However, trust is fragile after a long history of invaders and the civil war from 1992-1995. During the war, Bosnians were spread all over Europe, many in Germany. Today, huge improvements are taking place in the country, yet unemployment is high (50 per cent), particularly among the youth. There is no money to restore factories that could provide jobs and incomes, but tourism is slowly growing.

Building relationships is key in Bosnia--whether it means bringing young people to snowboarding camps in the mountains during winter breaks and floorball during the week, or reaching out to teens who ‘steel away’ from school for smoke breaks outside the OM office, or inviting church members and neighbours to spaghetti nights at the field leader’s home, or simply sitting down for a coffee and chat.

When Paul Mueller (Germany) felt the call to missions in Europe, his attention was drawn to Bosnia as an opportunity to share the gospel through sports. With a background in teaching sports to kindergarten children, he had many ideas, including his recent invitation to youth to play floorball together. Though the venture is still in the early stages, a number of youngsters already participate regularly.

Even ashtrays!

“We are probably the only OM team providing ashtrays!” laughed OM Bosnia Field Leader Stefan Eisenring (Switzerland). “We used to be upset about the teens smoking right outside our office until we realised the opportunity it’s given us to build relationships with local youth. By setting out some chairs and providing cold drinks--and even ashtrays--we enjoy their company. We also hope that one day we will have the opportunity to share Christ with them.”

“At first I did not like the ministry centre, or the location,” said his wife, Carolin (Switzerland). “But I prayed and somehow realised that it is in a strategic location where there are already many opportunities for ministry. Those youth who smoke outside are good kids; after we put out chairs, they stay longer and chat with us. There is a playground here that the team has painted; if we hang up the swings, children from the neighbouring apartments will come. The church meets here on Sunday mornings; when the church children are here, other kids come to play too. We are praying about more ministries out of the OM base. Two additional families are joining us soon, which should hopefully add to the possibilities.”

Sarajevo has a predominantly Muslim culture, while other parts of Bosnia-Hercegovina are Catholic or Orthodox. The majority of the population is relatively secular, but a new influx of people from the Middle East may change the balance. Two families are set to join the OM team, but more people are needed for children’s ministry and to strengthen the sports initiatives. OM Bosnia additionally has a small church planting team in the city of Bihac, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Please pray that more would join OM to bring the message of Christ to the Bosnian people. For more information about serving with OM in Bosnia, check out opportunities here.  

Two vehicles arriving in a hilltop hamlet stirred the dust on the track as well as people’s interest. One woman appeared at her front door to see who was reversing by her house. Similarly, a man wandered to the edge of his cucumber field for a better view of strangers unloading donations outside their small school. The school director welcomed the visitors inside; passing rows of little shoes, they entered an assembly hall where young children shyly came forward to choose a bag.   

In an area where farming is the main livelihood and unemployment high, many families struggle financially. Since parents have to buy all the materials that their sons and daughters need, receiving filled schoolbags brings relief and joy.

“I love seeing the kids’ faces when they take things out of the bags,” Jael said. In a first grade class, a boy stuck his head right into the backpack in his eagerness to discover its contents. Meanwhile, a girl excitedly showed off her pad of A4 paper with its cover picture.    

Jael told each class that these gifts were from the church. For most individuals, the OM workers and local church members are the first followers of Jesus they have ever met. “I saw some mums smiling at us,” Yujin said. “Their faces were open as they listened to Jael.” The directors gave permission to enclose a letter for parents containing a Christian novel, published by OM’s EurAsia Support Team, with an invitation to order a New Testament. After just one day someone messaged Jael, requesting Scripture.

“The fellowship in our group was important,” Katie reflected. “Those who joined us, who don’t yet know Jesus, saw believers working together; they experienced it up close and were attracted to it.” Van driver Dalil* said he would drive for this project every day if he could, adding, “It’s nice to do good deeds with good people”.  

Almost 400 children throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina received essentials for the new term. In the North West, Jael will return with Christmas presents of filled shoeboxes, continuing to build relationships and reach out.

A teenage girl rang a large cowbell, summoning everyone back to lessons. From windows in another school, pupils waved and called greetings to the distribution team before scuttling back to their desks at their teacher’s arrival. While the term continues, the blessing of schoolbags remains—a daily reminder of God’s provision and love.

Praise God for donations to support impoverished families. Please pray individuals respond to the gospel message and request New Testaments.  

Now in its twelfth year, Schoolbags for Bosnia is a project coordinated by OM Bosnia and OM EurAsia Support Team with generous donations supplied by individuals and a Swiss company.  

*Name changed  

It was December 1999 and the OM Bosnia team had just finished their first ever firewood project in Bihać. They had money for 12 families to receive three cubic meters of un-chopped wood, and the Center of the Social Welfare made a list of the neediest households. The team found a trustworthy wood company, the director picked up the list, started the deliveries... and finished it all within a week.

In 2000, the project grew to five cubic meters of un-chopped wood for 45 families. Soon after the wood deliveries finished, OM Bosnia also received its first truckload of humanitarian aid: furniture, hygienic items, food and clothes. That opened a door for visiting those receiving firewood: the team could bless them with things from the warehouse as well as offer Christian literature and prayer. Many of the recipients were moved to tears. How did these total strangers know about their cold house? Who would give them firewood for free? If it really was ‘a gift from God’, like those people said, did it mean that God cared for each of them?

By 2001, the donations had grown to helping 60 families. Project coordinator Caroline visited each household, assessed their needs and brought additional items from the warehouse. It was also the first time that the project included a food package for each home. Yet the most amazing thing about that year was the “wood truck.” One village man came every day with his horse and wagon to sell firewood in the town. God laid it onto Caroline’s heart to help that man and he started the deliveries for the firewood project, one meter at a time. First it was going very slowly, but later he was able to loan a truck from a friend and it sped up the process.

In September 2002, Caroline passed the project into the hands of her teammate Jael. By that time the size of the project had grown to helping 75 families: each of them got five cubic meters chopped firewood and a standard food package. Different team members joined Jael at the house visits and God kept opening the doors for great opportunities to share about His love. That year, the Center of the Social Welfare had given the handicapped people the priority for receiving the wood. Each household had a family member with serious health problems, often with no regular income or any social support for medical needs.

Hope to the hopeless

Starting from 2003, the OM Bosnia team settled at 100 households per winter. That was all they could handle. Many households were in far-away villages on rough terrain and it took a lot of time to find them. The team van got stuck in mud and snow, rattled around holes and stones and almost slid off the cliff one time trying to turn around on a tiny mud road. The efforts were well worth it, though. God used this project tremendously to bring hope to the hopeless, warmth to the freezing and food to the hungry. Many of the current members of the local church had their first contact with the followers of Jesus through this project. It touched their hearts in such a deep way that they opened up for God and after some time committed their lives to follow Jesus too.

