by Christina Semon
I want to share with you an experience I had in which I witnessed my first Romanian baptism. Here is how it happened.
Wednesday at the PTFC we hold a meeting for the mothers. At this meeting they discussed their problems and listened to others. Then if the staff can offer some advice, they share it. It was my first time attending such meetings. Laura is one of the single mothers who has a son named Dragost. She was crying for half of the meeting while she was explaining her pains and worries. During the meeting, I learned that on Sunday she will have Dragost baptized at an Orthodox Monastery! My eyes brightened up after hearing this news.
On Sunday, I drove three of the ladies that work at the PTFC to the baptism. I saw Dragost's father, and I learned that Dragost's parents are around 19 and are Roma -- [Gypsy]. Laura did not expect anybody to come to her son's baptism and she was so grateful that we came to support her. The father, whose name is Florin, was hired by the monastery to help with some construction work and the Abbot got to know Florin. The Abbot talked to him about baptizing Dragost at the monastery. The parents are poor so that some of the typical baptismal things you would see were not there. But in God's eyes what items they had, and who participated are what mattered the most.
Dragost is now an Orthodox Christian. Glory to God!
Friday, October 30, 2009
'Getting the Word Out' About Substance Abuse
by Basil Spyropoulos
In late June/early July 2009, I had the great privilege of being involved with the efforts of the St. Dimitrie Project in Cluj, Romania. The St. Dimitrie Project is a treatment and outreach ministry which focuses on community education in and treatment of substance abuse. I spent two weeks in Romania during which, together with the St. Dimitrie Project Staff and its Director, OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz, I presented educational lectures on alcoholism and substance abuse to various audiences. The lectures were well-attended by lay people, priests, social workers, psychotherapists, and physicians.
I am greatly impressed by the success the St. Dimitrie Project has had in "getting the word out" about the realities of substance abuse and the fact that it is very treatable. As a direct result of this team's efforts, including publications and direct outreach, thousands of concerned persons have learned that alcoholism and substance abuse are treatable and that effective treatment can be found locally. Furthermore, treatment groups have been formed in many parts of the country. The project has helped hundreds of people reclaim their lives and, with God's help, it will continue to expand and touch the lives of many more.
In late June/early July 2009, I had the great privilege of being involved with the efforts of the St. Dimitrie Project in Cluj, Romania. The St. Dimitrie Project is a treatment and outreach ministry which focuses on community education in and treatment of substance abuse. I spent two weeks in Romania during which, together with the St. Dimitrie Project Staff and its Director, OCMC Missionary Floyd Frantz, I presented educational lectures on alcoholism and substance abuse to various audiences. The lectures were well-attended by lay people, priests, social workers, psychotherapists, and physicians.
I am greatly impressed by the success the St. Dimitrie Project has had in "getting the word out" about the realities of substance abuse and the fact that it is very treatable. As a direct result of this team's efforts, including publications and direct outreach, thousands of concerned persons have learned that alcoholism and substance abuse are treatable and that effective treatment can be found locally. Furthermore, treatment groups have been formed in many parts of the country. The project has helped hundreds of people reclaim their lives and, with God's help, it will continue to expand and touch the lives of many more.
2010 Teams Bulletin Insert Now Available!
The list of the OCMC 2010 Mission Teams is complete, and we need your help to get the word out! Visit http://www.ocmc.org/resources/view_announcement.aspx?AnnouncementId=42 to find a bulletin insert we've designed to give your parish more information about the 2010 Mission Teams; please print this and include it in your bulletin as soon as possible. OCMC Teams are an opportunity to change lives and to have your life changed in return! If you would like more information about Mission Teams, please contact OCMC at (904) 829-5132 or teams@ocmc.org. Share in a Journey of Faith!
Monday, October 26, 2009
The 2009 OCMC Mission Team to Guatemala: A Mission of Love (Part 1)
by Steven Shippy
"I am surrounded by love. It's not the kind of love you see on TV or in the movies, but love in its most true and simple form. It is the love that can only come from God. I have only been here at the Hogar for about a day, but I have already found that love in abundance everywhere I look.”
These were the opening words from the journal I kept during my trip to the Hogar Rafael Ayau orphanage in Guatemala this July. I was joined by 9 other Orthodox Christians from around the country, and together we had one main objective during our eleven days with the children at the Hogar: to love and be loved. Our days, of course, were filled with various activities such as sports, arts and crafts, baking, swimming, and lots and lots of playing and other fun activities. But it is the sharing of our very selves that will remain with us forever.
My trip began long before I stepped on the airplane, with the love, prayers, and support of my family, my friends, and most of all, my parish family at St Mary. Before I left I took on the task of collecting shoes for the teenagers. I was blessed with overwhelming support from the parish, my co-workers, and others and was able to bring 30 pairs of brand-new shoes, about 30 pairs of socks, and some monetary donations to help them cover what I was unable to bring. I also received donations to cover all of the arts and crafts projects that we had to buy supplies for and bring with us. With all of the shoes and supplies, my luggage was heavy; but it was a reminder that this trip is not my own. I left with the support of many people, and without that support, the trip would not have been possible. I am grateful to God for giving me such good friends and family.
During our eleven days at the Hogar, our biggest “mission” was to run “The Chocolate Train,” which is the summer program for the children. Our Team was put into pairs, and each pair was responsible for 8 to 9 children, ranging in ages from 5-13. Our daily activities included sports, arts and crafts, going to the bakery, games, Bible story videos, and playing in the park. There were also days where we had special activities, such as a mini-carnival with hot dogs and cotton candy, a live performance of songs from High School Musical, a birthday party for many of the children, and an inflatable “moonwalk” for the kids to jump and play in.
One of the biggest highlights for us and the children was a trip to the hot pools. There are 5 pools that are geothermally heated, and it was an absolute blast! In addition to our regular children from The Chocolate Train program, we were also joined by the little ones and the teenagers. The fact that it is now nearly a month later and my back still hurts from children climbing all over me and hours of piggy back rides that day gives you an idea of how much fun we had.
While we were at the Hogar, Mother Ivonne had given us the task to write down our most memorable moment. I ended up writing about two of the children I spent the most time with at the hot pools, Kevin and Cathy, who are 5 and 4: "Playing with Kevin and Cathy at the hot pools is a memory I will always keep with me. Cathy is just the sweetest little angel. We had so much fun playing in the water, and her giggling shy smile is so pure. I have a very special bond with Kevin and knew of him before I even came to the Hogar. His laughter will always ring in my ears, and his smile has found a permanent place in my heart." This was just one moment. There were so many.
