The team arrived in Atlanta Tuesday evening on time, without issue, and with all baggage intact. We were exhausted, and several of us had to go to work Wednesday morning. We have stories to tell and pictures to share, and it will be some time before the trip is fully appreciated by everyone on the team.
I am so grateful to have been able to spend this time with the team, and with the families in Capljina. God has blessed me in many ways, but being able to participate on this trip is truly special!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Festival Day 4
The Bounce House is Here!
The bounce house arrived about 6 PM local time. We went to the church's First Friday service and when we got out, it was there. Apparently, Bernard has a relative in Sarajevo who was able to get it and bring it here.
We took it to the town square were we have held most of our activities. It was in a huge box and the children (and adults) were very curious. We rolled it out, stretched it out, and started the blower. There was an audible gasp from the on-lookers as the "dragon" popped his head up.
It was a big hit!
Mick and Ali are also beside themselves. They are getting closer to the different groups in the city than they ever have before. The whole trip has been a huge encouragement to them.
The bounce house arrived about 6 PM local time. We went to the church's First Friday service and when we got out, it was there. Apparently, Bernard has a relative in Sarajevo who was able to get it and bring it here.
We took it to the town square were we have held most of our activities. It was in a huge box and the children (and adults) were very curious. We rolled it out, stretched it out, and started the blower. There was an audible gasp from the on-lookers as the "dragon" popped his head up.
It was a big hit!
Mick and Ali are also beside themselves. They are getting closer to the different groups in the city than they ever have before. The whole trip has been a huge encouragement to them.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Is this what a mission trip is all about?
Lots of Team Fun Photos
It may seem from the Picasa Album that a lot of our time is spent having fun. The photos do not fairly represent what we're doing here. We have been advised not to post pictures of the kids we are working with at the center. Mick and Ali and Bernard have asked us to help their community relations by not showing the town children on the web. This poses a challenge for us. We are taking many photos of our activities. It's just that we can't put them up on the Internet.
[and yes, we are having a good bit of fun in addition to a lot of work!]
It may seem from the Picasa Album that a lot of our time is spent having fun. The photos do not fairly represent what we're doing here. We have been advised not to post pictures of the kids we are working with at the center. Mick and Ali and Bernard have asked us to help their community relations by not showing the town children on the web. This poses a challenge for us. We are taking many photos of our activities. It's just that we can't put them up on the Internet.
[and yes, we are having a good bit of fun in addition to a lot of work!]
Festival Day 3
Water Day
In the morning we had "water day." A lot of wetness in sued. The kids got very wet as did we. Water guns and super-soakers were in heavy use. The temperature was Atlanta-hot and so the liquid ammunition was a relief.
Bounce House
Jon has been on the phone to DHL almost constantly since our arrival. The latest we heard last night was that the house was at Sarajevo awaiting "processing" by the import agent. The agent seemed to indicate that they were very busy and "didn't have time" for it now (translation - more money would help speed it to the top of his priority list). Bernard has a relative that is in the import business and was getting on the case. Hopefully we will have it here in Capljina later today.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Festival Day 2 finale
Kravice Falls
Our festival days consist of a morning session (about 9 AM to about noon), a midday break which includes lunch and an early dinner, and then an evening session (about 6:30 PM to about 9:30 PM). Apparently, all the kids take an extended afternoon nap and are still going strong at 9:30 PM. Yesterday we had a quick lunch and then went to all went to Kravice Falls. This is a local falls fed by a mountain stream. Needless to say it was very cold! A number of us climbed to the top of the rock and jumped. We were told that was about 6 meters (approx 20 feet) high.
The fun part was trying to get the van back up the steep access road. It was very narrow and very steep. We had to off-load all passengers, and then use much maneuvering to get the van up. We eventually were able to get out.
Sumo Wrestling
The evening activities consisted of sumo wrestling matches. We It started with demonstration matches of Novi Most and NPCC staff. We showed them how the suits worked and then started handing out numbers. We had over 15 matches between the older kids and each other or with staff. It was a great festive time.
Thursday is "water day." We will have water balloons, water guns, sprinklers, and a slip-and-slide.
More pictures are being added to the Picasa album each day.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Festival Day 2
Well Attended Evening Activites
We went to another local square last night for our evening festivities. The families come out in the cool of the evening and spend time with friends at local gathering points. We brought the giant basketball and goal, giant soccer ball and goals, face painting, and jump rope. We had more kids participating than Mick and Ali had ever had before. They were very excited.
Police Visit
The local police came and said that we had been reported of taking pictures of the local children. Mick and Ali had battled a rumor before that we were here to put photos of the kids on the internet for bad purposes. So the police were checking us out to make sure we were not taking photos of the individual children for something bad.