2009 marked another important beginning. For the first time, the OM Bosnia team was able to hand the project coordination over to a local brother. The project budget included a salary for Faruk*, so he was able to receive regular income for a few months. He was much better in it all than any of the foreign ladies from the OM team. He knew how to handle the wood companies, understood the mentality of the local people and was also able to explain the gospel to them in their cultural context. At the end of the project he also gathered the receivers to the local ministry centre for a special service. The believers would prepare a meal and introduce the church fellowship; after that Faruk taught them a simple message about the truths of God.

Conflict leads to change

However, every year the firewood project brought up many conflicts. Some were not satisfied with the quality of wood, others blamed the forestry companies for stealing. One person was jealous of her neighbour, the other one tried to get most of her relatives on the list. If somebody had received wood for one winter, he automatically expected it as his right for the following season.  It also started causing a lot of tension in the local body of believers.

It seemed like everybody was always competing with the others about who was the neediest among them all. Jealousy, hard words, gossip and mistrust flared up at almost every gathering. At the end, it became impossible to continue: it seemed like whoever would receive wood, they would still be unsatisfied and everybody else would be angry.

By June 2015, the OM Bosnia team came to the conclusion that it was time to finish the firewood project. They would still run the project on the smaller scale for the upcoming winter (2015/2016), to honour the donators who had already sent money - but that would be the end of it.

By the end of the winter, 35 last families had received five cubic meters of chopped firewood and the food package. That marked the end of the project: there will be no more firewood distribution in Bihać during the winter 2016/2017.

However, soon after the finish of the last project, OM Bosnia received one more huge donation from OM Switzerland. Suddenly the team members remembered a heating-related big need: one of the local schools had asked for help for installing the central heating system in one of the village schools. The team contacted the sponsors- and received a green light from them. Two weeks later the work was finished. God had a special finish for the firewood project of OM Bosnia.

OM Bosnia team is thankful to God's faithfulness in providing more than they needed over all of these years through His faithful and generous people. Now He has already started providing jobs for local people, so that they can buy their own wood. He is also using other creative ways to provide for those that are still in need. His blessings never run out and His faithfulness never comes to an end.

*Name changed

“It is small, the surrounding surface hard,” Jael continued. “But [the Church] is staying alive, not blown away and showing an amazing strength of life. As it grows and takes root, it will break the hard ground and new life will emerge.”

Jael moved to Bosnia-Herzegovina 15 years ago and now leads an OM team in a Muslim town in the Northwest. Her team provides practical aid and supports a local church of around 25 people. It’s the only church within a two-hour drive.

Each summer Jael encourages believers to fill hundreds of donated schoolbags for distribution among impoverished children. Now in its eleventh year, “Schoolbags for Bosnia” continues to promote education, build relationships and show Christ’s love in communities.

“It blesses my heart when I see [the children’s] genuine smiles,” Jael emphasised. “And to see mums breaking down in tears because they didn’t know how they would make ends meet.”

Every backpack contains school materials and an envelope for the parents enclosing Christian literature and contact details of the local church. Each year a handful of people respond to the invitation by requesting additional books or the New Testament.

“In most places we are the first followers of Jesus they have ever met,” Jael said.

At the start of term in September 2015, Schoolbags for Bosnia helped a total of 550 children in nine areas, including remote villages and places that were destroyed by flooding in May 2014. Jael’s team gave out schoolbags among children in their region and sent donations to other churches for them to distribute farther.

Helping meet practical needs and plant seeds of the Gospel both nurtures and challenges local believer’s faith.

With a 60% unemployment rate in their town, it’s not easy for local believers, who also own very little, to give the backpacks away. But following increased donations from Austria and Switzerland over the last two years, they are catching the vision of spreading this blessing throughout their region and beyond.

“It always brings joy when believers mature and really experience the joy of giving with no strings attached,” Jael said. “I love watching that. That makes it all worth it.”

Transforming power

Church member Marija* came to faith 8 years ago. Marija and her husband were both unemployed and struggled with alcohol abuse. They had moved to town because their village had no school for their son. After moving into an empty one-room flat, the couple approached OM workers for clothing and household items. The OM team provided essential goods and offered to assist cleaning and painting the small room.

“Through all the help, Jesus became real to Marija,” Jael shared.

Marija gave her life to Christ. Subsequently she stopped drinking and during challenging times she has remained steadfast in following Christ. Now Marija, an effective evangelist, makes the most of every opportunity to tell others about Jesus.  

“If God can change my life, He can change yours!” Marija declared. “Now I have peace and joy in my heart!”

During the past decade, Jael has seen other individuals come to faith and become strong believers. God’s transforming power is evident in this small church as people turn to Him, deepen their relationship with Him, and learn to live out their faith in practical service.

Grateful for individuals and churches around the world who are sowing generously in Bosnia-Herzegovina through praying and giving, Jael is excited to see God make new life grow.

“I’d like to thank all those who support us,” Jael expressed. “Thank you for your faithfulness and willingness to be part of God blessing Bosnia.”

Please pray that the Church would flourish and that God would call more men to take on leadership roles. Please pray the small congregation in Northwest Bosnia would become more established and able to take ownership of ministries. Please pray that through the gift of schoolbags Jesus would become real to whole families.

*Name changed

Schoolbags for Bosnia is a project run in partnership by OM Bosnia and OM EAST - EurAsia Support Team. For more information or to give towards Schoolbags for Bosnia 2016, please contact your local OM office.

Ninety-five per cent of the population of Bihać are from a Muslim background, and there’s only one church in the county. Many become hopeless and depressed because of their worsening financial situations, and they find that their religious leaders don't provide much hope.

The winter firewood project meets a practical need in their lives, and at the same time opens doors for OM Bosnia to share the Gospel.

The last Saturday in January proved to be a special day for many families, who had received an invitation to attend an evening of dinner and fellowship in the ministry centre at the local church.

About 25 people enjoyed singing songs, drinking coffee and eating homemade food. At the same time, they heard a clear message from Faruk*, the local project coordinator. He is from a Muslim background and knows both the Qur'an and the Bible well. The listeners were surprised to hear that the Qur'an says a lot about Jesus and even encourages followers of Islam to read the Bible.

Safid*, a visitor sitting at the back of the room, paid full attention to Faruk's message. At the end he thanked the leaders, saying, “My two brothers are both Islamic priests. I have always been interested in finding the truth, and what I heard today was very interesting indeed. I am glad I came—thank you for organising this dinner!”

“It was encouraging to all of us to see how God was at work in his heart!” expressed an OM team member. “We also saw people who have had a lot of contact with us, but they always found excuses for not attending any church activities. However, that night they came, listened to everything and did not even get offended!”