One of the greatest blessings I received at the Hogar was getting to spend my 27th birthday there. We traveled to the monastery that day, which is about an hour away; here the new orphanage is being built. What an incredible place! The church sits high on the mountainside above Lake Amatitlan and is like a spiritual lighthouse for all to see. The nuns own almost the entire mountainside, and the difference between where the orphanage is now (in the middle of Guatemala City) and the new location in San Miguel is like the difference between night and day. Once the move is complete, the children can finally move away from the crime, pollution, and violence of the city and enjoy their own little paradise.
The orphanage is under the care of three Orthodox nuns and presently cares for around 60 children, but that number has reached nearly 150 at times. Many are victims of physical and sexual abuse, and it is very hard to hear their stories. However, as Fr. Nick Jonas, our team leader so wonderfully put it, “The children of the Hogar are being healed through practicing the Orthodox Christian way of life in all its fullness!” One of the things you are immediately struck by is their participation in the life of the Church, which includes services twice a day. The children are not required to go, yet most, if not all, attend. The children are the choir, chanters, and readers; the children serve in the altar and do the censings; the children light the candles, ring the bells, and clean the church. It is truly an amazing thing to experience. After my first service, I wrote in my journal, “Their praise to God is so sincere. I wish my parish family could see and experience it. They would be so moved.” I truly wish you could have experienced it.
There are so many things that I would share with you if I had more space to write. The fact that I wrote over 30 pages in my journal and took over 1,500 photographs on this trip might give you an idea of how much I have to share. And those were just the thoughts and memories I could find time to record. But I realize that I can share until my fingers hurt from writing or I’m out of breath from talking--but you still won’t truly and fully understand what I have seen and experienced and why I will carry this trip close to my heart for the rest of my life. I am very grateful for all of the support you have given me, and I now ask of you one more thing for those who are physically able: Go. Go anywhere. Just go. Join an OCMC Mission Team. Not for me, but for the millions of people around the world who are waiting for you to come and share the love of God with them. Mother Teresa once said, “Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.” She also said, “Love begins at home.”
With those words in mind, I would like to leave you with the last entry from the journal I kept during my two weeks in Guatemala. I pray that someday you will get to experience a trip for yourself.
“Last night we had our final meeting as a team over dinner and discussed the trip in order to have some closure on the whole experience. How did we grow? What did we accomplish? What did we learn? How will our lives be different? We were all able to answer these questions to a degree, but for many of us, I think our understanding of this trip will continually be made clear, perhaps maybe even many years from now. God’s Will for each of us is different. We have all been touched by this experience in unique and individual ways. I will continue to seek its meaning for my life and look forward to the many blessings that will come along with it. I know from experience that the hardest part is still to come. It’s those moments when you’re back home, back to work, and back to “reality” that isn’t really reality at all, and you’re wishing you could be with the kids. But there will be no little hands to hold. No hugs to receive, no tiny voices saying “Esteven! Mirar! (Steven! Look!)” Leaving is hard because here, I am surrounded by love. But there is one thing that I am always reminded of when I am away from home and my family and friends. Here at the Hogar I have come to know all of these beautiful children and it is difficult to understand why they were unwanted, abused, neglected, and exploited. By the grace of God and the love and charity of the nuns of the Holy Trinity monastery, they have been given a second chance. I will never fully understand what they have been through. When I get back home and see my family and friends and church, I can be certain of one thing: that I am still surrounded by love, and for that I am truly thankful.”
"I am surrounded by love. It's not the kind of love you see on TV or in the movies, but love in its most true and simple form. It is the love that can only come from God. I have only been here at the Hogar for about a day, but I have already found that love in abundance everywhere I look.”
These were the opening words from the journal I kept during my trip to the Hogar Rafael Ayau orphanage in Guatemala this July. I was joined by 9 other Orthodox Christians from around the country, and together we had one main objective during our eleven days with the children at the Hogar: to love and be loved. Our days, of course, were filled with various activities such as sports, arts and crafts, baking, swimming, and lots and lots of playing and other fun activities. But it is the sharing of our very selves that will remain with us forever.
My trip began long before I stepped on the airplane, with the love, prayers, and support of my family, my friends, and most of all, my parish family at St Mary. Before I left I took on the task of collecting shoes for the teenagers. I was blessed with overwhelming support from the parish, my co-workers, and others and was able to bring 30 pairs of brand-new shoes, about 30 pairs of socks, and some monetary donations to help them cover what I was unable to bring. I also received donations to cover all of the arts and crafts projects that we had to buy supplies for and bring with us. With all of the shoes and supplies, my luggage was heavy; but it was a reminder that this trip is not my own. I left with the support of many people, and without that support, the trip would not have been possible. I am grateful to God for giving me such good friends and family.
During our eleven days at the Hogar, our biggest “mission” was to run “The Chocolate Train,” which is the summer program for the children. Our Team was put into pairs, and each pair was responsible for 8 to 9 children, ranging in ages from 5-13. Our daily activities included sports, arts and crafts, going to the bakery, games, Bible story videos, and playing in the park. There were also days where we had special activities, such as a mini-carnival with hot dogs and cotton candy, a live performance of songs from High School Musical, a birthday party for many of the children, and an inflatable “moonwalk” for the kids to jump and play in.
One of the biggest highlights for us and the children was a trip to the hot pools. There are 5 pools that are geothermally heated, and it was an absolute blast! In addition to our regular children from The Chocolate Train program, we were also joined by the little ones and the teenagers. The fact that it is now nearly a month later and my back still hurts from children climbing all over me and hours of piggy back rides that day gives you an idea of how much fun we had.
While we were at the Hogar, Mother Ivonne had given us the task to write down our most memorable moment. I ended up writing about two of the children I spent the most time with at the hot pools, Kevin and Cathy, who are 5 and 4: "Playing with Kevin and Cathy at the hot pools is a memory I will always keep with me. Cathy is just the sweetest little angel. We had so much fun playing in the water, and her giggling shy smile is so pure. I have a very special bond with Kevin and knew of him before I even came to the Hogar. His laughter will always ring in my ears, and his smile has found a permanent place in my heart." This was just one moment. There were so many.
