/sets/72157648000320013/ 

We ministered house to house to the poor, where we found many families devastated by the enemy; family members in jail, premature death, lack of jobs, lack of food and a real lack of hope. We ministered to them as the Holy Spirit led and saw many changed lives. We witnessed many tears and visible evidence of genuine salvations. We would end our visit in each home by distributing new coats, shoes and bags of groceries.

The group of leaders overseeing this work also has an after school program for the children. This is a huge blessing for the community and the investment into the lives of the children is priceless.

Prayer Points:
1)    Let us pray for Holy Spirit led follow up. May every family get the continuing discipleship they desperately need now.
2)    Those that accepted Jesus, may they be seeds that take root in Jesus’ precious love. Lord, put a hedge of your protection around them and keep them from the grips of the enemy.
3)    We encountered witchcraft in the village. Let us pray for a visitation of power from heaven to fall upon Augustin. Lord, we ask for the power of witchcraft to be broken over these people. Lord, we pray for such a transformation that those involved  would renounce witchcraft and fully surrender to Jesus.
4)    Let us pray for the church workers that are continuing the work and follow up. May they be empowered spiritually and physically to nurture the transformation needed in these special families.
5)    Thank You, Lord, for the after school program for the children. Lord, help these teachers to love like You love.
6)    Augustin is in the very heart (center) of Romania. Pray that God would continue to pour out His love to Romania so its heart can be totally healed.

Psalms 126: 5-6
Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy.
He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.

I just wanted to add a link to a video of a lady living in poverty in Romania who had an abortion but God forgave her and her life was changed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpH7bSQ0Oxw#t=15

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you prayed.

Pray for Croatia

Week of June 30 - July 6, 2014

Living in Croatia and being in touch with many of the churches and ministries here, it is an honor to report to you what God is doing here.

Earlier this month, a local church, Croatian Evangelistic Outreach organized an annual outreach at the Jarun lake here in Zagreb, Croatia called JarunFest. There was Christian music, bounce houses for the children, and free burgers. In the midst of the friendly atmosphere Christians were engage to witnessed to many. Everyone was given a New Testament along with their free meal. I do not know the full spiritual impact, but personally I witnessed to about 12 people and prayed with most of them.

Another ministry, Lighthouse of Life church also here in Zagreb, hosted two separate US teams of young people this month who came for outreaches. These teams focused their efforts on the Roma (Gypsy) villages. These young Christians came with giving hearts and were instrumental in spreading the love and joy of Jesus.

European Initiative – Balkans, hosted a team who just left this morning. Our main EI base, located in Berlin, has two Surge teams this summer, Surge Alpha and Surge Omega. The Alpha team was here for five days along with staff and interns. The first two days we teamed up with the Lighthouse of Life team and ministered in the Roma villages. Everyone on the team gave their all to the needs of the community. We saw many salvations and were truly humbled by their hunger for God and a desire to know His word. The film “Passion of the Christ” was shown in one of the villages and our team helped facilitate conversations about the movie afterwards. Many were so open to receive Christ! The team returned to Zagreb for two days of street evangelism in a busy square. Through several creative arts presentations, the team drew many people as they presented the message of salvation. Through one-to-one evangelism we saw five people receive Jesus Christ as their personal savior. This might seem small but for Zagreb, this is significant!

Please, never believe the devil when he tells you that your prayers are futile. We see the results of your prayers and can testify to the fact that the enemy is losing his ground in the Balkans!

Prayer Points:
1)    Let us get excited about the above reports and ask the Holy Spirit to hover over each individual that accepted Jesus! There was a party in haven these past few days, rejoicing over the new believers in the Roma community as well as in Zagreb!
2)    The Bible says, “God’s word does not return void”. Lord, we thank You for the power of Your word.  Each one is special to You and we now pray they will grow in faith.
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
3)     Lord Jesus, we pray they will thrust and hunger for more of You. Let us stand in prayer against the devil’s schemes as he tries to steal what has been planted in their hearts. May the Lord seal the work He has begun.
4)    Let us pray for the follow up with these that accepted the Lord. May there be an extra effort by the pastors and Christians to reach out to these that now need discipleship to grow in their new faith.
5)    Let us pray for the teams that were willing to give up their comfortable summer so they could come to Croatia and be a witness. As they return to America, may the blessings of the Lord cause them to prosper and have a deeper joy in their Christian walk.
6)    This is the day a visitation for the Roma people throughout the Balkans. Thank the Lord for Lighthouse of Life church and their involvement among the Roma. Pray for the church, its workers and their financial needs.
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12 (KJV)

In the News: Croatia fails to reap fruits one year after joining EU
One year ago, Croatia joined the European Union with great fanfare, sparking hopes that membership of the rich 28-nation bloc would transform the fortunes of the tourism-dependent economy.

But as the anniversary looms, the hope-for boom has largely failed to materialize.

Croatia remains one of the bloc's weakest economies, mired in a seemingly never-ending recession that has pushed unemployment to 20 percent -- half of the country's youth are without a job.

