My short film Life Like A Building was completed today. Wow, it feels great to say that. Over a year of work and preperation, joy, sorrow, defeat, and sucess. So many of you have been, and continue to be, a part of this project.

I am curently putting together credits for Life Like A Building. For now, know that I am absolutely grateful for the support that so many have given me. Your love has been a blessing, picture of God, and proof of a meaningful existance. Once the film is up and running, I will be sending out messages through facebook and email. I can hardly wait for you to see it.

As promised, here is some video from my trip. This short is kind of a teaser. I will be working on a fifteen minute short film. For now, please enjoy “The Call” by clicking the picture above.

Additional credit goes to Mackenzie Rollins for sitting on the back of a Scooter while shooting some of the footage, and Rob Mezger for providing said scooter.

After Sarajevo to Munich, Munich to London, London to Chicago, and Chicago to Des Moines. Ah…Des Moines. It feels good to be home.

I have a lot to do in this next few weeks. A lot to think about. I am still processing my experiences in Sarajevo. Still reconnecting with people I haven’t seen.

I will write more, and post some video. For now, I want to talk about this picture of a leaf. I saw this leaf on the ground in Sarajevo, and was reminded of this passage from John 12:

23And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

25“He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.

26“If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

More to come soon.

It splinters from a single impact, increasing its reach across the whole pane of glass.

Some of our neighbors are a family from a small village.They moved to Sarajevo to find work. They have little to no money, as jobs are scarce. Two days ago, they were blessed with the birth of their third child. At the hospital, the medical staff encouraged this newly mother of three (during labor) with the words “push, you heap of sh**.” Whats worse, it didn’t even phase the one pushing, like she has heard it all her life. Whats “once more” to a poor Bosnian woman from some unknown village?

I don’t know if Bosnia is the most forgotten country in the world, but it sure isn’t getting the attention it used to. As far a social status is concerned, Romas are at the bottom here. They are gypsies who beg, steal, and dig through garbage bins for food. Their parents pass on these traditions to their children.

I have been reading Philippians this past week. In chapter two, it talks about others, and how we should regard them as more important than ourselves, just like Christ did for us. This City is beautiful. It is full of rich traditions, wonderful architecture, and people. Yes people. Humans who were knit together in their mother’s womb. Maybe they were born to a poor family, from a small village. Maybe to parents who pass their helplessness on to their children. Or perhaps they were born to the corrupt politician, who pockets war relief money, to buy a new Hummer. All imago dei.

Bosnia has cracks. They started small. They have gotten bigger. I have cracks too. What will it take to heal?

This is what we see, when walking out to the street, from our house. A small, dilapidated graveyard, surrounded by barbed wire.

This is a wall in the Bosnian Defence Building. This shelled-out structure is just down the street from our home. You can check out a great video of this place at Good Morning Sarajevo.

A window.

I have been shooting some video, but I don’t know how practical it will be to post any of it, while I am here.

Later guys,

Jason

Last night, I watched the lights of Zagreb, Croatia dance beneath my airplane, while listening to “One,” by U2. Tears? You better believe it. As a matter of fact, I have really been trying to keep back the tears all day.And now, Sarajevo. This week, I will be absorbing. Absorbing this city, and it’s people. Tomorrow, I will try to add some photos. For now, I will leave you with this.

I woke up this morning at 4:40am, put on a fleece, and walked outside of the house. A cool Bosnian morning, a light mist falling from the dark, overcast sky, and me, unable to express myself. At  5am, one, then two, and in the distance, a third mosque sounded the call to prayer. The haunting voices, echoing through the hills, dark but beautiful. Me, listening, and whispering the lyrics

“The cross, neither jewelry,

nor icon, nor charm. The cross held a lover

who died in my arms,

under the weight of the hammer I held.

The space between heaven, and everything spanned.

And the lost art of living was found again,

When the cross became loving, and Christ became friend.”*

Until next time, Laku noc.

Jason

*(From Lost Art Of Living by 100 Portraits).

I will be on a plane, headed for Chicago. After pizza with some dear friends, its off to London. After breakfast with a fellow Chicago Cubs fan, its off to Munich. I don’t know anyone in Munich, so it will be just me, and a couple of books that I’ve been wanting to read. At last, after 36 + hours of travel, I arrive in the city I have been dreaming about. Sarajevo.

