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Friday, March 1, 2001: Thankfully my computer is out of the shop, and I'm open for business again. Friday night's concert was received well by the hometown audience. With so little time to prepare I had to rely heavily on the grace of God and playing my guts out. The mistakes were big ones, but the people were forgiving. Just like life, it's probably best to make the big glaring mistakes of attempting momentous things than the subtle, hidden ones of playing it safe. Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to the senior Contemporary World Issues class at my old high school. I found the young people to be refreshingly more informed than many of the American students I encounter. Not only did they know where to find Bosnia on a map, but they could actually tell me a bit about it's history and ethnic make-up. I spoke to them about the concept that "ideas have consequences." Bosnia's recent history was not a fluke, but was the natural result of the way the people think. "But the truth and sell it not," was my challenge to the young people. It made me Homesick for the neighborhood kids in Sarajevo.

Wednesday, February 20, 2002: I arrived safely home in Maryland on Saturday afternoon following an emotion-filled goodbye in Singapore and a 27 hour journey. My visit with Mom is going well, helping with household stuff, preparing several concerts, doing my taxes, etc. In spite of the busyness of this visit, God has refreshed me with good times alone with Him. I am having computer problems, though, and updating my webpage is a great undertaking. I trust my friends will be patient while I get repairs under way. I'm due to return to Sarajevo on March 3rd or 4th.

Monday, February 11, 2002: We had several wildly enthusiastic audiences leading up to the closing performance of Judah Ben Hur on Saturday night. What I expected to be an emotional time turned into a massive work detail of breaking down the stage and orchestra pit, cleaning up, and moving huge amounts of props, programs, cosumes, etc., from the theater. Much of it will be stored and eventually shipped to New York for the next stage of the vision. Last night we had our final cast party culminating with awards, prayer and worship. It was really at this point that the sadness kicked in as people began saying their goodbyes. This morning I got up at 5:15 am to see our Swedes off to the airport. These three 19 year olds came to us as stage hands, but Erik (short but strong), Tomas (tall and strong), and Kim (clever and strong), became our Roman Guards and a sort of keepers-of-the-heart of the production with their cheerful service and love for Jesus. It's a little known fact that their Viking ancesters - after they themselves were converted by the humble Christian wives they hauled off from their raids - played a significant role in Christianizing northern Europe. Our three Vikings carried that same spirit with honor. We're hearing more and more stories about how people have been changed after seeing the show: forgiveness, salvation, and restored relationships.

Friday, February 8, 2002: We had another audience of young people last night, and it really is beginning to feel like the teenagers enjoy Judah Ben Hur the most. Tomorrow night we'll close the show after 56 performances. They've blown past like a leaf in the wind, and now it's time for a rest. Already we've begun saying our goodbyes. I think of Henri Nouwen's insightful thoughts into the pain of goodbyes. It's a good pain because it indicates the blessedness and the joy of the hello. If it doesn't hurt to leave a place, then it probably means you were never fully there in the first place.

For the past week I've been reading Phillip Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace? It captures brilliantly the essence of the story line of Ben Hur: "We're all bastards, but God loves us anyway." What an astonishing message we have to share with the world, whether from a stage in Singapore, or the convenience store across the street, people are dying to know they're loved.

Monday, February 4, 2002: This past Friday morning I had the opportunity to teach at the YWAM Discipleship Training School here in Singapore. I found it refreshing to be working with young people again, especially these dear Asian students who are so eager and pliable. My topic was worship, and I left plenty of space to participate along the way. But I found little need for prompting. My young friends were right there, celebrating their way into God's presence with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Yesterday I attended a Presbyterian church service with several friends from the production. The minister's message was from James 3, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers... because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." (Hmmmm) There's probably no better messenger for such a topic than a Presbyterian clergyman. He went on to expound the evils of the tongue, a sermon some of us could stand hearing on a regular schedule. In the evening I watched The Elephant Man. What an incredible drama of human dignity and worth. Only in a Christian culture could such a story unfold.

Saturday, February 2, 2002: Tonight's performance was bought out (at the cost of $80,000.00) by a Singaporean businessman who wanted his employees to hear the gospel as presented in Judah Ben Hur. Several churches have caught the vision as well and have offered to purchase free seats for any member who will take an unbelieving friend to see a performance. Since there's no call to commitment at the end of the show there's really no way of knowing the results of these projects. But we're thankful that believers are bringing their neighbors. This was a part of the vision. We'll close Judah Ben Hur one week from tonight. And then it'll be up to the Father to pave the way for the next level. There will be minor changes and "tweaking" to be done in the script, but the greatest challenge is to pay off our remaining debts here in Singapore and finish raising the necessary capital for Broadway. This coming week a group of investors will be meeting to look at those possibilities. My focus for now is to make every opportunity to immerse myself in the relationships and experiences of this last remaining week. They have been an exceptional blessing.

