UNFORGETABLE EVENTS

Very little did we know what kind of year 2001 would be: a year to remember. The whole world was shocked with bizarre events that were taking place: natural disasters, accidents, terrorist attacks, and especially 11 September attack.

For my family it was a year of turmoil too. Branislav’s oldest brother and his wife, to our great surprise and disappointment, got divorced in April that year. They walked out on 28 years of what seemed to be a happy and stable marriage between two well-respected people. This was a family tragedy indeed; another one followed.

The event of 26 June swept me from my feet. I was at women’s retreat when I got news that Joseph had a parachute accident. My husband couldn’t give me all the details except that Joseph was still alive and fighting for his life. It was agony time for the whole family; we were all wrapt up in our thoughts and fear.

Joseph was an experienced parachute jumper. This was one of his special police training exercises. There were three of them to jump; Joseph was the second, his parachute opened. But the third person with his opened parachute landed on Joseph’s. They got tangled up in Joseph’s parachute. When they got untangled, it was too late to activate Joseph’s reserve parachute 30 meters before hitting the tarmac of the local army airport.

Joseph recalls his short prayer to God: “For the sake of my three children spare my life.” At those split seconds he knew that the way he fell would be crucial. So, he fell on his left arm. Joseph’s hit was brutal. At 190 cm height and 90 kg of weight in full army gear, the weight and speed of falling on hard surface resulted in smashing his left arm bones, breaking his pelvic floor bones, couple of ribs breaking and piercing his lungs, internal bleeding and all organs shattered. It was a miracle he survived at all. He reached out for his mobile phone and called the parents, “I’ve just had an accident, but I’m still alive.” He was taken to the trauma and intensive care unit in Zadar, where the accident happened.

Joseph was in isolation for two weeks where the doctors tried to stabilise his situation. We were aware that his life was hanging on a thread. That thread was God’s mercy that he believed in. Joseph had his mobile with him and kept in touch with the family. He would call me just to say a short prayer with him. Prayer gave him strength, confidence and hope that the almighty God was with him. I realised as never before the power of the prayer. Because it’s so accessible, and so simple people underestimate this mighty tool God has given to a man. All our friends worldwide and church communities who knew us and those who learned about Joseph’s accident, continually brought his name before the merciful throne of God. Joseph was not alone in that intensive care room; His Life Giver was there with him.

17. “IT WAS MY TURN”

After two weeks Joseph was transferred to Zagreb. For the first time the doctors allowed his wife to visit him. My family drove from Germany to my parents whom we picked up to take them to see their son. Their utter bewilderment could not be missed.

We met Biljana and her three children: Anamarija, age 5 ½ , and the twins Marta and Klara age 4, in the hospital garden. They were Joseph’s treasure. The cousins were so happy to be together but the adults were not quite sure who to encourage and what exactly to say.

Soon we organised ourselves to visit Joseph in pairs for a couple of minutes each. I was the last one to go with Miriam. On the bed there was more a shadow of what Joseph used to be; he looked skinny and completely bruised. Our eyes met and he spoke, “Before you say anything let me speak. People say, ‘Why me God?’ I say, ‘It was my turn.’

I saw a spark of life in Joseph’s eyes and determination not broken by the fall. He showed me all his injuries and then with a smile on his face showed how he exercises. He kept on clutching his right fist, the only part of his body that was intact. He professed in faith that God would raise him again in spite of being assessed as 90 percent invalid.

Joseph had survived the Croatian-Serbian war of 1991-1995. As he graduated from the police academy at the age of 18, the war started and he was instantly recruited into the Croatian special army unit. He asked us to continually pray for his physical, mental and emotional protection. He focused on his part-time studies in criminology to keep him focused on life after war. During the war Biljana helped him not to forget that life was beautiful and after it they got married. In the course of war God protected him from death on couple of occasions. And now that better times lay ahead his accident came as a shock to all of us.

On the way back to mum and dad’s home we recalled many memories of Joseph. We realised how gracious God had been to him but we feared what was ahead of him. His condition was still very unstable. I sensed that my parent’s hearts were bleeding for their son, and if they could they would give their own lives in place for his.

Once again as a family we were standing at the edge face to face with death. And once again we realised that our hope and strength was in God alone who has the power over death. We stayed another day with the parents and then had to head back to our routine life in Germany.