You may have noticed (via the very convenient side bar) that I am at full support for this trip! Thank you last minute supporters! I didn’t doubt you for a second.

I praise God for these reminders that His plans are so much better than our own. His provision is constant, no matter how impossible the goal seems to us.

The next update will be coming from Sarajevo. Oh how fulfilling it is to say that.

Lako noc,

Jason

I can smell the cevapi now.

Photo by Mackenzie Rollins the Great.

A week from the very moment of writing this blog entry, I will be in Sarajevo (at least thats what my plane ticket says). With less than a week away from departure, let me tell you that each day brings a new level of excitement, agony, joy, and preparation. A co-worker of mine, at Starbucks, is convinced that I need to pack and re-pack my bags at least seven times, before leaving. I didn’t want to do it, but I have re-packed once. We will see if she is right.

As my support side-bar reflects, I reached my minimum financial support goal! I don’t have the words. Are there IM abbreviations for weeping? (COL?). Thank you so much for listening to God’s leading, in supporting me. We are equally blessed to be a part of this.

Thanks to your support, I now have a camcorder for the trip. I can’t wait to get video footage of Bosnia, and share it with all of you.

Ready for whatever God gives,

Jason

Departure is exactly three weeks away, and I am getting really excited. Support is steady, and I have faith that the financial and prayer support necessary will be reached within my deadline. I included my current support levels on the side bar of this blog, and I have been updating it as I become aware of any developments. Thank you is not enough.

My friend Justin Norman is letting me borrow his digital camera right now. He is also letting me take it to Sarajevo. This is a huge blessing. I have been spending the past couple of weeks figuring out how this machine works (he also let me borrow the instruction manual). I went out to the Des Moines farmers market last saturday, to test out my digital photography legs.

This is one of the food venders at the market. I love El Salvadorian food. My favorite place to get it is Gloria’s in Dallas.

I wish you could have smelled this food

Lots of garden fresh produce.

The theme of the event.

I couldn’t agree more.

Hey guys, if you haven’t yet, you should check out Mackenzie’s blogs. Mackenzie is living in Sarajevo with Rob and Janet, and her blog is .good.morning.sarajevo.

She also has a photo blog here.

Her Pictures are really amazing, and her writing is full of God’s rhythm (with a splash of E. E. Cummings).

Photo by Chuck Holcomb (he’s the one with the camera).

Hey everyone. Here is a quick update on how support for the survey trip is coming along.

Finances ($2000.00) This list is arranged by level of priority.

1) Airfare ($1000 -$1400)

Thanks to some amazing people, the flights have been booked!

2) Living Expenses ($300)

This goal has not yet been met, as of 8/10/07. The $300 will cover food and lodging while I am in Bosnia for three weeks.

3) Travel Expenses ($200)

This goal has not yet been met, as of 8/10/07. The $200 will cover gas as we travel to other areas of Ex-Yugoslavia.

4) Expenses Back Home ($284 +)

This goal has not yet been met, as of 8/10/07. The $284+ will be applied to my rent and utilities in Des Moines, while I am in Sarajevo.

If you would like to support me with your financial gift, you can email me your mailing address. I will send you a letter that includes a stamped return envelope, my support letter, and a prayer card that has my picture on it. The prayer card is good for remembering to pray for me and is also a natural household pest control device. My email address is surveyofthebalkans@gmail.com

If you would prefer, you can send a check directly to:

Be sure to make checks payable to ARM Ministries, with Jason Staniger on the memo line.

Prayer Support I am making a book of my supporters, with pictures and everything. I am a very visual person, so this will be a useful tool for me. As you guys commit to praying for me, I will also be praying for you. If you would like to become a prayer partner of mine, then please email me at surveyofthebalkans@gmail.com Please include some specific requests that I can add to your prayer page, as well as a picture (attached to the email if possible).

Team Trip There has been talk of some of you hooking up with me for part of the time that I will be in Sarajevo. This is real encouraging. My flights are already booked. If you are interested, there is still time to act. We would ask that you please book your flights directly to Sarajevo, as opposed to a nearby city. If you are interested in going for part or all of the time that I will be there, please email me at surveyofthebalkans@gmail.com I would be happy to answer any questions, and send you my flight numbers. There is a chance that we could travel together.