Further Prayer Points:
7)    Obviously Croatia’s economy needs prayer. Pray that more investment would come to Croatia, not only in the tourist industry but in manufacturing and transporting of goods.
8)    Let us pray for business friendly policies to be developed to inspire new investment.
9)    Often we think of investment coming from foreign sources; let us pray for investment from within Croatia. Pray that business and individuals would realign their methods of operation to help eliminate waste.
10)    I do not know the full extent of why this is happening in Croatia, but the elderly are being hit hard financially. I see many elderly here in Zagreb digging through the trash for aluminum cans, plastic bottles and other redeemable items to sale for cash. Please pray for the elderly in Croatia. May the Lord grant them relief and dignity.

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for Bosnia Herzegovina

Week of June 16-22, 2014

In the News: Emirates Red Crescent distributes more than Dh5m in Bosnia
The Emirates Red Crescent, through its office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has distributed Dh5,142,200 (about $1,400,000). The amount covers sponsorship of 4,274 orphans and 52 children with disabilities in 25 areas belonging to the municipalities of Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Bihac.

The Emirates Red Crescent office in Sarajevo is overseeing the orphan care programs, communicating with them and their supervisors to highlight ERC's keenness to follow up on their health conditions and educational and social development.

The authority also continues providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, having reinforced its humanitarian and relief operations to provide greater care to those affected and to protect them from repercussions of the flood disaster. – Emirates News Agency, WAM


Report: American Red Cross Provides Assistance for Balkans Flooding
Posted June 06, 2014
The American Red Cross is contributing a total of $400,000 to support flood relief efforts in the Balkans, including shelter supplies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and distribution of food, relief items and water and sanitation activities in Serbia.

The following are Reports from UNICEF and other agencies.

CRITICAL ISSUES FOR CHILDREN: Bosnia and Herzegovina Floods: Humanitarian Situation Report - 12 June 2014

Bosnia and Herzegovina is facing its most challenging flood recovery due to the heaviest rains seen in the region for more than a century.

Based on the available assessments, 74 municipalities have been affected by the floods (42 in FBiH, 31 in RS, and BD). Amongst these, 9 have been ‘severely affected’ (Samac, Odzak, Orasje, Brcko, Bijeljina, Doboj, Maglaj, Zepce, Domaljevac-Samac), where more than 50% of the affected population and children lives. In these 74 municipalities, more than 320,000 people have been affected including:
• 60,000 children aged 0-18
• 16,000 children aged 0-5.

According to information from Roma NGOs, more than 800 Roma families have been affected by floods. They were identified as one of the most vulnerable groups even before the floods. UNICEF team visited: Samac, Odzak, Brcko, Bjeljina, Doboj, Maglaj, Domaljevac-Samac, Olovo, Tuzla, Sapna, Prijedor, Gradiska, Zivinice and Vogosca.
According to the latest IOM information, 1,560 persons are placed in 39 collective centres (963 in FBiH in 22 centers and 532 in RS in 14 centers) including 276 children (56 aged 0-4 and 220 aged 5-17) but this number is decreasing every day..


Preliminary UN estimation shows that it will cost about USD 210 million to cover immediate priority needs for the next six months in Bosnia Herzegovina, alone, after devastating floods hit the region.
FLOODS  BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Humanitarian Situation Report 12 June 2014


C. HEALTH AND NUTRITION:

According to the International Medical Corps ‘Rapid Assessment’ of the flood affected areas, 18 health care facilities (both rural and urban) have been damaged. This will impact health services for about 170,000 people. The needs for each health facilities vary greatly from minor damage to total destruction of supplies and equipment. 

At European Initiative, we have received generous donations to help with the floods. We  partnered with an organization called Churches in Action to deliver much needed food and water supplies through Christian churches in Serbia, but the need is just as great in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well. We are currently arranging the delivery of urgently needed supplies, and we are positioning ourselves now, in order to assist long term by mobilizing teams who can help with clean up and rebuilding. We see many Christians showing a desire to go help.


Prayer Points

1)    Regardless of what we believe about God’s involvement in this flood, God has a greater purpose. Lord, we pray for a complete restoration for the families and the economy of Bosnia Herzegovina (B&H).
2)    We see these and other relief organizations and of course the European Union coming in to bring immediate relief. Of course they don’t provide God’s love and the human touch is only felt briefly.
3)    It is disappointing to see that the Muslim world is “all in” and supplying millions of Dollars (there are many others not mentioned above) in aid, yet the Christian community has been slow to get involved. The Balkans is the least evangelized part of the world today. This is our time to be the hands and feet of Christ in word and deed. Lord, wake up the Christian community worldwide, may we unite to bring the gospel and the love of Jesus to the hurting in the Balkans.
4)    The UNICEF report above shows the effect the flood has on children and the medical facilities. Let us pray that the effected hospitals and clinics would quickly get repaired, cleaned up and adequate donations of medical equipment. May the bureaucracy of the government not stand in the way of any aid reaching its destination.
5)    Pray that churches and Christians in B&H will be strengthened physically and spiritually as they focus on helping their fellow countrymen.
6)    The evangelical churches in B&H are small and very few. Let us pray for massive help from Christians throughout the world.
7)    Pray that European Initiative – Balkans will have open doors to organize sources of relief, delivery and follow-up. Pray for adequate funds to come in to meet these immediate needs and secure long term follow-up.
8)    Most of all we want the people to see Jesus as the Restorer of all things and especially may they receive Him as Lord of their lives.
9)    The time is now to evangelize Bosnia and Herzegovina. Lord, please stir up a passion to help the people of B&H.