Wednesday, January 31, 2002: Yesterday felt like a very significant day for our cast and crew. It began when the Holy Spirit led us from worship into a time of repentence over attitudes, judgments, and offenses. It's the easiest thing in the world for me to play the part of the publican in the temple judging other men for their sins while secretly thanking God that "I'm not like one of them." In reality I am just like them, standing in need of the mercy of Jesus to cover my pharisaical heart. This evening we had almost a full audience (albeit complimentary tickets) including the President of Singapore, and Loren Cunningham, the founder of Youth With A Mission. They both very graciously greeted people backstage and extended their kudos to the cast and crew.

Monday, January 29, 2002: Things are still not coming easy for Judah Ben Hur . In spite of some good audiences over the weekend, the need remains for a major financial breakthrough. I think everyone would agree that this has been a huge education, attempting something so big in a spirit of excellence and godliness. The show has often been compared to a baby, born perfect, and yet in need of perfecting. And it's the perfecting process that's so difficult and tedious. At the friday matinee the theater was filled primarily by a group of underprivileged teenagers sponsored by several churches and Christian businessmen. Many of us were moved at the curtain call when "Jesus" received one of the loundest ovations. It's never happened that way before. But our young audience had the discernment to recognize that He, (and not Judah Ben Hur), is the real hero of the show.

Friday, January 25, 2002: Nothing about Judah Ben Hur has come easily. I suppose that's what it's like in any pioneering work. It involves blazing trails out of wilderness terrain, facing threats on all sides, and having to send out the buffalo hunter to find dinner. In some ways it feels like just about everything that could go wrong has gone wrong at one time or another. But it's been worth it a thousand times over. Ben Hur's subtitle is "A Tale of the Christ" and with every performance the Gospel is retold through the story of the Hur household's encounter with Jesus. Audiences are beginning to pick up, and this weekend we're supposed to have several thousand tickets sold. Tomorrow the house will be filled with teenage girls. Many of us are beginning to turn our thoughts towards the end of the show. It'll be difficult after living in community for the past three months to close up and go our seperate ways. We have eleven different nationalities represented, and the chances of this particular cast being together again is very nearly zero. My intention is to be sure that I've given myself as freely as possible to each of these people while I have the chance. God's word to me since my birthday last week has been "Now or never." If I'm going to love, I must do it now. If I'm going to take chances, it must happen today. If I'm going to make a difference, there's no other time but now.

Friday, January 18, 2001: As of last night, Judah Ben Hur is 1/2 way through it's run, finishing on February 9th.

We had two notable audiences this week. On Monday the house was filled with people from New Creation Church, and on Wednesday we had several hundred college professors, government leaders, symphony members and VIPs. Both groups were wonderfully responsive and thunderous in their approval. It's a continual marvel to me that we can get away with presenting the Gospel so boldly simply because it's a vital ingredient in this classic story. Hollywood minimized it as much as they could, but even they couldn't get around the fact the full title is, Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ.

Something even more difficult to ignore (for me) was the fact that yesterday was my birthday. In spite of my best efforts to sneak through the day, it kept coming up whenever we were together in worship, on the bus, in the orchestra pit, and once more at a cast gathering after the show. It was a wonderful day of affirmation and fellowship that carried with it an unusual amount of reflection as well. I'm at that stage where I'm being forced to face the fact that I haven't been a "young man" for several years now, regardless of how I feel. But I'm not grousing about it. I'm grateful that God has given me so many blessed years of life. And along with the years, experience has been a dutiful teacher. I remember reading an interview with a 100 year old woman several years back. "I don't know much," she said, "But I suspect a few things." Today's thought: "Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow." (Psalm144:4)

Saturday, January 12, 2001: Recently after one of the performances of Judah Ben Hur a small girl in the audience was crying. When her mother asked her what was wrong the little girl sniffed, "Why did Jesus have to die?" Her mother, being a believer, took the opportunity to explain the gospel and to pray the sinner's prayer with her daughter. This is exactly the kind of fruit we're asking God for in this project. Audiences continue to be small but enthusiastic. Yesterday some friends from the states arrived, Lisa (whom you've read about in Bosnia), and her friends, Lisa and Shannon. It was exciting to share the production with them last night, and to hear their comments and reactions. Lisa and Shannon are working on their own stage play, so they're having the opportunity to gather some helpful ideas about bringing their dream into reality.

Sunday, January 6, 2002: At least a part of our miracle is in the works. We were invited this morning to be the guests at New Creation Church, one of Singapore's most dynamic (8,000 members and growing) congregations. People begin lining up two hours ahead of time at 7:00am to claim seats at one of their four services. Pastor Prince attended Judah Ben Hur this past week, and after introducing us to his congregation and giving the production a glowing review, he suggested the church should "go see it together" next Monday night. Ticket Master had been invited to set up operations just outside the doors, and following the service the place was mobbed with people wanting tickets. One of the church leaders predicted most of the 8,000 members would be there. By the pastor's preaching, I can fully understand why this congregation is growing at such a phenominal rate. His message was one of simple grace: We can never receive anything from God based on merit. Only when we come as undeserving do we experience God's grace and provision. So it looks like once again God is doing things His way with Judah Ben Hur.