We are now at the “6 weeks away” mark. God has been faithful in bringing the details of this trip together. Thanks to your faithfulness, its happening! Your gifts have been so valuable to this project, so thank you. I look forward to hearing from you guys, and updating you as more unfolds.

a part of something bigger,

Jason

I am humbled to announce that the ticket, or tickets, have been bought. Here is the official itinerary:

September 24th - 25th

Depart from Des Moines at 7:00 am - Arrive in Chicago at 8:15 am

(eat pizza at Giordano’s)

Depart from Chicago at 4:11 pm - Arrive in London at 5:55 am

(get a good cup of tea, and maybe some fish and chips, hopefully with the Beans)

Depart from London at 1:15 pm - Arrive in Munich at 4:00pm

(is there anything good to eat or drink in Germany?)

Depart from Munich at 7:25 pm - Arrive in Sarajevo at 8:50 pm

(chevapcici anyone?)

This has been a huge blessing and encouraging process so far. If you haven’t received my support letter, and you would like one, please email me at surveyofthebalkans@gmail.com I am sending out the next wave of letters this week. If I have talked to you, and recieved your address, then I have already entered you into my mailing list.

Your guy’s faithfulness has been remarkable. Thank you so much.

As some of you may know, I returned to Iowa last week, after attending a Wedding in Los Angeles. We actually decided to do some camping to, so we took the long way to the City Of Angles, and the long way back ( 5600 miles in ten days!). After being back home for a whopping three days, I went out of town again, to Willey Iowa, for their 125th Anniversary celebration. I had an amazing time on both trips.

It is with extreme pleasure that I introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Erik Brown. Erik is my non-blood brother, and now his wife Jeanne is my non-blood sister. Their wedding was full of joy and honor. It was truly an act of worship, and I am beyond excited to see what their life together will become.

I also had the pleasure of spending some time in Willey, Iowa (or God’s Country, as I sometimes call it). In my opinion this place is the most beautiful in all of Iowa. I always feel spiritually rejuvenated after spending time there. My best friend’s in-laws live in Willey. One of their grandchildren and I quickly formed a bond. Caleb, who is four years old, followed me around all morning. Whatever the activity, he wanted me to be a part of it. He was passionately pursuing me. God is also passionately pursuing me. His dreams for me and my talents exceed my grandest plans, and for this I am thankful. I am thankful for such a busy month of July. I am thankful to be back in my “office” continuing the preparations for this survey trip. It is coming up fast, and I am thankful for your support.

I am happy to announce that a date has been set for a trip to Sarajevo. I will be departing Des Moines September 24th, and getting back October 15th.

The total cost of this trip, including living in Sarajevo for three weeks, will be around $2,000.00. It will all depend on airfare. Today I found out that the most economical option is to fly from Des Moines to Sarajevo, rather than traveling to another city’s airport. The ticket packages I looked at today ranged anywhere from $1069.00 to $1400.00. The quicker I book my flight package, the cheaper the overall cost will be.

I would love for you to be involved in this vision. Some of you are a part of it already, and that support has been overwhelming to me. Here are some options that are integral to making this trip possible.

1) Prayer Support. Obedience to God, through prayer, has been a necessary element on every missions trip I have taken. I could give you countless examples of how prayer has shifted the decisions of customs officials, parted rain clouds during outdoor ministry events, and broken the hearts of team members to the purposefulness of God’s will. I know that this trip will not be different in this manner. Will you commit to praying for me?

2) Financial Support. The trip will cost around $2.000. I am asking for people to prayerfully consider supporting this vision of worship financially. God willing, I will also be able raise some extra money to put towards rent and utilities at home, while I am away in Bosnia. The first financial goal is the plane ticket. I hope to have it purchased by August 10th. Will you consider supporting me financially?

3) What About You? Hey, what are you doing September 24th- October 15th? Would you like to go to Bosnia? I would love to see a team form, and fly out to Sarajevo. This is a great opportunity to practically show love to a people who have been bruised and battered by war. As Rob has informed me, there are so many ways that a team of committed people can help with work projects. In Rob’s own words “There’s no shortage of needy widows in our neighborhood.” What an amazing way to show Jesus to people with broken hearts. Will you consider going?

