Just one week after the war started in Ukraine, Douglas was on his way to Romania to respond to the needs. Working with Nicole Elliott, a missionary to Ukraine, he arrived at the Romania-Ukraine border to assess gaps in needs—and there were plenty.
Douglas found that many of the Romanians had their lives turned upside down, too. Restaurants, hotels, and businesses of all kinds suddenly turned into refugee accommodation centers (RACs) to help people need a place to stay after fleeing all parts of Ukraine. Douglas helped turn a large warehouse into a RAC that could hold up to 300 people in it.
But he also knew that the needs were great in Ukraine, too. Many people had not left Ukraine and were instead staying in other makeshift centers—nursing homes, schools, and summer camps turned overnight into shelters for families. Douglas would stock up on much-needed supplies in Romania from stores similar to Costco or Sam’s Club, ready to take to Ukraine. He purchased food, blankets, hygiene supplies, and anything else practical to meet the needs of people remaining in Ukraine.
Through networks, he learned about shelters and drove from Romania into Ukraine to deliver the supplies. As he crossed into Ukraine, border guards and citizens alike were confused: “Why would you want to come in here when everyone else is trying to leave?” The answer was simple: he was doing what God called him to do.
He would distribute the supplies to shelters, bringing great relief to people who had been traveling for days. The hygiene kits of razors, soap, and shampoo were especially appreciated; hygiene kits are an important part of restoring someone’s basic human dignity.
On the way back to Romania he would pick up women and children who had requested transportation into Romania. Thus, his van was never empty, both in entering and exiting Ukraine.
As NGOs started to organize, assess needs, and get involved in Ukraine, Douglas felt that he had played his part and that it was time to leave Romania and Ukraine. At Fulcrum Missions, we try to pay attention to the cues around us, in order to make sure that our work is needed, fills in gaps, and does not duplicate services. Douglas stayed in Romania and Ukraine for just the right amount of time to help those who were put in front of him.
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