Photos of Trip
You may have noticed a new feature on the blog - the photo slide show in the upper right corner. It is cycling through the photo album we have loaded on Picasa. You can see the whole album here. We will be adding photos throughout the week of different activities by different team members. Check it often.
We went to another local square last night for our evening festivities. The families come out in the cool of the evening and spend time with friends at local gathering points. We brought the giant basketball and goal, giant soccer ball and goals, face painting, and jump rope. We had more kids participating than Mick and Ali had ever had before. They were very excited.
Police Visit
The local police came and said that we had been reported of taking pictures of the local children. Mick and Ali had battled a rumor before that we were here to put photos of the kids on the internet for bad purposes. So the police were checking us out to make sure we were not taking photos of the individual children for something bad.
Photos of Trip
You may have noticed a new feature on the blog - the photo slide show in the upper right corner. It is cycling through the photo album we have loaded on Picasa. You can see the whole album here. We will be adding photos throughout the week of different activities by different team members. Check it often.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Festival Day 1
A Wet Beginning
We officially started the festival today. We actually had a "soft opening" last night. We took the "giant" basketball, soccer ball, and hoop to one of the main squares and set them up last night. We left about 9 PM and there were kids still coming to see us.
Today there were kids waiting at the Novi Most Center doors at 8:30 when they opened. We again setup the "giant" balls and hoops. Then one of the workers broke out the water guns. It then became a very wet morning. Tomorrow morning we had planned to be our "water" day. But today turned out to be very wet. Imagine ten to 12 children (and adults) with water pistols, super soakers, etc running around trying to stay only damp while trying to inflict as much water on others as possible. That was our morning at Novi Most.
This is Elizabeth trying to avoid being sprayed while working on a sidewalk chalk masterpiece.
Evening Activities
We shut down at Noon to have lunch and break for the afternoon. We will resume this evening at another town square with more "giant" sports. We are seeing a number of the kids that we met and are Novi Most regulars. We have also met some new faces that have never been to the NM Center. Mick and Ali are very please at the reception that the festival has received.
We officially started the festival today. We actually had a "soft opening" last night. We took the "giant" basketball, soccer ball, and hoop to one of the main squares and set them up last night. We left about 9 PM and there were kids still coming to see us.
Today there were kids waiting at the Novi Most Center doors at 8:30 when they opened. We again setup the "giant" balls and hoops. Then one of the workers broke out the water guns. It then became a very wet morning. Tomorrow morning we had planned to be our "water" day. But today turned out to be very wet. Imagine ten to 12 children (and adults) with water pistols, super soakers, etc running around trying to stay only damp while trying to inflict as much water on others as possible. That was our morning at Novi Most.
This is Elizabeth trying to avoid being sprayed while working on a sidewalk chalk masterpiece.
Evening Activities
We shut down at Noon to have lunch and break for the afternoon. We will resume this evening at another town square with more "giant" sports. We are seeing a number of the kids that we met and are Novi Most regulars. We have also met some new faces that have never been to the NM Center. Mick and Ali are very please at the reception that the festival has received.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Test Driving the Equipment
Sumo Wrestling Trials
We planned out the rest of our activities for the week. Then we decided to make sure some of the equipment arrived in good working order.
We planned out the rest of our activities for the week. Then we decided to make sure some of the equipment arrived in good working order.
Updates to the Church
There was a team here from Northpoint about a month ago. They did a lot of work in the backyard of the church. There is a new swing set, sliding board, see saw and a covered sand box. They also put in some new plans and updated the walkways. It looks great! The little kids are really going to enjoy the new space.
We've Arrived!
Uneventful Travel
We spent the day traveling on two planes and then by van and arrived Capljina by about 5:30 PM local time. (FYI we are 6 hours ahead of EDT so that was 11:30 AM EDT). Most of us were able to sleep on the flight over and most got a good night sleep last night. The big praise is that all of the bags arrived safely. One of the "Tupperware"-style tubs had broken pieces but all of the contents were intact. We cleared customs in a quick time and were on the road.
Restaurant Rustica
The restaurant that we will be having dinner each night welcomed us with open arms last night. We tried different dishes. One person had octopus salad, one person had spaghetti, others had weinerschnitzel, and a variety of other dishes. We ate well. The restaurant is adjacent to some roman ruins that we didn't fully explore yet.
Stay Tuned for Photos
We have been taking a number of photos and have not uploaded them yet. As soon as we can get them transferred we will point you to them.