One of the greatest blessings I received at the Hogar was getting to spend my 27th birthday there. We traveled to the monastery that day, which is about an hour away; here the new orphanage is being built. What an incredible place! The church sits high on the mountainside above Lake Amatitlan and is like a spiritual lighthouse for all to see. The nuns own almost the entire mountainside, and the difference between where the orphanage is now (in the middle of Guatemala City) and the new location in San Miguel is like the difference between night and day. Once the move is complete, the children can finally move away from the crime, pollution, and violence of the city and enjoy their own little paradise.
The orphanage is under the care of three Orthodox nuns and presently cares for around 60 children, but that number has reached nearly 150 at times. Many are victims of physical and sexual abuse, and it is very hard to hear their stories. However, as Fr. Nick Jonas, our team leader so wonderfully put it, “The children of the Hogar are being healed through practicing the Orthodox Christian way of life in all its fullness!” One of the things you are immediately struck by is their participation in the life of the Church, which includes services twice a day. The children are not required to go, yet most, if not all, attend. The children are the choir, chanters, and readers; the children serve in the altar and do the censings; the children light the candles, ring the bells, and clean the church. It is truly an amazing thing to experience. After my first service, I wrote in my journal, “Their praise to God is so sincere. I wish my parish family could see and experience it. They would be so moved.” I truly wish you could have experienced it.
There are so many things that I would share with you if I had more space to write. The fact that I wrote over 30 pages in my journal and took over 1,500 photographs on this trip might give you an idea of how much I have to share. And those were just the thoughts and memories I could find time to record. But I realize that I can share until my fingers hurt from writing or I’m out of breath from talking--but you still won’t truly and fully understand what I have seen and experienced and why I will carry this trip close to my heart for the rest of my life. I am very grateful for all of the support you have given me, and I now ask of you one more thing for those who are physically able: Go. Go anywhere. Just go. Join an OCMC Mission Team. Not for me, but for the millions of people around the world who are waiting for you to come and share the love of God with them. Mother Teresa once said, “Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.” She also said, “Love begins at home.”
With those words in mind, I would like to leave you with the last entry from the journal I kept during my two weeks in Guatemala. I pray that someday you will get to experience a trip for yourself.
“Last night we had our final meeting as a team over dinner and discussed the trip in order to have some closure on the whole experience. How did we grow? What did we accomplish? What did we learn? How will our lives be different? We were all able to answer these questions to a degree, but for many of us, I think our understanding of this trip will continually be made clear, perhaps maybe even many years from now. God’s Will for each of us is different. We have all been touched by this experience in unique and individual ways. I will continue to seek its meaning for my life and look forward to the many blessings that will come along with it. I know from experience that the hardest part is still to come. It’s those moments when you’re back home, back to work, and back to “reality” that isn’t really reality at all, and you’re wishing you could be with the kids. But there will be no little hands to hold. No hugs to receive, no tiny voices saying “Esteven! Mirar! (Steven! Look!)” Leaving is hard because here, I am surrounded by love. But there is one thing that I am always reminded of when I am away from home and my family and friends. Here at the Hogar I have come to know all of these beautiful children and it is difficult to understand why they were unwanted, abused, neglected, and exploited. By the grace of God and the love and charity of the nuns of the Holy Trinity monastery, they have been given a second chance. I will never fully understand what they have been through. When I get back home and see my family and friends and church, I can be certain of one thing: that I am still surrounded by love, and for that I am truly thankful.”
The First OCMC Mission Team to Zimbabwe
by AmandaEve Wigglesworth
Red dust kicks up from the ground, highlighting the stark beauty of beiges and browns in the fields and the leafless trees. The rains won’t begin for at least another month – you can taste the dust coating your throat. A group of men are singing in jubilation and stomping the dust with vigour. They keep the beat with their hands alone; there are no drums in sight. The tiny village of Hurungwe has little to offer – tattered clothing, bare feet, and hungry bellies are in abundance – but today their spirits are full because today their Bishop is visiting with a Mission Team from the United States and Canada. Today, the foundation stone of their new church will be put into place; it will go under where the altar will be built. Emotions are high for everyone. The Team members assist in the service and watch their names being lowered into the foundation with the founders of this African church. As they clap and dance along to the songs of the Shona women, they know that a part of them will remain in Africa forever.
The first OCMC Mission Team to Zimbabwe experienced many unforgettable events like this as we travelled alongside His Eminence Metropolitan George of Zimbabwe. We participated in what is already happening throughout the country and experienced a reciprocal blessing between the team members and the local church (comprised of the Greek, Shona, and Ndebele people groups). Our brothers and sisters in Christ showed us love and taught us about hospitality.
They are hungry for instruction about the Orthodox Church and way of life. We found much joy during the teaching times as we shared from our own knowledge and experience and tried to answer their many questions. They also bared their souls to us by asking very personal questions before and after sessions, as well as during the gender and age-specific sessions. After two weeks of clinging to us like Velcro, a few small children will now be wondering, “Where did the white women go?”
There is so much hunger in Zimbabwe. The people are hungry for food and other supplies. Only a year ago, grocery store shelves were empty, and there was no petrol. Banks were restricting how much a person could withdraw each day; even if you had money in the bank, you could not access it when you needed it. The inflation had gone out of control. One US dollar equalled 13 trillion Zim Dollars. At the beginning of 2009, Zim dollars ceased to be used, and the country currently operates on US dollars and South African rands.
Today, things have improved dramatically. Bread is available in the cities. Petrol is available at most stations (but make sure to read the chalk boards which announce “petrol – yes, diesel – yes” if you want to be sure). Knick-knacks are available at the markets. As visitors, we had plenty to eat. However, there are still shortages. In Harare, a city of 6 million people, there has been no public water source for a year and a half (early 2008). Each building or residence has to pump water from the water table. Power cuts occur without warning, thereby affecting everything (including traffic signals and the water pumps). One night, the Metropolis was without electricity and water from 6:30pm until 9:00am the next morning. This has become a frustrating part of their lives. Despite this, the people are joyful. They know how much the situation has improved. They are survivors.
The villages are still struggling. They do not receive many of the food items and school supplies that are now available in the cities. In Chitate, a hamlet outside of the village of Mrehwa, a group of women have formed a peanut butter making co-operative. They grow the peanuts, harvest them, shell them, clean them, and grind them into peanut butter. They sell their organic product (chunky or creamy!) in the village. These women are hard-working and determined to help provide for their families.