Little by little, the OM team believes God is softening the hearts of people in the town. He uses the wood project and relationships to bring the hope and love of Jesus into their lives.

Anna*, a long-term team member commented, “So far, we have done a lot of sowing, often seeing no results at all. But tonight, seeing all of these people here, listening so attentively to the message, it felt like the fields were starting to turn green and the seeds were finally pricking through the surface!”

*Name changed

Marisa is an intelligent, fun-loving 18-year-old girl, who receives high marks in school. She dreams of becoming a doctor, but her family can't afford the long and expensive process of medical school. They were thrilled when Jessica told Marisa that OM Bosnia would be giving 150 euros toward her education.

A shopping trip was in order, as Marisa needed textbooks, notebooks, and a jogging suit and shoes for her physical fitness class. Marisa had already picked out two jogging suits on sale when Jessica picked her up from school, but they discovered when they arrived at the store that the suits had already been sold. But God had a better plan in mind.

Marisa’s eyes lit up when she saw jogging suits in the children’s section for half the price of the adult suits. The salesperson protested, but Marisa was unfazed.

“If it fits, why does it matter?” she said, choosing a purple suit.

Next they looked in several stores for the right shoes. They finally found “the pair” hidden on the bottom shelf. As they purchased the shoes, Marisa confided that she had never in her life had a jogging suit or new, brand-name shoes.

“I couldn’t help but think how unworthy I was to be the one to take her shopping,” Jessica said. “She was very conscientious, wanting quality but not willing to waste money.”

Their last stop was the supermarket, where Marisa purchased food for lunches. The cafeteria is much more expensive than homemade lunches.

“When we arrived at Marisa’s home with all her treasures, I realised just how special this girl really is,” Jessica said, explaining that Marisa walks 45 minutes to school every day, rain or shine. Their home still bears the pockmarked holes of the civil war in its façade, and neither one of her parents has been able to find a steady job for years.

Marisa made it clear Jessica was not to come into the house, but that they would drink coffee in the garden because “it’s more suitable”. While the coffee brewed, Marisa showed off her purchases and tried on the new jogging suit for her mother. She stood on a chair to see her reflection in the window, and with a cute little pose, looked down at her mother and Jessica and said, “Oh, how I look beautiful!”

As Jessica left, Marisa and her family showered her with gifts of vegetables and grapes from their garden—their only way of paying her back.

“How I hope the Lord makes it clear to Marisa that it is He who provided these gifts for her,” Jessica said, “and He has been constantly watching over her since the day she was born. I am only a messenger, but this was a wonderful day to be a messenger!”

To learn more about the work of OM Bosnia, go to their news web page.

It took a big step of faith for each person to trust God for the finances to attend. Participants had to raise half of the money for the conference, and OM Bosnia raised the funds to cover the other half. And they did it!

Teens from Sarajevo came together months in advance to prepare sweets and crafts to sell to raise money. Claudia Costa, the leader of OM in Bosnia-Herzegovina who accompanied the group to TeenStreet this year, said, “We worked so hard to prepare everything for them to be able to go. It was a long trip (20 hours in a bus), but well worth it.

The theme of the TeenStreet Europe conference this year was >>MORE, based on Ephesians 3:20, which says: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” (NIV).

The teenagers were excited to learn that God has more for them in love, hope, life, restoration, healing, intimacy and more. The topics touched the hearts of listeners at the conference, but the printed material started changing lives even before the event. Maria* had translated all the printed materials into Bosnian that the teens would be using at the conference, and God use this to speak deeply into her heart. 

In addition, this was the second year that the RAG (Raise and Give) project focus for TeenStreet was in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Throughout the week participants could give money, see pictures and watch videos about Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the middle of the week, everyone on site participated in the RAG Race to raise funds for the project.  

Bosnian teenagers were blown away at the generosity of the other participants at TeenStreet.  The total amount of donations for the project—approximately 58,000 euros (about 77,000 US dollars—was beyond their imaginations. Most of the funds will go to help the summer camps of evangelical churches in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Claudia commented, “It was a great privilege to be a part of this amazing week with our teens. We could see God moving in the hearts of our teens. What impacted them the most, though, was to see and realise that they are not alone: there are thousands of other teens around the world who also follow Jesus and face the same struggles.

“The opportunity to meet, connect and worship with this huge crowd was a blessing to them and definitely to the leaders too.”

One Bosnian pastor who also attended TeenStreet was encouraged by what he saw and experienced there, said Claudia. “First he did not know what to expect, but being a part of this conference helped him to realise how important such an event is for our small churches in Bosnia-Herzegovina,” she reported. “He also came back with lots of ideas, what could we do to help Bosnian teens go again.”

To learn more about TeenStreet Europe, visit www.teenstreet.de.

The OM Bosnia team met Darmin*, a young man in his 30s, while distributing Operation Christmas Child boxes at his home in Sarajevo. They noticed he seemed very interested to hear more about Jesus and was spiritually open.

About a month later, OM workers returned to Darmin’s house to pick up Aldina*, a little girl from that household, who planned to come to church with the OMers to attend the Christmas programme. After the programme, Aldina began attending church regularly, accompanied by an adult from the community.

One week, when the OMers arrived at the house to pick up Aldina, they saw Darmin waiting for them, so he could go to church as well. That night at church special visitors from Serbia shared their testimonies. Darmin and his partner, Elmina*, were very touched by the service and asked afterward if the OMers could pray for them. Darmin smiled, despite the tears in his eyes, and Elmina said during the prayer time she felt her legs were going to give out at any moment. The OM workers set a time to meet and read the Bible with them.

When an OM worker arrived for the appointment, Elmina had already been reading the Bible on her own and had many questions. Darmin was more reserved but shared that before the OMers prayed for him, he struggled with anger and was never able to just sit and enjoy.

About two weeks later, after a church service about talking to God, Darmin had a dream. In the dream, Jesus came and sat on his couch and talked with him. Darmin told Jesus there had to be more to this life than just problems.

Jesus answered, “I am the life!”  

Darmin wanted to talk about his dream, so he went to the house group meeting on the following Wednesday. Through the group God spoke very specific things to Darmin and he prayed to accept Jesus as his Saviour. The OM team has been meeting with him regularly to help him grow in his new faith.

Praise Jesus for the way He personally intervened in Darmin’s life. Please pray for Darmin to grow and be committed to his new relationship with Christ. Read more about God's work in Bosnia- Herzegovina here. 

* Name changed

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about the relationship between Global South* and Global North* is colonisation. In my case, Brazil was colonised by Portugal more than 500 years ago. Like many colonists, Portugal imposed authority and despised native development. Europeans came later maintaining a similar posture. Even missionaries from the North demonstrated similar attitudes.

Therefore, engrained in our culture is the idea that everything from the “outside” was better, prettier and smarter than what was inside. Unfortunately this is still very strong in our culture and determines much of our attitude. What does this mean for our work in missions? How can we work together?