Festival Planning
Today we will meet with Bernard, Mick, and Ali to plan the festival. The actual festivities will start tomorrow. Bernard is pastor of the local church and Mick & Ali are heading up the community center Novi Most. We will be working with them in all our plans and activities.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Leaving Tomorrow
Final Packing
We are all in the final stages of packing. We can each have two checked bags (one of which has festival stuff) and two carry-on bags. If the checked bags weigh more than 51 pounds, we get charged a extra fee. So we all are packing and weighing to make sure we stay under the 51 pound limit.
Bugs
There was a GlobalX team at the town three weeks ago. We have heard from one of the team members on that team that here were bugs. Paul (her team leader) had told them he had been twice before and had no issue with bugs, so they didn’t bring any bug spray. That was our leader's experience last year – no bugs. Apparently they had a good bit of rain during the early part of what is normally their dry season and therefore they had more bugs this summer. We need to bring bug spray!
We are all in the final stages of packing. We can each have two checked bags (one of which has festival stuff) and two carry-on bags. If the checked bags weigh more than 51 pounds, we get charged a extra fee. So we all are packing and weighing to make sure we stay under the 51 pound limit.
Bugs
There was a GlobalX team at the town three weeks ago. We have heard from one of the team members on that team that here were bugs. Paul (her team leader) had told them he had been twice before and had no issue with bugs, so they didn’t bring any bug spray. That was our leader's experience last year – no bugs. Apparently they had a good bit of rain during the early part of what is normally their dry season and therefore they had more bugs this summer. We need to bring bug spray!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Prayer Request Jul 21-Jul 27
Pray that the team will all have safe travel, and that all the things we are shipping or bringing for the festival event will arrive undamaged.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Packing For The Trip
I can take this, who can take that...
Today we gathered together to have our trip "packing party." We have all been buying all kinds of games and prizes to take with us to Bosnia. These will be what we use for the days of the Festival. We have an 8' tall basketball hoop and giant basketball. We have lots of candy. The travel rules say we can each check two bags of up to 51 pounds each. So we will each have on bag of our personal clothes and the other checked bag will have festival-related stuff.
We divided all the stuff up into nine check-on bags of less than 51 pounds. We had a lot of fun seeing what all the other team members had acquired. Shannon jumped in and in short order had all the bags of candy and games distributed in piles. We had everything organized and ready to roll.
And we grabbed our first group photo. We are (left to right) Colby, Holly, Rachael, Jon, Joe, Patrick, Shannon, and Todd our fearless leader. Not pictured is Elizabeth who couldn't make it.
This was the last team meeting before we head out. The next time we see each other will be next Saturday at the British Airway check-in counter.
Today we gathered together to have our trip "packing party." We have all been buying all kinds of games and prizes to take with us to Bosnia. These will be what we use for the days of the Festival. We have an 8' tall basketball hoop and giant basketball. We have lots of candy. The travel rules say we can each check two bags of up to 51 pounds each. So we will each have on bag of our personal clothes and the other checked bag will have festival-related stuff.
We divided all the stuff up into nine check-on bags of less than 51 pounds. We had a lot of fun seeing what all the other team members had acquired. Shannon jumped in and in short order had all the bags of candy and games distributed in piles. We had everything organized and ready to roll.
And we grabbed our first group photo. We are (left to right) Colby, Holly, Rachael, Jon, Joe, Patrick, Shannon, and Todd our fearless leader. Not pictured is Elizabeth who couldn't make it.
This was the last team meeting before we head out. The next time we see each other will be next Saturday at the British Airway check-in counter.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Prayer Request: July 14-20
Pray for our supporters, that they will remain safe while we are away and that no emergencies occur that end up impacting our ability to participate on this trip.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Tips on mass Bosnia war graves traded for cash
This story was recently published by Associated Press and picked up by many newspapers across the US. The story tells of the many missing Bosnians that were killed/executed during the war and buried in mass graves. People know where the graves are, but many demand cash in return for tips on where to look. This gives one small insight into the issues that the people of Bosnia are coping with related to the war that ended 13 years ago.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080710/ap_on_re_eu/bosnia_cash_for_graves
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080710/ap_on_re_eu/bosnia_cash_for_graves
Monday, July 7, 2008
Prayer Request: July 7-13
Pray that the each one of us will remain healthy during our trip. Pray that our bodies adjust to the food, the difference in time, and the travel/living arrangements.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Prayer Request Jun 30-Jul 6
Pray for the people of Bosnia, that they will have open and receptive hearts and that we will connect with them in a lasting way.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Prayer Request Jun 23-29
Pray for our team members, that our hearts will be changed through our involvement in this mission trip.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Prayer Request Jun 16-Jun 22
Pray that we will have good weather while we are in Bosnia, and that our festival attracts many children and teenagers.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
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Meet the team
Holly and teenage daughter Colby attend Northpoint Community Church. This is their first mission trip.
