So I made it back to the World Race team safely. 4 flights later and a long layover in Paris, I arrived in Sarajevo, Bosnia where Clara and a friend picked me up at the airport. We spent the night in Sarajevo, and then early the next morning got up to catch a bus to Mostar, Bosnia, where my team and the Blue team are currently stationed. The bus ride through Bosnia opened my eyes to just how devasted the country still is from war that occurred over 10 years ago.
Driving through the green mountains, which are still being de-landmined, I passed through towns with buildings that are bombed out and destructed from the war. Upon arriving in Mostar I learned a lot of the history of this town. It is divided by a river which on one side is inhabited by Croats and the other Muslims. During the war the Croats and Muslims teamed up to fight off the Serbs. Then the Croats turned on the Muslims, using a cross as their symbol of victory, carving it into the chest of their victims and planting a large one up on the hill. Now instead of seeing the cross as a symbol of God’s grace and forgiveness, it is looked at here as a symbol of war and devastation.
My team will be in Mostar working with a church until the 1st of July when we will travel to a small island off the coast of Croatia and work with an organization called Missions without Borders. Here we will assist them in running 2 weeks of camps for inner city kids. Gary will be preaching most of the nights, and I am excited about helping with new games and sports….oh and beach time! Most of the kids coming to this will not be Christians and even some of the leaders may not be strong in their faith. I’m so excited about all the opportunities we will have to show Christ! Please pray for our preparations for this camp as well as energy because the day runs from 7am to midnight…when leaders’ prayer begins. We are definitely going to max out for 2 weeks! I can’t wait!