If you would like to be a part of this project in any of these ways, then please email me with your mailing address, and let me know which type of support you are considering. surveyofthebalkans@gmail.com

My dear friends, I can’t express how thankful I am to the Lord for all of your support. God has given me amazing joy and excitement for what lies ahead. I am constantly dumbfounded by the fact that the Lord chooses to use you and I to tell His story, and accomplish his will. What a great task it is, that has been given to us. What phenomenal joy it is to serve in it.

My friend Andy Fjellman and I had a great conversation today about video equipment. He gave me a list of things that would make this project look great, on a relatively modest budget. These components should be easy enough for me to purchase,with a little help from a second job.

The Camera

The Panasonic AG-DVX100 captures film at a true 24 fps, making it very comparable to film.

The MAChine

The Mac Book boasts enough power to make film editing possible, while staying fairly mobile. I will also utilize my 19 inch LCD monitor for editing. Which brings me to the third installment…

The software

Final Cut Pro is the industry standard for real time video and audio production. Just check out the writing on the box.

Storage

My friend Andy swears by Seagate external hard drives. I will have a mirrored backup setup, using two of these.

I am also looking at mounting systems for the camera, a possible second camera (considerably cheaper than the DVX100), and a second job (did I already mention that part?)

It is exciting to put together a list of the core equipment needs, and find that the total cost is reasonable, in light of the outcome being a high quality product.

Prayer Requests:

-A Second Job

-Faithfullness - I have been praying for people to trust God, and prayerfully meditate on their involvement in this vision, both physically ( a film making team ) and spiritually (dedicated prayer support and financial giving). Will you pray too?

-Courage-My good friend Sheena told me the other day,that it is time to put steps to my dreams. I need prayer for courage to take those steps, strength to keep stepping, and trust that God has His plans in mind (which soar beyond my limited ideas).

Three years ago I was living in Dallas, Texas. One night I was sitting in the back yard of my house, thinking about worship and art (I connect with God easily through music, a very prevalent medium of worship) My thoughts turned to the possibilities of using other forms of art to worship God. I have a passion for film and photography, and began to wonder what worship would look like through these mediums.

I have since moved back to Des Moines, Iowa, where this idea of worship was put into a proverbial incubator, as I began to work full time, and pay down some school debt. One evening I decided to watch the movie Casablanca, one of my favorite love stories. I was thinking about the characters in the film, the plot, the setting, the script, and what makes a love story successful. At that point I formed the premise: the success of a love story (as it specifically relates to film) is dependent upon the level of the audiences emotional participation in the lives of the characters. In other words you have to, at some level, fall in love with the people in the movie. Film makes this very easy to do.

But what if we used film and Photography to document people loving other people. Couldn’t we then relate to those people as well, and even love them too? How would this look in a missions situation, documenting missionaries loving the people that they serve? Wouldn’t the audience then, at some level, become involved with these people? What If someone told the story that all of our lives are weaving, small bits at a time?

Welcome to Sarajevo.

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo’s more recent history is full of loss and decimation, as war came to that corner of Europe in the 1990s. The people there will wear the scars of this war on their faces and in their hearts for the rest of their lives.

My friends Rob and Janet Mezger are missionaries with ARM ministries, reaching out to the people of Sarajevo. Along with other co-laborers, they are committed to loving the Bosnian people, through sharing the love that Christ has given them. I have known and worked with Rob on the mission field in Mexico, and have come to know him as one of the most relationally effective people I have ever met. He and his wife’s sincerity and love for ministry has drawn me to consider a film project revolving around their labor.

Partnering with ARM Ministries, I have begun the preliminaries of planning a survey trip to Sarajevo, set for sometime this year. The dates of this trip are still being planned, and I am overwhelmed at how God is bringing it together. I ask that you, my friends, pray for this trip, and the project that I am scoping out.

I will update this blog as events unfold, and keep all of you connected with this vision. There are links to other people involved with ARM ministries in the “blogroll” on the left of the main page. Their stories have inspired and blessed me. It is my hope that all of these stories will inspire and bless you to the point of worship of, and connection with Jesus.

Your friend,

Jason Staniger