BROKEN STRENGTH

Within just couple of years there had been tremendous changes and traumas in my life. It felt like constantly living for something unexpected and somebody else. There were days when Branislav and I knelt down in prayer and begged God to give us just three days of carefree life to regain our strength. All the stress started affecting my health.

The day I got the news of Joseph’s accident my bowel started bleeding. I had a history of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and occasional inflammation of bowel. I realised that although in trying situations I managed to stay in control and calm I pushed all my stress into my bowel. On return to Germany things were getting worse, but I was hopping the oncoming holiday in a couple of weeks would help me settle down and relax. We all started counting down the days before our holidays and I didn’t want to spoil it for the family.

Just a day before the eagerly awaited holiday, as a family we went out for a meal with some of our friends. They noticed I didn’t have any strength and they started inquiring about my wellbeing. I felt so dizzy and they insisted I see the family doctor before we start our journey.

The following day I ended up in hospital. I was diagnosed with a serious state of ulcerative colitis and was hospitalised for a week to bring the situation under control. It was clear that I wasn’t fit to travel, but would have to stay home for further recovery for at least another week or more.

Branislav was always very caring and supportive of me. He deserved a good holiday, the girls too. I didn’t want to keep them back home, but encouraged them to go to Branislav’s family and regain their strength for the new school year.

When my parents found out about the situation they wanted to help. Mum immediately offered to come to stay with me until Branislav and the girls return from their holiday. Mum was feeling well enough to travel and assured Branislav that she could easily cope with the situation. She was looking forward to helping me this time.

The plan was made. Branislav would bring me from the hospital and the next day mum would arrive, them, he and the girls would travel on their own to Serbia for three weeks. It was a good enough plan but inside my soul I had some unexplainable reservations I kept to myself.

HELPED BY AN ANGEL

It was good to be home.We prayed for mum’s protection on her journey for she was on her way to us. Branislav went at 6 am to meet mum at Stuttgart bus station. They arrived later than what we expected and they had some story to tell.

Mum’s bus travelled from Slavonski Brod, our hometown, stopping in Zagreb and in Germany stopping in Munich and Ulm before reaching Stuttgart. They travelled at night and when they reached Munich mum knew they needed another 2 ½ hours to Stuttgart. She was so tired that she fell asleep. She woke up when the bus stopped next and thought it was Stuttgart, got her things and went out. Collected her suitcase and the bus left. Only then did she realise it wasn’t Stuttgart. It was Ulm, 90 km away from Stuttgart. The several passengers that came out of the bus had already left so mum was on her own in a strange place at 5 am.

“Heavenly Father help me not to despair and bring me home to my children,” was her prayer. She noticed that the train station was across the road, and she made her way there. Mum spoke only Croatian and just couple of words in German; please, thank you and a few greeting words. There were a couple of passengers waiting for the train at the station. Mum approached a young man standing close to the ticket machine.

“Stuttgart, bitte”, is all she could say to the young man. She offered the money and he understood that she wanted to buy a ticket to Stuttgart. He smiled and nodded, put the money in the machine, got the ticket and gave it to mum with the change. To mum’s great surprise the ticket cost only couple of Euros. Mum and the kind young man communicated in sign language rather than words. He pointed to the time; in 15 minutes the train was coming and he was going to Stuttgart. He pointed to the bench for her to sit and wait with him.

The train came and two of them went in. Mum knew that Branislav would be worried when the bus came without her, and she needed to tell him what was happening with her. The young man was sitting opposite of her. She took her telephone notebook out with Branislav’s mobile number. The young man understood and took his mobile out. He dialled Branislav’s number and when he answered told him that mum was on the train to Stuttgart. He let mum speak to Branislav. Mum offered the young man money for the use of the mobile but he kindly smiled and said, “Nein, danke.” Mum was so grateful and smiled back.

At Stuttgart station Branislav waited for mum. When the train stopped the young man helped mum with her things and saw that Branislav was there to meet her; they said goodbye and departed. With a small delay mum made it to her children.

“You were helped by an angel granny!”, the girls shouted. “How did he look? What kind of ticket did he get you?’”, the girls were so excited and the rest of us too.

