Charles celebrated his 65th birthday this month. I am married to an old man, 65 never looked so good! For his birthday I bought him a new birthday suit.
One of the perks of doing humanitarian work here is all the road trips we get to crisscross this gorgeous country and stumble onto some seriously ancient treasures. The other day in Stolac we checked out an old necropolis ( basically a giant medieval cemetery). But not just any cemetery… these stone monuments are the size of altars, carved between the 1200s–1400s, and still looking amazing with all the carvings on the stones.
The carvings were so detailed you could just stand there and get lost in them. The whole place had this sacred, time-travel feel
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Charles was in absolute heaven. He even let me buy him a T-Shirt.
We took a three-hour drive to the little town of Berkovići in southwestern Herzegovina to meet families applying for a greenhouse. The program is a partnership with the county and our church cover 90% of the cost, while the family contributes 10%. With Armin from Muslim Aid and two city officials along, we visited homes, heard stories, and tried to narrow down the list to 20 spots for 32 applicants.
I wish we could give one to everyone, but a point system helps decide. Charles chatted with each family and somehow made a new friend at every stop.
At one home, a cute little boy grabbed his hand and proudly led him off to meet their pigs.
Another farm had 6 pigs with 7 piglets. So cute!
It was a Big week! We worked with the Red Cross to create sample 72-hour emergency kits in waterproof backpacks and brainstormed ways to promote them nationwide. We wanted to submit out idea to the Minister of Labor and Social Policy to try to make a national campaign.
We had a group of important people come from the church to help us present this idea. Brother Ivan Majc and his wife Rosana, National Communications Directors for all the countries within the Adriatic North Mission, Elder and Sister Turner, Area communications Directors, Adriatic North mission leaders President and Sister Cordray and Elder Jack Gerard of the Europe Central Area presidency.
Alongside the Red Cross, we presented the kits and pitched a nationwide preparedness campaign to Minister Delić, Bosnia’s Minister of Labor and Social Services essentially their version of a U.S. Cabinet member. ( So he is a pretty big deal)
The highlight: Elder Gerard announced Church support for a major project, the rebuilding three dorms at the Duje Center for the disabled and elderly. If all goes well, ground breaks by year’s end. Huge step forward!
The media came and interviewed Elder Gerald and Misnister Delić, who spoke very highly of our church and all the Humanuatarian work we have done through the years.
Afterward, we had a tour of Sarajevo’s old Baščaršija quarter. First stop was the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo’s Old Town built in 1530 and still stunning.
We stopped by the grand Catholic Cathedral and met the priest who’s served there for 40 years—what a legacy! Then we headed over to explore the Jewish Synagogue.
Our delegation with the Minister.
We ended the day with a classic very delicious Bosnian dinner. It was a great day!
Friday early morning we met with Muslim Aid, our amazing partners on greenhouses, cows, and beehives. Elder Gerald asked them ideas for future growth and how we could help them improve their program. They suggest a few things that could help and we’re determined to help make it happen.
We had another zone conference this week, it's hard to believe they only happen every six weeks, because honestly, it feels like every other week!
Once again, we found ourselves helping in the kitchen. This time the cooks went with my idea, and we pulled off Café Rio. Not exactly easy in a country where cilantro doesn’t exist—but hey, miracles happen.
You know the food is good when a room full of young missionaries goes completely silent because they’re too busy eating.
This zone conference was extra special, though because it was a mission tour with Elder Gerald, an Area Seventy. He’s the same leader who came to Sarajevo to meet with the Minister of Social Services and our NGOs. It was a wonderful meeting hearing from him and his wife, Elder Gerald has spoken twice in General Conference. You should look them up!
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