Autumn in the Balkans!

Today we drove into the mountains to enjoy the brilliant fall colors and see ruins of Bobovac, the capital of medieval Bosnia in 1300-1400. This is our first fall in a few years!

Gary in Russia & Ukraine!

Gary is teaching in leadership conferences this week in Russia and Ukraine!

Our First Three Months in Sarajevo!

After arriving to Sarajevo the end of June, we immediately began learning our way around the city that we are now calling home. Since our entrance into the country, we have now received the shipment of our personal items that were in transit from Abu Dhabi and have also begun to meet new friends and contacts in the missionary and church communities.

With our current  inability to speak Bosnian, we have been in "survival mode," using our English or German for limited communication with locals.  But we have now enrolled in lessons and are enjoying learning this Slavic-based language.  Bog je dobar!

Pigeon Square in Old Town Sarajevo

With its centuries of history, Sarajevo is still recovering from the events and affects of the Balkan War in the 1990's that drove many of its people to seek refuge in other nations.

A mosque in front of one of many buildings in the city withmortar gashes and bullet holes, remnants of the Balkan war  Bosnian Factoids: The effects of the 1992-95 Balkan war are still prevalent as it is a frequent topic of conversation and  many still hurt from its devastation. The numerous bullet holes in the sides of many existing buildings are also visible reminders of the recent past. The majority of people in Bosnia-Herzegovina are  comprised of the Bosniak, Serb, and Croat ethnic people groups. Over 80% of Sarajevo's residents are Muslim. There are six independent churches in Sarajevo, each under 50 members. Bosnian Cuisine A favorite local food is a pita, a savory pie shaped in a round spiral.  It comes with different fillings, such as meat, potato, cheese and spinach. Also tasty cevapi, a fast food made from small sausages with a large side of diced onions and a flat bread, is a national dish.

LWM Missionary Retreat Every two years the missionary affiliates of Living Word Missions gather from around the world, coming together for a retreat in the Boston area. Gary was able to attend this year's week of refreshing meetings (we could not attend LWM's last retreat because of our move to Abu Dhabi). LWM missionaries gathered from around the globe to reconnect with each other, receive ministry and hear wonderful testimonies of what the Lord is doing in their respective nations. The Berlin Connection Bosnia is a "hop, skip and jump" away from Berlin (by air) and Gary has traveled there twice since arriving to Sarajevo. On his most recent trip, he was invited to speak for at the Berlin International Church where friends Steve and Karen Mack are pastors.  The Macks' hold their services in a cinema located in the heart of Berlin's modern and well known city center called Potsdamer Platz. They have an international congregation with over 50 nationalities represented.

Sarajevo in June!

Our time in the United Arab Emirates has come to an end after nearly two years living in the capitol city of Abu Dhabi. While living in the Arab Gulf Region, we made many new friends and became involved with a wonderful church congregation. In April we said our "goodbyes," not only to our friends, but also to the 40 million date palm trees, the extreme temperatures, the Persian Gulf and Arabian Peninsula as we packed and prepared for our next two year destination: the mountains of Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, located in the Balkans of Eastern Europe. We've enjoyed a month in the U.S. visiting family, friends, and churches. Now we are finalizing the preparations for our move.

With its centuries of history, Sarajevo is still recovering from the events and effects of the Balkan War in the 1990's that drove many of its people to seek refuge in other nations. 

Factoids: 

• Sarajevo was first established in the 11th century. 
• The Austrian Arch Duke, Francis Ferdinand, and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914, leading to the outbreak of World War 1. 
• Sarajevo was the host of the 1984 Winter Olympics. 
• Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 as a result of the fall of the Berlin wall. 
• The siege of Sarajevo was the longest siege of a capital city in the history of modern warfare, lasting from 1994 to 1996. 
• Neighboring countries to Bosnia are Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. 
• Bosnia was called Illyricum and Dalmatia in ancient times and was mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 15:19, and was visited by Titus, according to II Timothy 4:10. 

Farewell, "Off-Island" Church

One of our last farewells before deaprting from Abu Dhabi was a lovely time of fellowship with many of the church members who were part of the "off-island" congegation where Gary often ministered. We gathered together in a model city that is still under construction, called Masdar City. The concept is to build a city that relies entirely on solar energy and other renewable resources with a sustainable, no carbon, no waste ecology. 

During the farewell luncheon, the church leadership team made a special presentation and prayed for us. We appreciate this wonderful congregation and will miss them. 

Gospel "Car Ferry"- Logos Hope

Operation Mobilization owns and operates a ship called "Logos Hope" that sails around the world carrying the gospel message of hope. There is an on-board book fair of over 5,000 educational and Christian titles of carefully chosen books that are made available to the people who come aboard and visit while the ship is docked in port. 

This spring, the ship visited Abu Dhabi. We were privileged to be able to meet one of the staff members who gave us an extensive tour and invited Gary to minister in one of their daily staff devotions, held on board. The ship is operated by a crew of over 400 international volunteers. 

The ship, a former car ferry that sailed in Northern Europe, was purchased and restored by OM, who now uses it to bring the message of hope to millions around the world. During its short stay in the port of Abu Dhabi, thousands of visitors climbed up the gangway and shopped in the book fair before exiting through an area that has a pictorial presentation of the Bible. 

Prayer Request

Please pray for a smooth transition, for the safe arrival of our belongings, for new friends, and for open doors to minister. "And pray for us too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ..." Col 4:3 NIV

May 2011 Update!

Goal for the Next Months: Move to Sarajevo. 

Services or Meetings Held: 3

Additional Goals: Trip to Berlin, LWM Retreat in Boston, Trip to Russia and Ukraine. 

Coopers in US!

The Coopers are currently in the US. They will itinerate for a few weeks before Gail receives training for her next post in Sarajevo. Their scheduled departure for Sarajevo is June 22nd. 

March 2011 Update!

Goal for the Next Months: Ministering in an "off-island" church.

Average Church Attendance: 70 (in the church we assist)

Services or Meetings Held: 6

Additional Goals: Trip to Berlin April 1st, itineration in May and June, move to Sarajevo in June, LWM Family Retreat in August, Berlin in September, Russia in October.