I began petitioning the Lord, in 1999, about whether or not I should volunteer for a one-year mission in Kosovo as an International Police Officer. I felt at the time that I was being led in that direction, but I wasn’t sure why and I wasn’t sure that it was the Lord’s will and not my own adventurous will. The idea of coming to Kosovo and helping a people that had suffered so much, seemed like a meaningful mission for a police officer. Part of me was attracted to the idea of traveling to a distant land, into a challenging environment. Part of me was also attracted to the opportunity to travel to countries, especially those behind the former Iron Curtain, that I had not had the opportunity to see before. As I wrestled with the idea of being away from my family for a year, I wanted to be sure that if I were to make this “journey” that it would be for His honor and glory, and not just to satisfy my wandering spirit. (I really believe I can attribute that desire for adventure and travel to my Viking roots.) While talking to the Lord about this decision, I felt impressed that if I were to travel to a land far away, and be the only priesthood member there, that maybe it would be better if I were an Elder, able to minister in the gifts of the spirit. I asked the Lord to bless me in my weakness and if it was His will that I go to Kosovo as an Elder, to please make that known to me. I then felt directed by the Holy Spirit that I did have a call and I shared this with my wife, Donette. Only a few weeks later, my pastor, Elder Dale Jenkins, told me he had evidence of my call to Elder.
During the time when I was going through the selection/hiring process for this job, I asked the Lord to let me know what He would have me do in Kosovo. I have continued to ask Him, as the months have passed. I have felt led at different times to be patient, to witness of Him through my daily walk, and to “wait on the Lord”. I have learned that the Lord works patiently with us, to prepare us, and to create circumstances for His purposes to be accomplished. Several months ago, I met Father Gjergji, (jair-jee), and you met him in an earlier chapter. During one of our earliest conversations, he told me it was God’s will that I was here, and he also shared that with his congregation during mass one Sunday. In the weeks and months since then, Father Gjergji and I have developed a strong friendship. The Lord has blessed me with countless opportunities to witness of Him, but I could not shake the feeling that I was not doing enough, that I should be standing on the street corner preaching, or holding cottage meetings, or something. Then in May of this year, the Lord spoke to me and directed me in a very specific direction, with a specific purpose. He also provided Brother George Thomas to give me good counsel and encouragement. I have tried to follow His lead, not knowing how His purpose would be accomplished, but I have faith that He is leading the way.
One of our after mass visits with Fr. Gjergji in the rectory at St. Noah's.
In May, after attending church in Bince Village, I was invited to the rectory to visit, as had become our custom. I felt directed to suggest that Father Gjergji and his small Albanian Catholic minority could be an instrument in the Lord’s hands to begin to bridge the gap of hate and mistrust between the Albanian and Serbian people. As I shared this with Father Gjergji, I was overcome with the presence of the Spirit and he too felt it’s presence, and he agreed that it was the Lord’s will that the people be brought together. I left there feeling and believing that this was indeed the Lord’s plan. The presence of His spirit was such a blessing and an assurance to me.
With Fr. Karillo at his monastery at Draganac.
A few weeks later I had the opportunity to meet Father Karillo, (kuh-rill-lo) a Serbian Orthodox Priest, at an official meeting. Father Karillo invited me to visit him at his monastery, and a few days later, I went to Draganac (drag-ah-nots) Village in the mountains outside of Gnjilane and met Father Karillo at his monastery. We had a wonderful, spiritual visit, as we discussed the gospel and the things of the kingdom. The next day, I escorted Father Karillo to a Serbian Orthodox celebration, at the Village of Gracanica (grot-sun-eet-zuh). It is necessary for Father Karillo to have a police escort when he travels around Kosovo, as some Serbian Orthodox priests have been shot by Albanian extremists here, and many of their churches have been blown up. As the Gnjilane Station Commander, I was able to assign myself that duty. I prayed that would provide an opportunity to approach Father Karillo about meeting with Father Gjergji, and I asked the Lord to guide me. As we began our journey that day, I again prayed for the Lord’s guidance as to when and how to approach him with this idea. When I asked him about the possibility of meeting with Father Gjergji, he was very interested. He agreed that he would meet with him if I would make the arrangements. As our conversation continued, he said if I would escort him, he would be willing to travel to Father Gjergji’s village. Needless to say, I was very happy to provide that escort. A few days later I went to Father Gjergji and told him of Father Karillo’s willingness to meet with him. He was very interested to meet with Father Karillo and he suggested the following Monday. The next day I traveled to Father Karillo’s monastery and he agreed that on the following Monday afternoon, his time would belong to me. Both men seemed very excited but also a little nervous and apprehensive. There were many things that could go wrong bringing two Kosovar icons together in a mixed Albanian and Serbian village. Bince is a suburb of Vitia, the seat of the municipality, and we have experienced several grenade and bombing attacks against Serbian homes and businesses and several Serbians have been gunned down on the streets.