Saturday, January 5, 2002: The population of Singapore is about 20% Christian, and yet there seems to be a greater Christian presence here than in the US. One of the largest, most modern department stores downtown displays huge signs proclaiming, "They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength." Another store decorated with full color posters telling about the "Christ Child." The churches here are almost universally alive and growing, doing good works and reaching people with the gospel. Last week I asked one of the locals if there were any "dead" churches in the city. "No." he said. "We don't have room for them." Anything that's not alive and productive here gets bulldozed to make room for progress. And the practice appears to have had a positive effect on the church. Either you're a sincere follower of Jesus, or you're not. There's no time or space for lifeless religion. They're also dead serious about justice without partiality. Convicted criminals are immediately punished regardless of who you may be. Often punishments involves "caning," prison time, and doing public community service in jailhouse uniform. Recently a cab driver told me he drove his taxi as a second (unnecessary) vocation in order to stay sober. The punishment for DUI is so severe that the mere thought of it has kept him dry since he began eighteen months ago.

Judah Ben Hur continues to go well, though the audiences have been small. We'll need some financial breakthroughs if the show is to go on to New York in the spring. And if God's faithfulness to this point is any indication of His plans for this production, we have great reason to hope.

Monday, December 30, 2001: The show has been going well and performances are getting better each day. Tonight we have a "Gala" New Year's Eve celebration after the performance. I makes me tired to even think about hobnobbing into the early hours of the morning, but yesterday was a full day off, and it's always a great experience to hang out with these people. They're a happy combination of holiness and drama that I've rarely seen in other groups. And since I believe God designed us for adventure, passion, and drama, I'll enjoy the experience of being flung into it full-on here in Singapore.

Friday, December 28, 2001: The past two days have been a bit difficult for everyone with two very lukewarm reviews of the show. From the beginning the production staff was counting on good reviews to fill up the theatre for the next fifty performances. But as it's looking now, God must have another way. Regardless, the audience response has been consistently positive and encouraging. We have four shows in the next 48 hours. (Which means I'll be necessarily absent from much communication). This whole experience continues to be a study in faith: believing God for great things, staying humble and prayerful, and hanging onto His promises in spite of setbacks. I suppose nobody has had as many critics as God Himself, and He's the One who can lead us through.

Tuesday, December 25, 2001: The first Christmas I ever spent away from home was in 1993 when I broke down on I-95 at midnight on the 24th and had to spend the holiday at a motel in North Carolina. Since then I've learned to appreciate the new perspective of holidays away from home and family. Last night the cast gathered for a pot luck dinner together followed by a gift exchange, carols, and several dramatic presentations by these amazingly talented people. It was a warm reminder of God's incredible gift to us apart from which none of us would even be (spiritually) alive, much less friends. Afterwards, having had our "church" together, a group of us went to the midnight showing of The Lord of the Rings. This morning a dozen or so of us had breakfast together including Josiah, Samuel, and Elizabeth, ages 6, 4, & 2 from Australia. We have eleven different nationalities represented in our cast and crew, so it's been a rich experience. We're still waiting on the reviews of the show to come out in the papers.

Sunday, December 23, 2001: Tonight's performance surpassed our expectations with another crowd of almost 1,300 people, even more enthusiastic than last night's. God's presence was so strong, especially in the crucifixion scene, that I could barely keep my mind on the music. This was the performance most of the critics attended, so we should be seeing the reviews in tomorrow's newspapers. This production doesn't just hint around about the gospel, but it presents it in a clear, understandable way as Belshazzar the Magi qoutes Isaiah 53 and explains to Ben Hur why Jesus had to die on the cross to take the judgment for our sins. One of our crew experienced a physical healing (for a back injury) while watching the show. Tomorrow (Christmas Eve) we have the day off with the cast gathering for dinner together in the evening. So far it doesn't seem much like Christmas, even though our hearts are so encouraged and full. The equatorial weather just doesn't seem to fit the season.

Saturday, December 22, 2001: Twenty four hours earlier we had only about 300 seats filled for the premier performance of Judah Ben Hur. But at curtain time last night the house was full with an enthusiastic audience of approximately 1300. (That's miracle #1) This performance was our first complete run-through of the show on stage, yet it went almost flawlessly. (That's miracle #2) Who ever heard of a show opening without even a dress rehearsal? But God's ways are not always ours, and the important thing is, He brought us through. The lighting and sets were like visual poetry in motion. The actors brought us through a range of emotions from uproarious laughter to heartbreaking tears, but the best thing of all was that people told us they felt the presence of God. So far the press has been giving us great coverage, but the critics columns haven't been penned yet. We're still waiting to see what they say. New photos will be up soon.