Here at European Initiative we believe not only is immediate help imperative, but through long-term help, the Church can have a lasting impact. EI-Balkans, with our ability to organize teams for outreach, we look forward to mobilizing such teams to these devastated areas of Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia. If you would like to be a part of a team, contact us at humanitarianaidbalkans@yahoo.com

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for Montenegro

Week of May 5-11,2014

Zuzanna and I were privileged to visit Montenegro about a month ago. Our purpose was to find out more about the Roma (Gypsy) refugee camps in Podgorica and learn how we could help alleviate their present sufferings while sharing the love of Jesus with them. We found their situation quite dire. The will and the financial ability of the Montenegrin government comes short of meeting their physical needs.

Presently, there is a dental team visiting the camps preforming many procedures and meeting their needs. They are seeing 20 plus patients per day. This is a tremendous blessing to the refugees! Pastor Sinisa Nadazdin, head of Roma - REA Ministry Montenegro is praising God for the two dentists, Kriss and Thuha and the support team, who are blessing many refugees in the Konik camp.

As I visit each Balkan country I make it a priority to prayer walk the government buildings, in search of a breakthrough and to establish a stake in the ground. I did not get the sense that I accomplished this breakthrough when prayer-walking the Montenegrin capitol, which is yet another reminder of the spiritual hardness of this nation.

1) Let us pray for the love of Jesus to be manifested in the camps through the practical ministry of the dental team. May the people receiving dental care understand that God loved them so much, that He sent dentists to fix their teeth. May there be much lasting fruit as a result of this work.
2) Let us lift up Pastor Sinisa as he works with the refugees. May there be joy in their midst. May the Christian Roma in the camp live to be an example to the other refugees. 3) The country of Montenegro has an estimated 180 evangelical Christians. Let us pray for the strengthening of the Christians there and a reassurance that they are not alone. Let us hold up their weak arms like Aaron and Hur and pray that the Lord of all would give them new strength to live a victorious life.
4) Let us pray for a spiritual breakthrough in Montenegro. May the Lord stir hearts to believe for increase in Montenegro. May He break up the rocky ground of the Montenegrins hearts.
5) Montenegrin Christians need help from the larger Body of Christ abroad. Let us pray for churches and mission organizations throughout the world to turn their attention toward Montenegro. Let us pray also for the handful of Missionaries like Bukurije Nikqi and other organizations and churches who serve in Montenegro.
6) The Lord’s heart is for Montenegro to be a part of the coming revival. Let us pray for men and women who will hear His voice and follow His leading to pray for and go to Montenegro and leave the stamp of God on the nation.
7) Lord, deposit vision and strategies for evangelical events in Montenegro to reach the people. Lord, shine Your light on the dark land of Montenegro.PRAYING WITH SPECIFICITY… within an URGENT TIME FRAME… with an EXPECTATION OF RESULTS. - George Otis, Jr., Sentinel Group
Please leave a Comment of Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Week of April 28 - May 4, 2014

FYR Macedonia is investing nearly 2 million euros for Roma education

(FYR) Macedonia is investing nearly 2 million euros to build and equip the first Roma high school in Suto Orizari in Skopje, where 30,000 Roma live.

Officials said more than 2,000 Roma children are expected to enroll in the high school in September.
“We expect the structure to be finished [this] month and the high school will be fully functional for the upcoming academic year,” said Spiro Ristovski, education and science minister of (FYR) Macedonia.
Read More

Prayer points:
1) At European Initiative we are always excited to hear about good news for the Roma. We are thankful to the Lord for the favor being shown to the Roma in Macedonia. We believe that our prayers about past ethnic tensions in Macedonia are being answered. God is at work.
2) Let us now pray that these funds will be administered by honest men and women. No amount will fall into corrupt hands and be diverted from benefitting the Roma.
3) Let us even pray that compassionate Christian teachers and administrators will be hired for this new school.
4) We pray for the whole of Macedonia, that Christians would go into the educational field. Lord, raise up teachers that will bring the Christian worldview to the classrooms of Macedonia,

I was talking with a Christian from Macedonia the other day about the spiritual atmosphere of his country. He informed me that Macedonian Christians are in disunity, much like the rest of the Balkans. He said that there was a small revival in the late 90s that brought much joy. There was many churches that formed from the revival but it was because of division not multiplication.

5) Let us ask the Lord how to come against this spirit of division over Macedonia and the Balkans. Lord, we beseech You on the behalf of Your bride in Macedonia. To break the power of this spirit that causes disunity.
6) Let us pray for a move of humility and forgiveness in the Macedonian churches.
7) Lord, we ask for a culture of honor to be released into the Christians of Macedonia
.
Romans 12:9-11 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

8) Please join with me and declare with boldness, “Macedonia will be a Sheep nation before God’s throne!”

EI Ministry prayer need: This week (Mon & Tue, April 28-19) there is an outreach in Zagreb, Croatia. Please pray that the Lord will use the Christian ballet troupe, Ballet Magnificat, to reach many souls. Pray that the rain will clear out so the dancers can dance in the open air venue.

