You could write a book about the adventures of Sofia getting her family our of Ukraine and into Ireland. Every step of the way God’s hand guided them and opened doors. Sofia lives in London with her husband and young son. She coordinated their escape with the hope they could make it to Ireland.
At the Slovakian border, soldiers tried to remove the 15 year old boy from this group of cousins and place him in a kids refugee camp. Thankfully Sofia was able to contact a local convent where the priest was able to go and deliver them all safely into Slovakia where they stayed a few nights in the convent.
The Ukrainian soldiers tried to take Nicolai, the father of a special needs boy in the group, and send him back to fight in Kiev. Realising the soldiers were just holding out for a bride, the family went back offering money, and they were allowed to pass free of charge.
Having been separated in the Dublin refugee registration system, Katy was able to help purchase bus tickets to reunite the entire family in a small town very near where we live. They are now housed all together, trying to find their next steps of their (hopefully temporary) life in Ireland. They are all longing for peace to come so they can be with their parents and grandparents back in Ukraine.
Yesterday, Katy, myself, and the boys got to spend a few hours having lunch with this amazingly brave Ukrainian family. Cousins all traveling together, having left their fathers behind to fight. They pray everyday that when they call, their families will answer the phones in Ukraine having survived the fighting. At the end of our lunch, with tears in her eyes, Sofia thanked us and gave us long, emotional hugs. I can’t imagine the relief for her to come visit them all together having made it successfully to Ireland.
In the grand scheme of things we had very little to do with their journey. But because of your support and generosity, as well as the partnership of our local church, we were able to help them reunite and be housed together. Together we provided clothing, suitcases, gift cards, baby strollers, and many many other things they needed to survive and thrive in Ireland.
This is why we do what we do. This is why Katy and I moved to Ireland 10 years ago. This is why you give and pray. We are united together, making a difference in people’s lives who are in desperate need.