Croatia
Post-war Croatia, Eastern Europe
Although we do minister to people’s needs with material goods, we believe our primary purpose is to help others spiritually. We’re surrounded by a materialistic world where the more important values of Love for God & Love for One Another are often neglected. Consequently many people experience a very lonely, sad life & are very much in need of encouragement & hope for their future.
Zagreb
The capital city, which was not as heavily affected during the war as other cities, is now prosperous & the people aspire to many things for their lives in their new-found freedom. They are still healing from the war & there were many orphans because of the war.
Clowning to Cheer Up War Orphaned Kids in Croatia – Zagreb
Martha Sharing God’s Message for the Youth of Croatia – Zagreb
Most Croatian people are very sweet, friendly, helpful, & giving regardless of their ethnic or religious background. Our neighbors & friends surely demonstrated this quality. Most Croatian people are very sweet, friendly, helpful, & giving regardless of their ethnic or religious background. Our neighbors & friends surely demonstrated this quality.
A Dear Friend, Dr. Ivana Klinar, Pediatrician – Zagreb
Our Neighbors & Friends, Vanessa, Adela, & Azra – Zagreb
Vukovar
Ravaged by war & a formerly rich agricultural area. It’s not just rebuilding houses & businesses, it’s a total rebuilding of their devastated lives & homes.
Debbie at the Bombed Out Center of Town – Vukovar
Our Hosts, Bozo & Jelena, & our Translator, Goran – Vukovar
We brought Humanitarian Aid to assist the needy. Through Father Slatko & the Caritas charitable work these items were directed to the right people.
Boxes of Donations to Caritas for Struggling Families – Vukovar
Franciscan Father Slatko Who Assisted us – Vukovar
Brisa & Debbie shared the inspired songs, “On the Wings of a Snow White Dove” & “The Prayer of Saint Francis.” This church’s symbol is a White Dove & they’re Franciscans. Their response was spontaneous applause, something that had never happened before.
Singing On the Wings of a Snow White Dove – Vukovar
The Prayer of St. Francis in Song at Mass – Vukovar
In the aftermath of such a terrible war for their freedom, the people of Croatia needed someone who would give them encouragement, a listening ear & an understanding heart, not just material aid. This certainly was true with the persons we met who had fought in this war. It was such a traumatic experience & they now needed to rebuild their lives.
A Traditional ‘Fish Soup’ Meal in Our Honor – Vukovar
With Our New Found Close Friends at Pajo’s Horse Ranch – Vukovar
Here is the famous ‘water tower’ where the Croatians flew their flag during the war. The Serbs would shoot it down & the Croats would put it right back up. (Ivo, pic below, was one of them) Vukovar was bombed daily by artillery & tanks, which resulted in many casualties & deaths. Basically every structure was damaged or destroyed & most Croatians had to flee for their lives.
Mass Grave of over 1,000 Civilians Killed in the War – Vukovar
Brisa, Ivo, Debbie at the Famous Water Tower – Vukovar
Poreč & Omiš
Poreč & Omiš are two coastal towns of many we visited. At a kids summer day camp in Poreč we did a clown show. They loved it & a local paper wrote up an article about us.
Kids Get a Beautiful, Meaningful Message Poster – Poreč
Clown Show for a Kids Day Camp on the Beach – Poreč
Despite Croatia being such a beautiful country with gorgeous beaches & wonderful people there is a dire problem of drug use among the youth, especially the coastal region. The Croatian coast, one of the most beauteous, having thousands of islands in the Adriatic Sea, is a very popular tourist attraction among eastern & western Europeans.
Castle on the Croatian Coast – Omiš
A Coastal Open Air Market – Omiš