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed,

Special Report - BalkanNetworks Meeting

Week of April 14-20, 2014

This week, instead of a prayer directive, we will report on our visit to a refugee camp in Podgorica, Montenegro and the Balkan Networks strategy meeting in Gjakove, Kosovo which we attended last week.

Zuzanna and I started out by driving down the Croatian coast Monday and Tuesday (April 7-8) and were amazed at the beauty our creative Father laid out for us to enjoy.

We arrived to Montenegro and met with Sinisa Nadazdin who pastors in a Roma (Gypsy) refugee camp. At the camp we observed the degrading conditions of life for about 1,600 refugees. Several have come to know Jesus in the camp and are so hungry for Him. This was evident in the mid-week service we attended where about 75% was made up of young people. He has worked with the refugees for some six years and has earned their trust. Sinisa helps them in countless ways, among which is worth noting that he helps the refugees work through the entangled bureaucracy of the paperwork in order to establish their identity. These refugees have been struggling to get legal status for many years. They had fled from Kosovo during the conflict there about fourteen years ago.

On April 10th we boarded a bus for a six and a half hour ride into Kosovo. I want to say, Montenegro has some of the most unappreciated beauty Zuzanna and I have ever seen. The mountains and valleys are just breath-taking.

We arrived in Gjakova, Kosovo for the Balkan Networks meeting Thursday afternoon.  It was great to meet men and women I had been corresponding with, some for years, through Praying for the Balkans, Project. It was good to meet many other Christians who have a burden for the Balkan countries. The meeting was very on purpose and we saw in many ways how each of us fit into the puzzle of the coming revival in the Balkans, which we firmly believe is on the horizon.

The inspiring news is that there has been an increase over the past few years of ministries coming or being raised up in the Balkan countries. We were blessed to have some pastors from the region that came and shared their dreams with us. I know I will leave some out but let me mention some of the participants at the meeting and the ministries they represent.

   ·    Albin Larsson, from Romania, missionary and organizer of the event. Truly Albin did a remarkable job of pulling us together and setting the agenda.
   ·    Jeff McLaughlin, from Kosovo – missionary, who did the ground work in Gjakova and lead our worship times.
   ·    Dag Schjelderup who has been serving in Albania for many years as a prophetic voice and pastor.
   ·    Bryan Brenchley, businessman from Macedonia, spoke to us about deepening our relationships and connecting with Kingdom minded people throughout the region.
   ·    Lee Saville, missionary from Romania, was our main speaker. Thank you Lee, for setting the tone and challenging us to press on with expected assistance from heaven.
   ·    George Markakis, pastor form Athens, Greece. Pastor George was a defining voice that helped bring clarity to the meeting.
   ·    Venco Nakov, pastor from Macedonia, stressed to us the importance of prayer that must precede the move of God coming to the Balkans.
  ·    Werner Woiwode, from Switzerland with Trumpet Call – Europe, is going forth blowing the Trumpet of  the Lord in all European nations; the sounds of heaven are coming to earth. (Werner, I started reading your book “Stranded on Life’s obstacles” )
   ·    Many others:
      o    Michael Long, missionary from Thessaloniki, Greece.
      o    Julian and Beatrice Kastrati, local church leaders in Albania
      o    Barry Ogden, missionary in Albania
      o    Pal Katona, missionary in Macedonia
      o    Rachel Bevan, missionary in Romania
      o    Katrine Drevon, YWAM representative from Serbia
      o    Athol Barnes from the USA, with Call2all, an organization to reach all hidden people     groups
      o    Jerry McCarty and Donald Chandler from the USA with Serve the City
      o    Others, unnamed but special participants to the meeting

We were blessed to also have with us four pastors/evangelist from Argentina that had come with Michael Long. These gentlemen challenged us and spoke into our lives great Hope. They spoke of their plans to mobilize hundreds of missionaries from South America to take the Gospel back to Europe as a way of thankfulness to Europe for bringing it to them many years ago.

To Zuzanna and I, this Balkan Networks meeting was reassuring to us that God is truly answering the prayers we have prayed for the Balkans all these years.

Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for the Roma People

Week of April 7-13, 2014

The communist governments in Eastern Europe worked hard to settle the Roma (Gypsy) populations in their respective countries. The Roma people, who traveled around a lot without established homes, just did not work well in with a highly controlled economy.

In the mid-1980s I traveled a great deal on trains and buses in the former Yugoslavia and Hungary.  I would see the Roma in the train and bus stations camped out on the pavement or around benches. They would have all their belongings with them and often things they were selling. I was amazed how they could live like that. The new democratic governments in Easter Europe have continued to encourage the Roma to settle and most have complied. Now you see Roma settlements in many East European cities. In some places there are complete villages of just Roma people. They remain true to some of their own tribal structures, with a leader or strong man in charge that helps to keep order. This leader is respected and often becomes the lesion between city officials and the Roma people.  To provide for their families, the Roma do travel to other locations, even other countries for seasonal work but most now have a place they call home.

Much like in any other populations there are some who live in better conditions than others, but it is common to see their homes as pieced together shacks, small, not well ventilated or too ventilated that families crowd into. Most cities now have water going into Roma villages, but generally there are still only outdoor toilets.
However, a remarkable thing is happening; they are accepting Jesus by the hundreds! Foreign missionaries and local Christians are reaching out to them with humanitarian aid and the message of salvation. We also see many efforts to bring Bible training and social help to improve the quality of their lives. Whole villages are being transformed by the power of the Gospel. Villages, which were once ravaged by crime are now becoming peaceful and safe communities.

