EASTER IN SARAJEVO IN 1993

At this time many global media reflects on the twenty years of the beginning of the siege of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which started on April 6, 1992 and lasted for almost four years. During the 1.425 days of the siege 11,541 people were killed, of whom 1500 were children. Early in 1993 I had a privilege to spend one month in Sarajevo as a guest of the humanitarian agency ADRA, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and share a taste of what it meant to live in an open concentration camp. As many memories are shared at this time about the life and sacrifices endured under the long siege, it would be out of order to forget the major work in saving the lives of the thousands done by many volunteers of ADRA in Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is why I would like to share one of my reflections that I wrote soon following my return from Sarajevo to Zagreb in the late March 1993.

EASTER IN SARAJEVO IN 1993

A sudden burst of the sunrays blasts into the room, reinforced by the songs of birds, announcing the beginning of an early spring day in Sarajevo in March 1993.

"Who on earth would imagine that this is war?!" - said Detlef Riemarzik, professional photographer from Germany with whom I shared the hospitality of the home of Radomir and Mira Nikolic. Radomir is the ADRA Sarajevo director, pastor and the president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Our eyes were gazing through the window, above an authentic outline of European and Oriental roofs. Out of many chimneys narrow strips of smoke were romantically reaching the skies. The last patches of snow were melting at the visible pace, unveiling the ugly nakedness of the wounded city. The surrounding hills, squeezing Sarajevo in a deadly embrace, appeared cunningly still. A long year had passed since Sarajevo became an open-air concentration camp.

It was nine o'clock AM. Rooms and corridors of the Sarajevo ADRA Headquarters resembled a beehive. In the director’s office ADRA coordinating committee met to discus the priorities of the day. ADRA in Sarajevo is a sizable humanitarian organization numbering almost 120 volunteers, all of them local people. Today they would have to distribute at least a thousand humanitarian packages, furnish an additional warehouse, and make plans for the safe passage of the soon-coming humanitarian transport from a number of European countries. Also, early the next day, if the morning mist were to block the deadly snipers view as expected, a group of volunteers will be ready to climb at the roof of the central warehouse building to impregnate it temporarily from further leaks.

The day was Tuesday, only a few days ahead of the Easter in 1993.

Detlef was checking his cameras, lenses, films. The chief ADRA driver Dusko Otovic would take both of us to the Kosevo city hospital, and later to the central ADRA warehouse in the town. Then, with Senad Vranic, one of the fifty postmen-volunteers, we would climb the steep and narrow streets of the Sarajevo Old Town. We longed to meet the people whose only connection with their loved ones and the world was the postal service of ADRA that had so far distributed over 50.000 letters.

To step outside the safety of the sheltered ADRA Residence onto the open could be a hazardous adventure. In front of the main entrance, a group of about one hundred people were pressing ever closer to the gate. They wanted to know if they could post a letter to a family member in Germany, Sweden, Serbia, Australia, Macedonia, America, Croatia. They were pleading for medicines against Diabetes. They begged for a handful of any kind of food. A voice of a desperate man said: "I feel like killing myself and my children. I can't stand telling them that I have no food to give them." Another voice pleaded: "Just a potato or two!"

Suddenly a sharp, metallic sound splits the air. Mortars - one, two, three. Missiles hit the nearby houses. Heavy machine-guns shake. Sniper bullets shriek through the air. A window glass brakes. Metal fences and gates ring. Heavy dust rains upon the gardens, houses, front-yards. A nearby street resounds of the hasty steps of a few who are aiming at the nearest shelter. The ADRA courtyard is suddenly crowded with people who had sought the protection of a strong and tall wall. In the previous months this wall had spared many a life. Detlef and I are hiding behind another wall. There, together with another fifty people, we are waiting for another round of deadly blasts to pass.

An hour later Mufita Lazovic, a medical doctor, is taking us into the corridors and rooms of the main city hospital, overcrowded with the unfortunate victims of the siege. People disabled for life tell us their tragic and sad stories. Husband and wife, Hasan and Hana Camdszic, were wounded by the fragments of a missile which exploded in their bedroom while they were sleeping. Hasan has lost both, and Hana one of her legs. Elizabeta Krasni is in hospital since December last year. Explosion of a tank missile has disabled her for life. Doctors had to amputate one of her legs and one hand. Another woman, Munira Milanovic, in tears describes how she survived the blow of a mortar that killed her husband.

"Children suffer the most!" - explains the doctor while escorting us to the exit of the hospital. "Not long ago we had to amputate both legs of a six years old boy. When he came to himself after the surgery he begged his mother and father to bring his legs back to him!" - he said.

Only a walking distance away stretches the Kosevo graveyard, which has no more room to receive the daily increase of the killed. A nearby football stadium has been by now turned into its extension. We have stooped to observe in reverence the thousands of orderly lined up graves. Detlef reluctantly decides that he must take a few pictures, for a record. Next to one grave, three men are supporting a collapsing woman. She is sobbing, screaming, swearing! Down, beneath her, lies a dead body of her nineteen year old daughter buried only a few days earlier. She was one among thousands killed in Sarajevo in less than a year. The birth years of the killed impressed upon the improvised graves give a sad account. They read - 1958, 1965, 1969, 1975, 1982, 1990...

