Full House

The Horsky Park house now has 30 refugees that will fill the house, some who have arrived and some who will arrive any day now. Currently they are looking for 30 mattresses, at least 20 blankets, with the possibility of a kitchen cabinet and sink. Gary and I went to the City Church Bratislava staff meeting today, where Roman, who runs the home talked about ways that they needed help. The Pastor of City Church, Pasho had also invited Josef, who presented a better approach to organizing help and resources. We then talked about the possibility of City Church renting a large home to house more refugees. One report says there are approximately 114,000 refugees that have entered Slovakia to date. Some are staying but also many have relatives or friends in Germany, Poland or other countries so they stay for a couple days to a week in Slovakia and then travel on. The Horsky Park House is now being designated as a home where people can come to receive the rest and care they need before heading to a more permanent place.

We are looking at this as a marathon, not a sprint. We are praying for a quick end to the war, but much damage has been done and the needs would still be there to help people recover and rebuild for a while. So please continue to pray for peace and pray for healing in every way for those who are suffering from the trauma of this war.

Small Things and Big Things

Today has been another full day, and we are not even half way through it. We are learning to expect that, and especially to expect the unexpected. Among the many messages we have received so far today, was a request to do some loads of bedding and towel laundry for the refugee house in Horsky Park, that doesn’t have a washing machine yet. I, Joy, was sent a picture of the bags so I knew which ones to take. It’s a small thing, in the grand scheme of things, to do some loads of laundry for one house of refugees. But this very big crisis has been met with many small acts of kindness, one person at a time, a few people at a time, over and over again, till all these acts of compassion grow into bigger and bigger effects.

I am still working on the laundry, one load at a time, but I have another job to do today that feels like a really big one. When I arrived at the house, I walked in and immediately saw the bags of laundry by the doorstep. However, I had also brought with me some cookies and chocolate for the refugees we had met the first day we visited the house. So I went into the living room and there they were, two young girls, between the ages of 11-13 and an older woman. These girls I was told are orphans, and the woman is their caretaker. The girls know a little English, the woman a little more. They recognized me and said hello in Slovak, so I did the same. I gave them the cookies and chocolate, and asked the woman if they needed anything else. With the little English she knew, she said, “dall”, and at first I was confused, but when you live in a foreign country, and don’t know the language very well, you learn to ”read the air”, or look at the whole situation, not just what is said. The woman used hand gestures and emotional expressions to help me along, and I realized the youngest girl needed a doll to cuddle, to help her sleep. In that moment of realization I felt this was the biggest thing I have been asked to do so far. So pray for this young girl, pray for all the refugees who need to feel safe when they sleep. Pray the Holy Spirit brings them the comfort they need. May you also feel His comfort today.

Horsky Park Refugee Home

We have partnered with our Slovak Church, City Church Bratislava, in their effort to help Ukrainian refugees who are coming to Bratislava. Someone graciously offered their empty, three story home located near Horsky Park, not far from our apartment, to house refugees. We visited the home on Tuesday as it was being cleaned and fixed up by a very hardworking group of Ukrainian students who have been attending University here for a while. We went to work right away moving beds to rooms that were ready, and assisted making up the beds with sheets, duvets and pillows. The house has a kitchen on each floor, a main living and dining room, a large yard, and a bathroom on each floor. The house needs all major appliances, including a washing machine. We were able to run to the store and purchase some more sheets, drying racks (most homes don’t have dryers in Europe) grocery gift cards, and games and puzzles for kids. A group of refugees arrived in time for us to meet them. You should have seen the look of relief on their faces, what a blessing it was!

Today Gary bought more gift cards, some cots, and more sheets. There are 9 housing options for refugees that City Church is working with in Bratislava, so we hope to help with any needs these refugees might have. As one of our dear workers said when this all began, we don’t want to regret not doing anything we can to help. We are so grateful for your encouragement and support!

