Every year our school takes a 2 1/2 week Christmas break, part of which includes a trip outside of Trebinje. The older students go outside the country, while the younger ones, new to Bosnia and to our school, visit the capital city of Sarajevo. Because our new students are many, Mark, George, and I were asked to fill specific needs for this group: Mark (driver, devotions), George (weather updates, worship), and me (hugger/hand holder :), hotel sick sitter). In addition, several other students had responsibilities such as booking hotels, vehicles, and activities, money collecting/accounting, and trip rules and consequences. Truly a group effort!

Bosnian Culture and History

The six day excursion included visits to recent historical sites commemorating the Bosnian Civil War which occurred just 30 years ago.  At our favorite, the Tunnel of Hope, we somberly stood where Bosnian soldiers brought in food and supplies to their suffering people. At that time Sarajevo was completely under siege, and this one point of access to the outside world kept them from total annihilation! We better understood the awfulness of war and so much bloodshed. The older people in our village all experienced this, many fleeing from their homes to other places for a time. The implications, economically, relationally and spiritually are still very real. These ethnic groups now live fairly distinctly from each other and have their own little governing bodies within the country. We understood more clearly why the younger generations aren’t as devout as the older, some not interested in religion at all. They associate it with killing and who would want that?! This also explains why evangelicals, known for their proselytizing, are often unwelcome. One’s faith is integrally tied to their ethnic identity. A Serbian is Orthodox, a Bosniak is Muslim and a Croat is Catholic. That’s just the way it is. Matters for prayer as we live among and interact with our local friends and partners.

Lessons in Responsibility

Having specific responsibilities both before and on the trip proved helpful in teaching that failing to complete one’s task would affect us all! Each person mattered and contributed to the success of the whole. In this vein, students discovered the importance of asking questions ahead of time to get as much information as possible. Unaware that we needed to arrive at the shop at the appointed time, our reservations for ski equipment were canceled, resulting in a last minutes scramble for equipment that ate at our remaining window of time for skiing. Those that did get to ski could only do so for at most an hour. The van rental issue, on the other hand, turned out for the better! We had rented two vans for four days, assuming we could extend the reservation if needed. When at last we decided to drive ourselves to our last few destinations, however, we found out our vans had been reserved by others and we needed to return them as originally agreed. Now what? Through our hotel, God provided two better vans at a fraction of the price of the original two! Our students learned that God can come through even when we make mistakes. They discovered what books can’t teach. We were so proud of their efforts that resulted in such a smooth trip.

Connection Conversations

During our travels, we saw staff and students connecting through good conversations.  For example, after sharing about a great book, Unoffendable, I learned about one student’s struggle to love difficult people. “Since the time eight years ago when God turned me from a mean bully into a kindness girl,” she said, “He gives me one person a year as a test.” This year was no different, and wouldn’t you know, it was this particular person whose name she drew to be her Secret Santa! How beautiful to see her pass the test by not only getting this girl something very nice, but including a lovely hand written note about her good qualities! I later heard how meaningful the gift and note were to the recipient, and passed word on to this student. What an encouragement to her! But I was challenged by her words, “Thank you for telling me, but I didn’t care about her response. I did it just for Jesus.” How wonderful to witness spiritual growth in a student’s life!

A Greater Appreciation for Jesus

Every evening all 15 of us piled into a hotel room, sang a couple Christmas carols (led by George on his guitar) and read one by one the accounts of Jesus’ birth. Each night Mark directed our attention to one person (Mary, Joseph) or group of people (angels, shepherds, wise men). We discussed in depth their actions and likely thoughts and feelings, and how they might relate to our lives. Such a wonderful time of reflection and so encouraging to hear many students chime in! Just last week George shared at a school meeting how this was the highlight of his trip.

Thank You

Much more could be said about Sarajevo. Activities all day every day! For those who prayed about our journey, thank you! Driver Mark was certainly stressed at times navigating a 9-passenger van down one-lane city streets! We’re so grateful for you!