Later we are entering the premises well known to anyone living in Sarajevo today: the ADRA’s main warehouse in the city. In front of a badly ruined building hundreds of undernourished people patiently slide towards the main entrance that leads to four huge store rooms packed with thousands of humanitarian parcels. It seems as if the endless hours of queuing do not bother the people domed to waiting.

The frontcourt of the warehouse is crowded with those who have already received their parcels of life. An elderly woman with the shaky hands and unsteady movements places her parcel into something which used to be a stroller for babies. A strong man carries his load on his shoulders. Two young men are loading their boxes on their bicycles. "This will keep me alive at least for a month" - says a man whose appearance unveils that he has lost at least 15 kilograms since last May. "Without these parcels and without the love of these people many would have not had survived the last winter in Sarajevo" - adds he with a vocal approval of many around him. "Thank you ADRA! " - shouts someone standing in a long queue that is patiently drifting forward.

Through the eyes of his cameras, Detlef pictures every moment worth remembering: an elderly lady with a fearful look on her face; a man in a long line totally immersed into reading a copy of the only daily newspaper that continues to be released every day; two women embracing each other, whose tears show that they have both recently lost a family member or a dear friend; a cat with the broken tail that, attracted by the smell of food, glides through the jungle of human legs. In this city every moment, every movement, every picture tells another story.

The time has come to join Senad, one of the fifty ADRA postmen in Sarajevo, in his daily delivery of letters to the people living in old city of Sarajevo. Although a volunteer, like any professional postman, he will bring the letters right at the doors of involuntarily separated mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, friends. "There are hazardous days, too! Sudden blasts, mortars, bombs, snipers! Not a safe place to be! Still, I go because I know how much hope these letters bring to people separated from those they love the most", explains Senad as we reach the gates of a small oriental-looking house occupied by a young couple. As we reach the house door we hear a loud welcome: “Our ADRA, our friends have come to us!”

Later that day I joined the central Passover celebration at the Sarajevo Jewish Community Center. About one hundred city dignitaries, government ministers, high religious officials, and foreign humanitarian representatives are led to their assigned places around the tables. My seat is only a handshake away from the seats of Dr. Alija Izetbegovic, President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Monsignor Vinko Puljic, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Vrhbosna (Central Bosnia). A modest Passover meal is served - unleavened bread, egg cooked in red onions in a special way, celery, a piece of a chicken, spread, and a glass of red vine. They are, we are told, the symbols of hardship, poverty, destitution, and oppression, but at the same time a picture of freedom delivered to the Jewish people by their God. Ivica Ceresnjes, President of the Jewish Community in Sarajevo reads from the Book of Exodus: "With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." (Exodus 13:14.)

"Although the Passover Feast is meant to be a family occasion we have decided to celebrate it together with all of you, in a circle of an extended family”, says Ceresnjes inviting us to partake in all the steps of the celebration. We all break the unleavened bread and share the leaves of bitter celery. Over the table I could hear Monsignor Puljic explaining to the Bosnian President Izetbegovic the connection between the Jewish Passover and soon coming Christian Easter. "As the Passover is a symbol of freedom to the Jews, so is the Easter a symbol of freedom delivered through Jesus Christ to the entire world".

It is getting dark and we are back at the ADRA offices in Tebesania 7. Hedviga Jirota, a cheerful elderly lady, of whom none would ever guess that she is 82 years of age, has prepared a delicious supper composed of various humanitarian items such as blended cheese from Czechoslovakia, macaroni from Italy, rice, tinned corned beef, hot powder milk enriched with the white coffee powder from Germany. She is inviting Radomir, Mira, Detlef, me and a few others to take our places around the table. Could we ever expect a more beautiful feast in a starving Sarajevo?

"It is not easy. Many eyes are upon us. They think that ADRA can do what others can’t", reflects pastor Nikolic at the supper table. "But, we could do more if we would only have a couple of our own trucks, more money for the fuel, and better international support!”, he adds.

By now it is almost midnight. I stare through the window of the room where Detlef and I were staying, gazing at the outline of the city roofs. Up in the dark the engines of the UN planes shake the sky. Tonight they are bound somewhere to the Eastern Bosnia where they will parachute several tones of food into the night. "Water is out!" - says the voice from the kitchen. A sudden burst of anti-aircraft machineguns echoes through the streets of the city somewhere close. Angry shouts, screams, and more firing reaches us somewhere from the streets, or hills not that far away. A couple of distant explosions break into the night. And then everything is quiet.

The houses illuminated by moonlight look strange with all the lights out. The city, which appears to have fallen into a deep sleep, with only a few distant and dimmed lights, creeping through the blankets stretched over the darkened windows, remind me of the romanticized pictures of Bethlehem the night when Jesus was born.

I wonder if, in more than a metaphorical way, Jesus was born in Sarajevo too? I cannot help but see those 120 dedicated volunteers of ADRA who, against all odds and personal hazards, feed the hungry, distribute humanitarian aid, deliver the letters, give medicines to the sick, fulfilling Christ’s commission: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me!" 