Shannon attends Buckhead Church. She has completed several mission trips with her church "back home" in New York.
Jon and teenage daughter Rachael attend Brown's Bridge Church. This will be their first mission trip.
Patrick attends Northpoint and has participated on other Northpoint mission teams.
Elizabeth attends Buckhead and this will be her second mission trip. Her first trip was when she was in 7th grade.
Joe attends Northpoint and this will be his first mission trip.
Todd attends Buckhead and this will be his second mission trip to Bosnia ("repeat offender")
Shannon attends Buckhead Church. She has completed several mission trips with her church "back home" in New York.
Jon and teenage daughter Rachael attend Brown's Bridge Church. This will be their first mission trip.
Patrick attends Northpoint and has participated on other Northpoint mission teams.
Elizabeth attends Buckhead and this will be her second mission trip. Her first trip was when she was in 7th grade.
Joe attends Northpoint and this will be his first mission trip.
Todd attends Buckhead and this will be his second mission trip to Bosnia ("repeat offender")
Festival Activities: Inflatable Bouncers
One of the main events we will have at the Youth Festival will be these donated inflatable bounce houses. Kids of all age love these things, and we are pretty sure most of the kids that show up at our festival have never seen or heard of these things.
10 Week Prayer List
During our May 18 meeting, the team came up with prayers that we can focus on over the next 10 weeks. Here are the prayers for each week:
May 26-Jun 1: Pray that our friends, family, and co-workers will provide a tremendous amount of prayer and financial support for our team.
Jun 2-Jun 8: Pray that the team from America and the hosts from Bosnia develop unity of the spirit, and that this unity is exhibited in all of our actions as we prepare for the trip and also during the trip.
Jun 9-15: Pray that we (the team) will focus on God's will and not on our own agendas.
Jun 16-Jun 22: Pray that we will have good weather while we are in Bosnia, and that our festival attracts many children and teenagers.
Jun 23-Jun 29: Pray for our team members, that our hearts will be changed through our involvement in this mission trip.
Jun 30-Jul 6: Pray for the people of Bosnia, that they will have open and receptive hearts and that we will connect with them in a lasting way.
Jul 7-Jul 13: Pray that the each one of us will remain healthy during our trip. Pray that our bodies adjust to the food, the difference in time, and the travel/living arrangements.
Jul 14-Jul 20: Pray for our supporters, that they will remain safe while we are away and that no emergencies occur that end up impacting our ability to participate on this trip.
Jul 21-Jul 27: Pray that the team will all have safe travel, and that all the things we are shipping or bringing for the festival event will arrive undamaged.
Jul 28-Aug 3: Pray that when we return from the trip, we will be able to effectively communicate our story in a way that inspires other people to seek opportunities to serve and know God in new ways.
May 26-Jun 1: Pray that our friends, family, and co-workers will provide a tremendous amount of prayer and financial support for our team.
Jun 2-Jun 8: Pray that the team from America and the hosts from Bosnia develop unity of the spirit, and that this unity is exhibited in all of our actions as we prepare for the trip and also during the trip.
Jun 9-15: Pray that we (the team) will focus on God's will and not on our own agendas.
Jun 16-Jun 22: Pray that we will have good weather while we are in Bosnia, and that our festival attracts many children and teenagers.
Jun 23-Jun 29: Pray for our team members, that our hearts will be changed through our involvement in this mission trip.
Jun 30-Jul 6: Pray for the people of Bosnia, that they will have open and receptive hearts and that we will connect with them in a lasting way.
Jul 7-Jul 13: Pray that the each one of us will remain healthy during our trip. Pray that our bodies adjust to the food, the difference in time, and the travel/living arrangements.
Jul 14-Jul 20: Pray for our supporters, that they will remain safe while we are away and that no emergencies occur that end up impacting our ability to participate on this trip.
Jul 21-Jul 27: Pray that the team will all have safe travel, and that all the things we are shipping or bringing for the festival event will arrive undamaged.
Jul 28-Aug 3: Pray that when we return from the trip, we will be able to effectively communicate our story in a way that inspires other people to seek opportunities to serve and know God in new ways.
Fundraising Status
Our team goal is to raise $23,400. As of June 15, we have raised just over $8,000. We are 1/3 of the way there! We have about 6 weeks left before we depart for Bosnia.
If you wish to make a donation to support our Mission trip, please write a check to Northpoint Community Church, with "Bosnia Youth Festival" on the memo line, and give that check to any member of our team (or deposit the check in the Sunday service collection at any campus of Northpoint).
You can also donate online at https://ssl.northpoint.org/ssl/globalx/giving.html
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