All In One Peace

welcome! ićm here… now what!?! heehee. im learning the language of course! todayi was so happy because i went to the post office by myself and bought not only a telephone card, but a specif card, and specifically asked for stamps for both postcards letters to america… and the lady understood me!!!! ah, the simple things, that make everthing so grand!

its been a bit hard because eveyone is so nice and is trying to translate for me- i keep telling them not to- as it will hurt me in the long run… but well see. i never thought id pick up things so fast… i am getting past tense - i never could use it before! but i have so much to learn- i just pray that im a sponge and can absorb it all…. my job this week is to visit with old friends and rest and practice speaking- i understand more than i can speak- but thats to be expected you hear it first right????

much love to you all back home…i miss you, although i have to say that my heart is so glad that i am here. if it werenćt for the language issue, id feel that i returned to a very familiar and comfortable place.

…to see the wizard… No, silly Crystal… I’m off to Bosnia! I’m excited and can’t wait to get there. I’ll let you know when I arrive. (late Thursday, their time, which by the way, is 9 hours ahead of Seattle/San Fran.). That’s all- vidimo se! (See you later)
Crystal J.

BBC Serbs jailed for Vukovar massacre

With all of the press of Ante Gotovina being caught in Spain and sent to the Hague, it seems that the Balkans are in the news a lot. This seemed just like another report- one I didn’t particularly even want to read per se. But I did anyway, as I usually try to at least skim info about the Balkans.

But 14 people were convicted today of the Ovcara massacre which happened right outside Vukovar, Croatia. I went to that farm. I went to that farm with my friend Sarah and her local friend- a mother…
Ovcara Memorial

I will never forget her face, as she gingerly lit one of the catholic votive candles flickering out in the wind at the memorial in the middle of this big empty field. The thought of her always makes me shiver- and remember the emptiness and longing that goes hand in hand with the aftermath. I’m glad I read the article and remembered.

Nothing that I knew of, but there is a new statue of him in Mostar…. hmmm, I had no idea B-Lee was so popular/stood as a symbol there… I will have to learn more about this while I’m there- all the article said was:

“We will always be Muslims, Serbs or Croats,” said Veselin Gatalo of the youth group Urban Movement Mostar. “But one thing we all have in common is Bruce Lee.”

Bosnia unveils Bruce Lee bronze

Bosnia unified!
Wow, to think- a Bosnia with one leader instead of multiple ones! I am excited to see how this is works- like is there still a division of the Republika Srpska and the Federation? How are they to deal with the different alphabets now? When do they hope to disovle the Office of Higher Representitives- the international overseeing agency? Even with all these questions and unknowns- This is hope fullfilled- for everyone involved.

So the Balkans are in the news… good or bad- I dunno. Last week, when I was in Chicago, there was a whole report- but I would call it an editorial- about Kosovo. The writer called for US to support the Albanian majority in splitting and that unless we do not play the older brother and bully the EU around the international agencies the EU will basically put both accounts into a solution.

Now, this article made my blood boil… while the looking at the wants of a majority of a population is important- don’t get me wrong- if it is at the sake of the minority I think there is something that needs to be reconsidered. Having contacts in the region, I know that things are very complicated there- and since December has been confirmed as the time of the talks to decide the “outcome” of Kosovo there has been more violence. I’m afraid that the writer of that article, looking at the majority, is missing the whole point… the “outcome” will need to look at both sides, and weigh both the majority and minority, historical and current impacts, and try to unite both parties of the conflict.

If we play to have one side win, that means another loses- and with an area so divided and has shown that it will use force it is not the way to play to create viable peaceful outcomes. We must seek a 3rd solution, one probably unorthodox, unconventional… and be willing to play only in the delicate balance, over a period of time. It is a step into the unknown…

Anyway, here are two more articles- another one on Kosovo Financial Times on Kosovo and one From the Seattle Times on Bosnia (Monday was the 10 year anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement).

Dreams are funny things.

There is this one dream I’ve had the last couple of years; it has been the sweetest dream I think I’ve ever had. I had always woken up with joy afterwards- and the profound knowledge that I am loved and have choice to love back. But, recently, with this dream I has given me anxiety more than anything.

Without going into details, in my dream I am faced between two choices to love and pursue. Both are amazing: one is a sure bet and comfortable and I will enjoy it immensely, while the other path is a risk- but the rewards are much more than I can even fathom. My dream ends there, and I wake up contemplating which to choose. After much prayer, I’ve always thought in this situation I’d go for the risk- I’d never want to knowingly and explicity live with a “what-if” senario for the rest of my life - and so I took comfort in the risk of losing it all to be found.

Lately, things have been coming together and I feel as if I am coming to this situation- and I feel much different. It’s like in Matthew 19, where the rich man is challenged to rid himself of all that stands between him and Jesus- his pocessions. Am I willing to take the risk? And what if my riches are my love for the Balkans?

A month ago, at a Tuesday night, I totally broke down. With a broken heart I had to admit, like the rich man, I would have a hard time. My sister, when I was talking to her about this said, “…all you do is talk about Bosnia. It would have to be something really amazing to keep you from that…” and she’s right. But am I willing to leave is all behind and follow when the risk arrives?