The Bosnia IST Story

Bosnian girl looking over her shoulder.
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Welcome to the Bosnia International Servant Trip
A Ministry of Healing † Hope † Peace for Bosnia and the whole World South Camps
North Camps
Gradacac, Sipovo (partial), & Sanski Most Camps still needs Sponsors! Friendship Camps 2010
Send a Camp to Kids! The Story...
Learn about the history of this trip

A little about our Bosnia ministry

Greetings in the name of the Living God! I invite you read about this ministry and prayerfully consider helping us bring healing, offering hope and building peace.

The break-up of Yugoslavia
Throughout the early 1990s, the former country of Yugoslavia began to split into several new countries, more or less along older national and ethnic boundaries. Bosnia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in early 1992, sparking a brutal civil war which lasted into early 1996. The three major ethnic groups in Bosnia are the Serbs, the Croats and the Bosniaks. The Serbs and Croats are Christian (Orthodox and Roman Catholic, respectively); the Bosniaks are Muslim.

Bosnia Today
This is a country and people of contrasts. The countryside is beautiful, but scars from the war are all around. There is forward movement toward becoming a stable, healthy country, yet many cannot let go of the past. The people are generous, hospitable and loving, yet many are still ruled by their fear, grief, and even hatred. The children are so loving and beautiful, but their wounds from the war run so deep.

NEW JERSEY SYNOD BOSNIA IST HISTORY
The New Jersey Synod began its ministry to Bosnia in 1999 when the Synod’s Commission on Youth Ministry (predecessor body to the Youth Ministry Mission Team) heard newly arrived Youth Ministry Specialist Jason Reed speak of his previous experience leading servant trips to Croatia and Bosnia. The Commission asked; “Can we do that?” The results of that question lie before you.

In 2000 the Synod held it first International Servant Trip (IST) to Croatia and Bosnia. We sent 11 people from 5 congregations in New Jersey (and 2 from the Metro Washington DC Synod, and 1 Roman Catholic from Ramsey, NJ). This first Travel Team held 5 Friendship Camps in Bosnia and several Bible Camps in Lutheran Congregations in Croatia. Friendship Camps are day-long camps held in orphanages and schools for children ages 10-13 (though we get younger and older children as well). At the Camps we lead cooperative games, do diversity training, provide art and music therapy, and offer as much fun and love as possible.

In 2001 we returned to Bosnia and Croatia with a Travel Team of 27. In 2002 the New Jersey Synod became a Companion Synod to the Lutheran Church in Croatia and split the trip - one team and trip to Bosnia and one to Croatia.

As a result of our continued positive presence in Bosnia, schools for Friendship Camps in new towns continued to open up for us. In 2004 we were invited into 6 new communities, 4 of which were in Republik Srpska, the Serb portion of Bosnia. This was a critical shift, allowing us access to children in communities that have few resources and little interaction with the USA and the West.

To respond to this increased ministry opportunity, in 2005 we began sending a North and South Team to Bosnia, allowing us to offer 16 Friendship Camps each year. As the years go by, we continued to be invited into communities that experienced some of the worst the war had to offer: Srebrenica, where the largest massacre of the war took place; Kozarac, home to the infamous Trnopolje Death Camp; and so on.

Since its first Bosnia IST in 2000, the New Jersey Synod has sent 69 people, young and old, from 27 congregations in the synod (along with people from 7 other ELCA Synods and several other faith communities) to Bosnia to bring healing, hope and peace to the children, communities and country of Bosnia. All told, there have been 94 Travel Team members sent to Bosnia (with 54 of the returning at least once)!

We have held 72 Friendship Camps, directly serving over 10,000 children (no telling how many of those children have attended camp more than once)! We continue to be the only ELCA presence and, for all intents and purposes, the only Lutheran presence in this country.

Bosnia IST 2008
This summer we had the privilege of serving around 2,500 children at the 17 Friendship Camps (and one picnic) we held throughout the country. We played, sang, danced, and laughed with the children. We shared meals and stories and hopes and dreams and tears with them. We taught and learned about peace and reconciliation together. We shared the love of God with them, and, in turn, found ourselves looking into the face of Jesus.

