the forgotten people

Serbia is a nation full of creative beauty, interesting architecture, but a forgotten people. Whilst the world was gearing up for the G8 and the media continue to bombard us with images of the starving in Africa the bruised and broken on the west bank a group of 75 mostly brits were reminded of a people who've been uprooted from their prosperous lives and sent back to their 'home' nation where they struggle to survive. They are the forgotten people. We spent our time visiting these families in their refugee camps, distributng aid and trying to communicate love through smiles, crazy games with kids, showing photos and drinking their potent, wall-bouncing coffee.

One family I spent time with live in a tiny room with a bunkbed and a single bed. The mother lost her husband in the fighting in Kosovo and now lives here with her 18year old son, 15yr and 12yr old daughters. She shares the top bunk with her daughter. also in this room they have an oven, a sink and a cupboard. This is all they have and in here they do everything that is required for living. There honestly is not enough room to swing a cat. She told me: 'I do not know how to cope, thank you that you came; we are forgotten by everyone else.'

The plight for these people is ever changing. At leats in these camps they have community and some have jobs and are trying to rebuild their shattered lives. but in the next few weeks the government is closing the camps and sending the people on their way. with nowehere to go and no job to go to. Fear rocks these people as they are literally being made homeless. All they wish for is peace.

In the slum we played games, sang songs, did colouring, danced, played instruments, magi tricks; whatever we could with kids who were so over excited to see us but walked aournd in flipflops or bare feet amongst, dirty nappies, rubbish, a burnt out truck and in the shadow of an oil refinery which wrecks their lungs.

And yet there is hope. Jesus. the Bible school, set up by Oak Hall carries this message with flaming torches as do the packages of food. And stories of transformation testify to the life changing spirit rocking nature of the gospel. Throughout the time in this precious country we heard and told countless tales both from refugees, Bible school students and members of the trip of how God has broken in and changed lives around. Drug addicts, alcoholics, the hurting, the adolescant, the child. From all backgrounds, came all the stories of the power of the gospel and the parites that were held in heaven. For me, it reminded me of the bigness of God and his power to change around even the hardest of people. And talking about Jesus constantly did my soul a spring clean that was both challenging and uplifting

The forgotten people are possibly remembered only by a few of humanity but God sees and weeps and continues to change lives. They and we are trophies of God's indescribable grace.