Return to Bosnia i Herzegoviina

On Wednesday, July 17th we boarded a plane to go back to Bosnia to train a new humanitarian missionary couple, Elder Ron and Sister Cathy Burns.  They are assigned to live and work in the city of Sarajevo.  We left Tuzla, Bosnia in November 2013.  We left behind so many wonderful people and memories.  The opportunity to return was something we never thought would happen, but return we did.  It was wonderful!

Arriving in Sarajevo

Ready to go to work

By the time we got to Sarajevo in was late Wednesday afternoon.  After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we went to the Burns' apartment to develop a plan for Thursday.

Thursday we went with Edina and Admir, representatives from Muslim Aid, a non-government organization (NGO) to visit the beneficiaries of a food production project - using greenhouses to grow food for nutrition and sale.  These greenhouses are part of the Benson Food Initiative, a project to help people develop skills and learn food production for nutrition and income.  Twice a year applications are accepted and beneficiaries are selected based upon need.   The beneficiaries are then given a "Greenhouse Kit" along with training so that they will be successful.  The partnership with LDS Charities, local municipalities and Muslim Aid has been going since we left Bosnia in 2013.  It has been a very successful partnership. 

First on our list was a visit to the offices of the municipality 0f Kananj.  Here we talked about the greenhouse project and how pleased everyone was with the success.  Then we went to visit some of the participants.

Meeting at Kankaj Municipality

Showing Sister Burns her records

The joy and pride that each of these beneficiaries showed was heartwarming.  After visiting the greenhouses, we went for a late lunch and then back to the Burns apartment for some training.

Stay tuned day 3 - 7 yet to come. 

 "The Lord uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible."  Russell M. Nelson