This picture says it all. While with the kids, we did a number of activities including charades, Red Light Green Light, water balloon fights and painting. Children often express their feelings well with drawings and this says it all. A "v" over the Ukrainian flag (which I have not figured out what that stands for) and an "x" over the Russian flag. Even when why try to take their minds off the horrors, they still remain.
Here are some of the pictures of our time with the kids. It was wonderful seeing them smile and hearing their laughs. They connected with us. We enjoyed our time with them. It has been a very intense week, emotionally and physically. I will miss my time with them in Poland. I have made some connections that I hope will be lifelong and I hope to bring my children here some day. Poland was where I learned of my love for travel and with its rich history, it a place that I will never forget.
We also had the opportunity to visit a wonderful organization here in Poland - PROEM. They are an organization that has grown over the years and includes a variety of opportunities for Polish children ranging from school (preschool - high school) to camps. They have also been so welcoming and will offer camps for Ukrainian children this summer. I strongly encourage you to learn more about this organization and if you feel drawn to donate, you can do so and choose your cause (of course, mine will be Ukrainian Children's Camp).
Today was a pretty difficult day. Three women and their children were leaving for the US. I had met these women the first day I was here. They are so brave. They had their COVID tests and, right now, as I type this, are flying to the US. More than 24 hours of travel. Again, it is not a good-bye, but a see you soon.
Also, there has been a little boy here with whom I have connected. I have not spent a lot of time with him, but yesterday, as we were leaving for the day, he stayed close to me. We hugged and I told him I would see him soon. But he didn't want to go. He reminds me a bit of my N. When I asked if there was something he needed. He said "yes". I asked him (all via a translator app) "what do you need?" and his response "help". We both were fighting back tears. He would not go into detail because he did not want to talk about it. These children here are going through so much. So much pain, trauma, and not knowing what to do with it or express it. I hope that I am able to see him again before we leave...
To end the day yesterday, we were able to do some sightseeing. We visited a 1,000 year old church and cemetery, both of which were very beautiful. It was very calm, quiet and peaceful there.
The last two days have been very busy. We have organized, moved, reorganized, moved, prayed and played. This camp is beautiful and provides so much for their community, the Polish people as well as the Ukrainian refugees. This is truly a safe place for people to feel comfortable in a very scary situation. Some have been here for weeks while others stay for only a short time. Many have very strong hopes to return home (Ukraine).
Yesterday we were able to pack up all of the clothing donations so that they can be taken to other camps and churches. Over the next few weeks the camp will be having a church camp for children. This ministry happens every summer and the only difference this year is that there will be a week that will be for Ukrainian refugee children as well. This children's camp will also have therapists available to work with the children to help them better understand and express their feelings and grief during this difficult time. I cannot express how amazing this camp is! There are so many people here that give so much, it is a way of life for them. It is a very humbling experience.
Here is a video of the work that we have done over the last few days:
And, yes, we did a lot of work today! But we also had a ton of very happy experiences! We were able to play with the kids! We had 3 legged races, egg races, water balloon fights and I even got to show off my drawing skills! We all had a blast! We also were able to experience three baptisms, and a Ukrainian worship night. It was a wonderful way to end the day! There are so many people here who have been such a blessing, and because they are blessed, they bless others. It is so amazing to see how much people give - time, money, talents, etc.
Here are some pics from today:
There are so many people here that I ask you to pray for. To maintain their anonymity, I will use just an initial:
D, A, M, D - These leaders have so much love for this place and work so hard to provide for so many people. Please pray that they continue to receive the resources that they need to continue to be an amazing place for refugees as well as those in their community.
M, M and kids - These women have been here at the camp while their husbands had to stay behind in Ukraine. They will be going to the US to stay with friends for the next few months. Please pray for their safe travels and for them to be reunited as a family.
Groups of volunteers - There are many here that come from various areas around the US - Michigan, Indiana, Kansas and so many more. Please pray for their safety, love, generosity and support as they continue to go beyond their borders to help those in need.
I end tonight with a beautiful song. We heard it tonight at the Ukrainian Prayer Service. It is a recording from the actual service, two young Ukrainian women singing the song Prayer for Ukraine.
Well, after a very long day, I have arrived. I left NW Indiana at 4:00 pm on Saturday night and arrived at the hotel one hour outside of Warsaw, Poland at 7:00sh pm Sunday night, granted, I am 7 hours ahead of home. We brought over 19 pieces of luggage (humanitarian aid). It took over one hour to get everyone checked in and by the time we made it to the gate, we were just 1 hour or so from boarding. Unfortunately, we were delayed quite a bit. But we finally boarded and made it to Warsaw! But... somehow one piece of luggage has been lost or stolen. We are praying that it is found and gets to who needs it as it is EXTREMELY important.
I met Oksana, a young woman who has been fighting right on the front, going back and forth between Poland and Ukraine. However, this is not the first time that I have actually met her. She was the one that travelled with N and Y this past Christmas. She has been doing so much and fighting so hard. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
We also met Daniel, who is one of the directors of the camp where I will be serving. It is a beautiful camp, very peaceful. I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to help these people. Their lives have been turned upside down. They are far from home, some without members of their family, their personal belongings, but, they are safe.
The war/conflict with Russia seems so far away when I am home. For many in the US, it may not affect their day to day operations so they do not think about it. However, here, it is everywhere. There are Ukrainian flags. There are pictures. There are numerous groups bringing aid. Even when we arrived at the airport, there was a small kiosk with someone readily available to help Ukrainian refugees. It was amazing to see the outpouring of support and aid for the Ukrainian people.
As I get ready to get some sleep tonight, I want to say thank you. So many of you have helped support me over the last few months. There are too many people to personally thank (and so many who don't want to be named), but please know that your support means the world to me and my family. Without it, we would not have met N and Y, we would not have opened our hearts and homes to them, their lives, their culture and, now, their conflict. Their fight is our fight. And I am blessed to help in any way that I can.
There has been so much going on. I am leaving for Poland in less than one week. I will be representing Force For Hope and taking humanitarian aid over to Poland. We will be helping refugees at a camp there. We will be organizing and loading supplies (so they can be taken to Ukraine), making meals, entertaining kids, and pretty much whatever they need. I am so blessed and fortunate to be able to help. Many are nervous that I am going; however, I am not. Yes, we are close to Ukraine, which is in conflict with Russia. But, God will be watching over us. This is also the 4th trip to Poland for our organization. Please make sure to follow this blog for updates!
Today is Mother's Day. It was a good day. I spent the day with my boys and my mom at our campground in Sheridan, IL. We enjoyed the outdoors, relaxed, saw friends and got excited for some upcoming NICE weather. However, we were missing some. N, Y, their sister and brother were not with us. But we were thinking of them. They are still in Ukraine. I get pictures from time to time. They seem to be doing ok. I can't say great because they are in a war-torn country. To my knowledge they are living in a school. They still go to basements when they hear the sirens. That is no way to live for anyone, let alone children. I want to do everything in my power to help them. There is just so much red tape. It really is an impossible situation.
Y also turned 11 this past week. We recorded/sang Happy birthday to him. I got some pictures of him. It looks like he received a soccer ball and goalie gloves. He looks happy... but, again, it makes me think of so much. He has so little. He received so little.
So... that's where we are at: regularly thinking and praying for N, Y and their siblings, missing them, loving them from afar. It's hard to believe that they were brought here less than 6 months ago and the impact they had on us, in such a short amount of time. They have been such a blessing.
