I have an incredible story to share with you this morning, my loves – one which bears testimony to the strength of the human spirit.

The year was 1937, and Hitler’s Army was slowly rising to power. The German courts were powerless to interfere with the activities of the Gestapo in any way. Those who resisted were quickly imprisoned; some, accused of treason and executed.

The actions taken by the German government made it nearly impossible for the Jews to find employment; leaving at least half without the means to support their families. It was also the year that the Nazi’s began construction of Buchenwald – one of the first, and largest, of the concentration camps on German soil.

It was also the first to be liberated; and, the story behind it’s liberation is absolutely incredible. It is a testimony to the strength of human spirit.

Though nearly 250,000 beautiful human souls passed through the gates of Buchenwald, perhaps one of the most notable was a man by the name of Gwidon Damazyn, a Polish electrical engineer with a gift for radios. He was imprisoned at Buchenwald beginning in 1941, and though he faced certain death nearly every single day, still he never once lost hope.

Instead, he was reminded — that “he who has a ‘why’ to live for can bear almost any ‘how’.”

And so, against impossible odds – he helped to organize the prisoners and cobble away what little resources he could. The children were taught skilled to trades to forestall their execution; and those who had become weakened were shunted to less demanding jobs.

Eventually, the prisoners had amassed enough weaponry to take control of the camp, however, they knew in their hearts that it wouldn’t be enough. Incredibly, Gwidon managed to build a radio transceiver and a small generator, which he then concealed beneath the barracks floor. Using this radio, the inmates were not only able to track Allied movements, they were able to plan for the precise moment of their liberation.

As the American troops began closing in, they knew they had just this one chance. And so, on April 8, 1945 – they acted.

They sent one Morse code transmission, keyed in several English, German and Russian. It read simply,

“To the Allies. To the army of General Patton. This is the Buchenwald concentration camp. SOS. We request help. They want to evacuate us. The SS wants to destroy us.”

Finally, after three minutes they received their first and only response:

“KZ Bu. Hold out. Rushing to your aid. Staff of Third Army.”

Hearing this news, the prisoners rejoiced; they then grabbed what weaponry they had amassed, rushed the watch towers and seized control of the camp.

A detachment of troops of arrived at Buchenwald on April 11, 1945 at 3:15 P.M., (now the permanent time of the clock at the entrance gate). Once there, they helped to liberate and provide aid to the remaining survivors

Because of this one man’s actions, over 21,000 beautiful human souls were saved.

Among those rescued was an 8 year old little boy by the name of Lulek Lau. He is the youngest known survivor of Buchenwald.

My darlings, so often we feel what we have to offer is not nearly enough. We struggle to understand how one human heart can make a difference.

Oh, but I assure you it can.

In fact ~ it is only through the actions of one human heart, that we may begin to right the course of all humanity.

A little something to consider on this day, my loves. If you believe, you can make a world of difference.

Namaste ~ ❤️