Tuesday, December 18, 2001: We have only five days left before the opening curtain of Judah Ben Hur. The cast and crew are putting in long hours in preparation for the premier performance on Saturday evening. Our main concern tonight is the set. It's replete with breathtaking Roman columns, fire pots, and fiber optics, along with intricate moving, flying, and revolving parts, lasers and fog machines. But nothing like this has ever been built in Singapore before, and it has many problems that could be potentially dangerous and annoying. The designers and engineers are some of the same people who did the sets for Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon, and even they say they've never seen anything on this scale before. They're telling us that nothing short of a miracle could bring it together in working order before the weekend. Yet God has confirmed this production with a string of miracles every step of the way, and we are resting in His faithfulness to complete what He's started. It feels like we're all in a school of faith being taught by the Master Artist Himself. Even without the sets, the production is powerfully anointed with the presence of the Almighty, and as long as we're careful not to lose that, we cannot fail.

Friday, December 14, 2001: Elvin is the Muslim father of two of the four children who are in the show. Last night after rehersing the crucifixion scene I ran into him in the hallway and he said, "I found that crucifixion scene to be deeply moving. It caused the hairs on my arm to stand on end." Each night we're having our (mostly) Muslim stage crew fill in as the Roman soldiers for the scene. So they have to watch Jesus be crucified eight times per week for seven weeks. Our prayer is that this and other scenes will dramatize the gospel in a way that will penetrate the hearts of these dear people.

Wednesday, December 12, 2001: Singapore is 1/64 the size of Long Island with a population of over three million, (roughly the equivalent of Bosnia). It has no natural resources other than it's people, and yet it enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world, ($30,000.00 per capita). It's a truely amazing place. Down the street at one of the major department stores there's a 30 foot Santa Claus whom they say will shed his suit shortly after the holiday and revert back to Buddah for the Chinese New Year celebration. About 1/10 of the population is Christian, and probably most of them are evangelical. The church is gaining ground in this country.

The excitement with Ben Hur continues to mount. Orchestra rehersals are going well, and piece by piece the production is coming together. Nothing on this scale has ever been attempted in Singapore before, and the press is rallying around the production to give it as much coverage as possible. There are still many hurdles to face on a daily level, but as we pray we are seeing God break through in each area.

Saturday, December 8, 2001: Many people will remember Singapore from the international incident several years ago when a visiting American teenager recieved a cane-beating for spray-painting buildings and cars. They don't mess around here. Filling out my immigration form on the airplane I noticed is bold red letters: "Death penalty for drug traffickers." It seems a bit harsh, but on the other hand there is literally no graffitti, and almost no crime in the city. Cutting off the drug traffic seems to have strangled other crimes at the root. But my short introduction to beautiful Singapore is finished, and with only two weeks to go before opening night, there's an overwhelming amount of work to be completed. Last evening we ran through the final scene of the show for the first time, where Ben Hur is reunited with Esther and his formerly leprous family, followed by the resurrection and his conversion to Christ. Even in this rough, start-and stop run-through the presence of God was heavy, and people were choking back tears all over the rehersal hall. It's no wonder the adversary is busy opposing us at every turn in the road. Peter writes, ".... Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith...." (1 Pet 5:8-9) He assumes we are in a spiritual battle, and all the more so in a project like this that presents the Gospel in such a powerful way. But God has spoken clearly, "I am with you!! I am fighting on your behalf!" Today I continue work on incidental "scene change" music while our cast prepares to do a promotional at Borders Books.

Thursday, December 6, 2001: Most of the past few days have been spent recovering from jet lag, catching up on the progress of the production, and getting to know the cast and crew. I'm living in a beautiful furnished apartment right in the center of the city. Underneath me (literally) is the Times Square of Singapore with huge glittering department stores, fancy hotels and restaurants, Starbucks Coffee, and (my favorite) a Border's Bookstore.

Todays's assignment is to write twelve pieces of incidental music for the scene changes. Hopefully I'll be able to recycle some of the arrangements I've already done. Each weekday the cast and crew gathers for a time of worship and prayer before the day begins. It's such an encouragement to see these professional actors from New York City and Los Angeles opening their hearts to Jesus in worship. And I'm filled with deep gratefulness that we have such Christian people in the arts.

Sunday, December 2, 2001(Singapore): It's not often that I'm given the chance to be a part of something that's so far beyond my reach that only God can make it happen. But this seems to be one of those times. I arrived in Singapore friday evening after spending six days visiting friends at the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii. The city is more modern and clean than I ever imagined, and it's by far the greenest with palms and tropical plantlife lining even the busiest downtown streets. Judah Ben Hur has come a long way since David Sanborn and I recorded the original soundtrack just over a year ago. Investors have come forward, sets have been built, and a world-class team of actors, designers, techncians, and musicians have assembled to premier the production in Singapore's 1,700 seat University Cultural Centre the forth week in December. Miracle stories abound through the testimonies of the actors and crew members. This is a production that couldn't be done by the world's assessment, but God has nevertheless raised it up as a work of redemption in the realm of performing arts. The Gospel goes on stage in a powerful and direct way when the curtains open on December 22nd. I'll be filling in the blanks and retelling some of the miracles in the days to come.

