Hope comes in the morning

We have recently returned to Slovakia after spending the summer in the United States. It was a joy to visit with many friends and supporters as we shared about what God is doing among the Roma in central Europe. What was especially fun was hearing at the General Assembly in Houston, "Hello! You are my friend on Facebook and now I get to finally meet you!" What a small world we live in.

Of great concern for us was hearing about the increase in anti-Roma sentiment in the area. Though the deadly violence which is becoming more common in other areas has not yet reached Slovakia, recently there have been protests by radical right-wing extremist groups against the Roma living in Slovakia. The rise of these groups poses a real threat.

The English-language newspaper in Slovakia, the Slovak Spectator, recently featured a hopeful interview focusing on the situation of the Roma in Europe. The article, entitled An apology would change everything, provides a glimpse into the history and hopefully future of the Roma in Europe.

Pray for us and all our colleagues as we minister among these hated minorities. Pray that justice will be found for the Roma and that as a people, they continue to grow into valued members of the countries which they call home.