So many things happened in October!!! I got to meet one of the main actors from Slumdog Millionaire, Madhur Mittal (plays the older brother Salim in the movie), as he was here doing a month long acting workshop on the university campus. It was really fun to hang out with Madhur, pick his brain about his experiences in acting and such. He was really laid back and very friendly.
I also got to go on a roadtrip to Mostar with him, Josh, Izzy, and Ceca (friends with Irby's, who brought Madhur here to do the workshop after they became friends). Madhur and I both expressed interest in wanting to see Mostar, so Josh drove us all there 2 weeks ago. It was incredibly beautiful and I am sooo glad that I got to see it. The city has some amazing stone work and it parts looks like an old castle. The most famous thing in Mostar is the stone bridge called Stari Most, which was destroyed in the war and rebuilt a couple years ago. The bridge goes over the river, probably the most beautiful river I've ever seen, with crystal blue water, so that you could see the bottom in some spots. There was also an incredible waterfall, Krajvice, very Niagra Falls-esque, a little farther away that we also got to visit, with that same amazing clear water! I cannot begin to tell you what a breath-takingly beautiful place it was, I think I could spend a week there and not get tired of it.
This month, we also had a superhero birthday party for Elijah. Superman, Batman, and Spiderman all made an appearance. One of the Irby's friends even dressed up as superhero, complete with tights, mask, and a cape. Then we took Elijah to the zoo on his actual birthday. The Sarajevo zoo was pretty small, but has its own little cute charm. There was even a Grizzly bear, which was pretty cool cause we don't have those at either of the Phoenix zoos.
I also started doing a bible study with some other girls here, which has been so beautiful and life-giving. Joy, Kat, and Liz are all Americans with different non-profit organizations, who have been here for about a year and know quite a bit of Bosnian. In the short time that I have known them, they have blessed me in so many ways and I look forward to our times together every Sunday with great excitement! I feel like I can be totally comfortable with them and it's cool to hear and see how God has used them since they've been here and what He is continuing to do through them. I have a ton of respect for each of these Godly women and am proud to call them friends!
I am also blessed to be friends with the Svaki Student team, who the Irby's work with. Its so great to be able to hang out with people my own age. They have been so friendly to me and I love getting to join them on their team fun nights every Friday. We have made cheeseburgers and watched Top Gun, had a game night, and gone to a British pub. Its so much like hanging out with all my friends back home and Im excited to have met so many cool people! :) God really just had all of this in mind for my trip, despite all the ups and downs that it took to get here!
Last Wednesday night, I also went to a dance party for Svaki Student, where Madhur taught us all the Jai-Ho (the dance at the end of Slumdog Millionaire). I had so much fun dancing with everyone, meeting more Bosnian students, and acting like a goofball. Josh and I even brought Izzy, who was probably more popular than Madhur based on the sheer volume of people who wanted pictures with her! She danced all night long and everyone loved watching her :)
November is my last month here! I can't believe it! I am so excited to go home and see all my friends and family, but it will also be sad to leave Bosnia and all my new friends here. Please be praying for me as I discern what God is calling me to in this next season when I return home.