In the Book of Philippians we learn about Christ’s attitude and the unity we have in the body of Christ. While meditating on it, I started thinking about my own journey.

From Brazil to Europe

It’s been about 12 years since I joined OM. At that time, OMers in Bosnia-Herzegovina were praying that God would send Latinos. That’s when I was challenged to go to Bosnia-Herzegovina for two years.

Now, a few years later, I lead meetings, talk about ministry and strategise the next steps, not just on my own team but also amongst European leaders. What a challenge! I confess that in the same way I didn’t see myself coming to Europe, becoming a ministry leader was completely out of my mind. Am I capable enough? What about all the different cultures? I don’t even speak English fluently. 

There are many challenges along the way. First is to find enough financial support to come. You go into churches in Brazil and say you are going to Europe, and churches will not help you because you are going to a developed and rich continent. Then you have to face the language barrier, not only of the country you go to but also English to communicate with your international team.

My biggest challenge was the lack of confidence and assertiveness to minister among people from the Global North. I never had this problem in my own culture, but we don’t realise how intimidating it is to address things when you are out of your comfort zone. 

For many of us coming from the Global South, as a result of our history, we have low self-esteem. Then we think that what we bring is not as valuable. Of course, I still have to fight many of these thoughts almost every day.

I’ve been learning how to lead the ministry, how to make decisions, how to work with my group of leaders and so on, but I’m also learning a lot about myself. We know that to God we are all equals. He has given us gifts and talents and wants to use it for His glory.

One in Christ

As for the Global South, we need to learn to speak out, to share our thoughts and ideas, to express our agreement or disagreement, to learn how to be assertive and decisive, and to use God-given opportunities. We don’t have to withdraw or get upset when someone confronts us. But observe people and circumstances around you, learn from and with them and give your contribution. We don’t need to ignore our identity and our history as part of God’s great plan.

On the other hand, those from the Global North should be flexible and open to other ways of thinking or doing things, welcoming those that may come with a totally different approach. They should help encourage those that are afraid to speak. Get to know the other not just for what he or she does, but personally, with genuine interest in building relationships.

We are unique and one in Christ. It reveals the richness and depth of God’s kingdom. Christ is our example, and through Him we can cultivate the same attitude of love, communion, grace, affection, compassion and understanding as we look to the interest of the kingdom.

I realise that coming from a non-Western culture to lead a Western team in an Eastern country has a huge impact on me personally and in my leadership. I have also found great encouragement, not just in my team members but in many other brothers and sisters around the world.

I am amazed to see how much we complement each other, and how much we can contribute to the advance of the kingdom in Europe together. In Him there are no Greeks, Gentiles, Jews, men, women, Global South or Global North. In Him we are one: one body, one peculiar people separated to reproduce His character, His fragrance and His attitude of being salt and light to the world!

*Global North refers mainly to North America, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Global South generally refers to Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Sefija was relieved when her husband left her. She hoped that her son, Edin*, would grow up to become a responsible young man with a good salary; then finally the family might be able to settle down. Unfortunately, this did not happen.

Edin found a job in a private company, but his salary was small and irregular, and he followed his father’s footsteps into alcoholism. Edin’s wife left when their son, Armin*, was a baby. Instead of enjoying a peaceful retirement, Sefija was raising a child again.

When the OM Bosnia team met the family, the situation was even worse. Edin’s company had closed, but he made no efforts to find a new job. Sefija was too old to work, yet she did not qualify for a pension. Armin, in second grade now, needed school materials and money for lunch each day.

The team wondered how this family stayed alive with no regular income. How did they pay the rent or afford heating? Sefija found random jobs here and there, but the family was hungry more often than fed.

The OM team in Bihac runs a winter firewood project. When they heard about Sefija, they added her family to the list. The wood truck pulled up to her front yard and dumped five cubic metres of chopped firewood, free of charge. Sefija thought she was dreaming!

Later when an OM team member visited her, Sefija said, “I still do not believe that the wood stacked outside is mine! I am almost afraid of touching it, thinking it might just vanish in the wind!”

This led to a conversation about God´s capability to provide for people's needs. Sefija had never experienced anything like this before. She was moved to tears when she said, “I now see that God is even bigger than all of my needs!”

The OM team in Bihac also believes this. They know many families who desperately need heat. Right now they are able to provide for 50 families and would like to help 50 more, as they have for the past eight years. They have already spent the available funds, but new donations for the project are coming in very slowly.

When people come to the team asking for wood, they respond, “Right now we have no money to add anybody onto the list. So both you and I need to pray to God for a solution. He is greater than our needs and He can provide in many different ways!”

For more information or to get involved in the OM Bosnia’s firewood project in Bihac, Bosnia-Herzegovina, contact info.ba@om.org.

*name changed

Mathilde, from France, was one of three teens and five adults to visit Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), earlier this year as part of TeenStreet Europe’s Raise and Give (RAG) programme, through which teens raise money for various OM projects worldwide.    

The three teens—from France, Sweden and Switzerland—had raised the most money during TeenStreet Europe 2011 and were invited to visit BiH and the main RAG project for TeenStreet 2012.

The purpose of the trip was two-fold: to reward the teens for raising the most money the previous year, and to introduce them to this year’s RAG project, giving them the chance to experience the need first hand.

Bullet holes in buildings, grave yards of mass murder and minefields reminded the teens and their leaders of the war that devastated the country from 1992-1995, leaving its people emotionally and spiritually wounded.

“The picture that sticks most in my mind is seeing thousands of houses in the countryside—beautiful countryside—completely abandoned,” remembers TeenStreet Director Ger van Veen (Netherlands), who led the trip. “And hearing the stories of why these houses are abandoned—people being chased out, people leaving everything behind to go to a place where they’re safe.”

During the visit, the group approached young people in the streets to learn about how they see the future. Many had a hard time answering this question, which confirmed to Ger that focusing on a project in BiH fit the heart of this year’s theme—NEWSONG40, based on Psalm 40.

Through NEWSONG40, teens attending TeenStreet from 28 July - 4 August in Germany will be encouraged to identify the old song they sing about themselves and embrace the new song of truth God sings about them. Standing amongst the remnants of war, Ger knew the theme would also apply to young people in BiH. “It’s a country that needs a new song,” he says. 

Though many teens they spoke to did not see hope in the future, some expressed dreams of finding success in sports, which sparked the idea to help fund the building of a sports complex in Mostar, one of the three cities in BiH where OM works.

A memory of destruction

Mostar was the most heavily bombed of any Bosnian city during the war, leading to the destruction of its most famous and symbolic structure: the beloved Stari Most (Old Bridge) that spanned the Neretva River. It was not only the architectural heart of the city—located in what is considered the historic centre of Mostar—but was also the cultural and spiritual heart of the city.