VRATITE MI MOJE NOGE

Photo: Adrini poštari raspoređuju poštu prije obilaska gradskih ulica. Sarajevo. 1993.

Brojne medijske agencije tijekom su današnjeg dana u svojim izvještajima označile 20tu godišnjicu početka dugotrajne opsade grada Sarajeva u Bosni i Hercegovini, gdje je u radoblju od nešto manje od četiri godine, odnosno 1425 dana, izgubilo živote 11541 osoba, od kojih 1500 djece. Početkom 1993. godine imao sam i sam prednost posjetiti opsađeno Sarajevo i u njemu, kao humanitarac i gost ADRE Sarajevo, proživjeti mjesec dana i doživjeti poptuni ugođaj življenja pod stalnom prijetnjom granata i snajperskih hitaca. Neposredno nakon napuštanja Sarajeva u ožujku 1993. godine svoje sam doživljaje iz Sarajeva objavio u nekoliko članaka na hrvatskom i engleskom jeziku. Ovo je jedan od njih. U ovim danima kada se mnogi prisjećaju ratnih dana u Sarajevu sjećanja nebi bila poptuna, a niti bi bilo povijesno pravedno, ako bi se zanemario  ogroman pridonos ADRE i njezinih volontera u službi preživljavnja brojnih tisuća građana Sarajeva i Bosne i Hecegovine tijekom ratnih devedesetih godina. Tihomir Kukolja, napisano u travnju 1993. Godine.

VRATITE MI MOJE NOGE

Prodor sunčevih zraka kroz prozor sobe, popraćen pijevom ptica, navijestio je osvit novog proljetnog dana u Sarajevu. "Tko bi rekao da je rat?!" - progovara Detlef Riemarzik, njemački fotograf s kojim dijelim gostoljubivost doma pastora Radomira Nikolića, direktora ADRE u Sarajevu i predsjednika Adventističke crkve u Republici Bosni i Hercegovini.

Pogledi nam lutaju kroz prozor, povrh autentičnih mješavina europskih i orijentalnih krovova i dimnjaka iz kojih se k nebu pletu konci dima. Posljednje hrpe snijega iščezavaju uočljivom brzinom, razotkrivajući golotinju granatama i raketama izranjavanih gradskih zdanja. Bliski obronci bregova što prstenasto stežu grad i nedaleki vrhovi Trebevića izgledaju prijetvorno mirni. Ovih se dana napunila godina dana otkad je Sarajevo prisilno pretvoreno u grad-logor.

Još nekoliko trenutaka i devet će sati. Prostorije i hodnici sjedišta ADRA u Sarajevu pretvaraju se u košnicu, s djelatnicima koji upravljaju dnevnim radom tima od 120 ljudi. Mira Nikolić i Slavica Petroman spremne su odgovoriti na svaki od mnogobrojnih telefonskih upita. Veselinka Baban i Edita Dilber respoređuju pristigla pisama u kutije, od kojih svaka predstavlja drugu sarajevsku općinu. Za sat vremena nekoliko povjerenika odjeljenja Adrine pošte i pedeset poštara-dobrovoljaca ponijet će tisuće pisama pristiglih iz svih krajeva svijeta do kućnoga praga primatelja. Nikolina Mustapić očekuje najavljene novinare inozemne televizijske ekipe koji žele saznati "tajnu uspjeha ADRE u zemlji rastrgnutoj međunacionalnim sukobom". Farmaceutkinja Ljilja Orlić popunjava police Adrine ljekarne s upravo pristiglim lijekovima što ih je ovoj ljekarni darovala međunardna humanitarna udruga "Liječnici bez granica". Za nekoliko dana ljekarna ADRE službeno će otvoriti svoja vrata potrebitima. Profesor Emir Žuljević upućuje nekolicinu svojih kolega u sustav kompjutorske obrade imena primatelja humanitarnih paketa. Ovih će dana u Sarajevo pristići više od 30.000 obiteljskih humanitarnih paketa iz svih krajeva Europe, čija imena valja hitro poredati po abecednom i brojevnom redu, kako bi primatelji doznali o primitku njihova humanitarna paketa. Valja to učiniti brzo i stoga što mnogi Sarajlije već mjesecima nisu primili pošteni obrok hrane, te svoje preživljavnje mogu zahvaliti isključivo ljubavi majke, oca, brata, sestre, rođaka ili prijatelja koji živi u sigurnijim krajevima, izvan okruženog Sarajeva.

U uredu Radomira Nikolića, direktora ADRE u Sarajevu, sastaje se odbor za dnevnu koordinaciju aktivnosti ADRE. Danas valja podijeliti barem tisuću obiteljskih paketa, pripremiti nove skladišne prostore, dogovoriti siguran ulazak humanitane pomoći iz ispostave ADRE u nedalekoj Fojnici. Uspješni završetak ovog zadatka zahtijeva prolazak kroz nekoliko kilometara ratišta, između rovova i bunkera zaraćenih strana. Sutra rano ujutro, dok još magla štiti od pogubna pogleda snajperista, nekolicina dobrovoljaca popet će se na krov skladišta te ga privremeno zaštiti od prokišnjavanja.