On this Monday in July, my Kosovo Police Sgt Fehmi Bucaliu, (an Albanian Moslem), my language assistant, Driton Agushi, (also an Albanian Moslem) and I went to Draganac and picked up Father Karillo and we traveled to St. Noah’s Catholic Church in Bince Village. Father Gjergji met us in the courtyard of his rectory and Father Gjergji in his traditional black suit and white collar and Father Karillo, in his traditional long black cassock and his tall black cap. They greeted each other warmly and Father Gjergji invited us into the rectory where we visited for more than two hours about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the persecution of all Christians, both Serbian and Albanian, during the communist years in Yugoslavia, and the need for Serbians and Albanians in Kosovo to live peacefully together. I was filled with joy, to see these two men, Serbian and Albanian, visiting as good friends and brothers in the faith. They spoke of the need to look to God and away from the terrible wrongs that had been done to both peoples. To help the people reject hate and revenge, for the evil they are. During our conversation, I shared from the Book of Mormon of the Lamanites who buried their weapons of war and covenanted with God never to take them up again. I told them how they were attacked and slaughtered, until the attacking army had slain 1,000 people and still they would not take up their weapons, or attempt to defend themselves, or even to flee. I shared with them how those committing the slaughter finally became sickened and convicted in their own hearts about the shedding of innocent blood, and how they had repented of their wickedness and asked God’s forgiveness. Father Karillo stated that it truly was the word of God.
As our visit was coming to an end, I asked if I could pray with them. Father Gjergji invited us to the church and gave Father Karillo a brief tour of the church and described the many murals which depict Adam and Eve, Moses, Noah and the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as well as the history of the Catholic Church in Kosovo. We then prayed together and I asked God to heal the hearts of the people of Kosovo. I asked Him to bless these, His servants, and my brothers, and to give them physical and spiritual strength and to help each of us to be instruments in His hands for the work of His kingdom.
This land has been a land of victims for too many years. If the violence could be stopped, then the people’s pain, sorrow, anger and frustration, could begin to heal. The Lord has shown me the heart of the people here, and He desires to claim these people as His own.
We then walked around the village and greeted people. You should have seen the looks on the faces of Albanian and Serbian alike, to see these two men together. I was very concerned for Father Karillo’s safety, but the Holy Spirit surrounded us and there were only smiles and warm greetings as we walked the streets visiting with people.
Father Karillo and I left Bince Village that day with all agreeing that we would meet again, only this time it would be at Draganac Village at Father Karillo’s monastery. I still do not know where the relationship between these two men will lead, but I do know that God can work mighty miracles when He has willing and able servants.
I am so blessed to have the opportunity to become good friends with Father Gjergji and Father Karillo, as the Lord reaches out to His people in these last days. He is opening doors all over the world, and even right in our own communities, where people are in need of His gospel. It is my prayer that we will have the spiritual courage to walk through those doors, and carry His message of salvation to people everywhere. “And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:21
In the midst of these events, the Lord brought me in contact with another servant, Pastor Cakolli (suh-coh-lee)………. but that’s another testimony and another story.
