Last run with Sergey

Day 8 Today I went to the hotel to extend our refugees room for one more night because the Saturday train was sold out. Thank you hotel angels. Then I went to the church to talk with a few of the volunteers. In my corporate life I learned there were 4 phases of personal development. learning a skill, being able to be a contributor, leveraging knowledge, and creating knowledge.

Sergey and I have definitely moved into at least the third phase. We are trying to mentor and teach the next shift. There are two new driver teams here and it is fun to see them learning and doing. We took Andrea to the train station to show her how to get train tickets. When we were there Lance Foster was there and had brought a few pieces of luggage. A man came up and asked for a bag. The initial response was that the bags were for women and children. Then Lance noticed his huge bag and his cane. Of course he got luggage. I have never seen a more sincere and heart warming hug. The crippled man was so thankful. I admit I had a tear in my eye. That is a frequent occurrence for me here.

Yesterday we took 3 vans to Korczowa and we filled them all. Sergey and I were able to help Tia and Elise load there first group, walking them through the checkout process and how to get to the center. They didn’t need much help but it is always nice to have someone show you the ropes. After they left with a family of 5 mom dad and 3 kids Sergey and I found a family of 8 that needed transport to a train station that was 45 minutes away. The people at the information desk discovered if we hurried they may make it on the last train. But there was only a few minutes to spare.

They had just crossed the border so didn’t have tickets. We took on the challenge and loaded them and rushed to Przemyśl. We switched into get’er done mode. As the driver I made up some time and parked right by the train station to unload. The police were nice but firm after unloading that I was not allowed to do that again.

Sergey took the family inside and there was a huge line. There was no hope of getting through the line in time to make the train. But we have a wild card. There are volunteers everywhere we go that know the system. Sergey talked with one and asked how he could cut the line and get this family if 8 on the train that was leaving in 15 minutes. They pointed him to a worker that has a mobile ticket printing device. Sergey approached him but there was a man from Egypt in front of him arguing about having to pay. Tickets are free for women and children but not if you are not a refugee from Ukraine. Sergey was done waiting and just said I’ll pay for you. He bought that man’s ticket and then got tickets for the 8.

I showed up about that time after my police encounter and Sergey told me to lead the way to the train it was about to leave. What! I didn’t even know where the trains left from and the room was packed. You couldn’t see signs because of the mass of people. But I saw a volunteer.

Boom I picked the right one. I said we need to get on the train leaving right now. We have a family of 8 and need help. He was amazing. I wish I got his name. He led the way. It was probably a half mile walk up and down stairs and of course they were in the last 2 cars so we had to walk all the way to the end of the train. Sergey and I were carrying bags so the young girls could help their grandmother. She was old and slow but just kept moving and was smiling. You could tell she was loved and the girls were so kind and awesome helping her with the stairs.

We didn’t get a picture of this family because we didn’t have time. There were huge smiles when they made it and waves through the windows. I hope they have a wonderful Easter.

After the train trip we headed back to the refugee center and got 5 more refugees. Both were from very rough areas in Ukraine Irpin and Kharkiv. One man had gone back to get his elder parents from Kharkiv. They were in their 80s. What an awesome son to take that risk and go help them out. There would have been no way for them to get out on their own.

We ate leftovers for dinner and headed to bed about midnight. Another good day. It was bitter sweet as that was my last run with Sergey.