Detlef i ja usklađujemo naš dnevni plan s ritmom rada Adrine košnice. Vozač Duško Otović odvest će nas do bolnice Koševo i Adrinih glavnih skladišta. Potom ćemo s poštarom Senadom proći uskim ulicama Staroga grada. Želimo doživjeti susret s ljudima kojima je ADRA jedina spona koja ih veže s najdražima razasutim po Hrvatskoj, Sloveniji, Makedoniji, Srbiji, Austriji, Mađarskoj, Švicarskoj, Njemačkoj, Švedskoj, Češkoj, Velikoj Britaniji, Australiji, Americi.

Kročiti na ulicu iz dvorišta Tebepašne 7, sjedišta ADRE, pravi je poduhvat. Ispred dvorišnog ulaza oko stotinu ljudi želi saznati mogu li poslati pismo, paket, dobiti lijekove, ili barem koji kilogram hrane. Čujem čovjeka čiji glas odaje očaj: "Najradije bih ubio i sebe i djecu. Ne mogu im svakog dana govoriti kako im nemam što dati za jesti". Drugi glas preklinje: "Molim vas, samo nekoliko krumpira…!"

Iznenada rezak zvuk propara zrak, sličan udaru groma za ljetnog proloma oblaka. Granate - jedna, dvije, tri. Trzaju protuzrakoplovne strojnice. Fijuču snajperska zrna. Pršte crijepovi i prozorska stakla. Zvone metalni žlijebovi, vrata i ograde. Razlomljeni komadi fasade u dimu prašine zasipaju dvorišta i vrtove. Ulicom zvone koraci ljudi što u trku traže najbliži zaklon. Adrino dvorište prepuno je ljudi kojima betonski zidovi postaju utočište. Detlef i ja hitamo u procijep ulaza u dvorište, iza zida gdje čuči pedestak ljudi. Čekamo! Još nekoliko trzaja strojnica i pokoji zvižduk snajperskog zrna, nedaleki prasak, a potom mir; pogibeljni mir Sarajeva.

Pola sata kasnije doktor Mufita Lazović vodi nas prepunjenim odajama gradske bolnice Koševo. Slušamo tužne pripovijesti ljudi koji su do kraja života osuđeni na invalidnost. Hasan i Hana Čamdžić, isječeni su oštrim komadima granate što je eksplodirala u njihovoj spavaćoj sobi. Hasan je izgubio obje, a Hana jednu nogu. Elizabeta Krasni ranjena je u prosincu prošle godine gelerima tenkovske granate. Liječnici su joj morali odstraniti ruku i nogu. Munira Milanović sa suzama pripovijeda kako je preživjela ranjavanje. Pogođena je u ruku i trbuh. Njezin suprug podlegao je ranama. Azra Ibrahimović, profesorica, pri kraju liječenja, nakon ranjavanja u koljeno zahvaljuje ADRI na proslijeđenom paketu od prijatelja iz Hrvatske.

"Najteže je djeci!" - objašnjava liječnik Lazović prateći nas brojnim hodnicima k izlazu bolnice. "Nedavno smo jednom mališanu morali odstraniti noge. Kad se nakon operacije probudio molio je roditelje da mu vrate noge".

Nekoliko stotina metara podalje od bolnice prostire se Koševsko groblje čiji humci već preplavljuju i zemljište koševskog nogometnog stadiona. Stali smo da barem na trenutak promotrimo nepregledno more svježih humki u sjeni razrušenih stadionskih tribina i nogometnih vratnica. Detlef fotografskom kamerom bilježi prizor. Nedaleko, uz jednu od tisuća humki, trojica muškaraca podržavaju ženu onemoćalu od žalosti zbog gubitka kćeri. Ona jeca, viče, proklinje! Njezinoj kćeri bilo je tek devetnaest godina. Razmišljam o tisućama Sarajlija koji su u samo godinu dana rata naprasito izgubili život. Čitam godišta rođenja zabilježena na križevima, krstovima i nišanima - 1958, 1965, 1969, 1974, 1982, 1990…

Oko jedanaest sati ulazimo u okružje drago i poznato svakome žitelju Sarajeva. Pred skladištem nekoliko šlepera označenih prepoznatljivim znakom ADRE. Rijeka od nekoliko stotina izgladnjelih ljudi strpljivo se primiče glavnim vratima koja vode u jedno od četiri velika skladišna prostora. Izleda kao da višestano pomicanje u redu ne smeta ljudima osuđenim na čekanje.

Dvorište skladišta vrvi sretnicima koji preuzimaju svoje pošiljke spasa. Starica drhtavih ruku ulaže svoj paket u nešto što su nekad bila dječja kolica. Snažniji čovjek odnosi svoj paket na ramenu. Dvojica mladića odvoze pakete biciklima. "Ovo će me prehraniti barem mjesec dana" - kazuje čovjek čija pojava pokazuje da je od početka rata izgubio barem petnaest kilograma. "Bez ovih paketa i bez ljubavi ovih ljudi mnogi zasigurno ne bi preživjeli sarajevsku zimu" - dodaje uz glasno odobravanje okupljenih ljudi. "Hvala ADRI!" - uzvikuje netko iz dugačka reda što strpljivo stremi k ulazu.