Wednesday, November 14, 2001: I spent Sunday afternoon with a group of dear friends who have walked beside me in the faith for the past twenty years or more. I thought of the incredible heritage and companionship God has given me over the years. Only a short while ago we were passionate young believers with stars in our eyes and a vision of God's Kingdom in our hearts: David's mighty men outdoing one another to bring to the King a drink from the well at Bethlehem. My friends haven't danced to the tune of the crowd, sold out to personal fortunes, nor wasted time with the ladder of success. Their exploits have been done in secret. They've been hidden heros of intercession standing their post in unseen battles, perhaps "wasting" their talents in worship before a King that the world doesn't even see. But they are my heros, my partners in the faith, and the people whom God has used to mold and shape my life.

Monday, November 5, 2001: Just returned from a week in South Carolina where I was loved-on and encouraged to the point of feeling like I was royalty of some sort. And now I'm back in Maryland where busyness, rather than relationships will occupy most of my time.

I've been thinking about the power of deception to control our lives and hold us in the grip of darkness. Maybe it's easier to see it from the distance of another culture. Most of my Bosnian friends believe (compliments of the Bosnian media) that the US shot down four of our own commercial jets on September 11th, that we're dropping humanitarian aid and bombs on top of each other in Afghanistan, and that no Jews were killed in the WTC because they had advance warning, (and thus indicting them as the real terrorists). So they respond according to the lies they believe: tempered sympathy for the US, judging our humanitarian drops as evil, and anger at the Jewish people as the "real perpetrators" of this situation. All the while our real enemy - Satan - must be gloating over his ability to control us with his lies.

But he's also the master of personal deception, tirelessly at work to conceal the lies we believe about ourselves, our neighbors, and most importantly, about Father God himself. As long as he can keep us in darkness regarding the truth about ourselves, he has us firmly in his grip. This is no time to be casual about walking in truth. It could be a matter of life and death.

Wednesday, October 24, 2001: I arrived home at 2:00am tuesday after a very, very long trip. Flying wasn't as nerve-racking as I'd expected, and except for when a suspicious-looking passenger boarded in Detroit, the hijacking thing wasn't much in my thoughts.

It's great feeling to be back in the US again where perfect strangers exchange glances and greetings, and where shop keepers smile at their customers. But I'm already missing the Bosnian kiss-on-the-cheek-hello, and the easy way they exchange affection among friends. I quickly took note of the tons of flags we have on our porches, and the magnificent roads that don't jar the bumpers off the cars. And I also noticed the immediate impulse I had to go out and spend money. Each nation has it's own strengths and weaknesses, and materialism is one of our most obvious American traits. For most of the day I wrestled with the urge to go to Walmart or Lowes for no particular reason and buy something. As I write, I can't help but compare these two great countries. Bosnian culture is splintered and divided into groups while American culture tends to look beyond the differences and to stand together. Bosnians are often passive and content with things as they are, while Americans want to take charge and make things happen. Bosnians typically place great value on relationships, spending hours of their workday sitting in coffee bars with their friends while Americans often place greater value on success, possessions and "things."

Of course God's way in all of this is to affirm His gifts to the culture while walking in an "opposite spirit" towards it's weaknesses. As a believer in Jesus I am called to recognize revenge and to walk in mercy, to discern materialism and to walk in the Spirit, to see apathy and to choose faith.

Sunday, October 21, 2001: My Email has been down since Friday, so I'm feeling out of touch with the rest of the world. Much of the past two days have been spent with friends. Alen and Dzenan stayed over on Friday night. I visited with Ismet, Enijad, and other university friends yesterday, along with Aldin and his family, and others. And of course Ibro has been here. God just opened the door for him to be accepted into the university art academy, and he's thrilled with chance to move ahead in his dreams. Being the only Christian in the school, he sees it as a wide-open mission field.

This is my last day in Sarajevo, and it'll be full of packing, church activities, and saying goodbyes to dear friends. Tomorrow's flight promises to be an endurance test: twenty-five hours en route with stops in Zagreb, Amsterdam, Detroit, and finally Washington-Dullas. Home will look awefully good at the end of it all.

Friday, October 19, 2001: So many good things are happening here that it's feeling more and more difficult to think of leaving on Monday. As a team we're praying more. Last night we had three visitors at homegroup, our Muslim friend, Aida, and Boljon and Andre, two brothers from Novi Sad who prayed the sinner's prayer earlier in the day. We're studying the names of God, and last night's name was Jehovah Shalom, the Lord, our Peace. It was a perfect study with the current world situation, and our visiting friends. Afterwards several of the group came to my apartment for fellowship and a little preview of the CD.

On Wednesday, Lisa and I drove to the coast, (Trogir, Croatia), to spend the afternoon with our DTS student, Nikola. He's had a tough go of it since returning to a dysfunctional family, and a place where there are literally no believers. But the visit went well, and the Holy Spirit was faithful to give him the encouragement he needed.

