Letter from fra Ivo Markovic 
following September 11, 2001.
(Sent to us while on our home leave in South Dakota)

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Dear Karin & John,

I understand you, I feel your pain and I see how you suffer, and I know you are astounded by the power of evil. Your doubts are normal reactions in this moment. My compassion and understanding and prayers go along with you, Karin and John.

I understand the passionate rage of many Americans and it could dangerously lead to militarization, outrage, fanaticism, and a laziness of spirit that gives black and white answers to issues that require discernment. People such as you now have an important mission to have influence on the development of this downward spiral of animosity. It is important to pray, to maintain your spiritual health, and believe that small steps are very important: in conversation with individuals and groups, in preaching, in media and in writing.  

Evil always looks powerful and goodness powerless, but this is shortsighted.  Evil is self-destructive, and goodness brings results in the long-term. In this moment I have in my mind the words of Martin Buber: “I have no fear that Arabs could destroy my people of Israel, but I am afraid the Jews may start to hate the Arabs, and a people who hate cannot prosper.”

The steps we take in Bosnia are small. We sometimes experience how strongly people ridicule us. But we have found our orientation in responsibility, in prayer, in grace, in love, out of the slavery of hate, in the Freedom of the children of God. Therefore there are results, we improve, and we grow on all levels.  Always more and more people see that we are right, we have influence on churches, we encourage people of peace and trust.

Karin and John, please encourage the people you meet not to look for revenge, but for healing; to make friends out of enemies, not make more enemies. We live in a world where many, many people are extremely poor, without any chance in life, without fundamental human rights, living in injustice. It is better to help these people than to build a missile defense shield.  Militarization is no solution. I have experienced the power of evil in war.  Practically all of my older relatives were killed, but God helped me to go the road of peace, healing and reconciliation, the road on which Jesus came, and now I see it is better to obey GOD than our haughty prejudices.

Greeting in Peace and Goodness to all. I love you.  Ivo

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