Detlef okom kamere bilježi svaki trenutak dostojan kasnijeg svjedočanstva: izborano i ostarjelo lice starice; čovjeka koji se u nepreglednu redu udubio u dnevne novine; žene suzama oblivenih očiju što zagrljajem tješe jedna drugu nakon gubitka voljenih osoba; mačku slomljena repa koja se privučena mirisom hrane provlači između stotinu ljudskih nogu. U ovome gradu svaki trenutak, svaka slika, pripovijeda novu priču.

U poslijepodnevnim satim Senad, poštar odjeljena Adrine pošte, poziva nas u radnu šetnju strmim i uskim starogradskim ulicama. Iako dobrovoljno radi ovaj posao, one će poput profesionalna poštara uručiti pisma osobno, na kućnu adresu primatelja. "Zna biti i opasnih dana! Iznenadna granata, snajperi, nesigurni dijelovi grada! Ipak idem, jer ovim pismima unosim radost i tračak nade u domove ratom razdovjenih obitelji" - objašnjava razloge svoje odluke da se priključi timu od pedesetak Adrinih poštara.

"Evo nam naše Adre!" - uzvikuju mladi ljudi, muž i žena, u trenutku pristupanja prvoj kućnoj veži. Pozivaju nas da se barem nakratko zadržimo u njihovu domu. "Stigla je Adra!" - dovikuje majka sinu s ulaznih vrata druge kuće. Suznih očiju i uz glasne jecaje grli nas i ljubi starica koja je danas primila prvo pismo od kćeri koja je svoje utočište našla u dalekoj Njemačkoj. Godinu dana nije ništa znala o njoj.

Večera u kuhinji Adrina središta označila je djelomičan smiraj dnevnih aktivnosti radnika ADRE. Hedviga Jirota, energična starica koja je nedavno napunila 82. godinu života, pripremila je ukusan obrok od humanitarnih pošiljki - sira, tjestenine, riže, goveđeg gulaša. Kao prilog svemu popit ćemo šalicu vrućeg mlijeka u prahu, obogaćenog prahom za bijelu kavu. Sjedimo za stolom zadovoljni. Možemo li u Sarajevu 1993. više od ovoga očekivati!?

"Nije lako. Mnoge su oči uprte u nas. Misle kako ADRA može što drugima ne polazi za rukom" – objašnjava pastor Nikolić. "Dakako, mogli bismo i htjeli bismo učiniti daleko više, ali nam nedostaju kamioni, šleperi. Treba nam vlastiti vozni park."

Kroz prozor zamračene sobe, mog privremenog doma gledam u obrise zamračenog grada. "Tko bi rekao da je rat!" - progovara tiho Detlef čije oči neprestano skaniraju prividno usnuli Sarajevski okoliš. Čisti proljetni zrak i mjesečinom obasjani obronci Trebevića i gradskih brežuljaka, te u daljini tek poneki osvijetljeni prozor podsjećaju na prizore pitomog Betlehema s razglednica što oslikavaju noć Kristova rođenja.

Razmišljam upitno: "Zar se Krist nije rodio i usred drame Sarajeva u očitovanju učinkovite ljubavi ljudi što usprkos svakovrsnih opasnosti hrane gladne, dijele pakete živežnih namirnica, raznose pisma i u najopsnije dijelove grada, opskrbljuju bolesne lijekovima?"

WHEN THE DAYS AHEAD LOOK MURKY

A Reflection at the Beginning of 2012 


Dear Friends,

We have sailed into the New Year on the threatening waves of 2011.

The global economic and monetary crisis will deepen further. The poor of the world will get poorer, more exploited, more restless. The tsunami of international conflicts, unrests and uprisings may turn into more daring and deadly waves of conflict. The international powerbrokers will work harder to consolidate their grip on power. Big international media will further blur the line that distinguishes the truth from the lie.  The world in 2012 has all ingredients it needs to become a more radicalized, polarized, and dangerous place.

One does not need to consult various conspiracy theorists to recognize that ours are very uncertain times, with more and more people overcome by apathy, powerlessness and thoughts that they are too insignificant to make any meaningful difference in their immediate and extended environment. I have to confess that there are times when I too have to fighting the emotions that suggest that working for peace, reconciliation and better human relationships, as well as encouraging people to follow Jesus, is a futile mission. However, such are the times when I remind myself that apparently small beam of light has more penetrating power than the darkest night.

For several years I’ve loved a personal motto that is coming back to me now with added urgency – “Serving God’s Purpose in Our Generation”. It has been shaped out of the conviction that Jesus’ invitation to follow Him is a call to a relationship and lifestyle that is something else than following a mediocre religiosity consisting of a drive-through, minimalist, non-engaging spirituality. I believe that the more the world is becoming a fragile place the more are the followers of Jesus called to be the people on a mission.

What is the mission of the followers of Jesus when the times are shaking?

I love the way Paul calls Jesus’ followers “the ambassadors of Christ” in 2. Cor. 2:17-20. His reasoning begins with a reassuring statement that “God reconciled us to himself through Christ”, followed by a missional invitation to all his reconciled children to become His ambassadors of reconciliation in our human environment. Paul would actually say: “He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. God is making his appeal through us. ‘We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.’” Chris Seay states the same in his book ‘The Gospel According to Jesus’: “Lord, we long to be the kind of people who, when pulled out of the rubble, come out grateful and thankful, ready to be a part of your rescue mission in this world”.

