Transcript A Visit to Montenegro

A Visit to Montenegro
History
Geography
Economy
Religion
Introduction
Map of Montenegro
Size of Connecticut
Fertile valleys
Rugged Mountains
Deep ravines and
canyons
Sandy beaches along
coast
Political
Map
Overview of
Montenegro’s history
First wave of Slavs came in
6th century
Second wave arrived in 7th
century
Slavs were pagan, but
converted to Christianity
Fiercely independent for 1000
years
Never conquered by the
Ottomans
Old Kingdom of Montenegro
The
Proclamation of
the Kingdom in
1910
Ottoman Turks
finally leave the
Balkan
Peninsula, and
Serbs unite
Later History
Forced into Union of 6 countries to
form Yugoslavia; communist rule
Union collapsed after death of Tito
Forced into uneasy union with
Serbia and Kosovo under Milosevic
With fall of Milosevic, hopes for
independence in 2 years
Geography of Montenegro
On east side of Balkan Peninsula
Lovely beaches on Adriatic coast
High ranges of mountains
Industrial cities, including Niksic, behind
first range of mountains
Sub-tropical climate along Adriatic coast
Cold winters, hot humid summers inland
Adriatic Coast
Budva, on the Adriatic
Medieval Coastal Town
Medieval Town of Kotor
Town of Prkani
Inland from the coast - the
fertile Tara Valley
Durmitor Mountains
Rafting on the Tara
Hot Summers, Cold Winters
Economy
Since collapse of Yugoslavia, and ouster of
Milosevic, many problems
Country has fertile land, and many natural
resources; oil, gas, coal, copper, lead, zinc, nickel,
gold, pyrite, chrome, hydropower - but
High unemployment
Rising prices
Poor work ethic (relic of communism)
Widespread stealing and other crime
Few markets for shoddy industrial production; lack
of interest in farming
Hope that independence in 2 years will improve
things
Religion in Montenegro
Most people are Eastern
Orthodox
Some Muslims, mostly
Albanian immigrants
No real gospel witness there in
last 1000 years
3 church planting works now
Pray for this crack in the
devil’s hold on Montenegro
Orthodox Church
Church built
into the rock
at Ostrog
Orthodox
Priests and
Frescoe
Orthodox
Church
converted to
Mosque
Podgorica - the Capital City
(pronounced “Podgoreetza”)
Niksic
(pronounced Niksheech)
Montenegro’s second- largest city
Niksic in the
1880’s, and
now
Air pollution is
still severe
The Surbatovich Family
Back Row,L-R
Christian, Josiah
James, Amy Joelle,
Anna Marie
Seated: Milijana, Vicki
and Stan (Stanisa in
Serbian)
Stan’s parents moved from Montenegro to California before he was
born, so he is an American citizen, but grew up speaking Serbian (the
language 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 Requests
Helpers to come throughout the year

2 have come this year to help
God’s work among young people in Niksic

Now running short of young people
Influence for 2 university teachers in the church
Pray for 3 new families
Blessings on Thursday night dinners
Anna Marie Surbatovich, at college in NJ
House-building: find faithful workers
Helper for Milan Djurisic to support his new work
Against spiritual darkness
Baptisms

Pray for at least one this year