September 23, 2005
Albania (MNN)--The Roma people of Eastern Europe are often ostracized and forgotten. Researchers estimate the worldwide Romani population at 44 million.
About half the people group are nomadic and, even when they do settle down, generally shun cultural integration. Thus marginalized, they are the most unwanted people group in Europe.
As a result, there are very few things developed expressly for them. When Christian radio began sharing the love of Christ, the message gained momentum.
That's especially true in Albania, says Words of Hope's Lee DeYoung. "For the last two years, a station in southern Albania has been broadcasting these programs over FM, and even majority Albanian people living in that signal area of that station enjoy hearing the programs."
Words of Hope's Romani programs began airing from Trans World Radio's 500,000 watt AM transmitter in Albania.
Their response makes it possible to expand even more. "We're looking forward to producing some Balkan-Romani programs inside Albania in the future. Up till now, all of them have been produced in Bulgaria. We were able to go to a number of Romani neighborhoods and different towns, and we were able to play program samples for the people. The response was very encouraging."
Romani people tend to be suspicious of outsiders, but this barrier was overcome by using native Romani speakers to host the programs.
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EDITORIAL COMMENT:
A radio station such as this about the Gospel and such is just what the poor and neglected Romani People needed as much as a hole in the head. They do not need evangelizing and being "brought to Jesus"; they need to be allowed to live their own way and their own Traditions. The Christian church is hell-bent on destroying the Romani Communities everywhere in the same way as they are with Native Americans whether North or South America and in-between. No, I do not hate God, it is his fan club that I object to.