The main point is this. Only reconciled people are truly able to lead other to reconciliation. Within the challenges our world is facing today, Paul’s charge to us may sound something like this: “Now that you have been reconciled with God through Jesus Christ and that you know it, above everything else you will want to become His ambassador of reconciliation in your family, town, country, community. You are equipped to demonstrate what Christ has done to you. Use passionately all the gifts, skills and calling that God has given you to bring healing to your community. Give yourself to others with whatever you have - whether preaching, teaching or mentoring; whether protecting the sanctity of human life in all its facets (and not one or two politically correct issues only), or protecting human dignity, human rights or religious freedom; whether it is advocacy of justice, peace building, reconciliation, or protection of minorities; whether defeating poverty and various forms of social and political injustice – do it all passionately and vigorously from the perspective of reconciliation, assurance and acceptance you have experienced with God in Jesus Christ.

At this time when the days ahead of us look murky, it is the vision of Christ on the cross and his hands stretched out to embrace the world in confusion that gives a perspective to my faith, courage to my heart, and a direction to my mission. It was the same vision that gave the meaning to the missions of William Wilberforce, Mother Teresa and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. They are all teaching us that when the rumors of wars become louder, economic crises more threatening, when human life is treated as a disposable commodity, freedoms are threatened in the name of our own protection, the indifference of people becomes more prevailing, and when darkness seems to become ever thicker – such are the times when the followers of Jesus realize that they have more and not less work to do.

May the love of Christ motivate us all in 2012 to serve God’s purpose in our generation by loving our neighbors across political, religious, national, racial and international divides more than ever before. 
Love, blessings and Happy New Year.

Tihomir Kukolja

Leaders Worth Following

Most of the media today feeds our imagination with stories of celebrity-type leaders associated with dubious morality, scandalous relationships, questionable prosperity and irresponsible leadership.

It is important today to have our minds focused on the memories of a different brand of leaders, such as William Wilberforce (1759-1833), an English parliamentarian who dedicated his entire life to abolishing of the slave trade on the British Isles. Dietrich Bonheoffer (1906-1945), German theologian and clergyman, paid with his own life for daring to stand up to the National Socialism of Adolf Hitler at a time when most German Christians were applauding the Fuehrer. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), US Civil Rights leader led a movement that brought closer the American society across its racial divides. Mother Teresa (1910-1997), an ethnic Albanian nun with a global impact, brought hope and love to millions of the outcast in India and the world. Desmond Tutu (1931), a South African bishop, stood up against apartheid long before it was abolished in 1994. They were leaders of substance and character who brought hope, inspiration and healing to broken relationships, a taste of undiluted justice and a vision of a better world. They were the true "salt and the light of the world -- Matt. 5:13-16.

What set them apart from the celebrities of the moment was that they resolved to stand up, not for their own convenience, or social and material advancement, but for human dignity and the rights of others. They were the true heroes, armed with the attitude of service and sacrifice. By the power of example and action they gained the right to be the leaders worth following. Their vision and passion came from a higher source of authority than themselves. In the words of C.S. Lewis, they were the people who "did most for the present world precisely because they thought most of the next." Their leadership was a prophetic, and often a costly one.

Tragically the concept of what constitutes good leadership today has largely lost its prophetic focus and transformative power. For too many being a leader today means an entitlement to undeserving empowerment: a position they gain by walking shamelessly and ruthlessly over their political and ideological opponents. Destroying anyone at whatever cost who stands in the way of getting to the throne of power has become a standard way of advancing to the top. Lying, demonizing, defamation, character assassination, fact manipulation, gossip designed to ruin another's reputation, and shameless blame-shifting seem to be a blueprint followed by many rushing to the attractive summits of power.

Unfortunately, in the US much of ruthless power grabbing is pursued by leaders who take public pride in their faith and commitment to the public restoration of Christian values; often buttressed by expressions of hypocritical humility and concerns for the spiritual and moral wellness of the soul of the American nation. For example, while some leaders are selectively targeted for political euthanasia with merciless allegations about their sexual misconduct or "ungodliness", the "godly" leaders are yet to be seen dropping out of the presidential race for lying, scheming, intriguing, or deliberate facts twisting. And yet if the 21st century is not to sink deeper into moral hypocrisy, the world needs leaders who are more than religiously correct. It needs leaders whose minds, hearts and characters are thoroughly transformed in the way the characters of William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonheoffer, Mother Teresa and Desmond Tutu were transformed.

One certainly does not come into possession of a good character and transformed mind through political maneuvering or correct public utterances. The Old Testament account of Jacob's wrestling with God features an amazing insight into the importance of letting a divine influence sharpen the character of any aspiring leader (Genesis 32:22-33). Jacob, whose name meant "one who deceives," reached the point in his life one night when he was not willing to let God go until God changed him. The wrestling encounter with God became a defining moment in Jacob's life because that night Jacob wrestled with himself too. This was Jacob's statement that he wanted God to take away from him all deformities of his character -- dishonesty, hypocrisy, deception and the lying spirit.