The Team was blessed to spend time with the villagers in order to witness the peanut butter project and the spirit of the people. What love and what joy! When we arrived, the women were singing, dancing, and clapping in procession to meet us. We had never met them before, but each woman embraced every team member with such excitement, energy, and length that it appeared as though they were greeting relatives whom they had not seen for a very long time. They honoured us like dignitaries and happily showed off the village. We were also able to try grinding the peanuts and tasting the result. It tasted just like the organic peanut butter I buy at home! The women cooked a traditional Zimbabwean meal for us, including meat (something that is always rare in villages). We blessed them with food, toys, school supplies, and candy which had been sent in crates from Greece. His Eminence also blessed them by buying the entire stock of peanut butter (which he then distributed as gifts). The entire village was blessed that day…and so were we.
The communities are also lacking in school and church supplies. We received many requests for supplies. Money is also needed to carry out the work of the Church. Another project of the Metropolis is the School Fee Program. All children must pay school fees to go to school (for both public and private schools). Most parents cannot afford to pay the public school fees.
At the end of the day, it was hard to leave because of the relationships we had started to form. We connected with brothers and sisters in Christ of all colours, genders, and ages in various ways. As we shared our stories and the people shared theirs, we realized how much we have in common even when our day-to-day lives are so different. It was hard to say goodbye to our remarkable brothers and sisters in Christ after so short a time. But we know that they will be praying for us, our churches, and the next Team that will come to serve them. Already, I am wondering whether I will be a part of that Team. When God asks, “Who shall I send to Zimbabwe?” Will you answer, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”?
Red dust kicks up from the ground, highlighting the stark beauty of beiges and browns in the fields and the leafless trees. The rains won’t begin for at least another month – you can taste the dust coating your throat. A group of men are singing in jubilation and stomping the dust with vigour. They keep the beat with their hands alone; there are no drums in sight. The tiny village of Hurungwe has little to offer – tattered clothing, bare feet, and hungry bellies are in abundance – but today their spirits are full because today their Bishop is visiting with a Mission Team from the United States and Canada. Today, the foundation stone of their new church will be put into place; it will go under where the altar will be built. Emotions are high for everyone. The Team members assist in the service and watch their names being lowered into the foundation with the founders of this African church. As they clap and dance along to the songs of the Shona women, they know that a part of them will remain in Africa forever.
The first OCMC Mission Team to Zimbabwe experienced many unforgettable events like this as we travelled alongside His Eminence Metropolitan George of Zimbabwe. We participated in what is already happening throughout the country and experienced a reciprocal blessing between the team members and the local church (comprised of the Greek, Shona, and Ndebele people groups). Our brothers and sisters in Christ showed us love and taught us about hospitality.
They are hungry for instruction about the Orthodox Church and way of life. We found much joy during the teaching times as we shared from our own knowledge and experience and tried to answer their many questions. They also bared their souls to us by asking very personal questions before and after sessions, as well as during the gender and age-specific sessions. After two weeks of clinging to us like Velcro, a few small children will now be wondering, “Where did the white women go?”
There is so much hunger in Zimbabwe. The people are hungry for food and other supplies. Only a year ago, grocery store shelves were empty, and there was no petrol. Banks were restricting how much a person could withdraw each day; even if you had money in the bank, you could not access it when you needed it. The inflation had gone out of control. One US dollar equalled 13 trillion Zim Dollars. At the beginning of 2009, Zim dollars ceased to be used, and the country currently operates on US dollars and South African rands.
Today, things have improved dramatically. Bread is available in the cities. Petrol is available at most stations (but make sure to read the chalk boards which announce “petrol – yes, diesel – yes” if you want to be sure). Knick-knacks are available at the markets. As visitors, we had plenty to eat. However, there are still shortages. In Harare, a city of 6 million people, there has been no public water source for a year and a half (early 2008). Each building or residence has to pump water from the water table. Power cuts occur without warning, thereby affecting everything (including traffic signals and the water pumps). One night, the Metropolis was without electricity and water from 6:30pm until 9:00am the next morning. This has become a frustrating part of their lives. Despite this, the people are joyful. They know how much the situation has improved. They are survivors.
The villages are still struggling. They do not receive many of the food items and school supplies that are now available in the cities. In Chitate, a hamlet outside of the village of Mrehwa, a group of women have formed a peanut butter making co-operative. They grow the peanuts, harvest them, shell them, clean them, and grind them into peanut butter. They sell their organic product (chunky or creamy!) in the village. These women are hard-working and determined to help provide for their families.
The Team was blessed to spend time with the villagers in order to witness the peanut butter project and the spirit of the people. What love and what joy! When we arrived, the women were singing, dancing, and clapping in procession to meet us. We had never met them before, but each woman embraced every team member with such excitement, energy, and length that it appeared as though they were greeting relatives whom they had not seen for a very long time. They honoured us like dignitaries and happily showed off the village. We were also able to try grinding the peanuts and tasting the result. It tasted just like the organic peanut butter I buy at home! The women cooked a traditional Zimbabwean meal for us, including meat (something that is always rare in villages). We blessed them with food, toys, school supplies, and candy which had been sent in crates from Greece. His Eminence also blessed them by buying the entire stock of peanut butter (which he then distributed as gifts). The entire village was blessed that day…and so were we.
The communities are also lacking in school and church supplies. We received many requests for supplies. Money is also needed to carry out the work of the Church. Another project of the Metropolis is the School Fee Program. All children must pay school fees to go to school (for both public and private schools). Most parents cannot afford to pay the public school fees.
At the end of the day, it was hard to leave because of the relationships we had started to form. We connected with brothers and sisters in Christ of all colours, genders, and ages in various ways. As we shared our stories and the people shared theirs, we realized how much we have in common even when our day-to-day lives are so different. It was hard to say goodbye to our remarkable brothers and sisters in Christ after so short a time. But we know that they will be praying for us, our churches, and the next Team that will come to serve them. Already, I am wondering whether I will be a part of that Team. When God asks, “Who shall I send to Zimbabwe?” Will you answer, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Holistic Orthodoxy – Alive and Well in Zimbabwe, Part III
by Wendy Bodnar
“We are greeted with hugs, songs, and dance….”
We set off to meet our first group of Orthodox converts at St. Nektarios. We were greeted with hugs, songs, and dance. This was probably the most humbling experience of my life. I was in awe of their smiling faces and the way their bodies swayed with the uplifting Shona songs. They were sincerely happy to see us and to receive us as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the way we were received at each and every indigenous Orthodox and non-Orthodox location throughout Zimbabwe.