There have been many studies conducted in universities across Europe concerning this paradigm shift among the Roma. They are amazed because it does not fit the prevailing humanistic worldview.

Prayer Points:
1)    Lord, You are faithful and You have a time of visitation for every people group. We are amazed how You have opened doors into the Roma communities. Pray that many more Roma will accept Jesus into their hearts.
2)    Let us pray for the leaders in the Roma communities. Because of the respect they carry, when these leaders accept Jesus, many in their family and in the whole community will follow suit.
3)    There is a big need in the Roma communities to plant churches. Pray for Roma churches to be planted that specifically minister to Roma needs.
4)    Pray that pastors will be raised up with a passion to lead the communities into transforming grace.
5)    Teaching for Roma church leaders is needed desperately. The Roma Christians are so hungry for the truth and they need teaching and deliverance from their destructive lifestyles. Pray that God would send anointed teachers into the Roma churches to lay out Gospel truth. Pray that God would raise up teachers among the Roma Christians.
6)    For so many years governments have held back education from the Roma communities. A great percentage of Roma can’t read or write. Let us pray for gifted teachers to give of their time and provide classes and much needed education to the Roma.

It is so encouraging to see the efforts of groups like Lighthouse of Life church in Zagreb for example. Lighthouse is bringing education not only of basic academics, but Bible training as well in order to disciple the many who have come to know Jesus through their efforts. They are now sending Roma evangelist out to other Roma villages. There are several such groups which are doing solid work, and of course, we at European Initiative, have sowed into the Roma in Romania for the past six years.

7)    Let us take a moment to celebrate what Jesus is doing for the Roma people!
8)    Let us pray for more Roma evangelist. They are travelers; having the knowledge and ability to travel at low expense. The network they have across the world is naturally setup for quick evangelization. Release them, Lord, into the harvest fields.




Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for Croatia

Week of March 24-30, 2014

This is the third month for Zuzanna and me living in Croatia, interacting with pastors, church workers and the Croatian people. We are beginning to understand the needs, hindrances and church conditions of this unique nation.

⦁    Most Croatians are Catholic  –  over 90% - they follow the traditions and beliefs of the Catholic Church and most often there is no real dedication to righteousness
⦁    Very few evangelical churches – less than 0.5% – most villages  and small towns do not have an evangelical church at all
⦁    According to some pastors, even among the evangelicals there is a lack of righteousness – they love to come to church, worship, listen to preaching and even get prayed for but live secular lives the rest of the week
⦁    We found a few groups here in Zagreb who are sold out to Him and live the gospel. They present hope for this city. We look forward to finding more such groups throughout the country
⦁    There is very little evangelism outside the churches in Croatia
⦁    There are a few churches reaching out to the Roma (Gypsies) - the Roma are very open to the Gospel. Though this is hard work, those who are reaching out to the Roma, are seeing real fruit
⦁    There is a “silent protest” by the Catholics against abortion that is being conducted in front of hospitals which perform abortions. They call it “40 days of Life”. This is being carried out during the days of Lent. This cannot be ignored by the media or the public due to its length.
⦁    God is on the move – a number of foreign missionaries have moved to Croatia in recent years, and especially this past year – they are passionate about evangelism and are stirring up the local Christians
⦁    Here is a real positive thing happening in Croatia, the churches are taking steps toward unity. This is significant as the Balkans is filled with disunity and constant church splits over nominal issues
⦁    A major victory for Evangelicals recently - the government granted full equality of religious freedom – equal rights to all religious groups

We love living in this country! We are making new friends weekly and we have seen God’s hand in opening doors to networking. Here at European Initiative Balkans (EIB), we are busy planning several outreaches in the city squares and malls of Zagreb, the capital. We are partnering with 10 churches who will actively take part in sharing the gospel.

Lets Pray:
1)    Thank the Lord for the Croatian Catholics and their concerns for the unborn. Let us pray that government officials would take up their cause and pass legislation to stop abortion.
2)    Thank the Lord for more missionaries coming to Croatia. Pray they will focus on stirring up the Croatian Christians to pray for and evangelize their country.
3)    Let us thank the Lord for religious equality being accepted by the Croatian government. Let us honor Pastor Mario Ducic and the activism he lead that brought about these results.
4)    May the evangelical churches now be active through acts of kindness to change the minds of the population that often times still considers all non-Catholics a cult. Also, pray for the media, may they align with this government edict and stop slandering non-Catholics.
5)    Pray that true intercession would be stirred up for the country.  There are some churches who conduct special times of prayer but it seems orchestrated and not Holy Spirit led.
6)    Pray that a full time house of prayer would arise here in Zagreb, Croatia. Pray that those called by the Lord to intercede would join together t to pray.
7)    Please pray for us at EIB as we organize outreaches in Croatia. Pray for deepened cooperation among the churches, favor with government agencies and open hearts by the Croatian people.
8)    Let us also pray for a team from Bethel Church in Redding, California who is ministering in Zagreb this week. May the Lord touch many as they witness on the streets and hold a faith building seminar.


Please leave a Comment or Reaction so we will know you Prayed.

