Beyond My Wildest Dreams - A Medjugorje Odyssey

About the Book

All proceeds from the sale of this book are being donated to the Catholic Medical Foundation.

"Ask and you shall receive; Seek and You shall find; Knock and it shall be open to you." The author's journey is one of love, labor and longing and shows how God can answer prayers in a way that is Beyond Our Wildest Dreams.

Seeking to find peace of heart and mind and a sense of purpose the author is led to Medjugorje in Bosnia - Herzegovina because of the reported apparitions of the "Blessed Virgin Mary". His love for "Our Lady" has him embarking on a humanitarian pilgrimage to war torn Bosnia, not only to help those in need, but also to find himself. What he acquires on that trip is a tremendous longing to continue helping until the war is over. Without the financial resources to make more than one more trip he prays to the "Blessed Virgin" for her help and intercession. The result is how God answers prayers and brings people together to accomplish good things.

Having volunteered on his first trip to accompany a doctor and his wife and another pilgrim into Mostar (which was being shelled daily by artillery) to deliver medicine, has the four pilgrims discovering that God has bound their lives in a unique way through "the Mother of Jesus". It is from this connection that the author's prayers are answered and the journey begins.

About the Author

Frank J. Stoppa was born in Williamsport, Pa. and attended Lycoming College before entering the Marine Corps to serve as a company sniper in Vietnam. During his short tour, due to wounds suffered, he received two Purple Hearts and was recommended for the Silver Star. After his discharge he worked as a laborer, roofer and steelworker. Frank and Helen (his wife of 45 years) raised four children before moving to Jacksonville, Florida where they now reside. Before retiring in 2005 Frank had been employed as a truck driver transporting automobiles for 22 years.

In 1992 having felt called to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, because of the reported apparitions of the "Blessed Virgin Mary", he accompanied Sandy Tobin and the Pilgrims Peace Center out of Clearwater, Fla. on a humanitarian pilgrimage during the war. To enable his wife to share in his experience Frank wrote her a combination letter/journal. What he did not realize was that it would be the first of many.

On that trip he met Dr. Christopher and Judy Chapman from Bethlehem, Pa. and Gilbert Norstrom from Twin Lakes, Wisc. all four of whom are bonded in a unique way by the "Blessed Virgin". The result of this tie, and what they consider one of the "fruits of Medjugorje", was a humanitarian organization that delivered more than fifty million dollars worth of medical supplies and food to central Bosnia during the war, and was recognized by the Vatican for its work.

In February 2003, Frank was also recognized by Catholic Charities and awarded the St. Augustine diocesan "Good Samaritan" of the year award.