The US and British Embassys here in Sarajevo have been closed until further notice because of "credible threat." Everybody knows that there are a fair number of radicals in Bosnia, and it's rumored that the a number of Taliban in recent weeks have tried to seek asylum here. Still, it feels safe, and none of us have any hesitancy to go into town, or to be recognized as Americans. There's no safer place than in the center of God's will, and for now, I'm confident that this is it. Monday is quickly approaching, and I'll be saying difficult goodbye to my friends. I think of Jim Elliot's words, "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

Monday, October 15, 2001: Yesterday was a monumental day for the church of Sarajevo. All five of the local evangelical congregations, along with believers from the outlying areas met together for a time of worship and fellowship. We had almost 500 in attendance, and our meeting lasted five hours! When I came to this country three years ago the entire evangelical church of Bosnia numbered only about 500 people, so God is obviously adding many to His kingdom. It was such an incredible encouragement for everyone present to experience the presence of God, to hear the testimonies, and to see so many believers together in one place. One dear Muslim friend attended the meeting just to be a part of the worship - something she doesn't find at the mosque. Later in the evening little Alen came home with me and said, "You know, I wouldn't return to Islam for a million dollars." The he went to work writing an Email to President Bush explaining his testimony and sharing a few suggestions "as a former Muslim."

Friday, October 12, 2001: With only ten days left in Sarajevo, the pace of everything is beginning to accelerate. Today I go to Banja Luka, in Northern Bosnia, for a YWAM country meeting. The ten or so YWAMers in the country will be praying together and seeking the Lord about the next step for the mission in Bosnia. This coming Sunday all of the evangelical churches in Sarajevo and neighboring cities will be meeting together for worship. There could potentially be four to five hundred people in attendance, and since none of the church facilities even come close to accomodating that kind of a crowd, we'll have to rent a hall. We're praying that God do a fresh work of unity, and that He will speak to us in powerful ways.

Sunday, October 7, 2001: We've just gotten the word that the US has begun military action in Afghanistan. I continue to pray that our leaders will act in wisdom, mercy and justice. There's so much propaganda and misinformation circulating here in Bosnia about the military action, the intentions of the US, etc. I can only imagine what the unfortunate people of Afghanistan must be hearing. This whole thing has given me a fresh awareness of how the enemy functions in an atmosphere of darkness and lies..

Church was great tonight. We're quickly becoming home to a small band of Roma people who are coming from Breza. Several of our high school age girls have begun teaching the young Gypsy children how to read, and out of that the families are being attracted to church. We also have a fresh opportuity with thirteen tons of medical and health products we've been given for distribution. Saturday evening the church met together for a time of prayer and asking the Father what we were to do with all these things. It was a wonderful time together, and God gave us some very specific and practical ways to bless our neighbors and share the love of God through these humanitarian gifts.

Thursday, October 4, 2001: Just returned from home group. We're studying the names of God, and tonight we focused on Jehovah Nissi, "God our banner" from Exodus 17. It was a great study, and I was particularly proud of little Alen who shared his testimony of how God has been changing him. And after he volunteered to do my dishes yesterday afternoon, I can add a hearty "Amen." Jimmy and Rambod came by after the meeting for an impromptu study on hearing the voice of God. The whole idea was revolutionary to Rambod, since in Islam there's no concept of God speaking to men other than Mohammed. These Iranian guys have a tendency of bringing their decisions to me and expecting to be told what to do, in contrast to the Bosnians who disdain council, and always seem to have their minds made up. So in both cases I've been adament about the need to hear God's voice for themselves. It was a very practical lesson followed by a time of silently asking God to speak to us.

Wednesday, October 3, 2001: (Happy Birthday Mom!) This morning at prayer meeting I was struck with God's faithfulness to us. Again on Sunday the church was filled to capaity with people standing outside at the back. Many new faces, especially Roma. It stretches our little group to embrace so many new people all at once. This week we have six church members at the Mostar Bible school, and another eight at the Precepts conference in Budapest. In both cases they're learning to study God's Word, and there will certainly be even more good fruit ahead.

Last night I attended a violin/piano concert at Dom Armija. The war devastated the arts community in Sarajevo, with many of it's finest musicians and artists fleeing as refugees. But still the city amazes me with the brilliant young musicians that emerge from it's muusic faculty. This concert was no different. Perhaps the suffering of the people is the key to the passion of their music.

For the past several days I've been helping Jimmy prepare to appeal his case before the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission on Refugees). As a Christian converted from Islam he has encountered persecution on several fronts, and it appears that even the UN is stonewalling him for his faith. We need much prayer in this area. Since he is an Arab, there is a strong likelihood that he could be stopped for questioning by the police. And without a passport or refugee status, he could be returned to Iran where such people often "disappear," face prison sentences, or even death.

My time in Sarajevo is growing short. I've tentatively booked a flight home on October 21st. From there I'll be going to Singapore for the ten week premiere of Judah Ben Hur, and then, hopefully in the spring return to Bosnia.

