Greetings. My name is Carolyn and I currently live in Bosnia & Herzegovina (BiH), where I have lived for 16 years. My interest in this country grew after being a part of a short term team that went to a refugee camp in Croatia during the 1992-1995 war that destroyed the country of BiH. After going several times to the camp over a two-year period, my heart was set on one day going to Sarajevo to live and help in whatever way I could.
In 1998 and 1999, I went to Sarajevo and fell in love with the city and the people. I moved to Sarajevo in 2000 and was there five years helping to plant two churches. My role was team administrator and discipler of a group of young ladies who had become believers. Having worked at a Christian organization in the US whose goal was to establish God’s people in His Word, I knew the importance of getting people into the Word and helping them to cultivate a firm foundation so they could stand firm once the church was handed over to the nationals.
In 2005 I moved to the city of Mostar and started over. It took a few years but again God gave me a group of young ladies who had a desire to learn more about God. We began an inductive Bible study in 2007 and it continues today. They are now able to study on their own, which was my goal.
Now I face another possibility to start over in another city. At the age of 62, that could be a daunting thought but what I have learned is this: my times and my “ministry” are in God’s hands. Whatever I do is His, not mine. If He wants me to start over again and build a new work from the ground up, my part in this is to obey Him.
Although I love where I am, the house I live in, my neighbors, the people who make up the church, and everything about being in Mostar; I must remember that things don’t matter, it is about people. Those I have grown to know and love are now established and there are others who need a firm foundation. God will bring someone else in to help if help is needed. I need to be where He opens the doors. Obedience is much more important than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22).
Wisdom is something I always ask people to pray. You can never have too much!
Also pray that I will make the right decision as far as moving to another city or staying where I am. I want to do what God wants me to do.
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