A sign of relief, the first leg of the flight is complete and there are miles to go before I sleep. I navigated the customs process in Warsaw successfully with the help of an angel named Alex.  He was sitting next to me on the plane.  Alex, a Ukrainian by birth,  has lived in New Jersey since he was 13, but his father returned to the Ukraine and is living in the western part of the country.  As Alex and I shared stories, talked about the Ukraine, and the expectations not realized  from this election, poignant silences filled the space when words failed. Wondering about what would happen next, Alex would just shrug his shoulders; his eyes etched with concern.  More sacred silence in which we shared our powerlessness and hope for Divine intervention.  When oh Lord, will that take place?  The line from Psalm 27 resounded in my heart:  "Take courage, be stouthearted and wait for the Lord."...wait for the Lord.  

God is already acting in surprising ways!  Not only did I meet my "angel", but Alex has friends coming through Przesmyl from the Ukraine and he doesn't know if they have a place to stay overnight.  I am going to the monastery in Presmyl where the Sisters are providing one or two day stays for refugees in their convent.  Coincidence or the amazing action of God bringing us together!  Unexpectedly and delightfully,  I may be already helping the refugees before I even arrive at the monastery! Oy vey, what am I going to tell the nuns? 

Prior to my departure, I received so many emails speaking of my courage by traveling to the border in Poland. I don't feel particularly courageous, just impelled by God's call to offer love when our dear neighbors are in pain.   Courageous?  Then, we are all courageous, as we move out of our comfort zones, put aside our fears about looking foolhardy or naive and choose to do the unexpected while responding to those who suffer injustice,  are being pummeled by a stronger power and are fighting for the human right to determine their own fate.   

I am inspired by Alex who is carrying six bags of donations including a REIMS machine to help children born with certain diseases.  A donor in Texas mailed the machine to Alex who was willing to carry it on his shoulders and he offered to take on my bag.   Inspired by his friend, a lawyer, who is setting up a nonprofit to help the refugees in their relocation.  Inspired by four young adults from Nashville who don't speak any Polish and are going to Rzeszow to help.  I'm even guessing that there were more volunteers on the plane who are  unnoticed and hidden.  Courage?  They have courage, my friends and I'm going to need courage when I arrive at the convent and speak to Mother about the "two friends" who may arrive at 8:00PM tonight.

Looking forward to a good night's rest and more adventures tomorrow.  Continue to hold all of us in your prayer.

On a lighter note, here is a picture of my lunch at Bijanka's cafe at the airport.  Yes, they were delicious!