For anyone who aspires to be a leader called to make a difference, or if one simply wants to be a person whose life counts, wrestling with God and oneself will become one's unavoidable and ongoing character pruning experience. This kind of character maturing starts with small things, such as -- Are you faithful to your spouse, children and family? Do you lie about other people for business or political gain? How do you treat the less fortunate than you? What do you do when no one sees you? In other words, do you find the Jesus' command to "love your neighbor as yourself" to be a guiding principle in your life?

Let's decide today to become leaders and people of integrity, decency and truth in all matters, whatever the cost. Do not be afraid to wrestle with yourself and God and you will become a leader your family, community, country and the world desperately need -- a leader worth following. For only the transformed leaders are equipped to transform the world. Others are in most cases mere careerists, opportunists or even parasites.

Published by The Huffington Post Dec 28, 2012.

Ten Years Ago: A Letter to My American Friends

Ten years ago, only three weeks after the unprecedented September 11 terrorist attack on the US, that took more than 3000 innocent lives, I shared the following letter with a group of my American friends:

Dear American Friends,

Like you I too am overwhelmed with the recent tragedy that struck the United States in the form of a vicious terrorist attack. Even now, I cannot help but continue to reflect upon the consequences that are emerging from this incomprehensible tragedy.

I am still shocked by its extent. The pain of the thousands of relatives and friends who have lost their loved ones moves me deeply. I condemn the barbarian act of cruelty that had inspired a group of suicidal murderers to kill the thousands of innocent people. There is no human or divine justification for such an act of cruelty whatever the motives. I pray that those responsible will be called to account.

But I am concerned, too. When I see the multitudes of Afghani refugees, hungry and homeless, surviving under humiliating living conditions - men, women, and children suffering circumstances beyond their control, seeking some safety in an unsafe neighborhood, I wonder if our global conscience will be pacified solely with the tones of humanitarian aid. And when I hear about incidents that involve some people quick to categorize others on the bases of their race, skin, and religion, I pray that God may grant us all minds renewed by the Spirit of Christ, who has embraced everyone regardless of our ethnic, racial, cultural, and religious differences. The very character of Jesus speaks powerfully against any jihad or holy war, including those with the Christian overtones.

Only yesterday, I received an email from a good friend of mine, an educator who has worked for the past five years as the principal of a Christian educational institution in Pakistan. Last week, he and his family, like many other Western professionals, had to leave Pakistan abruptly. I believe he would understand my need to share a few lines form the email he sent to a group of his friends:

We have left Pakistan with mixed feelings. Yes, we had to get out due to the unfortunate circumstances precipitated by the events in the USA. Yet we feel so deeply for the people we left behind. In the process of departing once again the truth about humanity has been confirmed. There are wonderful people, everywhere Christians and Muslims, male and female. We were not prepared for the outpouring of the genuine love and affection (mixed with fears and feelings of insecurity) from the people we have served for the past four years. Many tears have been shed. Written, verbal, and all sorts of other, culturally peculiar, expressions of affections have been given to us. In such a short period of time and in such measure, it is difficult to accept it all and process it though our hearts. Our Muslim friends have demonstrated that there are people who are able to show respect and acceptance no matter what. We said goodbye like brothers. We should never "box-in people" into predetermined categories.

The events of September 11 will leave long-lasting scars in many ways; not only on global politics, but also on how many understand civil, human, religious, and other individual rights and freedoms. I cannot help but think of a question posted at CNN.com last week, which (from memory) went something like this: "Would you be willing to have your personal freedoms limited if doing so would bring an end to terrorism?" Is this the only alternative we are about to face in the coming days and years?

Ever since September 11, I’ve been asking myself: What have I learned from the many different facets of this until-now unthinkable tragedy? Have I, as someone who had witnessed much of what happened in the former Yugoslavia since 1991, learned enough from our Balkan tragedy so that now I could offer some meaningful insights to our American friends who are going through the stages of shock, pain, mourning, anger, and a strong urge to see justice done? How does a vision of Christ who has embraced all, including Muslims, influence the way I relate to other people today? Will I succumb to pressures that are urging me to embrace a tribal mentality, or should I stand firm in retaining a sober and discerning judgment?

I have been meditating lately about the zealous biblical prophet Elijah. Hurt by injustice and indifference of people, overwhelmed by loneliness, anger and lack of direction, he ran into a cave expecting to see God unleashing the full extent of his vengeance against the source of the prophet’s frustration. While he was in the cave, a powerful wind tore the mountains apart, a strong earthquake shattered the land, and a devastating fire hit the ground, but God was not in any of them. Instead, God appeared in a form of a gentle, calming, sobering, serene, inviting whisper. The ancient prophet learned that even in the midst of the most alarming circumstance the quiet, gentle, and sobering voice has more power than violence, aggression, and vengeance. 

In the days to come may God help us all to embrace each other more than ever before with an open heart.

Originally released on October 5, 2001 from Zagreb, Croatia.