His Eminence Bishop George smiled and spoke to the people with love, and he managed to say something that spoke to the heart. This is one of his many gifts. He is a dynamic leader, and those around him want to follow his kind smile, the twinkle in his eye, and his love of Jesus Christ’s Church.
The Church was beautiful, a tall stone structure with benches and wonderful iconography. There was not only a Church but also a Medical Facility and a two-story school. His Eminence really addresses the whole person: the spiritual healing of the Church, the body’s physical needs, and the education of the children - the future of Zimbabwe. This is what impressed me the most. I had only witnessed this holistic Orthodoxy once before, and that was at the Hogar Raphael Ayau orphanage in Guatemala, where Church, physical health, and expanding the mind were crucial in healing the hearts and souls of the children there.
This holistic approach was the taken in all of the villages and cities we visited. The Orthodox Church is there to heal the souls that endure so much and the physical ailments that plague the people and to teach them how to be self-sufficient and productive.
With the lesson plans we had prepared. we spoke to the adults and then held separate lessons for the youth and young children. Our topics were wide and covered the History of the Church, the Role of Women and Youth in the Church, the importance of a prayer life, Salvation, the Lives of the Saints, Orthodox Marriage, and the many ‘on-the-spot’ topics that sprang up. The people were engaged at each and every session; they listened, took notes, and asked profound questions. They were very curious about the Coptic Orthodox and the split with the Eastern Churches, and they wanted to know the differences and the similarities between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. They were hungry for the truth and to learn how to share their faith.
One thing that really stood out for me was the knowledge-base and the amazing job that the indigenous priests have done. We were attending a Sunday school program at St. Nektarios. We began with some open questions about prayer. I asked the group what it means when we make the sign of the cross. “What do the three fingers together represent?” I asked. First of all, they all showed me the correct technique and said that it represents the Holy Trinity – right! Then I asked a tougher question, “What do the two fingers bent down mean?” There was silence, and then a young girl raised her hand. ”It means that there are two persons in one; Christ is God and Man!" she said. Wow. I gave her a special reward and am still amazed.
We were learner-servants; we were brothers and sisters in Christ. We taught in all of the locations where there were Orthodox Churches and future mission sites. We traveled the cities and the remote villages, and we witnessed the same love and sincerity at every turn. The holistic Orthodox Church is healing Zimbabwe, both the indigenous Africans and the warm-hearted Greek community. We will all continue to pray for this healing.
We experienced many special moments on this mission. We witnessed God’s great plan in action as we saw women growing peanuts and making organic peanut butter to survive. We were in the midst of the land of a modern day saint, Saint Efterpi, and we witnessed the beginnings of a new Church in a small, poor northern village. I pray to return one day to see the Church here in its totality.
How do you sum up a Mission Team experience? By the Grace of God is all that comes to mind. To go on a Mission Team is to leave the world you know and immerse yourself in another, to trust in God’s plan and know that you left a piece of you there and that you have returned with Africa in your heart. I will never forget the love that the people revealed to me, the love of His Eminence for all the faithful and seekers, and the true power of Africa, its history and its future. Keeping holistic Orthodoxy alive in Zimbabwe is the key for each and every person who wants it.
“We are greeted with hugs, songs, and dance….”
We set off to meet our first group of Orthodox converts at St. Nektarios. We were greeted with hugs, songs, and dance. This was probably the most humbling experience of my life. I was in awe of their smiling faces and the way their bodies swayed with the uplifting Shona songs. They were sincerely happy to see us and to receive us as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the way we were received at each and every indigenous Orthodox and non-Orthodox location throughout Zimbabwe.
His Eminence Bishop George smiled and spoke to the people with love, and he managed to say something that spoke to the heart. This is one of his many gifts. He is a dynamic leader, and those around him want to follow his kind smile, the twinkle in his eye, and his love of Jesus Christ’s Church.
The Church was beautiful, a tall stone structure with benches and wonderful iconography. There was not only a Church but also a Medical Facility and a two-story school. His Eminence really addresses the whole person: the spiritual healing of the Church, the body’s physical needs, and the education of the children - the future of Zimbabwe. This is what impressed me the most. I had only witnessed this holistic Orthodoxy once before, and that was at the Hogar Raphael Ayau orphanage in Guatemala, where Church, physical health, and expanding the mind were crucial in healing the hearts and souls of the children there.
This holistic approach was the taken in all of the villages and cities we visited. The Orthodox Church is there to heal the souls that endure so much and the physical ailments that plague the people and to teach them how to be self-sufficient and productive.
With the lesson plans we had prepared. we spoke to the adults and then held separate lessons for the youth and young children. Our topics were wide and covered the History of the Church, the Role of Women and Youth in the Church, the importance of a prayer life, Salvation, the Lives of the Saints, Orthodox Marriage, and the many ‘on-the-spot’ topics that sprang up. The people were engaged at each and every session; they listened, took notes, and asked profound questions. They were very curious about the Coptic Orthodox and the split with the Eastern Churches, and they wanted to know the differences and the similarities between the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. They were hungry for the truth and to learn how to share their faith.
One thing that really stood out for me was the knowledge-base and the amazing job that the indigenous priests have done. We were attending a Sunday school program at St. Nektarios. We began with some open questions about prayer. I asked the group what it means when we make the sign of the cross. “What do the three fingers together represent?” I asked. First of all, they all showed me the correct technique and said that it represents the Holy Trinity – right! Then I asked a tougher question, “What do the two fingers bent down mean?” There was silence, and then a young girl raised her hand. ”It means that there are two persons in one; Christ is God and Man!" she said. Wow. I gave her a special reward and am still amazed.
We were learner-servants; we were brothers and sisters in Christ. We taught in all of the locations where there were Orthodox Churches and future mission sites. We traveled the cities and the remote villages, and we witnessed the same love and sincerity at every turn. The holistic Orthodox Church is healing Zimbabwe, both the indigenous Africans and the warm-hearted Greek community. We will all continue to pray for this healing.
We experienced many special moments on this mission. We witnessed God’s great plan in action as we saw women growing peanuts and making organic peanut butter to survive. We were in the midst of the land of a modern day saint, Saint Efterpi, and we witnessed the beginnings of a new Church in a small, poor northern village. I pray to return one day to see the Church here in its totality.