WHEN THE CAR SPOKE

More surprises were ahead of us that day. We all had good breakfast. I went to bed to rest, mum took care of the domestic chores, Branislav and the girls packed the car.

“I’m not quite sure if this is the best idea for Branislav to travel with the girls on his own.” I confided in mum. Mum responded, “ After my experience today I can only say that God has everything under control when we trust Him.” We prayed, said goodbyes and they left. Mum encouraged me to sleep for I was still very weak.

It was getting close to lunchtime, I could smell mum’s cooking. Who would think that mum was going to look after me. The phone rang, mum answered, and I heard her coming to my room.

“Wait until you hear this. They are coming back. Branislav and the girls are driving back and they were asking if lunch was going to be ready soon.” mum smiled. “God has His own way to direct our lives”, she added.

“What is going on? Are they OK?”, I started getting worried. “They are fine, Branislav said there is something wrong with the car. We’ll find out soon.” Mum answered.

In half an hour three hungry travellers were at the door. The girls rushed to me with their story, “Mum our car spoke today.” Branislav came all confused and a little bit frustrated. “What happened?”, I was eager to find out.

Branislav described how on the way to Ulm, warning lights started blinking and he had to stop to find out what they meant. From the car manual he wasn’t quite sure what it was and stopped at the nearest garage. The mechanic checked and said there was something wrong with the electronic system of the car and he’d better take it to the garage to be fixed before going on a longer journey. When Branislav asked if he could fix it in his garage he said no. Branislav needed to take the car to Audi garage and it normally takes couple of days to fix it.

There was no other choice but to turn back. As they turned back to drive home the warning lights stopped blinking. So, Branislav decided to turn back to continue his journey. As soon as he started driving in direction away from Stuttgart, the light started blinking again. Once again he turned back to drive home. As he was on his way home the lights stopped blinking. Branislav smiled and said, “My donkey spoke like in the story of Balaam. ”(Numbers 22:21-33) We all laughed and were happy to be together again.

The car was taken to the garage and indeed it took them couple of days to fix the problem. Every day I was regaining my strength and it just became clear that God wanted us to travel together. By the time the car got fixed I was ready to be on the road with Branislav, the girls and mum. What a happy journey that was.

NEVER GIVE UP

It was nice to sense God’s presence in our lives. As we journeyed we recalled how in hardest situations God showed His care and love. Even more so, He focused not only on major things but on everything that concerned us, even when it might have seemed insignificant to other people.

Our first stop was Varazdinske Toplice, a spa and rehabilitation centre in western Croatia. In the meantime Joseph had had a number of operations on his left arm and his pelvic bones had been screwed. He was sent to this recovery centre until further steps could be taken.

Joseph met us in the restaurant. What a miracle. He was able to sit and walk on crutches. He looked much better, but still rather skinny. Our neighbour and a good friend of his was there to visit him. “It is the love and support of my family and friends that is giving me strength to look ahead and not to give up.” Joseph said with a big smile.

He kept the nursing staff very busy there. Every day they had to change his bed sheets. He continually exercised, anything he could move in a lying position he moved. When sitting he exercised, and even against the advice of his doctors he would walk without crutches when they were not there.

“What kind of a man are you?”, they would jokingly ask. “You don’t know what kind of a man I was before my accident. Even less so you know what kind of a man I want to be now,” was Joseph’s answer. Joseph was always focused on life; saw beauty and possibilities where other people couldn’t see any. His accident helped him to appreciate life even more. It gave him craving to do something special with his life rather than to make excuses.

This was so encouraging. I could see how content mum was as Joseph spoke about life and his future plans. And for all of that he gave credit to God for giving him a new lease on life that he wholeheartedly accepted.

Joseph always loved children. He paid attention to them and treated them with respect. It was no exception this time. Miriam and Natasha enjoyed the company of their uncle, and were happy to give him little presents of encouragement they were collecting for him. He was specially fond of their words, “Uncle you are our hero.”

Our journey continued. We took mum home, saw dad and where on our way to Branislav’s family. He just loves being home in Vojvodina. Taking the girls for tractor rides, showing them his fields and family orchard where he was helping as a child; taking them to some special spots in the village. Home-grown and deliciously prepared food was a temptation for all of us. Undivided attention of the family was the best treat we could ever get. We all needed this holiday indeed.

