A Visit to MontenegroA Visit to Montenegro

IntroductionIntroductionHistoryHistory

GeographyGeography

EconomyEconomy

ReligionReligion

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

Political Political MapMap

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

Adriatic CoastAdriatic Coast

Budva, on the AdriaticBudva, on the Adriatic

Medieval Coastal TownMedieval Coastal Town

Medieval Town of KotorMedieval Town of Kotor

Town of PrkaniTown of Prkani

Inland from the coast - the Inland from the coast - the fertile Tara Valleyfertile Tara Valley

Durmitor MountainsDurmitor Mountains

Rafting on the TaraRafting on the Tara

Hot Summers, Cold WintersHot Summers, Cold Winters

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

Orthodox ChurchOrthodox Church

Church built Church built into the rock into the rock

at Ostrogat Ostrog

Orthodox Orthodox Priests and Priests and

FrescoeFrescoe

Orthodox Orthodox Church Church

converted to converted to MosqueMosque

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