Untold Sories

UNTOLD STORIES, a documentary featuring the stories and accounts of people in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina – Croats, Serbs and Muslims – who risked their own lives as they were helping and saving the lives of their “enemies” during the years of war conflict between 1991 and 1995. Production: Nansen Dialogue Center Osijek, Croatia. Director: Brankica Draskovic. Producer Srdjan Antic. Shared with permission of the producer. Webcast and Recorded on Wednesday, June 6, 2011.

Note about the producer. Srdjan Antic is a good friend and one of the most prominent peace building and reconciliation activists in Croatia today. He frequently and proudly states that the vision for his current reconciliation mission and activism was born in the summer of 2000, when he attend the Renewing Our Minds 2000 Gathering in Fuzine, Croatia.

Called to a Larger View of Life

Imagine what a transforming impact an army of Christian pro-lifers would have in the U.S. and elsewhere, if we would all as vigorously defend the rights and dignity of the poor, jobless and homeless among us; a health care reform that would take care of everyone regardless of their socio-economic status or age, even if this meant giving less for the military; legal and illegal immigrants who are often treated as the scum of the world; overworked and poorly paid workers in third-world countries whose slavery to the greedy international corporations makes the extravagant lifestyle of the world's rich possible; or young men and women sent to distant lands to sacrifice their lives in often dubious war conflicts. Those and more are the issues that echo our understanding of what it means to support life in its totality; from the mother's womb to the time of death….

Read the entire article here published by The Huffington Post.

Gorski kotar može biti ponosan

Photo:

Franjo Starčević govori na međunarodnom susretu "Renewing Our Minds" u Fužinama, ljeto 2006. godine.

Prije četiri dana, uoči 88. rođendana,  tiho je preminuo Franjo Starčević, samoprijegorni goranski heroj mirotvorstva, koji je tijekom ratnih devedesetih neumorno radio na približavanju hrvatskih i srpskih sela i obitelji.

Franjo Starčević pripada skupini heroja, uvijek u manjini, čija imena i čiji rad rijetko pristižu na naslovnice vodećih glasila, iako to zaslužuju daleko više od onih čije životno djelo obilježavaju pobjede na ratištima i biralištima.

U vrijeme kada je u Hrvatskoj mirotvorstvo bilo nepoželjno, čak po život opasan poziv, Franjo se odano predao pozivu zbilažavanja goranskih Hrvata i Srba. Nije dovoljno poznato da je tijekom ratnih devedesetih, od svih regija u Hrvatskoj nasljenim Srbima I Hrvatima, jedino Gorski kotar bio pošteđen ratnih sukoba i nasilja.

To se nije dogodlio slučajno. Niti se to dogodilo zahvaljujući službenoj politici Hrvatske u to vrijeme. Da je tijekom svih tih ratnih godina Gorski kotar jedini ustrajao kao oaza mira u Hrvatskoj ponajprije možemo zahvaliti samoprijegornosti i upornosti Franje Stračevića i utjecaju skupine Gorana (među inima Josipa Horvata i Nade Glad) koji nisu dozvolili da ih vodi diktat vremena nabijen strahom, predrasudama, podjelama i nacionalnom mržnjom, te su svoje živote posvetili stvaranju ozračja mira, povjerenja i smirivanja strasti u odnosima Hrvata i Srba Gorskog kotara.

Zahvaljujući mirotvorstvu grad Mrkopalj, dom Franje Starčevića, danas je upisan u kartu svjetskog mirotvorstva. U službi veleposlanika mira pješačeći Franjo je iz Mrkoplja obilazio srpska sela, a učinak njegove upornosti i odvažnosti bio je uklanjanje mentalnih i inih barikada koje su djelile srpska od hrvatskih sela u Gorskom kotaru. Uskoro, još za ratnih godina, njegovim upornim radom u Mrkoplju je ponikla, i danas u svijetu poznata, Škola mira – snažan svjetionik mira iz vremena kada je bilo opasno graditi mir.

Upravo zbog toga što Franjo Starčević pripada onoj velikoj manjini pojedinaca koji sebi ne mogu dozvoliti da ih nosi bujica većine, ostavština njegova života od presudnog je značaja za sve one koji žele Hrvatsku graditi na vrijednostima pravednosti i mira poniklih na zdravim i plemenitim međuljudskim odnosima. Jer istinski iskoraci prema boljem i ljepšem svijetu događaju se zahvaljujući svijesti manjine kojoj pripada Franjo Starcevic, a ne većine koju vode generali, ratnici i krvlju natopljene revolucije.

Ako u malenoj Hrvatskoj želimo prepoznati velikane, koji su svojim životom nasljeđivali Isusov primjer ljubavi spram bližnjih, a koji ponajprije uključuju one kojima se nameće stigma naših neprijatelja, onda takva heroja imamo u samozatajnom Franji Starčeviću. Zbog toga Gorski kotar može biti ponosan da je tijekom ratnih devedesetih uspio u onome u čemu nije uspjela niti jedna druga regija u Hrvatskoj, od Slavonije do Dalmacije.

Danas, u vrijeme kada je svijet udaljen tek korak od mogućih zastrašujućih sukoba globalnih dosega, i kada mnogi neumorno rade na tome kako bi vratili svijest Hrvatske u emotivno stanje uzavrelih devedesetih, ne smijemo zaboraviti ostavštinu Franje Starčevića.