“Even mentioning the bridge for years after it fell to the bottom of the Neretva River could invoke tears,” explains OM Bosnia Field Leader Claudia Costa, a Brazilian who has worked in BiH for almost 10 years. “It symbolised both the city and the country as a whole.”

Through the combined efforts of the Bosnian government and international community, Stari Most was rebuilt in 2004, 11 years after its destruction, with some of its original pieces recovered from the river. Today, visitors will find Mostar to be a lively and charming city once again, particularly the historic areas. “The bridge is Mostar's core,” says Claudia, “and its reconstruction means that life is slowly but surely returning to normal.”

However, Mostar has not recovered completely. Though the bridge has been rebuilt, the memory of its destruction parallels the division that still dwells in the hearts of the people. Once one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the country, Mostar now suffers geographic division between its ethnic groups. The river splits the city into East and West, separating the Bosnian Muslims and Croat Catholics. This division reflects the country as a whole and the people’s wounded hearts.

“The Old Bridge is the link between the two sides and a sign of reconciliation and restoration so needed for the people in Bosnia,” says Claudia.

Bridging the divide

Since 2009, OM has partnered closely with Brankovac Church and the national Bible school, both in Mostar, to disciple, mentor and train local pastors and young leaders.

Church leadership in the country is young and mostly untrained. Though a small evangelical presence existed in BiH before the war, most people died or moved away, leaving no church at all. Today, there are about 25 young churches—none older than 16 years—and a few church plants. In a population of about 4.2 million, only about 600-1,000 are believers.

Just behind Brankovac Church sits an open-air sports complex. During the summer months the facility is available to youth, but it is unusable the rest of the year because of the weather. Currently, there are no affordable indoor sports facilities for the young people.    

Ger and the TeenStreet RAG team saw this as an opportunity to partner with OM Bosnia to make a tangible difference in the lives of the young people in Mostar. With the money teens raise at TeenStreet Europe this year, OM Bosnia and Brankovac Church plan to add a roof to the complex.  

OM Bosnia, the church and Novi Most, another local organisation working with youth, hope to use this complex for the kingdom. “Our vision is to see the area behind Brankovac Church used for sporting activities as a bridge into the community for expressing the love, grace and blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ,” expresses Claudia. They also hope to use the complex as a bridge for reconciliation between the youth of Mostar’s divided ethnic groups.   

God is the answer

“Reconciliation is to bring people together again without prejudice,” says Claudia. “It is to see the walls in the hearts of people come down, leaving place for forgiveness and the peace of God to come through and bring transformation.” But, she says, this is still a sensitive subject in Bosnia: “In Mostar, for example, there are no multi-cultural teens besides those in the evangelical churches who have already experienced the gospel transformation in their lives.”

But there is hope. And the teens across Europe who attend TeenStreet 2012 can help. “God is the solution for Bosnia,” Ger says. “We as Europeans can play a role in that, which is why I feel it’s a godly thing that we’re doing this project.”

Mathilde looks forward to participating in RAG at TeenStreet again this year. “It’s important to raise money for the sports project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, because the Christians there make such an effort to approach the youth, of which some want to hear about God,” she says.

The teens who help sponsor the roof may never visit Mostar to see the fruit, but they’ll know that they are helping to make the project possible. “It will be a place where teens can meet with people that know Jesus,” reminds Ger. “The teens will actually be contributing to reconciliation and restoration.”

For more information about TeenStreet Europe and RAG, visit www.teenstreet.de.

The three OM Bosnia teams handed out shoebox gifts from Samaritan’s Purse during the last two months to children in schools, through special programmes, during house visits and from the doorsteps of their own homes. Along with the help of local believers, the teams gave close to 2,000 children a shoebox gift.

“Our house was the buzz of the neighbourhood for more than a few days,” said Ed with the Mostar team. “My friend helped us identify families with kids and grandkids in our area, and then they all came to us to receive a package with a good dose of God's love!”

Added Sean with the team in Dobrinja: “This year we invited people to come in smaller groups. While kids were watching a movie, we had time to talk to the parents, and I loved it! When children received the packages, we told them that each box contained something that they could not see: love. Kids and parents in other countries filled each of the boxes with love to show us all the love of God!”

The team in Bihać went to a kindergarten in a nearby town and gave gifts to two- and three-year-olds. “One little girl received the package from us, but instead of holding it, [she] decided to sit on the box to make sure nobody touched her gift!” remembered team member Jael. “The box was almost as big as the child herself, so she was quite comfortable sitting on it!”

Praise God for the generous donations of the shoebox gifts that made it possible for the OM teams in Bosnia to bring God’s love to the children. Please pray for opportunities for the teams to follow up with the contacts they made.

To view a short interview clip about the shoe box outreach, click here. For more information about the ministry of OM in Bosnia, please send an email to info.ba@om.org.

In autumn 2005, Murat* visited the OM aid warehouse with his neighbour Amina*. Amina’s husband was sick and they had no heating in their home. The OM Bosnia team had just started their annual firewood project, so they added Amina’s family to the list and went to visit a few weeks later. 

At the end of the visit the team offered to pray for Amina, her husband and Murat. She hoped for a change in their living conditions, and Murat was grieving over the recent lost of a good friend. The team prayed for them, gave them a few books and left.

Four years went by. During this time, the OM team saw Murat in town occasionally, but he showed no special interest in the ministry. But one day, as they handed out Scripture on the streets, Murat approached and gladly received a copy.

After another five months, Murat surprised the OM team with a phone call. He was standing in front of the team’s former warehouse. “I want to come to your prayer meeting, but you are not here,” he said.

The team gave him instructions to the new location, and half an hour later Murat showed up. He started attending the church services regularly and a few months later made a commitment to follow Christ.

The team learnt that during the four years since they had visited Murat and his neighbour, a lot had happened in his life to bring him to Christ.

He had grown up in a Muslim home during the communist years and worked in the military. God, to Murat, had always been far away. However, his life became a mess. After surviving a stroke, he retired from the army, but because the country was at war, no pensions were given out.

All at once, Murat lost his health, income and position. Soon after, his wife found another partner and Murat was forced to move out of their home. He remarried, but his new wife was also unfaithful. He left her and lived in a car for a few months. He lost hope in his friends and government when no one was willing to help him in his time of need.     

Not knowing what else to do, Murat decided to look for true followers of God. He visited a few places but didn’t find what he was looking for. Then he remembered how the OM team had prayed for his neighbour and how Amina’s life had improved over the following year. People had even gathered donations to build her a new home. Murat realised that the help Amina received had come from God through prayer. This is when he approached the OM team on the streets as they handed out Scripture.  

Soon after committing his life to Christ, Murat’s life changed. He found a new wife who also became a follower of Christ. They both began attending all of the church activities and held weekly Bible studies in their home. 