Pray for the Roma People

Week of Feb. 24 - March 2, 2014

Before we move forward with our prayer topics of the week, Zuzanna and I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you praying for me during the past two months as I battled with my health. The diagnoses is a serious and chronic heart condition and we appreciate your continued prayers as we believe for a miracle in the form of a renewed heart.

The Roma are a distinct people group with a common language and history. Often referred to as Gypsies, the Roma are the largest minority group in Europe, with population estimated as high as 14 million. Numbers are difficult to determine because of a verity of reasons, some of which are that Roma are sometimes not counted in census statistics due to their nomadic lifestyle, yet other times for some reason the Roma do not indicate on censuses their Roma ethnicity.

The Romanians and the citizens of Rome complain about the word Roma being used but the term "Rom" means "people" in Romani, the mother language of the Roma.

Although the Roma never claimed to be Egyptians, the term "gypsy", which stems from "Egyptian", was given to the Roma by Europeans who thought that they originated from Egypt. The more popular theory is that the Roma originated from India.

Though this people group for so long has been considered the outcast of society, God has not forgotten them. Many Roma are coming to Jesus, not only in the Balkans but in other parts of Europe. 

Recently, European Initiative conducted its 6th annual outreach to the Roma in the Transylvanian region of Romania. We worked with four Roma communities in Romania, where we distributed bags of groceries,coats and boots. We shared the gospel in homes, where many came to the saving knowledge of Christ, and the local Roma churches were strengthened. Here is a 3 minute video of the outreach http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90xR4kpN7as&feature=c4-overview&list=UU7XcSP0N1IM_rT32JfDTjyg

1. Thank You Lord for bringing many Roma to salvation. Truly, You desire that none perish. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
2. Whether they become part of established churches or they gravitate to their own culturally distinct churches, let us pray that above all they will be cared for by loving pastors.
3. Let us rejoice in the beneficial things built into their culture that can be of redemptive value. Tight family units, tribal, honor given to patriarchal leadership, and culturally connected throughout every country. 
4. In their tribal communities when one gets saved many times others easily follow. Lord, we ask for deep and true conversions and not just religious acts to satisfy others.
5. Lord, we ask that You speak directly to family and tribal patriarchs. Because of the respect afforded the elder male, many in the family will come to faith in You. Lord, send your word from family to family and from nation to nation. Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, Your God reigns!
6. With many Roma coming to know Jesus in the past few years, and many churches springing up, there is a need for scriptural teaching and the operation of the five-fold ministry. Lord raise up more Bible schools throughout the Balkans to train those that are called to evangelize, pastor, and teach the Roma people. May the present Bible schools embrace the Roma in their countries. Pray for the Lighthouse of Life congregation in Zagreb, Croatia who has recently begun a mini Bible school in a Roma village they work in, training up future leaders in the Roman community.

The Roma culture needs full transformation. Their primitive and often pagan lifestyle brings with it deep challenges, from hygiene to education to incest and many others issues. This is a people group in need of   workers who are willing to lay down their lives for the transformation of the Roma people.

1. Lord, we ask that you bring to the surface the leaders in each community that You select and who will have open hearts to be instrumental in bringing change to their communities. 
2. We pray for Your strategies to be deposited into organizations like Buckner Romania, who are laying down their lives for the Roma. 
3. We thank you for entrepreneurial investors like the Elias Reyes model in Subotica, Serbia, which helps Christian Roma with small businesses. Lord, release more such creative ideas into the Body of Christ aimed at helping this people group.
4. We pray for the release of many funds that are needed to bring training and education along with the Gospel.
5. There are many Roma churches outside of the Balkans that are mature in the faith; May they be senders of missionaries to the struggling Balkan churches.

"And I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, And I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they will say, 'You are my God!'" Hosea 2:23 (NIV)

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Pray for Bulgaria

Week of Dec. 2-8, 2013

In the News: Squalid camps and bleak prospects greet Syrians at EU's door

Over 11,100 refugees, most of them Syrians, have entered Bulgaria illegally this year, crossing the porous 274-kilometre (170-mile) border with Turkey.

That may be a drop in the ocean compared to the two million refugees sheltering in Syria's neighbouring countries, but they are overwhelming the European Union's poorest nation.

Bulgaria's three refugee facilities were quickly overfilled. Authorities hastily opened four more shelters in dilapidated former schools or deserted army camps, like the one in Harmanli, where 1,254 Syrian and Afghan refugees are registered.

On an AFP visit of the Harmanli camp, thick black smoke from improvised stoves filled the area, as children waded barefoot in freezing puddles and their mothers cooked on open fires outside rows of khaki tents and metal containers.

Coughing could be heard everywhere. Many complained about not being able to get simple medicine or proper treatment for chronic illnesses.

The camp's inhabitants are not allowed to leave except to buy food, which is not provided by the cash-strapped Bulgarian government. They are given no money either, forking out whatever they still have to pay for bread and potatoes, the cheapest foods available.  

Over the past year, with the rebel insurgents in Syria, I have heard reports of many Christians having to leave Syria because of persecution. I have not been able to confirm if these refugees in Bulgaria are Christians but either way I am moved by their story.

1)      There are many things to pray for concerning Bulgaria but let us pray for these refugees from Syria.

