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April 1999
Easter 1999
Prayers for Kosovo
Dear Friends in Christ,
As you watch the events unfolding in the news here in the Balkans
I can imagine you are a bit worried how these will affect us here
in Croatia. Certainly I cannot deny that the actions taken by
NATO do indeed increase tensions around here, however, I want
to reassure all of you that we mission workers here in Osijek
are safe and do not fear for our safety. Although the recent bombings
of the cities of Sombor and Novi Sad are only about 40 miles away
from us, such events seem far away. We learn of the actions taken
by NATO just as you do, via the TV news. Across the border in
Serbia the people are I am sure worried and upset, but here in
Croatia the mood is calm and assured. The war's events are removed
from the daily experience of the average Croatian, though deep
down some do wonder if by some chance it could spread. Most feel
confident though that Serbia will not attack Croatia, as Croatia
is much better prepared than it was in 1991 and it would be foolish
for Serbia to open up another front line.
People here, including our seminary students and staff, do watch
the news intently, some have more reason to worry as they have
family in Serbia, and one student in particular has family in
Novi Sad. This gives this conflict a more personal dimension—it
is hard to be completely detached when you know someone who is
directly affected by these bombings. No matter how angry we are
at the Serb government, we still can feel sorry for the Serb people
who are caught in the cross fire. We even have to realize that
those Serb people who are angry at us and who support their leaders
have been influenced and misinformed by their own government's
propaganda machine. The NATO bombings have curtailed travel in
the region, some of us were going to go to Macedonia with our
students over the Easter break to celebrate the holidays with
them in their churches, others were planning to do mission work
in Bosnia, now both trips have been canceled.
We all are praying for the innocent people of Kosovo, as many
of us have been personally touched by their plight as we have
interacted with incoming refugees from Kosovo at a refugee camp
here in Croatia. To see the deeply grieved and anxious faces of
the women and children makes one stop and reflect on the sheer
devastation that has befallen them. They have lost everything—homes,
furniture, clothing, toys, not to mention other family members
and friends. Truly all they have is the clothes on their backs
and the belongings they could carry in their hands. Such unbridled
aggression towards civilians had to be stopped. It is just a shame
that diplomacy could not work and that we had to bomb not just
in Kosovo but various cities around Serbia to prevent the Serbs
from using their ammunitions and weapons against these people.
As events continue to unfold, opinions and moods change, though
certainly Croats are glad the West has finally decided to intervene
with Serbia. They just wish that the West would have intervened
in their war of independence from Serbia from 1991 to 1996. The
Croats know firsthand the horrors of ethnic cleansing and the
brutalities the Serbs can inflict upon an oppressed population.
Our prayers should be first and foremost with these refugees
and those who are still trapped in the Kosovo region undergoing
shelling, sniper fire, torture, forced marches, and even facing
death. For the families of those with loved ones in this region,
these are times of sleepless nights and little appetites for them.
As Christ has asked, we should also pray for the Serbs—the
leaders and the people—that the Lord will open their eyes
to the suffering they have inflicted. We pray that the Lord many
soften their hearts to the cries for mercy, and we pray that the
people would find it in themselves to overthrow the current regime
and start a new democratically elected one that respects human
rights for all, even ethnic minorities. Last, but certainly not
least, we must keep in our prayers the NATO soldiers who partake
in this campaign to restore human rights. There is always a risk
with this kind of intervention. May the Lord keep them safe and
watch over them and their families, give them all a peace in their
hearts.
I was planning to write you all an Easter update newsletter but
these events changed my mind. It is important to focus our attention
and prayers to the concerns mentioned above. For your information,
the Christian Counseling Center is now operational! This is good
news! I sincerely thank all of you who contributed to this worthwhile
project. Although we still need to do a few more things to the
main building before beginning the children's part (in a separate
building) the adult section is functioning and serving the needs
of the local community! Already Croatian Christian professionals
are offering counseling to those who request appointments!
Meanwhile my work at the orphanage and hospital continues, the
children are always such a source of joy! Their laughter during
these tension-filled times helps to relieve anxiety and inspire
hope. Can this next generation learn to live in peace with their
neighbors regardless of ethnic identity? I pray that my students
and I are serving as good models for forgiveness and compassion.
As spring emerges once again after the long, cold, gray, winter
we are again reminded that life overcomes death, since we have
our hope in Christ who is the source of eternal life! The many
colors of the various blossoms also remind us that there is beauty
in diversity. What a drab world it would be with only one flower
color! My sincere wish is that the Serbs would be awakened to
all the signs of nature that point towards peace, harmony and
love. May spring and, more importantly, Easter, be a time of renewed
compassion in their hearts and a desire to nurture life rather
than extinguish it.
May the Lord, our Savior, watch over you and yours this most
blessed of all holidays! Please know that all of you are in my
prayers!
In Christian Love,
Brett McMichael
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