We visited, served and prayed in churches and mosques, schools and orphanages, homes and restaurants. We walked the grounds of concentration camps, cemeteries, memorial sites, and identification facilities for human remains recovered from mass graves.
The increased tensions in the region made this year’s trip particularly important and the joy and community that we shared particularly satisfying.

It was hard work - long hours, taxing physical labor, emotionally draining efforts. It was wonderful work - meeting and living with such beautiful, wounded, generous, loving people. And because of the nature of peace-building in such a broken world; it was messy, challenging and incomplete. In other words, it felt like a truly faithful response by our synod to Jesus’ call to “Feed my lambs” (John 21).

Thank you for your support, partnership and participation in this ministry. It is good, hard work we are called to do together. And we certainly can’t do it without you.

BOSNIA IST GOALS
Our ministry goals continue to be very direct: HEALING, HOPE, PEACE. Although there are countless stories, allow us to briefly share three stories.

Our ministry brings healing: Mark Schulz (Zion, Long Valley) tells of a camp where he saw a young boy sitting alone at lunch. He went over and tried to talk with him - at one point even bringing over an interpreter. By the end of lunch he had yet to illicit a single smile or word. However, at the end of camp as Mark was saying goodbye to some other boys, he felt someone hugging his leg. He looked down and, sure enough, it was that little boy from lunch, who looked up at him and started counting…one, two, three, four…until Mark, laughing, stopped him. One of the school teachers who had been observing this, walked over to Mark and told him that that was the first time anyone at the school had ever heard this boy talk.

Our ministry offers hope: A young girl looked sad as our Friendship Camp in Bihac ended. Bobby Houser, one of our partners in this ministry, walked over to her and asked her what was wrong. “No one cares about me. There is no reason for me to be alive”, she responded. Bobby got out her calendar and flipped it to the following summer and pointed to a date. “This is the day we will be back here next June. I love you. I want to see you here next year.” The following summer our bus pulled up to the school, and who was sitting on the steps, waiting for us? That young girl.

Our ministry builds peace: Jason Reed (St. Paul, Hainesport) was in the Serb village of Sipovo waiting in a bank for them to exchange some of the team money, when a Chetnik (a radical, nationalist Serb) called out to him in serbian, “Why do Americans hate Serbs”, - but he asked it in a very personal way - “why do you hate me?”. Jason responded that he didn’t hate him and that all Americans didn’t hate Serbs. “But you bomb our towns and kill our people”, was the Chetnik’s response. They talked for five minutes, until the money was ready. As Jason left, Vesna, his interpreter (a Baptist Serb from Croatia, if you can believe it) turned to him and said, “Do you know what they are talking about back there (in the bank)? They are questioning everything they thought they knew about Americans; everything they have been told about Americans.” The next year we returned to this town Jason was interviewed on their radio station, and had the opportunity to share why we came back to Sipovo.

OTHER ASPECTS OF THE MINISTRY

While there are many other aspects of this ministry, four bear mentioning here:

1. Leadership development. We have intentionally provided leadership training for all members of the Travel Team, including extra work with our group leaders. Travel Team members have gone on to serve in many ways. Some examples include:
Lindsay Bonanno (Hope, Freehold) is serving in the Peace Corps in Mali (North West Africa).
Lori Lepelletier (Redeemer, Succasunna), is currently in Mexico on an ELCA Servant-Hunger-Poverty Trip and plans to start seminary in the Fall.
Larissa Kravanja (Nativity, East Brunswick) traveled to South America and Africa with a UN Women’s Organization.
Dan Nelson (Calvary, Cranford) spent a summer in Africa on a humanitarian aid mission.
Jenn Berryann (Holy Communion, Berlin) serves young people as a High School English teacher, Youth Director for her congregation, and Youth Ministry Mission Team Leader.
Susie Wilson (Redeemer, Ramsey) has lead International Servant Trips to Mexico and other servant trips within the United States.

2. Congregational Involvement. Each year members of our congregations spend thousands of hours serving the children of Bosnia through the Home Team projects. They have made thousands of teddy bears, lions, giraffes, monkeys, hug pillows, and more. Their involvement can deepen their understanding of Christian servanthood in the world and increase their awareness of the need for peace and prayer in the world. It can also serve as a springboard for new ministry endeavors. For an example, see the attached note from Roger Knauss (Redeemer, Ramsey) on green paper.