Help For Ukraine

We haven’t posted a lot on social media about what is going on in Ukraine partly because we have been so busy with the onslaught of messages, emergency zoom calls, and emails trying to figure out how to help the refugees on our borders.  We have sent out a few emails describing some of the things going on, so the following will be repetitive for some of you, and we have also edited a few of these items because of updated information.

In the earliest days of this war, our phones were filled with messages that began a whirlwind of activity which has not stopped since. First, our workers in Russia are now safely out of the country, praise God! Their accounts of what is going down there tell the story of a Russian people that are devastated and ashamed, but also mad that this is happening. And they are in the beginning stages of suffering themselves from the squeeze that the rest of the world is placing on their country. Bank accounts are being shut down, inflation is rising, and their money is rapidly losing value. Who knows what else, but they may also be losing ways to communicate. Before leaving, our friends (dad & mom and two teenage boys) got out as much cash as they could (a miracle because most ATMs were out of money) to buy food for the people they had to leave.

Life for them became quickly untenable, so they made the choice they felt the Lord was leading them to make. They didn’t want to leave … they are so heartbroken … they are devastated. Their life and their calling in Russia, for now, will be played out from a distance. A safe distance … in another foreign country … but at a distance nonetheless. We are heartbroken for them as well, and ask that you join us in prayer for this incredible family.

As for Ukraine, yes, we know precious people there.  Men under the age of 60 must stay, unless there are medical reasons for why they can’t fight.  Consequently, they are rushing their mothers, wives, and children to the safe-neighbor border crossings (including Slovakia) where they are saying goodbye, knowing they are now safe, but not knowing when they will see them again. We pray for the safety and hearts of separated families!

We have been coordinating with people in Poland and in Romania to help with people either we know, or they know that need to come through Slovakia. It is amazing how we can ask on different messaging threads for help, or on different social media pages to see if anyone knows anyone who might be able to pick up a group of people from one border and drive them to the next border. Or find a place they can sleep for the night, including pets, before traveling on, and the help is offered in minutes. We are told millions may be coming. It is overwhelming but we have a big God who will help us help them. These refugees will need money, places to live, food, clothing, even jobs. This is just the beginning. There will be many stories and needs yet to come.

A young Ukrainian mother with a one-year-old may stay with us. She was on her way to Romania by way of Moldova, after being dropped off by her husband at the border there.  She waited in the line to get through the border for hours with her one-year-old son. Then she was picked up by a woman she had never met before, but who was a Christian and who was part of the line of help she was to receive.  Can you imagine her thoughts and fears as she is going through all this?  How can you join us in prayer?

• That the gospel would move powerfully in the midst of this horrible war.

• For an end to the war. For peace between Russia and Ukraine. And for the departure of Russian forces from the sovereign soil of Ukraine.

• For safety and protection for the people remaining in Ukraine ... and for Ukrainian forces bravely defending their country. l For safe transit and protection for those desiring to and leaving Ukraine. Many of whom are leaving husbands and fathers.

• For wisdom, discernment, and effectiveness for all of us (Joy and I included) working in neighboring countries (Slovakia, Poland, Romania, Hungary) to get resources and care to all those who are coming. Joy and I are working with City Church here in Bratislava to resource (food, clothing, shelter) refugees both here in Bratislava and in the east of the country. It's an incredible story of compassion. Ukraine's neighbors (Slovakia included) are accepting as many refugees that want to come. They are standing in unity with Ukraine, removing many of the usual restrictions (visas, passports, etc.) that would prevent them from coming.

• For trusting and knowing that our small piece is part of the Lord's larger plans and purposes to care for all. It is easy to become overwhelmed. One person cannot help everyone, but everyone can help some. We are thankful to be here to be used in this way for such a time as this.

Help For Ukraine Updates

As fast as things have been moving, we want to have a place where we can share updates on what we know, and the work we are doing to assist. This is that place. Thank you for praying and partnering with us as we all find ways to be the Lord’s hands and feet in this horrible war.