It was three years ago when I found myself part of this ministry team heading to Croatia to join with some there who teach English as a second language. Kent and Cheri are two Americans who, while living and loving the people there were key in starting a Bible based church called Living Hope (Ẑiva Nada) now led by a pastor who is a national of Croatia. It was a sweet trip for me continuing my call to love people wherever my LORD led me. I had opportunity to love the members of the team and those in Split, Croatia while walking the streets and breathing the air. My blogs (http://bobariicroatia2010.blogspot.com/) spoke of the many things that happened while there, including receiving the news that one of my students had finally succumbed to the brain cancer that wreaked havoc in the family's life, and of a significant illness that took the wind out of my sails while in Croatia. Indeed, it was quite a trip, the blogging refreshing my memories and details of a time, just a few years ago, fuzzy, faint yet filled with life transforming events in this soul.
Slammed in the middle of the trip with intestinal illness, discovering an issue with low blood sugar, I missed a trip to Livno, Bosnia to visit the educational ministry ongoing there. I couldn't understand then, why such event would occur, as it seemed one of the primary reasons I was to go, me, being the professional teacher in the group. But I did have opportunity to meet with those who were in Bosnia in the fog of my recovery, and they definitely desired my joining them there in the future, and it did occur a year later.
No team, to go with or there when I arrived, I found myself jumping headlong toward the place I missed a year previous, with opportunity to spend not a day, rather a week with the people in their planetary spot, Livno, Bosnia...and I blogged of my trip there, starting here (Grateful Gifts for Hopeful Hearts) with this year's trip blog starting here (I Missed My Plane Plain and Simple). Twice I have had opportunity to care and invest in the teacher's lives there in Livno, and also in some of the students. While preparing to leave Bosnia this year, the headmaster of the college bound high school offered me a job there (also with full disclosure informing me that I need either learn the language or share my meager pay with my translator). I think he was a bit surprised when I shook his hand, looked him in the eyes and told him I'd consider it!
I share of this again, with you, my readers, as result of yesterday's meeting with the professor who leads the trip having co-led with him the past two times. He confirmed his request (as we parted company in Bosnia this year) that I join him again. The first full week in March, 2013 the next conference 'is on'. Indeed, I again feel the tug, no, the impetus to return, and lay it before my LORD seeking, yet again, His provision for the trip, financially, prayerfully and supportively. Without partners the task would be daunting.
The past three trips have been sans spouse and each year it seems more evident that she participate. God has given me a partner whose skill and care not only brings increase to my potential and abilities, but is also useful wherever she goes...and I love to have her go places with me. Carrie's pediatric nursing career could have wonderful use there in Bosnia, potentially joining and encouraging another nurse there exploring investment of care and improvement of such in those with healthcare issues. She has many other wonderful gifts of caring too. So this time around, I am praying that God might allow my wonderful partner in life ministry, join us as it seems I head, once again, toward Bosnia.
If you did not follow me on past trips, it is my hope you might read of that which I had opportunity to participate, while on foreign soils, as care flowed from and into this soul. It is also my hope that as you do, you might feel a tug to join me in prayer, join in the adventure as God leads you. God provided every dime I needed and more in my past trips, and I am confident He will continue the trend. This year's trip will cost more should Carrie join me, but again, we will watch it all unfold, should God confirm this venture, with or without her.
I am not sure who gets more out of these trips; them? or me. Here stands the beauty of 'ministry'. Our desire is to bless others. God's plan is to bless all. As I go to bless teachers and those there working to improve teaching, they, their lives, their sacrifice, their hearts, inspire and bless me. My trips there live joyfully complete, seeing blessing in all, for all. As I closed my time with the teachers there, I asked what more they might need. It seemed clear to me, as I carefully listened that, should I return, I could teach some structural learning tools that would meet what they were unable to ask of in detail. I left, already planning my return. As I shared it with Dr. Garner yesterday, he confirmed it as the right stuff. He saw my insight as a teacher, examining the instructional culture need there, confirming and resonating as appropriate in his heart. Over coffee, Brad and I spoke of being part of an amazing call to invest in education in a foreign land with skills God forged in us. Humbling, daunting, exciting, full of compassion and love, we sat drinking in not only aromatic drippings of roasted beans, but the far richer aromatic drippings of the Holy Spirit. All evidence of this Bosnian blessing at the hands of our beautiful, caring LORD.
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