PURPOSE The trip was scheduled in two parts. The first, Jan. 15-20, was arranged by Ivica Horvat and Ivan Tesic for five Airline Ambassadors to Zagreb, Croatia and Bihac, Bosnia. Our primary purpose was to visit a hospital for the mentally handicapped. I went on to Kosovo Jan. 20-25. There I visited an institution for the mentally handicapped and TMK members who are in need of surgery and/or prosthetics. I also prepared for the shipment of containers later this year. ZAGREB HOME FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED The home in Zapresic outside Zagreb is actually a hospital. Doctors and nurses are on staff and the children receive very good care. In fact, I was amazed at the job they were doing on such a tiny budget. Their greatest need is people to spend time with the children in a nurturing role. We also met with a group of mentally handicapped children in Zapresic whose parents are finding ways to enrich their lives through a small school. The community provides an area where they meet. They need two small vans to pick up the children each day. ORPHANAGE We visited an orphanage and gave each child a 'Magi Gift' that had been shipped earlier. This was a beautiful example of what can be done when we work together. The gifts were prepared by churches, schools, Girl Scout groups and individuals in a cooperative effort of Manna International in Redwood City, CA and Love In Action Int'l. Ivan Tesic received the gifts in December and arranged for their distribution during our visit. We also distributed toys, diapers, and other items we had brought in our own luggage. BIHAC We delivered school supplies to the school in Bihac which had been repaired as a result of our 1998 trip. We also distributed toys to families in need. The toys were donated and sent for that purpose. KOSOVO One year ago four of us, who were Airline Ambassadors, went to Kosovo to see the destruction and how we might help. Our second 40-foot container of aid was shipped as a result of our witness of the destruction there. There was an interesting and unexpected result of that trip in addition to knowledge regarding the Serb Paramilitary in Bosnia and Kosovo. I was able to submit an eyewitness account of conditions in Kosovo on behalf of two Kosovars who were filing for asylum. One was a 19-year-old boy. I had visited the city where his family lives. The primary focus of this trip was to visit hospitals and individuals needing medical treatment. We are planning to send two 40-foot containers of medical equipment to hospitals in Kosovo this year. INSTITUTION FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED Nothing could have prepared me for what we experienced in this place. We arrived on Sunday, and, as it turned out, unannounced because they have no phones. Anything written or filmed about such a place pales in the face of the truth. The question I kept asking myself was, "What can be done here?" I have concluded that nothing can be done until the entire staff is replaced starting with the director. We met with the International Minister of Health who accepted his responsibility in finding an answer to the deplorable conditions. He stated, without me asking, that he was very open to an organization adopting this institution. Expect to hear more in the future concerning this facility. TMK INJURED TMK is the peacetime name for the KLA. They were soldiers for Kosovo during the war. We visited with and took records/information on seven young men. We also took information on a 22-year-old girl paralyzed by a sniper's bullet and a 17-year-old boy with leukemia. Work has already begun to find a doctor and hospital to treat each case. Sponsors are also needed and permission for them to travel. This is a huge undertaking but one we must embark upon. The sadness in the eyes of one 19-year-old who lost both legs, one above the knee and one below, never leaves me. After his girlfriend ended their relationship because of her inability to cope with his handicap, he went to his commanding officer and told him, "I don't want to live anymore." IN CONCLUSION This trip was made possible by wonderful people in Croatia and Kosovo. In Croatia, Ivan Tesic and Ivica Horvat very graciously hosted us and arranged our visits and accommodations. Hasim Isufaj of Dallas arranged through his brother, Hasan in Pristine, all meetings in Kosovo. His daughter, Valbona was our translator and I stayed in their home. Without such selfless giving, all these things would not be possible. In the face of such need, one must simply ask the God who loves us all, "What can I do?" It is the question that can redeem all our hardships so that we are at last able to praise Him for all things.