According to Murat, these Bible studies brought new joy and peace into their house. God rekindled hope in their hearts. Their love for other people grew and their perspective on life changed.

The world is fallen and is getting only worse. The only one to bring hope and change into people's lives is God.

Now Murat says his favourite part of the Bible is the Book of Romans, adding that it gives great instruction for what the Christian life should look like. Though his life is still full of uncertainty, he knows God is in control.   

The church received a donation of free Bibles, and Murat helped hand them out. People were surprised, saying, “How come you—the former Muslim and a military worker—are now handing out Bibles?” Still they gladly received one from him.

When someone asked Murat why it is necessary to hand out Bibles to people in town, he answered, “The world is fallen and is getting only worse. The only one to bring hope and change into people's lives is God. We need to be ready to open the Bible with people.

“Most of my fellow citizens have never even seen an open Bible—even less held or owned one. Yet they look for answers and hope and often try to turn to other spiritual forces. I know of young people who try to call out the spirits, but this is from the devil. They need God. God's Word is powerful; it changed my life!”

* Name changed

Although the teenage years are a critical time in a person’s development, there are few affordable activities available to young people in Dobrinja, Bosnia. Knowing this, the OM Bosnia team recently launched a place for teens in the area called “The House”, a comfortable space complete with a PlayStation 2, sound system, books, guitars, snacks and a projector. 

During the first week, only several teens showed up, but now about 10-15 young people, mainly guys, come to The House.

One evening, a teenager walked over to the book collection and started reading a book by Nicky Gumbel titled “Izazovni Zivotni Stil” (Challenging Lifestyle). Despite being invited to participate in playing games on the PS2 that evening, the teenager preferred to continue reading.

The team was encouraged to also see him take the book “Vise Nego Tesar” (More Than a Carpenter) by Josh McDowell home that night. Small incidences like this remind them of the impact they are making in the lives of the teens in Dobrinja. Please pray for the OM team and the teens they minister to.  

One Sunday afternoon, OMer Rafael decided to join Roma guys for a game. “After I had been there a little while, some smaller boys came to join us,” reported Rafael. “One saw my tattoos and said, ‘Those are nice tattoos. What are they?’ With my minimal Bosnian, I tried to explain that they are about Jesus.”

Using quotes from the Bible, Rafael explained the meaning of the tattoos and that Jesus had died and was now alive. Soon he was surrounded by boys listening to the conversation.

“They told me they were Muslim and that they loved Allah and Islam,” said Rafael. “I told them that I understood what they were saying and that I loved and followed Jesus, but that this did not have to hinder us from being friends.”

They were interrupted by the shouts of other boys playing soccer: “Are you going to play or talk?” they asked. But one of the boys in the group asked Rafael if he was a Christian. Knowing the connotation the word “Christian” can have among the Muslim people in Bosnia, Rafael tried to explain that he was not a Christian like the boy understood.

“I was encouraged to talk to these young boys and see that God can use even tattoos in the middle of a soccer game to share about His Son,” concluded Rafael.

Please pray for more unique opportunities for Rafael and OM to impact the young generation in Bosnia.

God surprised OM Bosnia's Bihac team this year by providing all of the money needed for their firewood project very quickly.

Faruk*, a local believer who led the project last winter, took up the project again this year. He quickly found reliable wood companies, organised a lists of receivers, and co-ordinated the wood deliveries, sawing and chopping. By the middle of November, a hundred households had already received their firewood!

During the next few weeks, Faruk will bring a food package to each home, thus following up the wood deliveries with a personal visit. These visits provide an opportunity to bring God into people's lives, share the message of God's love and offer prayer for personal needs. They can also serve as the first connection to a local church.

Praise God for the generous donations made to the firewood project. Pray for Faruk as he makes follow-up visits. Pray that people see Jesus in Faruk and want Him in their lives too.

* Name changed

The couple, from OM Bosnia, were invited to spend a weekend at their neighbour’s mountain house.

“We soon found out that our neighbours’ religious background did not mean they followed the practices of their religion,” reported Mark. “In fact, our neighbour claims to be an atheist and his wife admitted to having chosen her own way to believe based on life and what she’s seen on TV. Sounds like so many of us before God opened our eyes to see who Jesus really is!”

Mark and Beth spent the weekend praying as usual and sharing the good news when God gave them opportunity. They also prayed aloud in Jesus’ name for their neighbour’s second son who, the wife had claimed, “had lost himself”.

“The amazing thing is that she was so curious and shared about times when she believed God had interacted in her life," said Mark.

"As we were travelled back home, we even noticed her replace the word ‘God’ with the word ‘Jesus’ as she shared from her life. How encouraging that was to hear!” 

* Names changed.

At a young age, Muhamed began using drugs, which eventually led to a very serious heroin addiction. About seven years ago, while still a heroin addict, Muhamed wrote the song “Nisam Sam” (I am not alone), speaking from his heart: “I am not alone, but what is love...can you tell me?”

Five years later, Jesus answered Muhamed’s question when Muhamed surrendered his life to Him. No longer did Muhamed feel alone. Not only did he see the meaning of love in the story of Jesus but also began to experience Jesus’ unconditional love towards him.

Although Muhamed struggles with scars and thought patterns of his old life, he knows he is in the right place.

Shortly after, Muhamed was accepted into a Christian centre for recovering addicts. Upon completion of the one-year programme, Muhamed spent six months serving with a local church before returned to his hometown.

Although Muhamed struggles with scars and thought patterns of his old life, he knows he is in the right place. The song he wrote has even become a celebrated worship song in his local church today.

“There is no other place for me,” says Muhamed. “This is where God has sent me. I need prayer for every step I take as a new man in my old town.” Muhamed is also looking forward to revisiting the Christian centre to work soon.

Pray for wisdom for Muhamed as he witnesses to his old gang, and that God would protect his mind from old thought patterns and lies. Pray that Muhamed has the strength to continually surrender to Christ, and that the local church would continue supporting him as he grows in his understanding of God’s love.

An OM worker in Bosnia shares how the enduring faith of two elderly women of God has inspired her to also persevere to the end.

Maria's 80-year-old eyes shined with joy as she greeted me with hugs and kisses. “I am so glad you came! I have been praying for you every day since your last visit!” She had seen me only once before and could not remember my name, but her words were honest and her joy sincere.

Maria's older sister, Jelica, told me she also prayed for me daily. “I knew that Jesus would not leave us in trouble,” said Maria. “Yesterday we ran out of food and had no money left in the house. So we prayed that Jesus would help us, and today you came with a food package!” I looked at their shining faces and admired their faith. Was I talking to angels in a human form?

