My two friends, Trent and Nikki, have sacrificed living in America, joining World Hope as a means to understand the Bosnian culture, but even more so, to immerse themselves in it, and in doing so, learned of the great need to develop and inspire a deeper quality in education for the people. Torn by war and three cultures, Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian, a corrupt governing body, and while still reeling from communism, much of the life has been beaten out of the people...with the exception of a small yet growing group of absolutely incredible nationals there...working together with my friends. Together, they are rebuilding eduction, both the facilities and practice, in the hopes of reviving hope in the struggling nation.
In the struggling nation of Bosnia, many, if not most of the populous, are wracked in turmoil, merely existing, and just getting through life. Their days are filled with inadequacies, insufficient means to live well, with plenty of time to stew in it. They have lost all drive to dream and invent, but not the drive to socialize and share in their plight. Even for me, as positive as I am, the challenges seem insurmountable, unless you choose to focus on the minuscule group of nothing short of inspiring teachers and one handicapped (or as the people call them there, invalids) lady leading the charge for change. These mostly younger teachers, and Šhemcija (pronounced Shem-see-ya), the handicapped viceroy of hope and enthusiasm in spite of her incredible physical challenges, are the future of Bosnia, should the people respond.
Together, they are validating the invalid, planting dreams of hope in young hearts, while reviving the beliefs of the people to rise above circumstances, realizing their incredible capabilities to invest in potent change. They are part of the transformation of culture steeped in disaster. They are the new pioneers of life and living, much like the pioneers who left England, sailing the Atlantic to establish a new nation in freedom. While the task seemed ridiculous to those who stayed back, to those who forged ahead, it was a call that transformed the world!
Such is the call of my friends there, to be an amazing part of educational building, and powerful change in Bosnia, but their lives of faith, who they are, also has opportunity to build into some of the people there. Just as I was to go as an emissary of education, I also know that I was led to go as a part of my connection with God and service to Him. He has given me great abilities to teach, and a deep love for people, all people, kids to adults, and now I have a deep love for those in Bosnia. My friends there have given up, sacrificed is a better word, so much to serve the people there, and it does cost them a great deal.
As I experienced their lives there, I discovered that they were in need of refreshment and encouragement, for they have worked hard, feeling like so little has been accomplished. But these eyes of faith, coming along side of these and many others who may not have them, saw, first hand, the need to be a part of the building and investing, long term, in the transformation of the people there, both educationally and spiritually.
I don't know if the latter will arise, but of one thing I am confident, that as I demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ, and His way of building hope within me, an unemployed man able to go on this incredible journey of faith and encouragement, I have been given the opportunity to infuse change, build hope, and rub shoulders with old friends and many new ones. As purveyors of hope, faith and rich, deep, meaningful life, we need to step up and be part of the transformation of nations, by bolstering up those, who are significantly called to a significantly difficult task.
I am humbled by the opportunity, just to get a taste of the task. These who live it daily, are the warriors for hope and peace. As I told Šhemcija, the woman witht he black argyle sweater talking with the man in green and jeans, it is I who feel handicapped.
No comments:
Post a Comment