John Schrage
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Resurrection Story
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Give Me 5
There are over 50 refugees at Hotel Gorski where we were staying in Ustrzyki Gorne, including 20+ kids ranging in ages from 2 to 15 years. The other two refugee centers are within less than a mile walk from here. One is the retreat house and the other is the “white house”, often referred to as an infirmary to separate the sick refugees from the others. These 3 refugee centers can accommodate approximately 150 refugees (98% being women and children). The # of refugees change often daily but lately they have been at full capacity. The kids have been on sugar highs because we love to treat them with tiny suckers. The reaction is always with an immediate BIG smile and a “Cnacn6i” (Ukrainian) or Thanks!
As we work throughout the day, we always see the kids running around and we ask them to “Give me 5” which they promptly do. Several of the cute little girls (ages 3 or 4) want to give 10-15. But “Give Me 5” has taken on an entirely different meaning for me.
Last night, I was sitting in the lobby when an elderly Ukrainian gentleman with a cane waddled slowly in and approached me. He began speaking to me in Ukrainian and I attempted to gesture and tell him on several occasions that I did not speak his language. For some reason, my gut felt that Google Translate was not going to work in this situation. It did not matter, he kept talking and talking and talking. He simply wanted to talk, he was lonely and wanted to be heard.
I gave him My 5 (minutes) my undivided attention with direct eye contact, some occasional nods and smiles and a pat on his back. And then I gave him another 5 and another 5. He was lonely, maybe depressed. No other men to speak to.
He reinforced in me one of the most important life lessons that you can learn - to listen! A little compassion and 5 (minutes) was all he needed. I wish I knew more about his life story and his journey. I will forever remember him face, his voice, and the feeling I had as I listened to him. Crazy that it hit me so profoundly from an elderly Ukrainian man in Poland. I learned a simple lesson from someone that I just met, but could not understand a word he said.
Giving your undivided attention to someone can be a simple, but sincere act of kindness. Be kind to everyone.
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Virtual Confession
I was working in one of the refugee centers in Ustrzyki Gorne (the most Southern part of Poland in the Carpathian Mountains.) Fr. Andrew was two hours away picking up another family of refugees, so I decided to send him this text: Fr. - can we do a virtual confession today? Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. I took a picture of a family today after we were told not to take any pictures of refugees.
But do you remember the old proverb - "it is better to ask for forgiveness than for permission". Well, here is what I asked Halyna, the sweet Ukrainian refugee woman with her 2-year-old boy and mother. If you recall, when I spoke with her, she was the one that said, “All I own is what I have on. Dees pants and dis shirt “.
Using the Google Translate app, I asked her: " Would you allow me to take a picture of your family so I can always remember your beautiful faces and tell everyone back in the United States to pray for you?"
She said “OF COURSE!” with a huge smile.
Today we purchased new clothes for Halyna, her son and her mom. We also provided her with airfare, so she can purchase her ticket to go to Finland and then Australia
And now I will go and say my 5 “Our Fathers” and 5 “Hail Mary’s”.
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Follow-up, Halyna, emailed me upon our return trip home to say that they made it to Warszawa and wanted to say Thank-You to Fr. Andrew and everyone for the care that we gave them.
John Schrage
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