• Lands of the Former Yugoslavia
    2009 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    • In addition, couples from other European countries who had learned the local language were invited to serve in Croatia.

      One of these couples, Heinz and Elke Polach, from Austria, had been special pioneers in the Yugoslav field in Denmark when they were invited to Croatia in 1991. The war began just as they were taking up the traveling work. Their first circuit encompassed the Dalmatian coast and parts of Bosnia, all of which were affected by the war. “It was a challenge to make our visits in Bosnia during wartime,” said Heinz. “Because of the dangers, we could not use our personal vehicle, so we had to depend on the unreliable bus system. We could not carry much​—a few suitcases and a typewriter.

      “We had to be resourceful. On one occasion when we were traveling between Tuzla and Zenica, soldiers stopped our bus. They told us that it was too dangerous to continue. Everyone on the bus had to exit. But we knew that our brothers in Zenica were waiting for us, so we began asking others if they could take us. Finally, a convoy of gas trucks that had the proper paperwork agreed to take us. We used our time on the road to witness to the driver, who turned out to be very attentive.

      “Again we were forced to stop because of fighting, and we had to use side roads. These roads were in poor condition, and the snow did not improve matters. Often we had to stop to assist other trucks that were stuck. At one point we found ourselves under fire and were forced to flee the area. We got as far as Vareš, about 30 miles [50 km] from our destination, and had to stop for the night.

      “The driver lay sleeping on the seats, while Elke and I huddled together in the back of the cab trying to stay warm. It felt like the longest night of my life. Yet, the next day when we finally made it to Zenica, the brothers were so happy to see us! It was worth it! Though they had no running water or electricity, they did all they could to provide hospitality for us. Although materially poor, they were spiritually rich and showed an irrepressible love for the truth.”