Visas!

In the past week I've been looking at visa requirements for Bosnia. One cannot apply upfront for a year visa, you first need to get a short term one and once in Bosnia, apply for long term. On my previous mission trips, the visa length was 90 days (3 months) for a “Type B” tourist visa. I found out that there is a “Type D” visa which is for 6 months. The application process for this takes about 1 month and includes a more comprehensive list of information required such as medical certificate, travel documentation, reason for visit, proof of income or funds available etc.etc. Previously, South Africans could apply at the Bosnian Consulate in Pretoria, but we found out that they closed down and S.A applicants should consult the London Bosnian Embassy. Kate (Novimost UK Office) have sent an enquiry to the BiH consulate in London to find out whether we can start the application earlier via email since I’ll only be in London on the 18th of September. Please pray for this matter that God will give me favour and that the application process will go smoothly. I will also have to apply for a U.K visa for the time spent in England to apply for the Bosnian visa and for pre-mission training. The training will take place 21 – 24 September in Chesham. Myself and a UK family will be joining the long term team in Mostar in autumn (our spring).

This weekend I was just reminded again of the fact that it is God Who will get me to BiH, not myself. When you start looking at your own abilities and think how will I ever raise the funds etc., doubt creeps in and you start to worry. But God promises that - HE WILL PROVIDE IN ALL MY NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS! (Phil.4:19) He is faithful and I will thank and trust Him for His favour and provision! I thank Him for the wonderful blessings He has already given me and that I was able to book my flight. In 5 months time I will look back and think wow...look at what the Lord has done!

Thanks for being a part of this journey. Your love and support means so much to me!

With all my love,
L xx

Train ride to Sarajevo..

On our last day in BiH 2005, we took a train ride to Sarajevo. Half way through we had to climb over on a bus, but the trip was definitely worth it! We took a walk through the old part of town and visited friends for "kava". We had a ride on a tram and past the Holiday Inn which you can see in the movie "Welcome to Sarajevo"(many reporters and news crews stayed there during the war and captured footage which was shown all over the world). Sarajevo hosted the winter olympics in 1984 and it's also the capital of Bosnia i Herzegovina. We ended our trip with some "sladoled"...icecream - who can resist! Looking forward to seeing Sarajevo again!

Some more photos...

Some more photos of Mostar...Me with our cook, Mirjana - alias "Bosanska Mama". She used to cook the most amazing food - really spoiled us! I remember visiting her house and she would speak to me in Bosnian and I would try to respond as best I could using my little Bosnian /Croation dictionary and the language I'd picked up over my time there. It was awesome! The sky line of Mostar is quite interesting...having the Muslim minarets and the one tall Roman catholic tower all in the same picture! One of the most common/traditional food in Bosnia is cevapi (small unskinned sausages) in a pita-like bread. Very delicious!!! The picture with the two girls, lady and me is dear friends of mine: Sanja and her two daughters Andrea and Matea. Loved visiting there place as well! To give a closer look of Mostar, I've added two photos of the streets we used to walk in. I've also included the gate of the East Mostar evangelical church. There are only two evangelical churches in Mostar - one on the East (predominantly Muslim side) and West (predominantly Croation r.catholic side). There are only a handful of evangelical churches in Bosnia (maybe one in a town - max two) and the total amount of Christians in the country is 500 +. To explain a bit more, there are 3 ethnic groups - Serbs (Greek orthodox), Croats (R.Catholic) and Bosniaks (Muslim). For most people their religion is part of their background/identity - it defines who they are and they don't necessarily practice it. For them to change religion (become a Christian for example) would be to betray their heritage and often they would be rejected by family and friends. The need is great, but praise God - we serve a caring, loving, forgiving compassionate Saviour Who has overcome this world and no obstacle or man made tradition can stop His love from reaching the nations...may we be His hands and feet!

BiH volimo te!

If you look carefully, you'll be able to see the words "BiH VOLIMO TE" - which means "BiH WE LOVE YOU" - on the mountain with a picture of the Stari Most below it. Awesome!

Don't Forget

Here are a few photos from my time in BiH 2005. Klub time was always exciting with different activities like arts & crafts, outings with the kids, or just catching up over coffee.The city of Mostar itself is a contrast of beautiful old buildings, cobble stone streets amidts the ruins from war...waiting to be fixed. One of my favourite pics is the "Don't Forget" one with my friend Ena. Yes, let's not forget....let's remember and do something.

Faith walk

Wow, can’t believe it’s been a couple of weeks since my last blog! I am so excited and praise God for His faithfulness! As most of you know, for me to go to Bosnia I have to raise approximately £500 - £600 monthly sponsors for the year abroad. So far God has blessed me through family members and friends with +- £100/month and cash donations of £500! How awesome is that!!!!
I’ve also booked my ticket from Johannesburg to London. Still need to book the flights from London to Sarajevo...need to confirm the dates.

I’m busy putting ideas together for a “Bosnian Fundraising Evening” which will be held towards the end of June (to be confirmed). For all my South African friends, will keep you posted!

Every step of this journey is truly a faith walk. Even last night as I booked my flight, I most probably stared at the screen for half an hour before I finally clicked the ‘confirm’ button and waited for the e-ticket to be processed. As it said in the movie Princess Diaries 1:

“Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgement that something is more important than fear”.

Why are we so afraid of the unknown? “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”(Heb.11:1 NLT).

I thank God for His amazing grace...taking our hand and saying “Follow Me...you can trust Me”. Fear will be there, but God says in Jos.1:9 – “This is My command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

So I will walk – taking one step at a time, trusting God.

All my love,
L xx