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 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.
All who are reading…
I know three great guys who are leaving all they know for a bit of time and helping with people who need help after the Pakistan earthquake which happened October 8th… Brooke and Danger, (who I lived with last year) and Greg- who I met through Brooke at his wedding (in the wedding party and stayed with us)- will be leaving next week… I know they are asking for prayers- so I’m letting the word out too! They are all a joy to me- and thus all three of their sites are under joy in my links… feel free to learn more- and hey, I know that their humanitarian efforts are costing them a lot- from time with family and friends to the financial burden… so pray for that- or contribute. I’m sure God will be there with them- and that they will have much to share both there, with each other, and when they get back with this experience. Much love and peace!
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).
Hi y’all-
Reentry has been a rather positive for me. Last year with YAV I just had a sense of great loss thoe whole year- from having post-ROM syndrome, to grieving the situation I was in and how I wanted to spend more time with my cool housemates and fellow YAVs. It has been a healing time to see some of us together and to begin to let go that sadness. Also, I know that I have been running around like a mad person- crazy busy- and I’ve not been to keen on that. The last week or so has been insane- and in fact, both Monday and Tuesday night I was up so stressed that I couldn’t sleep. That has never happened before. So this has been a much needed time a re-energizing and reflection… as well as hearing others stories and lives. There are many cool people here- I just love listening and absorbing their stories into my heart. I can’t say much about their lives here- confidentiality- but I can say that people are amazing- my roomie spent a year in Belfast… we’ve already had great talks…
I’ll tell more when I can.
CJ
So I’m off- it’s 4:00 am- 2 hours sleep and here I go to Chicago! I’m there 1 week. On top of YAV re-entry, I am hoping to meet up with churches that are interested in the Balkans- and I am trying to meet up with Susi, and Robby and Jenni, and possibly some family. Nothing is set in stone- which I am ususally more prepared than I am now. However, I guess I can’t really follow the boy scout motto always- and this will be good practice for when I’m overseas and everyhting is up in the air. Okay, vidimo se Seattle. 
Hi y’all!
So after two weeks of crazy “trying to be a psuedo-mom wow parents need a lot of energy!” life, I am now in a new phase of “wow, look a the time fly by” phase.
After I finished nannying I went directly into finishing things for the night of 1,000 dinners fundraiser and sharing about the Balkans. That was today; I feel so blessed- there are so many really awesome people God places around me. I mean first of all, Tuesday Night staff just rocks! I will really miss the talks and the fellowship here.
So I hope that God used tonight; I’m sure He did, but sometimes you just can’t tell. I was so nervous- I really hate “public speaking”- I much prefer the concensus, eveyone has a voice way to dialogue. But that’s hard with a few hundred, so I’ll stop complaining now (HG: See, I do grumble and complain). In fact, thre really is not a lot fo reason to complain- We made over $300 for adopt-a-landmine- night of 1,000 dinners- and I even learned some things from the video sent my them!
Also, I should let eveyone know that I am going to Chicago on Thursday! I have a conference for the Youth Action Volunteer Program I was a part of last year- and then I’m visiting churches interested in the Balkans … it should be an intersting time because many refugees are in the Chicago area- (And I guess there is a “Little Bosnia” in Chicago?- I’ll try to find it and check it out to report back.)
No matter what, I know time is short. It definately changes perspectives on things….
