Since the beginning of the war, God has put on our hearts to work with war refugees, to
see them through the devastation and challenges they are going through. From the first
week of the war we started by going to the borders to supply refugees arriving in Poland
with hot food and drinks. God spoke to us that serving victims of this war is not a sprint,
but a marathon. "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I
have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant
gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for
your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters;
multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent
you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your
welfare.” Jer 29:4-7
We understood we need to think about further steps as refugees will be arriving in
Poland. We started organizing a place to live. In the first year we hosted three families
long-term. They became independent throughout the course of a year and were able to
get their own apartments as we could welcome new families that needed help to start
life in Poland. We also hosted many more in our guest rooms as they were passing on
to other locations fleeing the war.
We bore on our hearts to integrate refugees through “Ukrainian Nights” events, where
we create a familiar environment for them to thrive in, being comforted and talking about
situations and challenges they are going through with people that speak their language
and will be able to relate to them appropriately. In these events we usually have
ukrainian artists come perform and we have fun games for children. We also have food
together, because we believe that as we eat at the table we can open our hearts and
encourage one another in a non-judgmental environment. We also pray and share
testimonies about how Jesus can guide them through the darkest of moments.
In the last event we had, we had wonderful Colombian Iris missionaries ministering to
the children, teaching them to make puppets using newspapers and sharing
encouraging words. “When you are in a foreign country it may be difficult to feel like you
belong. Like you are wanted and welcomed. Especially when you had to leave behind
your loved ones and you’ve seen war in the streets of your hometown.” With great
understanding they were serving, encouraging, uplifting everyone there.
We were laughing, singing and praying together with our longer standing and newly
invited community members alike. We got to hear testimonies relating how God leads
and comforts Ukrainian believers in these trying times. One Ukrainian woman found
herself praising God for having met us. She said she hasn’t “felt that much joy in a long
time”. She also said that she felt like we are family and that we've known each other for
our whole lives even though we had gotten to know each other just one or two hours
prior. We are thankful for this peace and comfort, yet continue to pray for more.