Have you ever played the "telephone"game where one person tells the story and then the next person tells the next, etc.  Yesterday, five of us played an unintentional form of the game.  As I'm walking through the bedroom area, an elderly Ukrainian woman grabs my hand and begins to pour out her anxiety.  Feeling inadequate and frustrated, I don't understand a word because it was in Ukrainian.  Sister Margaret who is standing next to me only speaks Polish and two young women who happened to walk by speak Ukrainian and English.  Yes, you guessed it:  the woman shared her angst in Ukrainian to the two women.  They relayed it to me in English and I translated into Polish.  Every so often, my English is very helpful because the younger Ukrainians know English, but do not speak Polish.  Another surprising way God has called me into ministry.

She was alone and did not know where to go.  Totally distraught and helpless, her fear written on her face.  Sister Margaret offered her a room in one of their convents and she lit up with joy!  She asked if there would be a job available for her, but no one knows.  Later, I slipped into her room to give her a donation to help her along the way.  Proudly, she said no that she would earn her own keep and God would provide.  

So many emotions are swirling around in my heart.  Tomorrow, I fly home to the States, and I bring so much with me to unpack and I don't mean my suitcase.  All these powerful encounters have carved out my heart to hold more compassion and love that I knew I was capable of.  I feel it's time for me to return, but I do so with gratitude and sadness.  I feel one with these Sisters who have welcomed me into their home as well as their hearts. The Sisters dressed in long blue habits, and I certainly look different from each other, but the Mission of Jesus unites us and we are of one mind and one heart.  

Yes, there is great sadness because there is so much more to do. Due to greater fear and their endurance being worn away by the bombing, the number of refugees is increasing again.  We saw a bit of a lull in the past few days.  The faces of the volunteers reveal a tiredness, but they continue to offer kindness and help. Polish soldiers are now occupying the room with cots reserved for mothers and children.  As I was praying this morning, several maxims, which are brief sayings written by our founder, gave me great consolation!  I share this translation with you:

Maxim 14. God's free gift of love supports your life at every moment. Rely on it.

Maxim 31.In times of trouble, trust firmly that you are an instrument of God's dream.

Maxim 98:  Suffering touches everyone. Unite yours to God and to all who suffer.

Maxim 37:  Do the best you can and then let go.