How do you sum up a Mission Team experience? By the Grace of God is all that comes to mind. To go on a Mission Team is to leave the world you know and immerse yourself in another, to trust in God’s plan and know that you left a piece of you there and that you have returned with Africa in your heart. I will never forget the love that the people revealed to me, the love of His Eminence for all the faithful and seekers, and the true power of Africa, its history and its future. Keeping holistic Orthodoxy alive in Zimbabwe is the key for each and every person who wants it.
Holistic Orthodoxy – Alive and Well in Zimbabwe, Part II
by Wendy Bodnar
“…And the journey to Zimbabwe began…"
We now had a short time to complete our fundraising and learn about a new destination, while preparing our teaching topics. I read many articles, researched websites, and heard from people who knew someone who had been to Zimbabwe. The picture that was painted was not a pretty one. It involved AIDS/HIV orphans, people with a 45-year life-span, racial tension, militant leadership, the fall of the Zimbabwean dollar, and crime-filled streets. The basic message: really think before you decide to travel to Zimbabwe. We were also warned about the deteriorating healthcare system, poor drinking water, safari accidents and deaths, and the presidential motorcade that will mow you down if you are in their way. Wow, God must really need us in Zimbabwe!
During our Orientation at the OCMC headquarters in St. Augustine, Florida, we learned more about teamwork, Zimbabwe itself, and the Bishop, His Eminence George. We discussed our teaching topics, practiced some of the local Shona language, and completed final preparations. We were reminded to go as learner-servants and to be good ambassadors for Christ and the mission program. Most importantly we were told to expect the unexpected, and that is just what we got.
“Expect the unexpected…”
In the past, when I had thought of Africa I had pictured dry land, with tall distinctive trees and exotic animals feeding and running in herds. I thought that I would learn more Shona and Ndebele to communicate with the native Africans. I imagined eating corn, bread, and sugar cane. I imagined staying in a small round hut and walking great distances to plant mission churches. This vision was as far off as the warnings that the media supplied before our arrival.
After a long journey, we arrived at the Harare airport. Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe and has a population of six million. We were greeted by His Eminence George, Father Michael (our team leader), and Father George (the priest at the Cathedral) – basically the Men in Black. They were all warm and friendly and very happy to see that we had arrived safely. As we drove through the streets of Harare, it appeared to be like any large city in North America. There was a distinct downtown with tall buildings and palm trees that lined the main thoroughfare. The men wore dress shirts with long sleeves and slacks – no shorts and t-shirts here - and the women had long skirts and flowery tops. The women balanced large bags, buckets, suitcases, and bags of oranges on their heads. (This was something I really wanted to master!) The men carried equally impressive loads, but on their shoulders instead of their heads. We were told that AmandaEve, Kevin, and I would stay in an apartment, and Clark and Father Michael would stay at the Metropolis house.
I learned that His Eminence was originally from Limmisol in Cyprus. We had much to talk about, as Cyprus is one of my favorite places I’ve visited. We learned later that many of the Zimbabweans of Greek-origin emigrated from this small island in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. What a blessing for me. My Orthodox life began in a Ukrainian Church, I also spent three years under the Greek Metropolis, and now I attend a church within the Antiochian archdiocese. God truly prepared me to feel at home with Father Michael, who is Carpatho-Russian, and His Eminence from Cyprus; we could share stories and the love of Halloumi cheese. I was able to follow the Greek services and felt quite at home with Father Michael’s Oche Nash (Our Father).
“I expected to stay in a hut, sleep with ants and eat corn and sugar cane…”
I expected to stay in a hut, sleep with ants and eat corn and sugar cane – instead we ate Greek delicacies, slept in comfortable beds and had hot showers daily. His Eminence George showed us every hospitality and acquainted us with both the Greek and indigenous Orthodox people in Zimbabwe. There were some disadvantages though; we were cautioned against leaving the safety of our apartment after 4:00pm, concrete walls with barbed wire and electronic gates and guards surrounded most of the buildings, homes, and apartments. Our own apartment had complete wrought iron gates that had to be locked in addition to our doors; we were even warned not to leave our bathroom windows opened as something may get stolen.
Within the Church, Shona and Ndebele peoples are coming in droves – over 800 for Liturgy at St. Nektarios in Harare--while the opposite is happening within the Greek Zimbabwean community. The duality of Orthodoxy here was interesting, and challenging. The Greeks love Zimbabwe - this is the only home that many of them have ever known - but when the land re-distribution occurred in 1980, many lost their family farms and their way of life. They left in droves, leaving only handfuls to keep the faith and to love the land they knew so well. This was a huge turning point for a country that was on the cusp of consumerism.
“…And the journey to Zimbabwe began…"
We now had a short time to complete our fundraising and learn about a new destination, while preparing our teaching topics. I read many articles, researched websites, and heard from people who knew someone who had been to Zimbabwe. The picture that was painted was not a pretty one. It involved AIDS/HIV orphans, people with a 45-year life-span, racial tension, militant leadership, the fall of the Zimbabwean dollar, and crime-filled streets. The basic message: really think before you decide to travel to Zimbabwe. We were also warned about the deteriorating healthcare system, poor drinking water, safari accidents and deaths, and the presidential motorcade that will mow you down if you are in their way. Wow, God must really need us in Zimbabwe!
During our Orientation at the OCMC headquarters in St. Augustine, Florida, we learned more about teamwork, Zimbabwe itself, and the Bishop, His Eminence George. We discussed our teaching topics, practiced some of the local Shona language, and completed final preparations. We were reminded to go as learner-servants and to be good ambassadors for Christ and the mission program. Most importantly we were told to expect the unexpected, and that is just what we got.
“Expect the unexpected…”
In the past, when I had thought of Africa I had pictured dry land, with tall distinctive trees and exotic animals feeding and running in herds. I thought that I would learn more Shona and Ndebele to communicate with the native Africans. I imagined eating corn, bread, and sugar cane. I imagined staying in a small round hut and walking great distances to plant mission churches. This vision was as far off as the warnings that the media supplied before our arrival.
