In the basement we have announcements and then Tracie gave a short devotional. Before we were finished some of the guys came into the basement area to start getting things ready to take upstairs. When they saw that we were having our devotional they quickly stopped at the edge of the door and waited. We hope they could understand some of what we were saying, especially during our prayer time. As soon as we were done they came in and went to work taking supplies up. We are now working on two floors…..1st and 2nd. It seems that it doesn’t take long for a new man or two to come in and ask if they can help. We always put them to work doing something.
None of the people living in this refugee center/camp is allowed to work. They are in a “transitional” state. They have all arrived from one country or another. Many we talk to have only been here a few short days. Others have been here for weeks and even months. Currently, when a refugee arrives in Croatia and requests asylum they are either placed here in Hotel Porin or in a smaller center called Kutina. Then begins the very long process of applying for permanent residency as an immigrant. During that process they have to live in one of the centers/camps. They cannot work but there are plenty of NGO’s who provide all they need. Many different classes are also provided for men, women and children, such as language classes, Croatia history, etc. Unicef has an area of the hotel which is like a day care but kids come and go at will. It is staffed all day so that kids can play games, do crafts and other things. Save the Children focuses on Mother & Baby up to 1 year old. Red Cross takes care of many of the daily things that the refugee may need or want to know about. During the school year the kids that are there are able to attend public school. And, there are a multitude of security guards around. But, still they are not allowed to work during this time period. So, what else do you do when you are not going to the restaurant to eat a meal. You sit or walk around or go back to your room and stay in it. Many of the people are very bored so when they see we are working and there are some of the refugees helping they want to jump right in and help also.
By noon the 2nd floor main room is pretty well painted, thanks to all the help! The major items such as fans, ladders, and buckets were brought from the 2nd floor to the first floor to be guarded while everyone ate. I took the lunch guard time and had some who walked by ask for fans. Had to say no every time. When some of our team arrived back from lunch I went over to the park to join those who were still there. We had leftovers from our Syrian/Texan meal the night before. Still quite tasty!
Afternoon consisted of continued work with Dana and Hadyn holding Kid’s camp outside in the park. Not only did several kids go out to join them but so did many women. We stopped work at 4 and got things cleaned up and put away. Jenni, Vito & Dana taught ESL at 4 p.m. so Olivia & Eli joined Grandma and Papaw at their apartment. Our evening meal was again in the city center but this time we were to meet up the hill at the cathedral. The restaurant was just across the road from the church. It was a little Italian restaurant called Capuciner’s and Anita, the Minister of the Interior, joined us. Most of us had pizza of some type. After the meal the team members were free to do what they wanted for the evening. Several went shopping again. We also had gelato again. Have to have that nightly ice cream! Then back to our apartments for the night.
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