Yesterday afternoon I was enjoying time at a coffee shop with Ukrainian friends when it happened. We went to a coffee shop with a nice outdoor seating area and enjoyed our last afternoon of warm weather before the sudden cool down arrives tomorrow. We were having a wonderful time of fellowship and coffee to celebrate the birthday of the husband when a car sped by on the street, gunning it, that had no muffler.
The noise was loud and came suddenly. It startled the wife. She jumped a little from her seat. Then she laughed but perhaps not because it was funny as much as to release the emotion of it all. It was more of a nervous laugh.
She had just left the war of Ukraine in March making her way with her family through sounds of war to safety. Sudden loud noises are a trigger for many refugees.
Without letting her know what I was doing, I did a few things to help bring her back into the present. I held up my hand and asked her jokingly, “how many fingers do you see?” Then I touched my nose and asked if she could do that and she did. Then I waved my hand and asked if she could do that and she did. She did not know why I was doing comical little things like that, but they brought her back into the present moment.
We continued on with our fellowship over coffee and I learned more about Ester the girl who received a violin. She told me that she plays music by ear as well as with written music. She told me she learns better by ear. I used YouTube to show her the song You Raise Me Up because it has beautiful violin music. I explained that the war and fleeing the war was a trauma but Jesus is raising her up. My friend Clark, Director of the Youth Symphony in my city and a viola/violin player, suggested that after she has practiced and feels ready that she could play with the symphony. We also talked about the two of them playing a duet.
Her mother was blessed to hear all of this. She recovered from being startled shortly before that. Such moments can bring healing to the souls and spirit of refugees. We will go out for coffee again this evening after our afternoon class. Hopefully no more loud noises.
Thank you for reading. God Bless.
Jesusluvsall's Blog 
Matt, I can’t imagine the “triggers” of war. God us using you, as always, to help our fellow man. What a beautiful family! I absolutely love that song and look forward to hearing it in the future. Keep on brother!
Thank you little sister. It is such a blessing to spend time with my refugee friends. I will try to record it when she plays it.
You’re so welcome! That would be great!
Great story Matt. We often do not realize how much others have gone through much less how to help them. Love the distraction technique
If we take the time to get to know people, we will learn about what they have been through. But if we have never met them before, we have no clue. So important to seek to reflect Christ’s love in any situation.
Even in the darkness night, the light of Jesus shines brighter. Thank God the teem girl has the opportunity to play the violin in the Youth Symphony!
Glad you were able to guide her back to a peaceful place. And nice picture. I played a violin for a few years in grade school.