Saturday, September 29, 2001: The trip to Serbia was a real joy. Not knowing what to expect, I was especially blessed by the hospitality of the people. At one point I even had a Serbian soldier express condolences over the terrorist bombings in the US. Of course he was a believer, and I'm not so naive as to think that the Serbian army in general has a lot of sympathy for us. We were able to spend time with all three of our DTS students, and it was encouraging to see them moving on in God. Their lives have been changed, and I doubt that they will ever be satisfied again with status quo church life. The church in Novi Sad was something to see as well. They distribute over 500 humanitarian boxes every day, and they have seven teams who do nothing but visit local people eight hours a day, five days per week, delivering boxes and sharing the gospel. Srdjan is on one of those teams.

Today we'll be baptizing Rambod. He was raised in an Iranian Muslim family, but recently trusted Jesus and is very anxious to be baptized. Jimmy, my other Iranian friend needs much prayer. He's lost everything he has, including his refugee status. Now he's a foreigner "stuck" in a country without a passport where he can neither work nor live legally. Neither can he return to Iran because as a Christian converted from Islam, he fears for his life. Yesterday we spent time praying and looking for options. But from a natural point of view it looks extremely bleak. So all I know to do is to ask people to pray that God will make a way for him.

Monday, September 24, 2001: We must have had eighty or ninety people at church last night, almost twice our normal number. Lots of visitors including Roma (Gypsies), Germans, Bosnian friends, and Iranians. God also blessed us with a great joy in our worship time. Mladen shared his testimony, and I brought the message from 2 Kings 6 & 7, the story of the four lepers and the seige of Samaria. For the past month God has had us looking church life and community, so this message was a challenge to share our food (both spiritual and natural) with those around us. Afterwards I went for coffee with Lisa, (who just returned from Egypt), and Iranian friends, Jimmy and Rambod. Rambod is wanting to be baptized, so we listened to his testimony and talked about what that step means. They're also very interested and sympathetic with the situation in the US right now. "The Iranian people like America very much," Jimmy said, "But it's the government that hates it." Hopefully we'll baptize Rambod at the end of the week. I don't like to see people have to wait when they're ready to make a stand for the Lord.

Tomorrow, Lisa, BeeJay and I plan on going to Novi Sad for two days for follow up on DTS students Maki, Teodora, and Srdjan. This will be my first trip to Serbia, so I'm looking forward to finding out what's happening over there. It's become much more stable (and safe) since Milosovic lost power. The evangelical church is far stronger there than in Bosnia. I've heard that during the war and the NATO bombings several cities experienced revival. I probably won't update again until I return on thursday or friday.

Thursday, September 20, 2001: People are still expressing their sorrow over the terrorist attack. Just this morning a sales clerk asked if I was an American, and then quickly extended her support. These people understand the type of thing we've experienced. A couple nights ago I ran into Olga, a shriveled little lady who appears to be well into her eighties. Dressed all in purple, with a blue broad-rimmed hat, she reminded me of the Queen Mother. I had just retreated into the Imperial Coffee Shop to escape the pouring rain, and she invited me to sit with her. In her broken English she inquired about the US, expressed sorrow, and then went on about how difficult life is. Her apartment was bombed during the war, and she's essentially alone. We visited for half an hour before I ventured out into the rain again. Yesterday morning I had coffee with Mladen, who surrendered his life to Jesus about two years ago. After catching up on the routine stuff, he looked me in the eye and said, "I want to ask you a question. Does it get any easier?" I was slow to answer, but I had to end up confessing that at least for me, it hasn't. Whatever progress I've made in grace seems to have been counteracted by a world that's becomes darker and more hostile with each passing day. But then I gently reminded him that we weren't made for this place. Events like the terrorist attack last week should keep us in touch with the idea that this world is not our home. It's only the training ground.

Tuesday, September 18, 2001: In many ways I feel like I was buried under the rubble of the world trade center along with so many others, and my friends have been digging me out with their prayers. (Maybe the opposite of being "let down through the roof.") The past few days have been easier. God has been encouraging me in my spirit. I'm still not "doing" much lot. Yesterday I was finally able to get back to the music project. Today I'm meeting with several Bosnian friends in the afternoon, and of course the neighborhood young people have been dropping by. They seem to be alert to my condition and have gone out of their way to show their concern. I'm praying that God will spare the US from experiencing the kind of wholesale ethnic hatreds that this country has known. I've always believed it could happen in America is the conditions were right. And this looks like it could be a crucial test for us all. I received this Letter from an Afghani in my Email this morning, and found it very helpful in understanding what a delicate situation we are facing.

Saturday, September 15, 2001: Jimmy, my Iranian friend just called me with a plan. He wants me to Email President Bush and ask him to designate one billion dollars of our defense money to evangelize the Taliban. He said, "Mr Don, George W Bush say these people live in darkness and shadows. This is because they don't know Jesus! But we could give them light! Maybe they be "same-as" apostle Paul!" Sounds like a good plan to me. I hope at the very least we are praying for these enemies and asking God to use this tragedy for His glory.

