For ever let this place be a cry of despair and a warning to humanity, where the Nazis murdered about one and a half million men, women, and children, mainly Jews, from various countries of Europe. Auschwitz-Birkenau 1940-1945

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In 1999 I was fortunate to travel abroad for the first time in my life. With approximately 15 other students, we travelled with two professors from UNI (University of Northern Iowa) to Poland for 8 weeks in the summer. During that time we studied the humanities as well as the Holocaust. We visited various cities throughout Poland, Austria and Germany as well as 3 concentration camps. I was 20 years old visiting some of the most traumatizing areas in the world. I could not fully comprehend the magnitude of these concentration camps and the atrocities that many Germans committed. 

These pictures show me at the entrance to Auschwitz as well as within one of the gas chambers. 

23 years later I am seeing a similar event, repeating itself. Many compare Russia's and Putin's actions in Ukraine to that of Hitler and Nazi Germany. Reports are showing the senseless killings of men, women and children by the Russian army, calling for Putin to be charged with war crimes. 

My kids are still in Ukraine. They are still in harm's way. You ask Why are they still there? Believe me, I wish I knew the answer. I ask myself this daily, to the point that I get angry. Why haven't they left? Again, I do not know. The Ministry in Ukraine has advised all orphanages that they are able to leave Ukraine (they must stay within a certain area within Europe). I wish I could ask the director. I wish I understood why she is staying. But, I must also remember that I am not in her shoes. She has multiple children that she is responsible for. Human trafficking has increased. Thousands of Ukrainian children are unaccounted for (https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/human-trafficking-experts-states-must-urgently-protect-refugees-fleeing-ukraine). She is scared, overwhelmed, tired, and so many other emotions that I can't even imagine. 

I am still hopeful for hosting, whether for the summer, shorter term or longer term. Whatever my kiddos need. I was recently asked to travel to Poland to help with the humanitarian efforts. While I was not able to go this month, I am still working to try to go next month. 

I have not had a lot of contact with N and Y. However, by the grace of God, I have met another family who have hosted kids in the same orphanage as mine. I am able to communicate with my kids through them. The host mom sent this to me - joy filled me and I cried tears of happiness, sadness, fear and love. Please continue to pray for these kids. Your thoughts, prayers, love, support have gotten us this far and will continue to give me the strength to keep going, for them.