MOSTAR BOSNIA

On February 29^th of 1992 Bosnia-Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia. The Bosnian Serbs proclaimed a separate state and fighting spread. The Serbs; who represented the Greek Orthodox Church; The Muslims; who were mostly Bosnians and called themselves the Bosniacs; and the Croats; who represent the Catholics, began feuding amongst each other.

This was the beginning of a war that would eventually take over 250,000 lives (mostly innocent men, women & children). Eventually after devastation in Sarajevo, Mostar became a target.

The city of Mostar is situated between two mountain ranges with the Neretva River running between the middle. Before the war, the Muslims were situated mostly on the East side of the River and the Croats were situated on the West side of the river with a bridge connecting the two. When the war broke out, the Serbs decided that they wanted to take over the city so they set up on the tops of the mountain ranges. The bridge was the target.

The Serbs began to take out innocent civilians (snipers) and bombard the city with artillery and missiles. During this attack the East (Muslims) and the West (Croats) decided to turn on each other.

Situated on Top of the West Mountain is a huge cross that most would properly see as a symbol of Jesus Christ being crucified for the sins of the world. Unfortunately this cross is known for something much worse. One Muslim was asked what the cross symbolizes to him, he said that it is the place where the Croats would line up the Muslims and execute them. It was also something that was carved into the chests of those that were taken out by the Croatian Army. It still known to this day to many as a Political/Military Symbol.

 

As you can see complete and total devastation happened in the city that we are now situated in. People that had friends across the river were forbidden from seeing or talking to them. People that were married to the opposite cultures were forced to separate and children were ripped away from their parents.

On November 21^st 1995 a settlement was reached but lives were forever changed. Cultures were filled with Anger toward each other and a complete separation was put in place. There were two hospitals, two police stations, two school systems and two trash companies that were right next door to each other.

Fortunately things are starting to return to the way that it was before. The systems have once again merged but the city still remains split, the Croats & the Orthodox on the West and the Muslims on the East.

This will be our home for the next five weeks. Praise the Lord.