22. GOD’S CHILDREN

Some of my close friends were from pastoral families. I was fully aware of the challenges they faced because of their fathers’ job and the negative consequences of being often moved around. Branislav’s and my prayer for our children was that our ministry would never be a draw back in their development but a blessing.

Miriam and Natasha were born in England. At the age of 4 ½ they started school in Northern Ireland, where Miriam finished 5 years and Natasha 2 years of primary school education. Moving to Germany was a tremendous change for them. The German education system was different and the girls had an additional challenge of learning German language before they could join regular classes. That meant that they would be a year if not two behind other children their age.

But God in His providence sends people on our life journey to help us. Our neighbour Brigitte, a German language teacher, was one of them. She took some of her free time to give Miriam additional help with the language and encouraged us to fight for Miriam to find her rightful place in the new system. Children Miriam’s age were selected that year for secondary school; this selection had a long lasting effect on their further education and made all the difference for their future profession.

Miriam spent 5 months in the language class, 2 ½ months in the third class and the rest of that school year in the fourth class. As she did not follow the testing system, she had to do a special intelligence test according to which she would be recommended for the appropriate secondary school. Miriam was always a diligent pupil and interested in academic work. So she herself wanted to go to ‘gymnasium’ to give her an opportunity for the highest academic development.

A week before the exam we were at a youth prayer meeting. When sharing our requests I asked the group to pray for Miriam’s exam. The young pastor who lead the meeting said an interesting prayer; “May your children, Lord, be ten times wiser than the children of this world.” This put smiles on our faces and gave us great confidence in God.

The day of the exam I drove Miriam to school and parked the car. “Miriam, I am going to stay in the car and pray for you the whole time until you come out. Have no fear for God will be with you. Just focus on what you need to do.” With these words and prayer I let Miriam go. Miriam came out running and smiling. “Mum, praise the Lord! The examiner and the principal of the school want to meet you and dad. The examiner said she had never met any child like me in her whole professional life, but she will tell you all about it.” The meeting was arranged. The examiner, with many years of experience was amazed how quickly Miriam learnt German to the highest level to her age ability and she had a logic of an adult. She could only recommend her to the best gymnasium in the area. Miriam was so happy but she pointed to me, “Mum don’t think I’m so clever. It is God who answered our prayers.”

THE DREAM

Having school-age children we tended to measure our time and make plans according to their school year. After a turbulent and exciting summer we were all happy to settle down into our family and new school routine.

Both Miriam and Natasha were well settled at school in regular classes and we all enjoyed being volunteers on Branislav’s pastoral team. His pastoral theory was that God invited our whole family, not only him, to serve Him in this special way. So, we spent much of our time organising church programmes, events and projects together. Branislav would take us for some of his pastoral visits and Bible studies. For all of us it was rewarding seeing people making decisions and taking new steps in life guided by godly principles.

We constantly kept in touch with the families in Croatia and Serbia. Everything seemed to be calm until the end of November. On one of mum’s regular checkups they realised that mum was out of remission, her cancer was active again. The operation was planned for middle of December. The plan was to take out the rest of the stomach that was left after the first operation. Mum was preparing herself for the operation ahead and the rest of us looked for all the information and understanding how to support mum in the new situation.

Mum was taken to the operating table. The doctors saw that the cancer progressed to the other organs; the most affected was the duodenum. The decision was made not do anything. They stitched up the cut and took mum to the recovery room.

As mum was waking up from anaesthesia she had a dream. As she described it, “I was in a church completely new to me. It was white, I was dressed all in white and got baptised in a baptismal pool.” This was the first thing that mum told me when we spoke on the phone. I took it more as if mum was trying to turn my attention away from her desperate situation and console me with that. At the same time, this was the most important thing that I considered that could happen in a life of a human being – Restoring a broken relationship between a forgiving God and a repentant sinner, being born again, making covenant with our Creator and Saviour. I got baptised on 26 June 1981, mum and dad were present at my baptism, and they were aware of the meaning and the commitment of this Christian ordinance.

Branislav was so excited when I told him about mum’s dream. Mum told him about the dream as well. Both of us wondered what she would do with it.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 690