wfn.org | Yugoslavia: Adventist President Calls for Prayer

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

April 3, 1999
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Yugoslavia: Adventist Church President Calls for 
Prayer 

Basel, Switzerland - Following the airstrikes 
against Yugoslavia over the past days, Dr. Jan 
Paulsen, president of the Seventh-day Adventist 
Church called for prayer for the whole troubled 
Balkan region.

"It is nothing short of a catastrophe," said 
Paulsen. "As a Church we are troubled and concerned 
at these developments which are affecting so many 
people throughout the Balkans. This crisis causes 
us much distress as we recognise the humanitarian 
impact of violence, and we pray for its speedy 
resolution. Our hearts go out to all those who have 
lost loved ones, who have suffered injury, or who 
have been forced to flee their homes."

More than 10,000 Adventists live in the two 
republics of Serbia and Montenegro that make up 
Yugoslavia. Since the onset of hostilities, 
Adventist members have been forced to conduct 
worship services in basements or air-raid shelters. 
In Kosovo, where previously 30 Adventist members 
met in two churches, no meetings are being held 
since most left prior to the fighting.

Adventist member Ljiljana Djokic who lives in a 
Belgrade suburb, reported explosions across the 
city, with some bombs falling close to her home.

"It is Thursday 8:40 pm and I can hear bombs very 
close to us-very close and very loud," said Djokic. 
"The sirens are sounding and the city is in the 
dark. A state of war has been declared so we cannot 
move or travel. My young son, my father and I are 
staying here in the apartment. We have nowhere else 
to go. We can only give ourselves into God's hands 
and pray for His mercy."

"In Novi Sad bombs have damaged the houses of 
several of our believers," reports Radivoj 
Vladisavljevic, president of the Seventh-day 
Adventist's North Conference in Yugoslavia.  "I 
have asked pastors and elders to visit believers 
and friends more than ever, and by this way express 
their concern for their lives.  I have asked them 
to pray and read the Bible in small groups or in 
the basements and other shelters, if it is not 
possible for them to go to church."

According to Pastor Slavko Tasic, president of the 
South Conference in Yugoslavia, one pastor and 
several members of the church have been drafted 
into the Yugoslavian Army. 

"I personally know the church members in Yugoslavia 
to be good and warm-hearted people," comments 
Bertil Wiklander, president of the Church's Trans-
European Division that includes Yugoslavia. "It is 
always a joyful event to visit them and worship 
together. Their faithfulness and commitment to the 
Lord is a wonderful testimony to the work of the 
Holy Spirit. I feel a deep sense of grief that many 
of them, frightened and anxious, spent last night 
in the basements of their homes."

Church aid activities in the troubled Kosovo 
province are not possible; however the Adventist 
Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is assisting 
refugees entering nearby Albania.

ADRA Albania is preparing to assist refugees with 
food, temporary shelter, and medical aid, according 
to Sean Robinson, ADRA director in Albania. ADRA 
has established a rapid co-ordination team to 
assess the situation, co-ordinate proposed activity 
with the international community, respond 
immediately to the problems, and link to the ADRA 
Albania office for support. The team includes an 
Albanian doctor, a logistician, and the ADRA 
country director.

"It's a human catastrophe with so many women and 
children being victims," says Robinson of the 
situation. "The refugees will need medical 
attention due to illness and trauma after prolonged 
exposure to cold temperatures," he says. Refugees 
are living in the open without shelter. According 
to news reports, at least 70,000 refugees having 
already crossed the border into Albania and now the 
border is known to be closed. At least 10,000 more 
refugees are said to be waiting in Morine for the 
border to reopen. [99/09/01]