A remaining section of the Berlin Wall--freedom side
We spent a relaxing weekend in Berlin during the Memorial Day Celebrations. It was a day of fun and parades--while remembering those whose freedoms were confined by the
Kids Playing Ball
Bosnia & Herzegovina Country Road
Tending the Garden
Dancing with the Waiter
Selling Honey and Juice at the Roadside Stands 
Backyard beekeeping
Tending the Lambs
Carrying a Load
Making Music
Making a Living
A Man In Thought
We enjoyed a relaxing, informative, fun day in Mostar, Bosnia i Herzegovina.
No matter where we went, kids gathered and became Elder Joe's instant best friends. It was fun just to see how long they'd hang around visiting us. We were suppose to be eating lunch, but our table became a beehive--surrounded by swarming teens. FUN! 
No matter what country we're in, we find all teenagers to be alike. These girls were on a school field trip from Sarajevo and had fun teasing Elder Joe and trying to speak English with him.
Muslim girls find fun and interesting ways to blend traditional attire with modern styles. They dress in beautiful colors and tasteful fabric. These girls are wearing jeans under their dresses--a common style among Muslim/Islamic girls in Bosnia.
Mostar is a beautiful, quaint village with a strong touch of Turkish ambiance. The ancient bridge and many buildings had to be rebuilt--to scale--after the war.
Sister Dee in the ancient Turkish village of Mostar, Bosnia i Herzegovina.
Hello! from Elder Joe in Sarajevo, Bosnia i Herzegovina.
The Yugoslavian Army heavily attacked the ancient city of Mostar in 1993. This photo was taken from our hotel balcony on the opposite side of the river. Bridges and buildings have been reconstructed, bringing the city back to life. But, there is still a lot to do. The deepest wounds are in the hearts of the Bosnian people. They still speak of the fear and pain from the war that killed nearly 100,000 people throughout Yugoslavia--a country now known as Croatia, Bosnia i Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia and Kosovo. 
Apartment building with bullet holes patched up...We like the exclamation mark. Coincidental?
In one canyon along our drive, we came across 32 homes within 1/2 mile that had been completely destroyed. It's hard to imagine the fear that must have existed for families. In some communities, the enemy actually lived among them.
Along the beautiful mountainous countrysides of Bosnia are blown up, shot up homes--a memory of the recent 1991-1999 war and revolution--started at the death of conservative communist leader Tito, and the onset of the aggressive communist regime of Slobodan Milosevic. 
Some of our favorite photo moments are catching the common people living their common everyday lives. We caught this man shaving in his side yard.
After a few days of meetings in Sarajevo and Tuzla, and a wonderful wheelchair distribution,
Transition meeting with the Tuzla Red Cross.
Pres. of Tuzla Red Cross, Jedranka -local director,
Elder Durrance with very happy father--father with son.
This standard outdoor wheelchair comes with high quality bicycle wheels. That makes the chairs easier to maintain in developing countries. The wheels can be repaired or replaced at almost any bicycle shop. 
After five months and three visits to Tuzla, Bosnia i Herzegovina to develop and coordinate a wheelchair project, we finally had the blessing of seeing tears of joy on the faces of those who received wheelchairs--and their caregivers. We have often felt the Lord's direction as we've worked with Jedranka and Tanja, director and assistant of the Tuzla Red Cross, while developing this project. War, abandoned landmines, childhood diseases and poor health care have left many people in the region with wheelchair needs. Because of the faithful contributions of LDS members and nonmembers, 250 people received the blessing of better mobility, while their caregivers feel some of the daily burdens literally lifted from their shoulders.
We know that we are only the organizers of this project. It could never come to fruition without the willing contributions of caring individuals. We thank you all for your love and service to those in need. We have learned to love the people of Bosnia i Herzegovina, and feel gratitude in our hearts for these wonderful children of God and the opportunity to serve them.
Pres. Hill of the Slovenis/Croatia Mission speak to media and guests.
In the midst of an uprising in February 2008, a young man climbed through a window of the American Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia and started a fire. The attack, and street riots that ensued, were in protest to the United State’s support of Kosovo independence. Though the young man was the only person killed in the fire, the riots created a series of actions by the U.S. government and the LDS Church. Americans were not considered safe in Serbia, so the American Embassy closed and all missionaries were evacuated—including our humanitarian couple, Elder & Sister Morton. 
he border into Croatia and Slovenia by a young Nikola Novic, the local Branch President. Some of the missionaries were assaulted as they tried to evacuate, and one, a young Canadian, had his passport torn to pieces in protest a week earlier. Though the missionaries were removed, most Church members managed to stay together. They prayed for peace in their country and the return of the missionaries and church leaders. Finally, on September 8th, eight of the ten young Elders who were evacuated, returned to Serbia—reestablishing the Mission. When we learned that the missionaries would be returning to Belgrade, we contacted President Hill, the Mission President, and asked if he was ready to have a humanitarian couple return. He asked for a month to evaluate the situation and the treatment of the young Elders by Serbian citizens. In October, we were encouraged to visit Belgrade with Elder & Sister Morton to evaluate for ourselves the attitude of Serbians toward Americans. We were impressed by the reception of the people and the general acceptance towards us as Americans and as members of the church. 
of NATO attacks in 1999—a successful attempt to halt Serbian attacks neighboring countries. It’s fascinating to see that this building could be so precisely hit by off-shore missiles, and yet the buildings connected to it, and the one across the street remained unharmed.
donated by a closing convent nearly 200 years ago. They were overrun by the Nazis during WWII. Then overrun by the Communist government after the war. During the 1980s new Serbian government wanted the land away. Romas were not allowed to build any new buildings. So, weakened houses and makeshift shacks became the normal existence for most Roma. Tasa wouldn’t stand for the government’s treatment of his people. He created a committee of men to fight for Roma rights. Though the government planned to move Romas off their land and into barracks, away from society, Tasa fought for them to keep their land. During the last 18 years, he has convinced the city to not only allow them to stay, but to build a fenced soccer field and playground in the community.
Recently, Tasa also convinced the government to hire 25 Roma men to clean and maintain the ditches and streets of their own community.
A 13th Century Fort……overlooks the intersection of the Sava and Danube Rivers—making it an excellent defense position and an accessible location for invasions—and beautiful.
becomes New Belgrade. We enjoyed our visit and in this beautiful country. Though there are many issues left to overcome, we felt at peace. It is a country filled with beauty and charm, and very proud people--people who are learning to work and set goals for their own future. 
We were excited to help approved a 250 wheelchair project for the Right for Work organization —an organization for disabled persons who need chairs to work. This project was in the developing stage, then cancelled after Elder and Sister Morton were evacuated February 2008.