Friday, September 14, 2001: The whole tragedy in New York and Washington has affected me at a deeper level than I ever would have imagined. It's been difficult to focus on much of anything else over the past four days as I've kept up with the developments via the internet and an occasional English language news bullitin. Bosnian friends and acquaintances continue to show their support, expressing sympathy, etc. Aldin's family, (Muslim), invited me to stay at their house "so you won't be alone." (I declined.) Another Muslim friend, Aida, asked if I would meet with her to pray together. (I accepted.) Although there are some Islamic extremists here in Sarajevo, the vast majority of the Muslims are peaceful, loving people who are embarrassed and ashamed of this act much as we are when some "Christian" blows up an abortion clinic. Yesterday I even found myself encouraging a Muslim friend not to hate the terrorists and extremists who do these types of things. Jesus' words have been very strong to me: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven... " Matt 5:44-45 Of course we need to take whatever action is neccessary to prevent these terrorists from taking more innocent lives, but if we succumb to hatred we become no different from them. "If you seek revenge, then you'd better dig two graves."

Tuesday Evening, Sept 10, 2001: It's Tuesday evening in Sarajevo, and the news about the terrorist attacks broke a little over six hours ago. My friend Ferhid first called to find out if my family was in danger. Of course I didn't know what he was talking about. But once we realized what was happening, our team gathered at Lawn's house to be together and to follow the news on CNN. Words fail to express what we felt like to watch the US being attacked from a distance. And even now I'm in shock. I don't even know how to pray, except that God will have mercy on us all. Bosnian friends have been calling and dropping by all evening to express their sorrow and support. These people understand the feelings of helplessness and outrage over the attack on innocent civilians, and they have been sensitive comforters. Already friends are Emailing and asking how this will affect me here in Sarajevo. I really don't know. I guess it depends on how events unfold over the next few days. It feels odd to know that there would be no way for me to get back home tomorrow if I needed to, or wanted to. The American Embassy here is on alert like all other embassies worldwide. But otherwise I'm probably experiencing this like most other Americans at home. I've been reminding myself that the real enemy is not flesh and blood, but the deceiver who plants lies in the hearts of men for the sole purpose of destruction and venting his hatred towards God.

Tuesday, September 10, 2001: I sense that people are praying for me. The past two days have felt like a fresh wind is blowing on my spirit as I'm being pulled back into the current of God's grace. Have been spending more deliberate time in spontaneous prayer and in listening. Yesterday I met with Jimmy and his new Iranian friend Rambod downtown for lunch. Like Jimmy, Rambod is a refugee, and after experiencing the emptiness of Islam, he is seeking after truth. We talked for several hours and eventually prayed together at the restaurant. It's such a joy to hear these guys expressing the freedom and joy they're experiencing in Jesus after being fettered so long in the dead-end of legalism. Can a prison-life of rules even be compared with a life of romance and adventure?

Last weekend a group from Sweden conducted evangelistic meetings at an auditorium downtown. Generally speaking this strategy hasn't been very successful here where spiritual apathy keeps people at a safe distance. But these meetings were different, and from the reports I've heard it sounds like twenty to thirty people went forward to trust Christ. Maybe there's a new wind beginning to blow in Sarajevo as well. Our prayers are often like weights on a balance accumulating until the whole things is tipped over into a move of God.

It's been cold and rainy for a full week, now. Within forty eight hours summer was over and it felt like we jumped right into winter. So I'm spending more time indoors. Still recording when the inspiration is there. Still lots of visitors throughout the day. Last night Alen and I watched Shawshank Redemption, such a wonderful parable of hope.

Monday, September 3, 2001: The first day of classes for Sarajevo schools. The conflict I wrote about on Friday hasn't been resolved, though God has given me peace about it. I prayed, offered to pay the erroneous overdue fees, and made one more attempt at clarifying the confusion. But my neighbor still accuses me of lying. So after much agony and sleeplessness, I'm coming to accept this experience as an opportunity to share in a small way in the lies and false accusations leveled at Jesus.

Yesterday I led worship at the International church, a small congregation of mostly UN and Embassy personnel. It was a joy to minister in English and to fellowship with these dear brothers and sisters from all over the world. The pastor, (from Ghana), spoke on the miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5. It's one of my favorite stories. Then I went straight to our own service. From the way the people were mixing and talking together, I'd say last week's church retreat was a huge success. Following the service I went for coffee with Aida, a 19 year old Muslim archetectural student who has been coming to our meetings because she enjoys the worship. We had a dynamic conversation about the character of God, His justice and mercy, and what is required for a man or woman to be right with Him. Unlike so many others, this young woman is interested in a heart-connection with with God which I believe she will ultimately find only in Jesus.

On saturday morning I helped Jimmy, my Iranian friend, move. Not that he needed it. All his earthly possessions were bound up in a backpack and two grocery store bags. Sometimes he gets depressed about the loss of his family, his business, his home, and his country. But he cheers up when he reflects on how he's able to live so much more like Jesus being free from so many earthly things. "Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." His Iranian name, Masud, means "happy." Check out his ever present smile on the RECENT PHOTOS page).

Recording is going slowly, and I often feel discouraged. But with the kids in school, and my landlords (down below) out of town for the week, this should be a great opportunity to carry the project to the next level.

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