Missione REM returns!

Everyone,

I am very excited to share with you some information about the visit of Missione Rem team from two weeks ago. The visit, the first one after a break of two years, was an opportunity to restart our outdoor evangelism - something we haven’t done in Konik for some time. 

I have shared with you on many occasions about the change in culture and spiritual climate within the RAE community in Montenegro. The wave of re-islamization, aka “return to Islam” splashed all over the “shores” of Albanian speaking Roma-RAE communities in Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia and anywhere else they live. 

The fact is that this movement came from within the (wider) Roma-Ashkali/Egyptian community gave it a special momentum. Their own people (often family members), after migrating to Western Europe, and found themselves surrounded by other, predominantly Muslim, migrant groups. It was in the EU countries, such as Belgium, Germany, etc. where they were pushed, shamed and scolded into returning to Islam. Slowly but surely, Islam began to redefine their lifestyles, family life and became the source of identity, pride and self-validation. 

Eventually, the most devout ones felt called to go back to the “old country” and help their countrymen return to Islam. In their efforts, they were very successful, as the Roma-RAE community welcomed them since they saw them as one of their own. With the combination of “dawah” (preaching/outreach), well-funded humanitarian efforts, anti-Christian propaganda, and countless sources on different social networks, they brought the community into submission. The community that we served in changed its face, and ways in a very short period of time. As the result of all of it, evangelizing became complex and difficult. In a changed spiritual atmosphere, we were less welcomed, our events were less attended and those who did attend have later been called out and threatened to be ostracized.

Sadly, some of the troubles could have been avoided. For example, our last big outreach, held in summer of 2021, was followed by an incident caused by a careless “repeat after me” invitation, where hundreds of children were repeating after a member of visiting team while he was praying. That caused a loud protest by their parents. It was only God’s favor and the respect we have in community that prevented it from turning into something worse. That is why this time with Missione REM team was so special. The last time we did outdoor evangelism was the last time they were here, exactly two years ago. So, it seems symbolic that we had an opportunity to restart it together. 

 

                                                                                                                   

Thank God for this ministry and everyone serving through it. Over the course of years, they proved themselves to be trustworthy and reliable partners, serving the Lord and building His Kingdom sacrificially and persistently. More so, they were a source of life, healing and support to our ministry and to me personally. A humbling example by their faith and obedience to God, being loving without ceasing, this “band of brothers” (and sisters) are a vivid reminiscence of Christ Himself and great promises we have in Him. May they be blessed, protected and provided for and used by Him for even greater things. And may this time that we had with them be a beginning of a new season for ministry in Konik.