Faith | Even during perilous times, there are caring people who mirror God’s love

I worry about the evil in our world today. Among recent horrible events are the innocent lives displaced by the Russian attack on Ukraine.

However, there are also many good, kind, Christlike people. They follow the words of Christ, “ ... Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40 (KJV).

My wife and I had the opportunity to witness generous people assist Ukrainian refugees fleeing into Poland. Our church asked us to serve in a small refugee center in Krakow. We joined with people from all over the world to help those fleeing the war.

The saddest part of the Ukrainian refugees’ situation was that most were women and children. It broke our hearts to see so many, especially the young mothers with babies, in such desperate circumstances. Most had no money, no food, no place to sleep, and no idea what to do. They had crossed into Poland on foot, carrying their babies and meager possessions in their arms.

Imagine how frightening it is to be all alone, not knowing if your husband is safe and having no idea where you will sleep or find your next meal.

The most inspiring acts of kindness we saw came from the efforts of private individuals who gave of themselves, just as Christ would do were he there.

People from Poland, Italy, Switzerland, England, France, Germany, America and other nations came to help. They banded together and gave new suitcases to replace plastic bags for personal possessions.

Some rented vans to help shuttle refugees. Many of these volunteers paid for motel rooms to house victims. They bought whatever was needed using their own funds.

Not all who helped were wealthy. One young American didn’t have enough of his own money to rent a place to sleep. He usually spent his nights on someone’s floor or in the vans he drove carrying supplies back and forth to Ukraine. He was there for weeks.

Drivers took the refugees to homes all over Europe where people opened their doors to welcome the needy. These drivers used their own vacation time to help strangers they didn’t even know.

The Polish citizens impressed me the most. They took in over three million refugees within a few weeks.

We witnessed Polish families come, collect refugees, and take them into their own homes. One Polish family with five children of their own took in 12 refugees. They provided a place to sleep, food and comfort, asking for nothing in return.

Another family we met took care of five children for several weeks while the mother recovered from exhaustion and a mental breakdown. We will also never forget seeing a mother with a 5-year-old daughter openly cry when she first saw the warm room, bed, and bathroom offered them after days of dangerous travel to reach safety.

Our experience in Poland lasted for a little over two months. Many of the volunteers were there when we arrived and were still there when we left. These good people gave of themselves to assist those they didn’t even know.

I am grateful to have met and learned from these Christlike people. They exemplify the words of an American prophet who taught of Christ when he said, “ ... when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Book of Mormon; Mosiah 2:17)