After a long journey, we arrived at the Harare airport. Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe and has a population of six million. We were greeted by His Eminence George, Father Michael (our team leader), and Father George (the priest at the Cathedral) – basically the Men in Black. They were all warm and friendly and very happy to see that we had arrived safely. As we drove through the streets of Harare, it appeared to be like any large city in North America. There was a distinct downtown with tall buildings and palm trees that lined the main thoroughfare. The men wore dress shirts with long sleeves and slacks – no shorts and t-shirts here - and the women had long skirts and flowery tops. The women balanced large bags, buckets, suitcases, and bags of oranges on their heads. (This was something I really wanted to master!) The men carried equally impressive loads, but on their shoulders instead of their heads. We were told that AmandaEve, Kevin, and I would stay in an apartment, and Clark and Father Michael would stay at the Metropolis house.
I learned that His Eminence was originally from Limmisol in Cyprus. We had much to talk about, as Cyprus is one of my favorite places I’ve visited. We learned later that many of the Zimbabweans of Greek-origin emigrated from this small island in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. What a blessing for me. My Orthodox life began in a Ukrainian Church, I also spent three years under the Greek Metropolis, and now I attend a church within the Antiochian archdiocese. God truly prepared me to feel at home with Father Michael, who is Carpatho-Russian, and His Eminence from Cyprus; we could share stories and the love of Halloumi cheese. I was able to follow the Greek services and felt quite at home with Father Michael’s Oche Nash (Our Father).
“I expected to stay in a hut, sleep with ants and eat corn and sugar cane…”
I expected to stay in a hut, sleep with ants and eat corn and sugar cane – instead we ate Greek delicacies, slept in comfortable beds and had hot showers daily. His Eminence George showed us every hospitality and acquainted us with both the Greek and indigenous Orthodox people in Zimbabwe. There were some disadvantages though; we were cautioned against leaving the safety of our apartment after 4:00pm, concrete walls with barbed wire and electronic gates and guards surrounded most of the buildings, homes, and apartments. Our own apartment had complete wrought iron gates that had to be locked in addition to our doors; we were even warned not to leave our bathroom windows opened as something may get stolen.
Within the Church, Shona and Ndebele peoples are coming in droves – over 800 for Liturgy at St. Nektarios in Harare--while the opposite is happening within the Greek Zimbabwean community. The duality of Orthodoxy here was interesting, and challenging. The Greeks love Zimbabwe - this is the only home that many of them have ever known - but when the land re-distribution occurred in 1980, many lost their family farms and their way of life. They left in droves, leaving only handfuls to keep the faith and to love the land they knew so well. This was a huge turning point for a country that was on the cusp of consumerism.
Holistic Orthodoxy – Alive and Well in Zimbabwe, Part I
by Wendy Bodnar
Since my first mission trip in 2002 as a part of an Orthodox Chirstian Mission Center (OCMC) Mission Team to Guatemala, I was praying for another Team opportunity. I have felt the call to Africa for seven years, but life always got in the way. This year, God had a plan for me and for the members of this small but well-orchestrated Team. We have all heard the saying that ‘God works in mysterious ways.’ Well, I would like to re-coin the phrase as ‘God works in purposeful ways!’
When I applied for a 2009 Team with OCMC, I had chosen to serve in Tanzania first, due to other friends who had participated. Nigeria was my second choice, and South Korea was my third. I quickly heard back from OCMC that Tanzania had been filled, so Nigeria would be my calling. I was thrilled; this was to be the first ever OCMC Team experience in Nigeria. There were two other team members from my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Who would have thought that three Canadians would be the ambassadors to Nigeria for a North American Mission Team? I had some reservations as we had no priest or team leader, but we were assured that as long as the Bishop was okay with it, OCMC was okay with it. My supporters were visibly concerned about the safety of Nigeria, but I knew that if it was God’s will we would be under His complete protection.
After the half-way mark of my fundraising for Nigeria, we were asked to provide documents for the visa necessary to enter the country. We made sure that all was completed properly to fulfill our commitment. Unfortunately, we learned that since our visa application was for a religious purpose we would have to receive approval from the Nigerian immigration office in Nigeria; the process would take months. I was disheartened, as the Bishop there was organizing many opportunities for us to share Orthodoxy with various groups. But God had another plan for us: Zimbabwe.
Who would have known? A new plan was set, and a similar focus of teaching was prepared. This Mission Team would also be a first for the OCMC. There was a small contingent set: a team leader, Father Michael Miklos (who had been to various parts of Africa), along with Clark Wilson (who had been with Father Michael in Tanzania the previous year), and the original three Canadians, Kevin and AmandaEve Wigglesworth and me. This felt right, and the journey to Zimbabwe began.
Since my first mission trip in 2002 as a part of an Orthodox Chirstian Mission Center (OCMC) Mission Team to Guatemala, I was praying for another Team opportunity. I have felt the call to Africa for seven years, but life always got in the way. This year, God had a plan for me and for the members of this small but well-orchestrated Team. We have all heard the saying that ‘God works in mysterious ways.’ Well, I would like to re-coin the phrase as ‘God works in purposeful ways!’
When I applied for a 2009 Team with OCMC, I had chosen to serve in Tanzania first, due to other friends who had participated. Nigeria was my second choice, and South Korea was my third. I quickly heard back from OCMC that Tanzania had been filled, so Nigeria would be my calling. I was thrilled; this was to be the first ever OCMC Team experience in Nigeria. There were two other team members from my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Who would have thought that three Canadians would be the ambassadors to Nigeria for a North American Mission Team? I had some reservations as we had no priest or team leader, but we were assured that as long as the Bishop was okay with it, OCMC was okay with it. My supporters were visibly concerned about the safety of Nigeria, but I knew that if it was God’s will we would be under His complete protection.
After the half-way mark of my fundraising for Nigeria, we were asked to provide documents for the visa necessary to enter the country. We made sure that all was completed properly to fulfill our commitment. Unfortunately, we learned that since our visa application was for a religious purpose we would have to receive approval from the Nigerian immigration office in Nigeria; the process would take months. I was disheartened, as the Bishop there was organizing many opportunities for us to share Orthodoxy with various groups. But God had another plan for us: Zimbabwe.
Who would have known? A new plan was set, and a similar focus of teaching was prepared. This Mission Team would also be a first for the OCMC. There was a small contingent set: a team leader, Father Michael Miklos (who had been to various parts of Africa), along with Clark Wilson (who had been with Father Michael in Tanzania the previous year), and the original three Canadians, Kevin and AmandaEve Wigglesworth and me. This felt right, and the journey to Zimbabwe began.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Travelogue by OCMC Missionary Candidate James Hargrave
Dear friends,
Glory to Jesus Christ! Utukufu kwa Yesu Kristo!
