Clarion-Goldfield School’s 1990 graduate John Crozier serves as a missionary in Poland. For more than twenty years, the main focus of his efforts (along with wife Zaba) has been through PROeM ministries, hosting young people at its campgrounds throughout the year. Within the last two weeks, their work has changed to rescuing orphans and refugees from Ukraine. Today, there are nearly 300 women and children finding refuge at their facilities near Zakosciole.
“We are doing well,” said Crozier, who is the son of Pat and Dr. David Crozier who served at both Clarion and Eagle Grove clinics. “Well, as ‘well’ as we can! It is chaotic and nonstop.” This is all happening in conjunction with their ‘normal’ duties. The ministry also has under its umbrella three churches in three communities and a school, educating nearly 500 students. Crozier serves as one of its teachers.
As we hear on the news, 1 ½ million Ukrainians have fled their war-torn country from the Russian armies. “About 800,000 are now in Poland,” said Crozier, “and other countries such as Romania and Hungary. I have never seen Europe so united in our efforts to take care of the Ukrainian people.” He told recently of two Finnish buses came into Poland filled with supplies which they traded, by picking up refugees to take back with them to Finland.
Their campgrounds have a main center serving as a dining hall, kitchen, and offices. Free-standing weatherized cabins house 8 – 12 campers in each building. “We normally house just under 200 campers each week,” said Crozier. “Right now, we have nearly 300 people staying here. So we have rows of beds in some of our larger meeting rooms.” He said the kitchen is open 24 hours a day making food and dishwashers go day and night.
The campgrounds have become a distribution center for food, toiletries, medicines, and any basics. Mattresses and bedding are in high demand. They also like to get as many computers as they can, to help keep families in touch with other family members. “We are located 4 – 5 hours from the Ukraine border,” said Crozier. “We load buses and vans with items for refugees nearer Ukraine. When we return, we bring as many people with us as we can.”
Crozier said these efforts are a ‘marathon’, not a ‘sprint’. “This is going to take days, weeks, and months. Some already have had their homes and areas destroyed so there is no place to go home to.” While they have a school, they do not have staff who speak the Ukrainian language, but some of their ‘guests’ (as they are choosing to call them) are teachers. They are working to put together databases on each person to help figure out how to get them settled in their new surroundings. Children deserve an education, said Crozier.
Sally Woodley, a member of the Clarion Church of Christ who traveled to Poland a dozen years ago, said, “PROeM is a well-established ministry and it is equipped to handle groups of children. They are not inexperienced at taking care of people.” Woodley owns Sally’s Sewing Room on North Main in Clarion and is offering shoppers to her business on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, March 10 – 12, ten percent of the proceeds, given to PROeM, through the Clarion Church of Christ. She will personally match any amount.
Karen Hobbie, also a member of the Clarion church and mission account treasurer, said, “John and Zaba and their ministry have a wonderful track record. We have supported them monthly for many years.” There are many good ways to contribute to Ukraine work. This is just one, but it goes directly to the PROeM account. As it has already been set up, no administrative dollars will be taken. Missionary workers are already in place. Anyone interested could make out their checks to the Clarion Church of Christ, 420 North Main in Clarion, Iowa 50525; note in the corner – Ukraine or Croziers or PROeM. Hobbie will see that it goes directly into their forwarding account. Or use the web site – www.proemministries.org/donate .
Another way to help? John invites anyone who would like to travel to Poland and volunteer, to let them know! “We can’t house volunteers like we normally do,” he said. “They would have to stay in a hotel, so it wouldn’t be easy. But it could be rewarding. We are amazed at the way Americans are responding to us. We appreciate each gift.” He said they have been so blessed that they have been able to share some of the items with other refugee centers which have been less fortunate.