Both Maria and Jelica were devoted followers of Jesus. They attended church from early childhood, but their faith was not limited to Sunday services. They were sincere and open in their prayers and thanked God for every blessing. They often told me stories of God’s miraculous provision. They were not even afraid of death, because they knew that angels would carry them to Jesus the moment they died. Their hearts were full of joy and thankfulness, and they prayed daily for their friends. Whenever I visited them, it seemed like they always brought sun out from behind the clouds, encouraging my faith with their childlike trust in Jesus.

“I knew that Jesus would not leave us in trouble,” said Maria. “Yesterday we ran out of food and had no money left in the house. So we prayed that Jesus would help us, and today you came with a food package!”

Lost pacifier found

Once Maria told me a story of how their whole family had been looking for a baby’s lost pacifier. Everybody was searching on their hands and knees, but it was nowhere to be found. A couple hours later, Maria looked up to the sky and said, “God, You know where that pacifier is. Help us find it!” Then she turned her eyes to the ground and found the pacifier right in front of her feet, in the middle of the yard—a place that had been searched many times.  

Jelica’s broken hip

In November 2005, Jelica fell and broke her hip. Doctors said she might live for another month, but not more. Jelica was not able to get out of bed, but Maria's love and care for her kept her alive for another five and a half years. During this time, Maria changed Jelica's diapers and bed sheets, massaged her withering muscles, rubbed lotion on her skin, and fed and washed her. Maria would wait until Jelica woke in the middle of the night to change her diapers one more time. Often Maria stayed up until late to make sure her sister was okay. During the last three years, Jelica was almost completely deaf and was not able to speak clearly, but Maria stayed with her until the very end. Everybody admired Maria for her hard work and good attitude. She never complained but continued to look to Jesus for strength. Maria often said, “Jesus has given this cross to me to carry. So He will be the One who will also give me strength for that.”

Seeing angels in a dream

In June 2011, Jelica died at age 86. Even her death was a testimony of God's faithfulness. When I went to see Maria just after Jelica died, her first words were: “See, Jesus gave me strength to take good care of her until the very end. Last week, however, I felt that I could not do it for too much longer.”

Jelica's last days were full of pain and Maria could not help her much. One day, Jelica had wanted water, and after taking a few sips, her eyes grew large with joy. Looking Maria in the eye with a clear and joyful expression, Jelica died. Maria said that Jelica had probably seen the face of Jesus and her dead son. Later Maria told me that even during her last days Jelica often raised her hands towards a picture of Jesus with an expression of love on her face.

Maria had answered that she was Maria Ivančić and that this was their house. The men said, "Well, then we came to the right place."

A couple of days before Jelica died, Maria had a dream. Two strong, tall men in gray had appeared at her door and asked for the house of the Ivančič family. Maria had answered that she was Maria Ivančić and that this was their house. The men said, "Well, then we came to the right place." Maria now knew that these men had been angels that had come to take Jelica away. She turned to me with a smile on her face and said, "And now Jelica is sitting with Jesus and praying for us all!"

Testimony of thankfulness

Even on the day of her sister’s funeral, Maria had the peace of Jesus. She was sad but knew that Jesus was with her, still able to help and carry her through the following days. Even in the midst of grief, she looked for opportunities to encourage others and bless them with small gifts.

Maria enjoys reading the Bible and praying together. She has not been able to go to church for a long time, but God’s Word remains alive and active in her heart, and her prayers are deep and passionate. I am convinced that Maria will pray for my friends and me every day until she dies. I look at both sisters’ lives and think about the example they’ve been for me. It always reminds me to stop complaining and turn my eyes to Jesus. If I want to be like Maria when I am 80 years old, I need to start practicing right now.

Earlier in March, the team received 120 lotions and jams just before International Women’s Day—an important event in Bosnia. The believers came together, wrapped the items and surprised their friends with them. The team also decided to give presents to the women who work in the town’s Centre for Social Welfare.

“Usually everybody goes there to receive, not to give, so these gifts were an unexpected blessing to them. One worker exclaimed, ‘It was so nice of you, it felt like the sun suddenly shone into my office!’” Pray that Son will shine into many hearts this Easter season, and that these seeds will take root.
 

But Claudia, like hundreds of others from Latin America, responded to God’s call to join missions. For two years, Claudia used her profession as a teacher in the OM Brazil training centre. Then, in 2003, she joined a team of Latinos going to Bosnia. In 2009, Claudia became the Field Leader.

“OM workers in Bosnia often talked about how Latino culture is similar to the Bosnian culture,” says Claudia. “Both like to drink coffee and both are relationship-oriented, as opposed to time- and task-oriented. Before I joined, OM Bosnia had not had any Latinos on the team, but they prayed that God would send a few!”

Healing broken hearts
Claudia has learned to lead the OM team, cast the vision for ministry, prepare reports and proposals and write field plans; but, her heart still beats most strongly for the personal relationships she develops with the local Bosnians.

“I love what I do, but I enjoy most sharing with the local people what the Gospel is about,” says Claudia. “I enjoy spending time and drinking coffee with Bosnians. I love visiting the different families that I’ve been in contact with. Bosnians are very relational. I like to listen to their hearts and problems and be there for them.”

Claudia knows that many Bosnians still carry wounds from the war that devastated the country in the early 1990’s. “Some of them struggle to let it go,” she says. “It is a barrier to the abundant life Jesus gives to us. There is so much pain in their lives, and one of the reactions is sickness and sorrow.”

One family in particular whom Claudia visits has struggled to shed the pain. The husband is a Muslim, but his wife, Slana*, and their two young daughters have given their lives to Jesus. But, each time Claudia visits the family, she is unsettled by their constant complaining, evidence of their sadness. Slana is sick frequently and goes from doctor to doctor.

Claudia found it tiring listening to Slana and her family complain and compare themselves to others. For a long time she did not see progress in their lives. But, then God revealed to Claudia that Slana needed emotional and spiritual healing.

Claudia asked the team to cover Slana in prayer and asked God to show her how to minister specifically to the wounds of this woman’s heart. The Holy Spirit began to uncover the roots of the problem. During her next visit, God led Claudia to confront Slana and ask if she wanted to be healed. Slana was surprised by the straight question, but responded with a wholehearted “YES!”

Since then, the team has worked with Slana to help her wounds heal through counselling, confrontation and prayer. “We believe the Holy Spirit is working deep in Slana’s heart,” says Claudia. “It is a joy to see the changes, but there is still a long way to go.”

The work belongs to Him
OM Bosnia currently has 17 people from four nations working on three teams. Two teams plant churches in Bihac and Sarajevo. The third team in Mostar provides discipleship, coaching and training to local pastors and young leaders. Claudia is on one of these teams, but frequently visits the other two to offer support and assistance.

“It’s been amazing to see how God has changed so many lives around us,” say Claudia.

