Charles on the local news!


On Monday we went with our friends at Muslim aid and interviewed potential candidates for greenhouses. We have 20 greenhouses for this city and we had 76 applicants. 


Love this cute barn



We do a point system. You receive points if you are unemployed, how many people live in the home, if you have a good property, if you are healthy etc.  




Yes! Charles was interviewed for the local new and I was able to stand next to him with a smile on my face, pretending I understood every word. I just matched the newscaster's expressions.



Last week, we got invited back to Bugojno. Eleven people were chosen to get 5 beehives each. They met with the mayor to sign their contracts and get some beehive training. We had no idea the local news would show up! They interviewed a few of the beneficiaries, the mayor, Admir (our partner from Muslim Aid), and Charles. It's so good Charles speaks the language. 

                               

         The mayor is the man in the blue suit. He was there for his signatures and the news. 
 
Everyone received their beehive protective suits and leather gloves—and Charles even got a suit of his own! I was hoping he’d try it on so I could sneak a photo, but no luck. He’s in absolute bee heaven. He’s talked about having beehives for years, and I’m pretty sure if he could find a patch of land to put them on, we’d be beekeepers when we return home!

 

Our mission organized a 5K run with all 5 Countries. The plan was for all of us to run together on P-Day. But as it turned out, we were busy learning about bees that day! So the junior missionaries did their run on their own. Charles and I made up for it by running over 6 miles the next day!

 

In 1984, Sarajevo proudly hosted the Winter Olympics. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of that historic event and the city has been celebrated the anniversary The Olympic mascot, a friendly wolf named Vučko, is still beloved you can see him all over the city. To join in the spirit and show our pride for Sarajevo, we decided to make matching 5K shirts featuring Vučko!

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 They also have the olympic rings all over the city too. This is the tower where the flamed burned,


Bosnia’s version of fast food? Ice cream and bakeries! In downtown Sarajevo, sladoled (ice cream) is everywhere and it’s amazing. A scoop costs just 2.50 marks (about $1.50), and it’s totally worth it. Then there are the pekare (bakeries), which you’ll find on nearly every corner. Their pastries and bread are so good... honestly, it’s becoming a bit of a problem! 

 
          Love love love all the outdoor markets, especially when strawberries are in season!
Believe it or not, they do have a Taco Bell, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken, but they are not a drive-thru. All three are located on the 5th floor of the mall, so there’s nothing fast about eating there!


Friday was a holiday in Bosnia, it was Labor Day. So Charles and I took the day off and went sightseeing. We visited a viewpoint that has a stunning view of the city. We also explored a beautiful building that looked impressive from the front, 


                                    

 but its back was destroyed during the Balkan wars. 

We had a great Sunday with 24 people who attended. 10 are missionaries so really thats a total 14. After church we had a baptism. The 2nd one since we have arrived. That's pretty good for a little branch 




I hosted the missionaries over for Sunday dinner. Living in Bosnia, I think I miss my family Sunday dinners the most. But having all the missionaries over is definitely the next best thing. I made Café Rio-style food, including homemade tortillas! You can find all the recipes online.



After dinner I got the group picture I didn't get on Monday. All of us in our matching t-shirts


Missionaries come and go as they’re transferred to new areas, and it’s always bittersweet. I’m sad to say that two amazing missionaries will be leaving Sarajevo. Elder Liddle is heading to Slovenia, where he’ll begin learning a new language, and Sister Gunson will be serving in Rijeka, Croatia, the very place where Charles and I served during our first mission. While we’ll miss them dearly, we’re looking forward to welcoming their replacements, and I’m sure they’ll be just as wonderful.

     Our Sister Missionaries had some fun with "May the 4th be with you!' Now thats talent!


         

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