A Visit to A Visit to Montenegro Montenegro
Dec 20, 2015
Map of MontenegroMap of Montenegro
Size of ConnecticutSize of Connecticut
Fertile valleysFertile valleys
Rugged MountainsRugged Mountains
Deep ravines and Deep ravines and canyonscanyons
Sandy beaches along Sandy beaches along coast coast
Overview of Overview of Montenegro’s historyMontenegro’s history
First wave of Slavs came in 6th First wave of Slavs came in 6th centurycentury
Second wave arrived in 7th centurySecond wave arrived in 7th century
Slavs were pagan, but converted to Slavs were pagan, but converted to ChristianityChristianity
Fiercely independent for 1000 yearsFiercely independent for 1000 years
Never conquered by the OttomansNever conquered by the Ottomans
Fought with Allies during WW IFought with Allies during WW I
Old Kingdom of MontenegroOld Kingdom of Montenegro
The The Proclamation of Proclamation of the Kingdom in the Kingdom in 19101910
Ottoman Turks Ottoman Turks finally leave the finally leave the Balkan Balkan Peninsula, and Peninsula, and Serbs uniteSerbs unite
Later HistoryLater HistoryForced into Union of 6 countries to Forced into Union of 6 countries to form Yugoslavia; communist ruleform Yugoslavia; communist rule
Union collapsed after death of TitoUnion collapsed after death of Tito
Forced into uneasy union with Forced into uneasy union with Serbia and Kosovo under MilosevicSerbia and Kosovo under Milosevic
With fall of Milosevic, hopes for With fall of Milosevic, hopes for independence in 2 yearsindependence in 2 years
Geography of MontenegroGeography of Montenegro
On east side of Balkan PeninsulaOn east side of Balkan Peninsula
Lovely beaches on Adriatic coastLovely beaches on Adriatic coast
High ranges of mountains High ranges of mountains
Industrial cities, including Niksic, behind Industrial cities, including Niksic, behind first range of mountainsfirst range of mountains
Sub-tropical climate along Adriatic coastSub-tropical climate along Adriatic coast
Cold winters, hot humid summers inlandCold winters, hot humid summers inland
Economy Economy Since collapse of Yugoslavia, and ouster of Milosevic, Since collapse of Yugoslavia, and ouster of Milosevic, many problemsmany problems
Country has fertile land, and many natural resources; Country has fertile land, and many natural resources; oil, gas, coal, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, pyrite, oil, gas, coal, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gold, pyrite, chrome, hydropower - but chrome, hydropower - but
High unemploymentHigh unemployment
Rising pricesRising prices
Poor work ethic (relic of communism)Poor work ethic (relic of communism)
Widespread stealing and other crimeWidespread stealing and other crime
Few markets for shoddy industrial production; lack of Few markets for shoddy industrial production; lack of interest in farminginterest in farming
Hope that independence in 2 years will improve thingsHope that independence in 2 years will improve things
Religion in Montenegro Religion in Montenegro Most people are Eastern OrthodoxMost people are Eastern Orthodox
Some Muslims, mostly Albanian Some Muslims, mostly Albanian immigrantsimmigrants
No real gospel witness there in No real gospel witness there in last 1000 yearslast 1000 years
3 church planting works now3 church planting works now
Pray for this crack in the devil’s Pray for this crack in the devil’s hold on Montenegrohold on Montenegro
Podgorica - the Capital CityPodgorica - the Capital City(pronounced “Podgoreetza”)(pronounced “Podgoreetza”)
Niksic Niksic ((pronouncedpronounced Niksheech) Niksheech) Montenegro’s second- largest cityMontenegro’s second- largest city
Niksic in the Niksic in the 1880’s, and 1880’s, and nownow
Air pollution is Air pollution is still severestill severe
The Surbatovich Family
Back Row,L-R
Christian, Josiah James, Amy Joelle, Anna Marie
Seated: Milijana, Vickiand Stan (Stanisa in Serbian)
Stan’s parents moved from Montenegro to California before he wasborn, so he is an American citizen, but grew up speaking Serbian (thelanguage of Yugoslavia.) He was converted in college, and became a chaplain in the Navy. He had a vision to go to Montenegro as a missionary, and his church sent them out in 1996.
Prayer RequestsPrayer RequestsHelpers to come throughout the yearHelpers to come throughout the year
2 have come this year to help2 have come this year to help
God’s work among young people in NiksicGod’s work among young people in Niksic Now running short of young peopleNow running short of young people
Influence for 2 university teachers in the churchInfluence for 2 university teachers in the church
Pray for 3 new familiesPray for 3 new families
Blessings on Thursday night dinnersBlessings on Thursday night dinners
Anna Marie Surbatovich, at college in NJAnna Marie Surbatovich, at college in NJ
House-building: find faithful workersHouse-building: find faithful workers
Helper for Milan Djurisic to support his new workHelper for Milan Djurisic to support his new work
Against spiritual darknessAgainst spiritual darkness
BaptismsBaptisms Pray for at least one this yearPray for at least one this year