3. Inter-religious. In Bosnia we serve in a very religiously diverse country. While the children we work with are from all the different ethnic and religious backgrounds, our interpreters are primarily (though not exclusively) Muslim. Over the years our relationships with them have developed into ones of deep respect and love. This past summer we brought five of our interpreters home with us to meet our congregations and country, and to help lead several programs at the ELCA National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, Texas. The inter-religious nature of our ministry, particularly in relation to our Bosnian Muslim coordinator and interpreters, is an emphasis of the ELCA, and one which we are exploring new ways to strengthen.

4. The wider church. This Trip is well-known in the ELCA, having been featured in the Lutheran Magazine, in Mosaics, and at the last three ELCA National Youth Gatherings. Consequently, we have become a model for international servant ministry, and have provided advice and training for many other groups and synods. Our ministry also continues to call attention to the need to provide ongoing relief in countries suffering from the after-effects of war, especially to the children.

CONCLUSION
It has been a great privilege to serve Jesus Christ in the children of Bosnia with and on behalf of the New Jersey Synod. It has served as a valuable model of many generations of the church responding together to Christ’s call to serve those in need - a group of children with whom we have no other connection their our shared humanity.

Travel Team
The Travel Team is made up of individuals committed to spending two weeks serving as the "hands and feet" of the ministry in Bosnia. As you can imagine, serving on a Travel Team can be a rich, deeply rewarding, life-changing experience. It is also requires a lot of time, dedication, and hard work, including monthly meetings throughout the spring to prepare for the trip. Travel Team members need to be committed, healthy, and between the ages of 16 and 86. Applications for the Travel Team are available by mid-October of each year.

Home Team
Our Home Team consists of those involved in Bosnia IST back here in the USA. There are many ways for individuals, groups, and congregations to become involved - particularly to provide the Friendship Camp supplies, raise funds for the trip and offer prayer support. The Home Team Guide, which outlines these opportunities to serve, is available in January of each year.

Shalom,
Jason Reed
Bosnia IST Coordinator

Here are the daily updates from the 2009 Bosnia IST

Here are the daily updates from this summer's trip:

Sunday, June 21
The entire Travel Team arrived in rainy Sarajevo safely with all of the luggage! We were met at the airport by Vjeko, Azra, Ada, Alisa, Dzan, Petar and our trusty driver, Vildan. We had a restful afternoon and a wonderful welcome dinner that evening.

After the half-camp, we got back on the bus for a 5 hour drive to Jajce, followed by an 11 PM supper at our hotel.

After the camp the group very briefly visited some of the remarkable sites in Jajce - including what's left of a church that once held some of the earthly remains of the Apostle Luke! Then we were off 3 1/2 hour drive to Kozarac, where we began our stay at the remarkable Srcem Do Mira (through hearts to peace) House with a wonderful home-cooked meal.

Wednesday, June 24
We had a great Friendship Camp in the small town of Kozarac this day. We had about 55 children and lots of their teachers. The kids were eager for all of our activities, though they tired easily. Katie, John and Rahool really stepped up their leadership of the Movement Group, helping the kids to really work together physically as well as socially, all while having lots of fun.

Bobbie continued being a positive team member - always helping both the children and the other team members.

The children and teachers, as at the other camps, loved the beautiful tote bags and were thrilled with the teddy bears. Both were given with the story of all the people in New Jersey who have lovingly worked for months making them.

After camp the team rested briefly and then headed out on an amazing, difficult tour. Being led by the founder and "first-among-equals" leader of Srcem Do Mira, a remarkable woman named Emsuda, the group first visited a cemetery where over 600 tombstones, all with the date 1992, marked the burial site of people killed during the terrible summer at the start of the war. Many of the bodies were recovered from mass graves that are still being discovered throughout the region. There are still over bodies 1,200 missing just from in and around Kozarac.

We then went to notorious Omarska Concentration Camp, the site of some of the worst atrocities of the war. We walked some of the grounds and saw the infamous "white house", where so many were tortured and killed. After hearing some of the stories we stood outside the entrance and there, among the weeds and dandelions, prayed prayers of sorrow, pain and hope.

Then we drove to the smaller Trnopolje Concentration Camp, where our hostess Emsuda had been held along with all of her immediate family. We again heard stories and walked around a portion of the building. We were here at 6:00 PM when we paused for our prayer time, being especially grateful for the prayer support of everyone back home.

