Our purpose was to help restore a sense of hope, faith and a little assistance to a nation ravaged by war. Refugees are everywhere, without possessions or a place to go. Their ancestral villages lay in ruins, fields are not tillable because of the land mines; factories and businesses no longer exist. 

Our journey took us from Zagreb through southern Croatia to northeastern Bosnia, crossing Serb territory at the small village of Brcko, which also lay in ruins. 

Armed guards entered the bus requesting our passports, refusing entry to a TV crew from Texas. The TV crew arrived by car later entering at a more lenient checkpoint. After a short search we were allowed to continue on to our destination of Boderiste, about 3 miles from the border. 

The village of 250 families has been reduced to about two-thirds.  There is not a structure that has not been damaged or destroyed, including the church, school and businesses. Only a few of the young have returned, mostly they are the elderly who struggle to plant a garden or cut a little grass by hand for the cow.  Many are living without water, electricity, heat, windows or roofs. The school has one usable room with one dedicated teacher with few supplies and 14 students in various grades.  Our Lady of Grace Church, which lay in ruins had been rebuilt but was without a permanent roof. 

Our host families welcomed us with strong coffee and homemade brandy, offering us their beds and whatever they had. Land mine flags and warnings were posted everywhere; we were warned over and over not to venture off the beaten paths.  In the bombed part of the school and farm shed were stored the shingles and other roofing supplies.  The

Our days started at daybreak with prayer, Mass and breakfast, stretched into 12-14 hour days with dinner at 8 or 9 PM.  Father Domingo had perpetual adoration every day at the church, "to hold our brothers on the roof in rain and exhaustion, and to keep all safe". 

Ascension Thursday the local pastor allowed no work.  We were invited to the next village for Mass and the blessing of the fields.  After Mass, local families invited us to spend the afternoon with them.  Our hosts treated us to the joy of their homes and families with a homemade meal complete with dessert. Conversation was a challenge throughout the week but we managed with sign language, drawing much laughter and many hugs. 

On day five, Friday, the new church bell arrived, drawn by horse and wagon, covered with garlands of homegrown flowers. The villagers were excited, cleaning the church for the Bishop's visit, the dedication on Sunday (day 7) and the new bell that could be heard miles away. 

On day six, Saturday, thirty-five of us left for Medjugorje leaving behind five finished roofs and the church two-thirds done.  We left behind three men and six trained villagers to complete the project.  Sunday night the three joined us.  Six houses and the church were roofed; the church was spotless and the Bishop arrived to dedicate the new church. 

Our job was done; we felt we had been blessed more than we had blessed the village.  Our caring and their compassion and love held us together with "agape love". 

Forty-three hours later, we were home again, thanking God for our abundance and thinking about another work trip to Bosnia.
                       -Rose Marie Leonard-