october.2005

[photos] http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AbMW7Fk5cuH9g
The pictures start with Osijek, then Iowa (the corn in the picture should be a good indicator), then Washington DC, Pag Island, and Zenavlje (Slovenia)

[Osijek] So here I am, back in Osijek, typing away on my desktop (which miraculously survived the flight)…sharing my chocolate chips from the US that I should have saved for making cookies. I have a new roommate, an 18-yr old Macedonian named Elena. She’s great. My school workload doubled this semester, so I’m a little crazy trying to figure out how I will complete all my coursework and still have time for Step ministry, friends, choir, exercise, sleep, time with God, and emailing you all. As always, I am challenged with balance.

I am excited for this semester…there are new students here who love life, are on fire for God, and want to see him move here in powerful ways. It’s so different from last semester and so refreshing!! Already the atmosphere feels different. I am the only American student, so this will be a change as well.

There is a slight chance I’ll get to teach English here! I’m excited for that…pray it goes through. That would cover my tuition. I offered to do design again for this school to cover my tuition, but the new administration hasn’t been responsive to this, as they would rather I pay my full tuition (only $300 for Eastern Europeans, but $3,000 for Americans)

[future] As always, my future plans are up in the air. My plane ticket can only be extended to January 2006, although I would like to stay another semester and spend the summer doing youth camps again, then get a one-way ticket home. It will be hard to leave relationships I’ve built here, and my friends are trying to convince me to finish my Master’s degree here, but so far I’m not convinced. I do feel this pressure to do everything I’ve ever wanted to do before I turn 30…as if life will suddenly be over then. I really really want to do a media school with YWAM which starts January 9th or September 15, so I’m keeping that in mind as well. Either way, I will be back in the USA for two or six months August-December 2006, visiting you and working.

I have to admit it was harder returning to Croatia this time…it took me this whole week to adjust…to see God’s goodness and plan in this. I arrived in Croatia last Thursday…freezing cold rain, confused non-English speaking people, and greasy food greeted me. I was sad and a little lonely, and even the streets of Osijek which seemed so alive to me were dreary and cold. Again I asked God, “What am I doing? What are You doing?” And again He renewed my mind…reassuring me of my purpose here…to know Him…really know Him. “I consider all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.” Phil 3:8 Wow…what a privilege to study the Creator of this universe and know His Son in a more intimate way. I am so blessed and humbled at this opportunity…and longing for Him to fill those deep places that only His spirit can reach.

[friends] It has been wonderful and intense catching up with friends. Marina had a good time since I saw her at Pag Island in August. She has introduced me to two of her friends, and we’ve been drinking kava (coffee). They will come to Step when we start it up. Marina also came to church with me Sunday and loved it! That was exciting for me, as she has never been to an evangelical church, and most Croatians are skeptical. Petra is okay…she and I had spent time with one guy in Slovenia, Darko, who had come back from drug rehab this past summer, and then he overdosed a few weeks ago. It was a shock...really hard on her. Anka visited her family in Romania and fell for a guy while she was working in London. She happily sends text messages to him all day long on her cell phone. It is SO good to be with them again.

[Washington DC again] Wow…I could write a separate novel here. It was incredible to catch up with coworkers, friends, church friends, etc. I had inspiring conversations about love, life, dreams, God (of course), hopes, disappointments, politics (of course), cultures, religions, families, social justice, community, etc etc. I really had a wonderful time. I had great food and spent time with close friends…I had been afraid they would forget about me, but instead they welcomed me with open arms…I felt a bit like a celebrity.

My coworkers were wonderful as well…meeting after work to catch up on eight months of life. I was so surprised and delighted that so many came out to see me. Afterwards I stayed with Sofia’s family…they are wonderful…she lives with her sister and brother-in-law, their four children, and her parents. I also met Sofia’s younger sister’s family as well. They are originally from Somalia, lived in Italy for a few years, then settled in Virginia when Sofia was 14. They are a beautiful family…they could all be models with their smooth dark skin and perfect features. They are Muslim and take time together as a family for prayer five times a day and take the children to religious classes on Saturday. They were generous, sweet, and very personable. The little children took my hands and showed me all over the house, read to me, and showed me photos. They were precious…speaking fluent Somali and English. Sofia and I walked through the home they are building in Fairfax. It was huge and beautiful and I can’t wait to see it finished…and see her again.

Katlyn put up with me living in her home and messing up her closet for a week. She spent lots of time with me...making omelets, talking til wee hours, driving all over DC, dancing with all the girls, hanging out in the park with me, and praying together. I’ve missed those times so much…missed her honesty, passion, and sincerity in following Christ.

To Erin, Cary, Lacey, Drew, Holly, Stef, Elissa, Josh, John, Sonita, Lindsay, Ivy, and Brenda. You are so wonderful…when I think of the love you have shown me, I get all emotional, so I will just say thank you and I love you SO much! I am the luckiest girl in the world to know you…sniff sniff. You made it very difficult to leave.

So that's it!! So much for a quick re-cap. I have NO time now, so this is my last novella.

For those of you who asked me "What can I do to help?" I will answer first "pray". And then if you feel lead to send me something...

Send cards, letters, packages with chocolate, etc to: (just watch the weight as it’s very expensive)
Evangelical Theological Seminary
Attn. Bethany Hackmann
Cvejtkova 32 P.O. Box 371
Osijek, CROATIA, HR-31103

Send Checks (tax-deductible) made out to:
First Baptist Church
300 Main St.
Elgin, IA 52141
(Write my name in capital letters on the Memo line of the check)*
I won’t know who donated money, so you must notify me so I can properly thank you.

Thank you and love you!