Seven Weeks in Poland

How we're doing and where we're going for the summer

Sunday morning with the Sopot Church of Christ

The other night I was looking at pictures I took from when we were in western Ukraine. It’s difficult to look at those photos taken just days before the invasion and to be able to know now what we couldn’t have known then. Even those who were sure Putin was coming didn’t think it would turn out like this.

We’ve been in Poland for seven weeks. In that time, we’ve worked together with the Sopot Church of Christ and some of our team from UBI to help host over 100 Ukrainians. It’s been a blessing and honor to be able to do that, but it’s also been hard. It’s been hard logistically and it’s been hard emotionally. But we have found a new routine. Sometimes we even almost forget why it is we are here. And then, in a moment of quiet or after reading some headlines, it all comes back. We feel sick to our stomachs and our hearts break all over again.

After 22 days of silence, Natasha finally heard from her son who had been trapped in Mariupol. We were there two days later for their first video call with each other.

Justus

Justus is doing pretty well now, but it’s not been easy on him. Soon after we arrived to Poland, he started having night terrors. (His were the sleep crying variety; just wailing inconsolably.) We knew those were sometimes a thing for kids, but after four or five difficult nights, we did a quick search and found this:

The cause is unknown but night terrors are often triggered by fever, lack of sleep or periods of emotional tension, stress or conflict.

Well there it was. His whole life had been turned upside down, and his parents were working nearly 24 hours a day helping other people. We started to make sure he was getting some good time with us and the waking up at night stopped almost instantly. It’s come and gone since then, but it’s much better.

He thanks God every night for “everyone in the whole world except for Putin and his army.” One night he had a terrible cry when he realized we didn’t bring a special stuffed animal with us. He was worried that our apartment building was going to get blown up and he wouldn’t be able to see him again. We worry about that too.

He is adjusting though. It’s helped that Natasha is here with us (his babysitter from Kyiv who helps with his Russian), and three weeks ago my mom came for a visit which was a big help for all of us. Justus also started swimming lessons and is thoroughly enjoying that.

An early-morning goodbye to my mom after three weeks with us here

They made him wear floaties because he doesn’t speak Polish.

Summer Travels

We have had a summer trip to the States planned since before the war, but Katie’s grandmother’s health has gotten much worse. After a few days of discussion we decided we need to get back as soon as possible. We’ve pushed our whole summer trip forward and we’ll be leaving for California this Thursday.

I, however, will be returning to this side of the world in a few weeks. Sunset International Bible Institute has asked me to join a small team to visit several locations around Europe that are ministering to Ukrainian refugees. We want to see what’s going on, hear about what’s working and what’s not, and learn about what outstanding needs there are. This war is influencing Europe in big ways, and we want to get a sense for what possibilities God might be presenting to His church.

After that two-week trip, I’ll head back to the States. We plan to visit some of our supporting congregations, but not as many as we normally do. My dad also turns 80 this summer, and we will get to celebrate that milestone together with him.

Lord willing, we will return to Poland at the end of June and will continue working to help Ukraine from here. It is our prayer that toward the end of summer it will be safe enough to return home to Kyiv. And even though a million things might happen between then and now, we do hope that UBI will be ready to get back to the classroom in some format by the beginning of September.

The city of Sopot is on the coast of the Baltic Sea. It’s beautiful, and very chilly.

Until next time

Thank you all for the encouragement you’ve shared over the last seven weeks. We’ve appreciated every note and every prayer. We look forward to seeing some of you very soon.

Please continue to pray for Ukraine. Pray that God stops this war. Pray that God brings peace. Pray that we can trust Him and His ultimate plan through this very difficult time.

Very sincerely,

Brandon and Katie

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Enjoying a lunch with our Polish and Ukrainian brothers and sisters

Fun with Grandma Gayla

Justus has fallen in love with audio books, and he especially enjoys The Box Car Children. He can sit and listen to an entire two-hour story from beginning to end.

This is Roma. He’s sixteen and is here with his family of six. His youngest sibling is just three weeks old. He’s a cool kid and I’ve enjoyed getting know him and his dad.

“When I grow up I’m going to be a vet, a scientist, or an owner of a hedgehog.”

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