March 24th – 27th, “99, forever changed the lives of the people in the farming village of Krushe e Madhe, (large village) Kosova. NATO began the bombing against the Serbian forces, as the Serbian police and paramilitary waged its campaign of burning and killing across Kosova. Many men and young boys were massacred while many more were taken prisoner, never to be seen again. Their families sought safety across the border in the refugee camps of Albania.
Returning to Kosova at the end of the conflict, the people found most everything from their lives had been stolen, or destroyed by the Serbs- their homes, autos, trucks, farm equipment, and tractors had been burned along with their cattle, sheep and other livestock. Some of the families learned the fate of their loved ones as the remains were found in the village. Many families lost 4 and even 5 men.
Aid organizations and the UN have helped to rebuild shelter and have provided food and supplies during the post war crisis. Now nearly 3 years have passed, many of the aid organizations have moved on to other areas of the world where the immediate needs of people may be greater.
The 158 widows and countless children are still here in Krushe e Madhe. Their struggle is ongoing. With little education and no jobs in the village, the future is bleak. The widows’ only hope is in the lives of their children. Having small plots of farm land, they attempt to continue the only lifestyle they are familiar with; planting and harvesting in addition to raising their children, caring for their elderly and their homes.
Being a Muslim nation, most of the people, especially in the villages, do not have the hope and love of Jesus in their hearts.
