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Nancy Hempe
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Resurrection StoryI was continually humbled and overwhelmed with emotion during the mission trip to Poland as I witnessed the gospel in action. Jesus said, “Love thy neighbor”. From the moment we reached the monastery as a group and Fr. Marek spoke to us about how we would help. I could feel his compassion for the Ukrainian people. “I was a stranger and you invited me in…” Matthew
Someone on our team asked me after day two at the retreat center what was my biggest take away thus far. I said David. David was the head of the retreat center. He had a construction company which was not getting work. Some how he ended up employed by the archdiocese full time. Well, much more than full time. He was working non-stop. Without much help he is running the center and coordinating logistics of moving people to and from the location. I didn’t talk to him about it, but I heard he just said yes to the call. Everything he is doing is impacting the Ukrainian travelers without the structure or resources needed to be efficient.
Another moment for me was when I sat with a twelve-year-old boy who was holding a guitar. I asked him to play for me. He played a beautiful classical song. I thought he was very good for being so young. He said his dad played, too. I asked if he had heard from friends because he was on his phone, and he said he had, but his friend thought his family was crazy for leaving. He looked at me and said, ‘there is only bread and water to eat at home’. He continued telling me that his dad was driving people to smaller towns away from the big city. On his way back he would fill his car with food for the people that were still in the city. His dad was serving those who stayed at that time.
Additionally, at the TESCO and the retreat center food is prepared for all. Not just a sandwich, yet a whole meal. A nutritious meal that anyone would be happy to eat. Nina cooked at the hotel for us, the women at the retreat center and the World Central Kitchen at TESCO. I was impressed and got emotional if I thought too much about it because it was more than food. The food and drink were filled with compassion and love. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat”, Matthew
So many divine acts of mercy are in play during this war. Our community, near and far, offered generous financial donations allowing our team the confidence to purchase, if available, what was needed. The women working at the retreat center who sort clothes, cook food, wash laundry, and organize donations. The doctor wife and husband team from Great Britain tending to medical needs. “I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick, and you looked after me,” Matthew
Another thing, that touched my heart is when I heard refugees were to be called travelers; it creates additional respect for people who need to leave their home but didn’t want to go. Also, I think of Rob, Jay, Tracey, for the US, a teen called Mr. Ireland, the four French people, and the woman from Italy – Volunteers at the TESCO leaving their lives to volunteer in whatever way necessary. “Whatsoever you do to the least of your brethren” Matthew
For me, flexibility was needed during this mission. My desire for times and tasks turned into humor as I called myself a doubting Thomas when it came to timing about what was really happening with our schedule. In the Holy Spirit’s timing, I hope you see that there were acts of mercy happening at every corner. Blessed Are Those Who Have Not Seen and Have Believed – John 20:27-29
At the end of our time in Przemsyl, Fr. Mark spoke to us again and asked us to tell others what we witnessed in Poland and to spread this story of compassion and love.
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