An estimated 6 million Gypsies live across Europe, with the majority in the former communist countries. While Romania has the largest Gypsy population, thousands also call Bulgaria home. TWR’s partner office, Studio 865, is sharing the gospel with this impoverished people group.
Studio 865 has been producing programs in the Romani language for several years, as well as distributing solar-powered radios (pre-tuned to the frequency that broadcasts TWR programs) to Gypsy homes in Bulgaria. Studio 865 Director Stoyko Petkov and his dedicated team also have a keen interest in the spiritual well-being of Bulgaria’s next generation. Every Monday at 9:30 p.m. on medium wave (AM), TWR-Bulgaria broadcasts a 15-minute children’s program in the Balkan Romani language that reaches even outside the country to cover the entire Balkan Peninsula. The Bulgarian team has received letters from Macedonia, Greece, Serbia and Kosovo.
Receiving written letters was a bit unexpected, as the majority of Gypsy children do not go to school. “Culturally-speaking, Gypsies are an oral society, so writing is not common for them,” says Petkov. “Additionally, they are extremely poor and live in ghettos with limited access to postal service.” That’s why, he adds, most of the program’s feedback is from teaches and pastors of local churches with whom the team works.
The weekly program is produced in TWR-Bulgaria’s Studio 865 by an ethnic Gypsy named Natalia. “We visited several Gypsy churches … to record some stories from Sunday schools,” she says.” “Most of the churches knew about our program. We provided materials with information about our broadcast. For the really poor, we gave a solar radio [to them]. All the Christians were encouraging us to continue and, if possible, to have more airtime for the program.”
Prayer Points
- Please remember to pray for TWR-Bulgaria’s staff as they faithfully produce the children’s programs. Pray for discernment as to how to best present the truths of God’s Word to Gypsy children.
- Pray that many Gypsy families will tune in to the broadcasts and that not only the children will come to know the Savior, but also their parents.