Lastly we visit a newly rebuilt mosque, where we were greet by its gracious Imam, Suleman. We spent a peaceful time inside marveling at its beauty and asking questions of the Imam. We then returned to Srcem Do Mira for another delicious dinner and some important reflection time and devotions.

Thursday, June 25
We had a wonderful Friendship Camp in Sanski Most this day, with over 165 children and lots of teachers. There was a great energy and the teachers offered lots of support and encouragement. Jason was interviewed by the local television station - no CNN coverage yet! Jackie did a great job as usual as the Music group "traveler", her groups are always well cared for and love her! Rachel continues to help lead the Art group activities with great skill and smiles.

11 children from an orphanage out in the countryside were able to come to the camp (yeah!) and we got to drive them back home on our bus. It was a very good camp!

After this camp we stopped by an "Identification Center" where they work to identify human remains found in various mass graves. They do this both through DNA testing and laying out the actual remains along with any artifacts found with them (pieces of clothing, etc.). Last year's team was able to enter the facility; this year's team was not able to do so because they were receiving and beginning to process a new set of remains from another mass grave.

We then drove on to Sipovo, enjoying a special dinner in a restaurant that overhung a river, then the team were taken to their host homes to enjoy some much-needed rest.

Friday, June 26
We held our largest camp of the trip in Sipovo! We arrived to find the school we've used for the last nine years to be under construction (much needed repairs from the war), so we moved to a neighboring school - one without a gym or any other large space - like a gym. But the team pulled things together brilliantly!

With 340 children waiting outside (as it began to rain), we rushed in and set up seven "rooms" (well, one was a narrow hallway). We brought the kids in and got them registered and began camp in each room simultaneously. We even pressed our driver, Vildan, into service as an interpreter. It was a crazy, excellent camp, with a closing outside (the rain briefly ended) which included people from the neighboring buildings hanging out of the windows taking pictures.

We drove back to Sarajevo this evening.

Saturday, June 27
We had a day of rest in Sarajevo, including worship led by Julie Rowe and Larry Olson.

Sunday, June 28
Sunday we drove to Srebrenica, stopping near the school to visit the Srebrenica memorial site - a very sad, sobering reminder of how much more needs to be done.

The half-camp we held immediately afterward with the children of Leptir ("butterfly"). Leptir is an important facility for children with disabilities. Many of the interpreters sited this as their favorite camp. It was an incredibly moving, hopeful camp. Hopefully we'll be able to post some of their stories on this site sometime soon.

We then drove to Gorazde, in preparation for the next day's camp in the neighboring town of Foca.

Monday, June 29
Monday's camp in Foca was very exciting. We had a large-than-expected group with over 200 children. Everyone was fully charged for this last, "full" camp, and we continued our new tradition of ending the camp with thank-you gifts and singing on the front steps of the school. It's a great way to share the joy and energy of the camp with the whole neighborhood.

After the camp we returned to Sarajevo for the evening.

Tuesday, June 30
Tuesday's camp may have been the most exciting of the entire trip! It was in a remarkable school that is a model for all our dreams - a school with Serb, Croat, Bosniak (Muslim), Roma (Gypsy) children, plus 69 special-needs children mainstreamed into the classrooms with the other children. The children were so special, fragile and sweet. Though we intended to only hold one of our 2 1/2 hour "Picnics", we ended up holding an almost full-day camp. We had a great closing on the school steps and then had snacks out on their front lawn. Our Friendship Camp also included 8 children from another special needs program called "Joy of Life". It was a great camp!

The day ended with our traditional Farewell Cook-Out at the home of our driver, Vildan, and his family. Delicious food; dear friends; lots of laughter!

Wednesday, July 1
We boarded the airplane in Sarajevo at 6:35 AM (12:35 AM New Jersey time!). We're about to board the plane in Munich heading for home!

It has been wonderful; difficult; challenging; great fun; hopeful; physically and emotionally taxing; joyful; messy; and Spirit-filled. We cannot thank you enough for all you have done to support and partner with this vital ministry. The need to work for peace in Bosnia and the world is so great and so rewarding. Thanks be to God!

shalom, Jason Reed