2)      May the Christians among the refugees be visited with special grace as they endure these hard times. Let us pray that their distress would be changed to hope and their hope changed to physical relief.

3)      Let us pray that the Bulgarian Christians would be moved by the needs of these refugees and take the opportunity to minister Jesus’ love with humanitarian aid.

4)      Not only Bulgarian Christians, but let’s pray that Christians worldwide would get involved to help these displaced Syrians.

5)      Recently the European Commission allocated EUR 5.6 million to Bulgaria to help with the refugee problem. Let us pray this money will be handled by honest people that are dedicated to truly helping the suffering in the camps. Let’s pray that there would be adequate rations of food and medicine.

6)      As we have prayed for many Balkan countries, let us pray for unity and acceptance among ethnic groups in Bulgaria, let us pray for an end to hatred.

7)      We want to pray for the Christians to set the example of acceptance. Let us pray for those Bulgarian churches that exclude Gypsies, Turks, etc. Lord, speak to them about how we are to be all things to all people.

1 Corinthians 9:19-22  For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;  and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;  to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;  to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

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Pray for Romania

Week of April 8-14, 2013

While doing research on Romania I kept coming across reports of good things happening in the country.
Such as:

⦁    Romania’s credit rating should be improved because the country has narrowed its ⦁    budget deficit and is economically stable, Economy Minister Varujan Vosganian said.

Credit-default swaps, which measure the cost of insuring Romanian debt against non-payment for five years, traded at 241 points today after reaching 190 points on Jan. 28, which was the lowest in about five years.

⦁    After the economic crisis and negative growth rates in 2009 and 2010, Romania has managed to return to a steady and sustainable path of economic growth and the medium-term prospects are encouraging.

But growth in Romania cannot be achieved without its most valuable asset, the labor force, and therefore we certainly do not want our people leaving the country.

Migration from Romania may have seemed a solution during a time of economic crisis, budgetary cuts and austerity measures.

⦁    Average unemployment in Romania is 6.8% while the overall EU average is 10.9%.

⦁    It is reported that the net average wages in Romania has risen 5.5%.

There was one article in my research about recent appointments by the prime minister that indicated he is not serious about corruption in the government.

Let us Pray:
1.    Lord, we want to first give You credit for the good things that are happening in Romania. Lord, You have directed us in the past to pray the economy.
2.    Let us pray into the economy, asking for righteous decisions on how money should be invested and how surplus should be spent.
3.    Among the Balkan countries Romania has the highest percentage of evangelical Christians. Most of the countries have about a half of one percent where Romania has over 4%. Lord, now we know why You are blessing Romania. Let us pray for that percentage to grow (exponentially).
4.    Righteous decisions need righteous people making them. Let us pray for the elevation of Christians in the financial affairs of government and businesses, large and small.

While we were in Romania in January on the outreach to the Roma (Gypsy) community, there was times we had to interact with businesses there. I noticed a real coldness; no smile, no kind word in the business atmosphere. I don’t remember hearing “thank you (mulțumesc) for your business”.

5.    Let us pray against this coldness and indifference in the people. Part of this was left by self-centered communism. Let us pray for that 4% to be baptized in Joy and to take it into all the Romanian institutions.
6.    Let us pray that the Christians would let Hope arise in their lives. Lord, send them out into the Romanian culture to bring a smile to people’s faces. May the Christians be known as the happy people.
7.    Lord, continue to show the Romanian churches how to share the Gospel. We are trapped in our sorrows until we acknowledge our sin and accept His redemption.

Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalm 35:27 Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

8.    Let us pray that the Christians in Romania would truly be prosperous. May they strive for excellence, showing forth a testimony of the blessings the Lord has for His people.
9.    Let us continue to pray against corruption throughout the Balkan countries.

Pray for Romania - Part 2

Published Jan.20, 2013

Thank you so much for your prayers for our outreach to Romania. As I am writing this, we have finished the outreach. We estimate 200 people were prayed for to receive Jesus. So let me thank you again for your prayers and financial support. This was the third time for me to be on this yearly outreach and the second for Zuzanna, my wife. Zuzanna, being skilled in management and logistics, organized and lead the team. The following is a recap of the 2013 Romanian Outreach to the poor of Transylvania. We assembled a team of 19 foreign workers and joined up with about that many Romanian Christian workers.

1)    We shipped from America donated coats, shoes, hats, gloves and stuffed animals to the host church in Romania (many of you helped us fight the spiritual battle to get the shoes past customs)
2)    Our host church, City on a Hill, rented the community centers in four villages; Ormanis, Augustin, Belin and Apata. Then we organized a system of first going house to house giving out tickets which gave the ticket holder the right to redeem shoes or a coat for each member of their family. (a ticket for each member of the family)
3)    Each day we had one team going house to house inviting the family to a performance and passing out tickets Also we had one team transporting the shoes and coats to that day’s village community center. There was no home we were not welcomed into. We only went to the poor areas where mainly the Gypsies lived. We ask them to be at the community at a set time.
4)    In all the villages they were at the door of the community center an hour ahead of time. When the time came for the program to start, we would let them in, checking for tickets. Problems arose with many people showing up without a ticket and wanting to get in. And by the way, village Gypsies, Romanians and Hungarians do not line up but push forward in mass. I think our door people had the worse job.
5)    Once they were in and seated (in Belin and Apata there was limited seating and many had to stand) the program begin; Introductions were made, there was an acrobatic performance, someone gave a testimony and then the Gospel was presented. There was a blanket prayer invitation for salvation and then those that had prayed the prayer were asked to come forward for personal prayer. We took names and addresses to be given to the host church for follow-up.
6)    Then row by row they would file out (push) to the distribution area to get their gift items. At all venues they had to go out the same door they came in. This was a problem for our door-men because of the dissatisfied ones pressing the exit door.
7)    We would then pack up what was left over and start preparing for the next day.
To our knowledge, this type of humanitarian aid distribution had never been tried in this part of Romania. I would like to say that everything went perfect but it didn’t. We were not ready for a dissatisfied crowd. We saw greed, hatred and real disrespect.

