Bosnia Missions Trip, July 2001

Bosnia from Nancy's perspective

For those that don't know me...Zdravo! I am Nancy Hillrich, 27 years old, and I will share my thoughts with you from the past 3 days of my travels.

Well I understand Chris sent out an e-mail already notifying everyone that we made it and I'm not sure what else so forgive me if something is repeated. I was asked to write my thoughts up to now and the present time is the best...

Day 1 and 2 are mostly a blur of transferring planes and traveling but we did manage a venture into Frankfurt after 3 hours of wandering the airport in circles trying to find out where to go to check in for our evening connection, eating lunch in McDonald's (see attached picture) and finding how to get out. By the time we got into the city it was about 1pm (4am for those of us from Phoenix) and we were tired. So, we walked, window shopped, got ice cream (very yummy!) and took naps in the park by a fountain. Apparently during this time about 3 men found me sleeping on the concrete a sight worthy of picture taking...I understand from the others on my team who were watching from a distance that there were 3 of them zooming in and right in front of my face at one point. I was so exhausted I didn't even notice (see attached picture). Who knows...maybe I will be on a commercial or a billboard one day! Frankfurt was beautiful though and I am glad we had the opportunity to experience it as part of our travels. We arrived in to Bosnia about 9pm and were greeted by many of the long-term team that is here. We did brief introductions in the airport parking lot and then headed to our home for showers and bed.

At this point, most are outside "working" the coffee house which seems to be a happening place (see attached picture). Our team will be helping the church with the coffee house 3 nights a week from 8:30pm-12:30am. It is free and a great outreach to the neighbors of the church. It is set up outside on the patio and there is music (American), snacks, hot chocolate, cappuccino, etc. and I would hang out there if it was in Phoenix. Since I was feeling tired from today's events I volunteered for kitchen/espresso duty (opposed to the social scene outside accompanied with a cloud of smoke) which has slowed some for the moment. Today was filled with sightseeing and window shopping which was exhausting but a lot of fun. Not knowing the language seems to not be a problem at the church for many of those here know English (it is taught in school here). However, in the city we were a little clueless and the translators came in handy. 

We were able to sleep in this morning (I slept until 6:45am-for those that know me, that is late!) and then got up tp take a shower. After that I tried to write in my journal but was still very tired so I crawled back under my covers and fell asleep until others woke up. Around 11am we walked to the church (about a 15 minute walk up the street) where we had a "mini" orientation and time of worship/prayer before taking off into the city for lunch. Lunch was fabulous and I am not worried at all about starving here. :) (see attached picture - the two with Nadine & I are Rachel, a summer intern (& our "house mom") & Mark, both are summer interns from Atlanta). (Also see attached picture - I fed the pigeons in the city square today!) Tonight we ordered pizzas and my veggie was tomatoes and mushrooms only, an odd combination but very good, almost better than Papa John's! 

It is much nicer here than I expected it to be inside the homes. Our accommodations are great...the ladies are in a 3 bedroom downstairs apartment with a pretty nice bathroom, small kitchen and bunk beds. It is cool at night and very nice. The church meets upstairs in what could be an attic that overlooks the city and is filled with couches and carpets and very welcoming and restful. Outside (the city) is as I expected for the most part...very green and mountainous with homes all over (see attached picture). Reality of these people's lives hit today as we saw many cemeteries and other effects of the war...very sad. I cannot even imagine what it was like for them. Today we went in town to see several places that were destroyed by the war and a tunnel that was built to bring supplies during this time. Words cannot express as pictures can so I hope you can take the time to open some of these. For the most part it is hotter than I expected and we ride around in a van much like that of the Neighborhood Center's so we all feel right at home (no A/C and crammed with 12 bodies most of the time)! I think our team is adjusting well and really enjoying it. While we were in the city we visited an internet cafe which was cool and I think will become a great place for me during my free time. (For those that know me, please e-mail my personal account and fill me in on your life). I am of course not homesick yet but do miss knowing life is happening back in Phoenix and I am not a part of it. I am excited to see what God wants to teach me here and praying for strength so I do not sleep the time away. Well it sounds like I am running out of time and need to close up so I can help clean up. I wish to thank all of you for your prayer and financial support in making this all a reality....WE ARE HERE!

Good night for now.

With love from Him,
~ nancy :)