Dear friends!

Now, I'm writing to you from Sarajevo. I have been living here for almost a month, and I'm going to stay here at least until the end of the year. What happened? After my mission in Bosnia with WCRP, I was deeply impressed with the experience I had gained during that trip. In the days after I sought an opportunity to go back and spend some time again in Sarajevo. I didn't expect that would happened so quickly and that I'll be living here.

About a month and half ago the Secretary General of WCRP called me and asked me if I would be willing to go to Sarajevo and work organizing an international interreligious meeting of world and Bosnian religious leaders for December, to be held at Sarajevo. I couldn't believe my ears. I yearned so much to be a part in the process of reconciliation in Sarajevo and Bosnia--and suddenly, God was calling me to really give a piece of myself to the peace process. Of course I accepted the job offer, and began with preparations. I had to finished so many things before leaving Zagreb. I was enormously happy and enormously sad at the same time. It was not easy to leave my Drago alone, knowing how important our unity is for both of us. But he was and still is very supportive. He told me I had to go to Sarajevo and fulfill the task that was in front of me. Besides, Sarajevo was not too far from Zagreb so he would be able to come often and stay some with me.

So, the big day came very quickly....I came to Sarajevo on October 1. Now when I look back it seems to me like I was in a dream. Part of me couldn't wait to come and start a new chapter in my life, and part of me was trembling with anxiety and sorrow. Fortunately my very dearest friend drove me from Zagreb to Sarajevo, so the moment of separation from Drago, friends and so many things that were important in my life, was easier. And... I'm here now. I'm living in Sarajevo!!! And I must admit, I am happy and proud and grateful...

In these 19 days I live in such a tempo of life... Believe or not, my working day starts at 8:00 and finish very late at night, often around midnight. I didn't have and I'm not expecting to have a free Saturday or Sunday until the meeting is over. We have less than two months to organize everything--the meeting is going to be on December 2 and 3 and the amount of work is so big.... but, my friends, I do enjoy every moment.

So, what am I actually doing here?! I'm working on three tracks:

First: to establish a WCRP presence here. When I came on October 1, I was the only WCRP staff. We needed to organize a WCRP base here. So, I found an apartment that is also the WCRP office. I installed two international telephone lines (it's not easy to do that in Sarajevo); got connected to E-mail; arranged office equipment; started the process of registration of NGO 's ... and so many other everyday things. Thanks Lord, almost all of that is finished by now, just some small details needing to be done.

Second: the logistic preparations for the meeting. We'll have about 100 religious and secular leaders from all over the world. We are trying to find the best ways to get them here. We also need a meeting place, security, accommodation, food and trips in and around Sarajevo.

Of course, when I say "we" or "our" I'm talking about a wonderful and remarkable woman who is living with me, and with whom I'm working on these issues. Her name is Saba Risaluddin, she's from London, and she's one of the International Presidents of WCRP. She has great experience in interreligious work, and I'm learning much from her. And what's very precious for me--we feel very connected and very close to each other, and that's such a big support. It would have been much more difficult for me to face all the begining problems without Saba's support. I enjoy working for her and with her.

Third track: and I may say the most important--is communication and cooperation with the local religious leaders. We had meetings already with Reis ul-ulema Mustafa Ceric, with the Vicar general (the Cardinal's representative), Metropolitan Nikolaj, and representatives of the Jewish community. The local working committee will be established next week (one representative from each religion) and we'll work with them on a wide variety of issues. More about that next time.

As you can see, I'm not bored at all. One friend of mine, whom we hired as a WCRP lawyer, told me that I'm not aware of the real amount of work that's in front of us. Maybe he's right, but I'm looking forward to it. I'm aware of the responsibility I must carry, but I'm not afraid. Next time I'll share with you more about the inner journey I'm going through with my life in Sarajevo.

Now, my dear friends, many greetings and hugs, hoping that all of you are well and happy. I hope you're going to write to me soon and that we'll be connected in spirit and love.

With blessings, Natasha Barolin-Pilsel