If you are following the Praying for the Balkans, Project prayer directives, you realize we are off track. For four years now I have been doing research on the Balkan countries on a weekly basis and publishing a prayer directive of the important prayers to focus on that week. The directive had two main purposes, 1) to provide news of current and also historic events affecting the weeks’ targeted country, 2) build urgency among intercessors to focus on the spiritual dryness of the countries on the Balkan Peninsula.

1)    Please pray for the past outreach in Romania. First pray for those that heard the Gospel but did not receive Jesus. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to pursue them.
2)    Pray for those that we prayed with to receive Jesus. Especially pray for the host church as they go follow up. May relationships grow that will help these new Christians to grow.
3)    Pray that the negative impressions caused by the dissatisfied ones would be smoothed out.
4)    This trip was organized by European Initiative (Berlin, Germany). Having unforeseen things happen, may we be wise concerning future outreaches. (There was levels of warfare we breached that was revelatory of God’s love for Romania and Satan’s determination to stay the course)

Pray for Roma People

Week of Dec. 3 - 9, 2012

Evangelical fervor has swept through the one-million-strong gypsy population in Spain at the speed of a Mediterranean brush fire. According to the Spanish Association of Gypsy Presence, about 30 per cent of gypsies in Spain are Alleluyas. The Church of Philadelphia itself says it has 90,000 officially baptized members and about 500 churches across Spain. There are now 70 churches in Madrid alone; ten years ago there was only one. 

  http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gypsies-for-jesus-1572555.html

The Catholic Church has been taken completely by surprise by this sudden upsurge in religious activity. Its priests say they are too overstretched to meet the needs of the gypsies and some are even critical of the cult for being too spiritual.

1. “Too spiritual,” Oh yes, Praise the Lord! The Lord has not forgotten the Roma people. He said He would pour out Holy Spirit on all flesh. Lord, thank You for what You are doing in Spain and we believe for an out pouring in the Balkans.
2. Actually it is happening in the Balkans with reports of Roma revival in Serbia, Macedonia, etc. Lord, You are seeking out the despised and pouring out a blessing.

The Roma are a distinct people group with a common language and history. Often referred to as Gypsies, the Roma are the largest minority group in Europe, with a population of 7-15 million. Numbers are difficult to determine because the Roma are not usually counted in census statistics since their nomadic history and wartime persecution forced them to move without many of their documents.

The Romanians and the citizens of Rome complain about the word Roma being used but the term "Rom" means "people" in Romani, the mother language of the Roma.

Although the Roma never claimed to be Egyptians, the term "gypsy", which stems from "Egyptian", was given to the Roma by Europeans who incorrectly thought that they originated from Egypt. (It is well established now that they originated in India.)

3. Lord we thank You for bringing many Roma to salvation. Truly Lord, You desire that none perish. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (New International Version)
4. Lord, we ask for your direction for the Roma people. Do they become part of established churches or do they gravitate to their own culturally distinct churches. Let us pray that above all they will be cared for by loving pastors.
5. Let us rejoice in the beneficial things built into their culture that can be of redemptive value. Tight family units, tribal, honor given to patriarchal leadership, and culturally connected throughout every country.
6. Lord, let not materialism and individualism pull families apart. May they stay true to their family connections.
7. Tribal can be good because if one gets saved many times others easily follow. Lord, we ask for deep and true conversions and not just religious acts to satisfy others.
8. Lord, we ask that You speak directly to family and tribal patriarchs. Because of the respect afforded the elder male, many in the family will come to faith in You. Lord, send your word from family to family and from nation to nation. Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, Your God reigns!
9. With many gypsies coming to know Jesus in the past few years, and many churches springing up, there is a need for scriptural teaching and the operation of the five-fold ministry. Lord raise up more Bible schools throughout the Balkans to train those that are called to evangelize, pastor, and teach the Roma people. May the present Bible schools embrace the Roma in their countries.
10. There are many Gypsy churches outside of the Balkans that are mature in the faith; May they be senders of missionaries to the struggling Balkan churches.
11. Lord, we ask that You release finances for ministry to and through the Roma people.

"And I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, And I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they will say, 'You are my God!'" Hosea 2:23 (NIV)

Norway's biggest church, the (Lutheran) Church of Norway, has apologized to the nation's Romanies—once known as gypsies—for its ill treatment of their people in the past. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/decemberweb-only/56.0.html

Personal Note: The more I pray for these people the more my heart is broken for them. I can’t wait to visit many Roma’s homes in January 2013.

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