“It’s been amazing to see how God has changed so many lives around us,” say Claudia. “Many of them heard the Gospel from us and were challenged to make a decision to follow Jesus.

“Many of our friends, whom we have invested a lot of time developing relationships with and building trust, have come to Christ by themselves or when no one is around. This has been a great lesson to the team in trusting that God is in charge, and we are just instruments in His hands. The work belongs to Him.”

Monthly, Claudia attends a meeting with pastors and leaders of churches and organisations in Sarajevo. Here she shares about the work of OM and stays connected with the different churches in Bosnia. It’s also a time for prayer and encouragement.

“I have seen God work in people’s lives around me, both Bosnians and team members,” says Claudia. “And God has worked in my life through these years. I’ve learned to trust Him in everything. It’s not easy; but it’s encouraging to see God work in my heart to be closer to Him.”

Please pray for Claudia as she leads the ministry in Bosnia. Pray that God continues to move in the hearts of the Bosnian people, and that OM can be instrumental in bringing more to faith in Christ. Pray that God would send more workers like Claudia from Latin America to reach those who have never heard the Gospel before.

*name changed

Visitors rolling through the Bosnia-Herzegovina countryside are struck by stunning mountain vistas, rushing rivers and lush green valleys dotted with neat houses, gardens and haystacks. Strangers are also taken aback by the wounds of war: buildings reduced to ruins or pitted with bullets, the occasional skull-and-crossbone sign warning of unexploded landmines, and the disturbing frequency of cemeteries. Gravestones are instantly identifiable as Muslim, Catholic or Orthodox and to passers-by who stop for a closer look, it becomes obvious that the years 1992 to 1995 signalled a tragedy of staggering proportions.

Much of the world has forgotten the killing fields of Bosnia after it followed Slovenia and Croatia’s lead and broke away from Yugoslavia. The explosion of hatred between Orthodox Serbs, Catholic Croats and Muslim-background Slavs left over 100,000 dead, a third of them women and children. But although the grass has grown over those 15-year-old graves, the hearts of survivors remain deeply scarred.

A house—or country--divided against itself cannot stand. Yet the barriers between ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina are still very much in evidence. In a land only a third the size of England, Serbs have claimed their own autonomous region. In other towns and cities, Bosnians and Serbs tend to live on their own sides. And the government doesn’t just have one elected president but three—Bosniak, Serb and Croat—each rotating four-month terms through the year.

Meanwhile, the country’s social and economic situation grows increasingly desperate. Factories that closed during the war have not reopened. A 40% unemployment rate—rising in some places to 70%-- means the government gets too little tax money to rebuild the infrastructure. Young people see no future and turn to drink and drugs. Pensioners struggle to survive on a pittance. For many residents, wood-burning stoves are the only option for heating homes.

People are also spiritually impoverished. ‘There’s a definite sense that “my religion is my nationality,”’ explains OM Bosnia team member Trevor Sambrooks. ‘The words “Serb” and “Orthodox” are used interchangeably, as are “Croat” and “Catholic,” and “Bosnian” and “Muslim.” Although a person’s religion is part of his birthright, only a few are devout. However, a growing number are being influenced by Muslim missionaries from outside, and the offer of schools, mosques and other gifts donated by wealthy Muslim countries.’

Only about 25 evangelical fellowships exist in Bosnia. When OM began bringing in humanitarian aid in 1998, church planting became a priority. The first team lived in a 750-year-old Muslim-dominant town named Bihac in the northwest corner of the country, which has never had an evangelical church. The first locals to follow Jesus were baptised in a local river in 2001, and although several other men and women gradually came to faith the situation then seemed to stagnate. The team realised that attending formal services in a church building didn’t come naturally to people unfamiliar with Christianity, and decided in 2006 to move from a congregational model to house churches. Since then the number of believers has tripled from ten to thirty, and it has been gratifying to see new Christians using their own initiative to reach out to neighbours. One of the several house groups meets for prayer and Bible reading every day.   

Muslim-background believer Amir says he first met American team member Caroline Chesnutt when he was a fifteen-year-old student, eager to practice English. “Caroline prayed ten years for me,” he marvels. “Then I went to a Christian conference in Sarajevo, and what I heard was like an explosion. I was torn in two.” But today Amir is an enthusiastic follower of Christ, the only one in his family. 

‘Church planting is like growing a flower on a rock,’ observes Estonian team member Jael Puusaag, who has persevered in Bihac for almost ten years. ‘The only thing that has kept me going is knowing it’s God’s will. But I agree with what another worker said: “I have only one candle. I’d rather let it shine where there’s total darkness than where there’s even a little light.”’

Most of Bosnia’s population are still unreached. Only about 1000 among 4.2 million have discovered a future and hope in Jesus Christ. Few new churches are being planted and most residents, like their government, live passively, unwilling to upset the status quo after surviving the horrors of war. Even believers are slow to see the need for a reconciliation ministry. Although churches cooperated with an OM-instigated “Pray for Bosnia” focus in 2008, subtle ethnic tensions within congregations still exist. And it doesn’t help that Baptist and Pentecostal churches don’t work together.

For several years OM’s Sarajevo team concentrated on strengthening already-existing small fellowships. Then, in 2006, they felt the Lord leading them to start a new ministry in the unreached suburb of Dobrinja. This Muslim area is close to what was known as ‘sniper alley’ during the war, and was relentlessly pounded by Serbian forces entrenched in the circling mountains. With the blessing of the national church most of the OM team moved to Dobrinja to become part of the community. While no house groups have been established as yet, a twice-monthly Saturday night worship time attracts some interested families.

In 2009 American couple Ed and Monica Siddle settled in the Muslim section of the old city of Mostar to work directly with the local church in discipleship, coaching and training of local pastors and leaders. Much of their ministry is centred around a purpose-built Bible School in Mostar that serves the whole country.

Brazilian Field Leader Claudia Costa shares the view of many outside observers that Bosnia-Herzegovina will not make progress either spiritually or economically without reconciliation between its three main ethnic groups. Humanly speaking, such healing seems impossible. Only the God who knows all hearts can penetrate the barricades of bitterness. And, asserts Claudia, He will only exercise that power in answer to the concerted prayers of His people worldwide.

• God to work in those who came into contact with the team
• The long-term OM team to effectively follow-up on new friendships
• The small fellowship in Bihac to grow in numbers and faith
• More workers to serve in Bosnia

• Hello and goodbye in Bosnian is the same as the Italian, “Ciao!”
• Favourite past-times are drinking coffee and smoking
• Over half the Bosnians in the world live outside Bosnia
• High unemployment means that only one in a hundred graduates gets a job after university
• One in three Bosnians suffer from mental illness
• Hiking in the beautiful Bosnian hills is not possible due to landmines
• Most Bosnians are nominal Muslims
• There are 800-1000 evangelical Christians in Bosnia