Greg teaching local Roma and Albanian boys how to play a new sport.
Right now our primary focus is language learning while at the same time developing relationships. Developing relationships with the Roma is perhaps the single most effective form of ministry. They value relationships, togetherness, and "face-time" more than actual learning in a structured teacher/student environment (i.e. church, school, Bible study, etc).
Over the next year or so, I will be earnestly seeking God's will for our ministry here in the Roma community we live in. I will be observing what the greatest need is in our community, prayer walking, and asking local Roma believers for their input.
I found out today from our Team Leader that one of these biggest needs in the Roma community is ministry amongst pre-adolescent boys. These young boys ages 8-13 are perhaps the most impressionable years of a boys life. This is because it is not too uncommon for boys to get married by the time they are 13 years old. Once they get married they are usually much harder to reach since they are busy working and trying to provide for their new families.
Sadly, most Roma boys have no father figure in their lives. Their fathers are typically not involved and therefore have no positive role model from which to emulate. Roma boys are usually left to survive on their own, usually leading to drug addictions, alcoholism, gangs, and a promiscuous lifestyle.
A life with Christ and a positive male role model for these boys would certainly change things for them. I possibly envision a Boy Scout type program for these boys, introducing them to recreational activities and outdoor camping. Also, instilling godly values as being: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent (the Boy Scout Law). All of these things, along with frequent Bible stories, would be used to point them to a personal relationship with Christ.
Perhaps this will be a future ministry for me. I don't know. It's something to prayerfully consider over the next year or so. Will you please help pray with me over this? Also, please continue to pray for our language learning acquisition so we can quickly begin ministering and serving the Roma community.
Over the next year or so, I will be earnestly seeking God's will for our ministry here in the Roma community we live in. I will be observing what the greatest need is in our community, prayer walking, and asking local Roma believers for their input.
I found out today from our Team Leader that one of these biggest needs in the Roma community is ministry amongst pre-adolescent boys. These young boys ages 8-13 are perhaps the most impressionable years of a boys life. This is because it is not too uncommon for boys to get married by the time they are 13 years old. Once they get married they are usually much harder to reach since they are busy working and trying to provide for their new families.
Sadly, most Roma boys have no father figure in their lives. Their fathers are typically not involved and therefore have no positive role model from which to emulate. Roma boys are usually left to survive on their own, usually leading to drug addictions, alcoholism, gangs, and a promiscuous lifestyle.
A life with Christ and a positive male role model for these boys would certainly change things for them. I possibly envision a Boy Scout type program for these boys, introducing them to recreational activities and outdoor camping. Also, instilling godly values as being: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent (the Boy Scout Law). All of these things, along with frequent Bible stories, would be used to point them to a personal relationship with Christ.
Perhaps this will be a future ministry for me. I don't know. It's something to prayerfully consider over the next year or so. Will you please help pray with me over this? Also, please continue to pray for our language learning acquisition so we can quickly begin ministering and serving the Roma community.
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