Destination: Bosnia

Each spring, the Jericho Foundation assembles its next team for their annual summer trip to the Balkan country of Bosnia. We succeed in offering orphans, prosthetic patients and the many disheartened children a smiling face and words of encouragement. The Project HOPE team members serve, sleep, cry and laugh with our new friends as we build lifelong relationships.

In the midst of this once-random group of individuals, a bond is formed uniting all in an understanding of God’s ability to “restore HOPE in Bosnia, one child at a time.” Please contact us for an application.

Project HOPE 2011 Experiences

Emily - My experience with the Jericho team in Bosnia was no less than life changing. The appreciation, kindness and love you feel from the children at the orphanage, the families within the Roma village, and everyone at the prosthetic clinic is unlike anything you can ever imagine. What Jericho is doing for the people whose lives they touch in Bosnia, is truly miraculous. I am thankful to be able to be part of such a tremendous organization.

Jennifer - To meet and interact with the people Jericho is helping makes it real on a personal level. I got so much joy being there and getting to know and enjoy the children on a deeper level than I could do at home. These kids can’t seem to comprehend people from the States truly care for them and are so excited when we come back each year. Each group we visited has dealt with different circumstances and I could witness how important it is that Jericho visits them all. I am able to say that Jericho is truly building lasting relationships.

Marcie - Setting next to a child on a cement stoop showing them photos on my phone, painting a young girls nails or taking a child's hand and holding it as we walked in for the night. These simple gestures and the joy that they brought to the kids are something I will never forget. Sometimes in our lives here we can make the message of loving our neighbor so complex. In the two weeks I was in Bosnia I was reminded that showing love and feeling loved is as easy as a smile and a hug. We didn't speak the same language, yet our hearts were able to translate the message.

Megan - The trip to Bosnia this summer has completely and indefinitely changed my life. My apprehension and anxiety built up from the plane ride over in June was soon thrown out the window when I looked into the faces of Bosnia’s orphans. The children that didn’t even know English touched me the most because spoken words weren’t even needed to communicate: God’s love was the language that spilled from myself into everyone I met there. My heart opened and filled up in ways I didn’t even know possible. Now that I am back, I’ve added a minor in Global and International Studies, picked up some Croatian language tapes, and have become a monthly donor to the Jericho Foundation. I also eat Nutella way more than a normal American. I can’t wait to return and stoke the fire that God, Jericho, and all my new Bosnian brothers and sisters have ignited within me.

Patrick - The trip has changed my life in a positive way and I still carry what I learned with me every day. I loved the clinic, orphanage, and Roma settlement but the part that impacted me the most was the people I met. They were so grateful and happy to see us and even though we spoke different languages we were able to sit and interact with each other for hours. They are a strong and proud people that had an equal amount to share with me as I them. I was a little nervous going over, what did I have to offer and teach anyone? Our presence alone lifted their spirits and they were even more grateful for the help we provided. I hope to go back next year to continue a unique and important relationship with the people I met.

Valerie - In life no one wants to be left out. We all want to be included, whether it’s dinner with girlfriends, being included in a conversation, being picked for a team or just a phone call from a friend. It all comes down to being thought of. We feel special, loved and worth the time. The people of Bosnia are no different, whether it was at the orphanage, Roma village, Prosthetic clinic or visiting with the college students. We took the time to include them in our lives, we thought of them. It brings hope and healing in a way that is hard to explain, but has to be seen. My favorite part of the trip was our time at the orphanage. I connected with a girl named Samira who is in my thoughts everyday.

Thank you so very much for every pipe cleaner, felt, glue gun, winter gloves, foam, glitter pens, embroidery floss, markers, scissors and so many more items that were donated for our trip. Each item touched a child's life, brought a smile, a hug, and gave us a chance to show God's love.

Please consider sponsoring a child, by becoming a monthly donor. Click here to learn more.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and God bless,
Joanna