By Ken Jarvis, Area Media Specialist
Regarding the tragic conditions in Ukraine, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, an apostle of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, recently said, “We are children of one Heavenly Father. We are all brothers and sisters. Our two great commandments are to serve God and our fellowman. Please find an opportunity to help those in need—even if all you can do is pray and fast in behalf of those who struggle. Small acts of kindness mean everything to those who have lost so much.”
Like many of us, Sister Cindy Beattie, Texas Hill Country Stake Relief Society President, was deeply concerned by the news coming from that part of the world. She decided she had to do something about it.
“I thought there must be something we in San Antonio could be doing,” she said. She knew the Church of Jesus Christ and other worldwide relief organizations were stepping in to help but she found it frustrating to sit back and watch. “It was a Sunday evening about midnight and I felt prompted to call the Branch President in Warsaw. He was so nice and referred me to Sister Agnieszka Mazurowska the Relief Society President. She called me back immediately.”
Sister Mazurowska said at that time all their needs were covered, but because she was the Warsaw Refugees Coordinator, she met every evening with all coordinators from Poland. “I knew that the situation in Kraków was and still is very difficult.” She said.“I’m also a good friend of Agata Tudor Hart who is the Kraków Branch Relief Society President and Refugees Coordinator, and I just asked, ‘Agata, the members from Texas would like to help us, so maybe you need their help.’”
The need in Krakow was urgent. They needed suitcases for the Ukrainian refugees who were pouring over the border. “Many people could ask why the suitcases, because there are many more needed things,” said Sister Mazurowska. “Yes, but when you must leave your home with only essentials or you don’t have time to pack your stuff in a suitcase. You just take a shopping bag. The suitcase brings your dignity back.”
She added, “When I have met people who get the suitcase, I have seen the smile on their faces, or tears of emotion and great gratitude.”
Sister Beattie said they are working with Amazon to deliver the suitcases. “They have two distribution centers; Krakow and Warsaw.” Through Amazon, the suitcases are delivered quickly and safely. She added, “They are now receiving 20-30 suitcases daily from our stake.” At the time Sister Beattie was interviewed for this article the Polish members had received approximately 150 suitcases from the Hill Country Stake.
According to the Krakow members there are Church volunteers right at the border asking people what size suitcases they need; large, medium or small. “They’re not asking if they are members but simply, ‘Do you need a suitcase?’” said Sister Beattie.
“She is our suitcase angel,” said Sister Mazurowska.
Over General Conference weekend the Warsaw Branch organized a ministering event. “On Friday a group of our members, including refugees, prepared more than 500 sandwiches and on Saturday morning we delivered them to a place in Warsaw where refugees are temporarily staying,” said Sister Mazurowska. They also delivered suitcases with items for children packed inside.
Sister Mazurowska said, “We are becoming specialists in everything; logistics, traveling, purchasing, storage. Our homes become the hotels. We know how to quickly find the flat for renting and even how to help a woman in labor get to the hospital.”
She continued, “We try to make refugees calm and take the stress away from them, but this is so difficult. We do our best to make them feel at home but it is not so easy. We pray and hope for a better future. Right now, we know how to ask for help. And every day we see miracles in this painful time.”
Finally Sister Mazurowska concluded, “So, if our friends from abroad want to help us we are more than grateful. We feel that here in Poland we are not alone. That someone supports us in bringing relief to others.”
It is safe to say that they are not alone.