I'm assuming with this travelogue that you're already familiar with who I am and where I'm going. If you'd like some more background on my preparations for long-term OCMC missionary service with the Orthodox Christian Diocese of Mwanza in Tanzania, or if you'd like to see pictures, please visit http://jhargrave.ocmc.org.
September began at one of my favorite places on Earth-- the little hermitage in the woods at Ss. Mary & Martha Orthodox Monastery in Wagener, SC. The sisterhood in Wagener has been part of my life for four years, and the past four years have been richer for it. If you don't know Ss. Mary & Martha, then you should. If you're in college (or in your twenties), you should go to their winter retreat.
While based at the monastery, I experienced much of South Carolina-- Holy Ascension in Charleston, Holy Apostles in Columbia, and Holy Resurrection in Aiken. Charleston is called the "Holy City" for its skyline of steeples. The churches of this port city are architectural landmarks, and Holy Ascension is the finest among them. With its towering cupolas and breathtaking iconography, it is unmistakably an Orthodox Christian temple built for the ages. With its heart-pine floors and an exterior of stucco and bronze, it is unmistakably at home in Charleston. This stunning work of liturgical architecture has a choir to match. And the hearts of the faithful of Charleston exceed even the glory of their temple.
After a behind-the-scenes tour of downtown Charleston given to me by a native who knows her stuff, I got to visit with the local Orthodox Christian Fellowship. The group is a mix of students from College of Charleston and cadets from The Citadel.
Student fellowship at a military academy looks a little different than it does in other schools. How does it look different? Well, we actually began on time...
From there I visited Holy Apostles in Columbia very briefly, just for Liturgy of the Nativity of the Theotokos where I was able to worship with the faithful and meet in fellowship afterwards. I've ended up in Columbia periodically over the years, and Holy Apostles is like an old friend that you only get to see once in a blue moon--it's always great to be back. After a few more days at the monastery, I spent Saturday evening Vespers with the faithful of Holy Resurrection in Aiken, SC. This is a small mission parish. When I say small, I mean that you've got to crowd to the back of the nave to avoid getting hit in the eye by Fr. Robert's censer. There is a crowd in that little building, though, and their vision for the future is grand.
Early on the morning of Sunday the 13th I drove through the hills of North Georgia to St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church in Watkinsville (just outside of Athens), home to the University of Georgia. St. Philothea, like my own home parish St. Elizabeth's in Gainesville, is a college-town church with great diversity. I heard the Our Father in at least five languages and met parishioners from a great variety of backgrounds. After spending time with relatives in the area and visiting the local sights (Stone Mountain in thick fog and cold rain), I returned to South Carolina's Piedmont to visit with St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Clemson University. The hospitality shown by the people of South Carolina is hard to beat.
The following weekend found me in North Carolina-- Holy Cross in High Point on Saturday the 19th and Annunciation in Winston-Salem on Sunday the 20th. These are two very different and equally impressive parishes. Holy Cross, along with the entire OCA Carolinas Deanery, is a shining example of solid apostolic missiology applied to the twenty-first century American South. If a missiology textbook isn't written soon on the Carolinas Deanery, then I just might have to research and write that texbook myself. I learned a lot and will continue to draw on the clergy and faithful of this deanery for their wisdom and their war stories.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Winston Salem is an eighty-year-old monument to the work of generations for the glory of God. This large parish has a strong clergy and diverse congregation who are engaged in ministry to a large immigrant population and even larger overall population of every conceivable background. Breakfast with Fr. Demetri and the men's group was a tremendous encouragement.
From Winston-Salem I crossed the Blue Ridge and spent a week in the mountains. First in Johnson City, Tennessee, visiting with dear friends from high school and Holy Resurrection Mission. On Wednesday, I was able to pray Vespers with the deacon and subdeacon and spend another hour in conversation with them about what Christian missions and evangelism mean, both in Tanzania and in the Appalachians. Then on Thursday, the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at the University of Tennessee invited me to Knoxville where we talked about missions and shared a "Mighty Meat Pizza" at the Mellow Mushroom. A college town is not a college town unless it has a Mellow Mushroom.
On the way to central Kentucky from northeast Tennessee, I took the back roads through western Virginia and Harlan County. My mother taught elementary school in this region thirty-five years ago, and I enjoyed the brief visit to a part of the world that doesn't seem to have changed much in the intervening decades. The drive through little coal mining towns north of Pine Ridge to Corbin was, despite heavy fog and rain, stunningly beautiful. And the radio stations are all preachin' and prayin' and singin' all the time.
September ended among the faithful of St. Athanasius Orthodox Church in Nicholasville, Kentucky. St. Athanasius is the most ethnically homogenous parish I've seen since my days at St. Paul's in Korea. They have quite a story, as a group of rural Kentucky Methodists who together sought out the ancient roots of Christianity and were received as a body into the Orthodox Church in America at about the same time that I was encountering Orthodoxy myself. St. Athanasius is special to me because it has sent so many people to Florida who have played transformative roles in my life. I first met folks from this parish four years ago and have been longing to visit ever since.
And that brings me to October in Ohio. Last Wednesday the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Miami University (the REAL Miami) hosted me in Oxford, and I'm now spending quality time with relatives in Cincinnati. It was hot summertime in Tennessee, but the drive to Kentucky was an entrance into a chilly autumn which is only getting chillier.
These days are full of joy, and I think what I've written reflects this. These days are also difficult. Staying organized, staying safe on the road, getting business done while in a different house every few days-- little things add up. And being a face of Orthodox Christian cross-cultural missions and a representative of missionary work in Tanzania demands a maturity and strength that I don't always think I possess. It is a scary thing, weak and unworthy as I am, to stand in front of people and ask to be sent as a missionary. Only the mercy and grace of God, through your fervent prayers, will keep me true to this calling. Don't stop praying.
In Christ,
James
Glory to Jesus Christ! Utukufu kwa Yesu Kristo!
I'm assuming with this travelogue that you're already familiar with who I am and where I'm going. If you'd like some more background on my preparations for long-term OCMC missionary service with the Orthodox Christian Diocese of Mwanza in Tanzania, or if you'd like to see pictures, please visit http://jhargrave.ocmc.org.
September began at one of my favorite places on Earth-- the little hermitage in the woods at Ss. Mary & Martha Orthodox Monastery in Wagener, SC. The sisterhood in Wagener has been part of my life for four years, and the past four years have been richer for it. If you don't know Ss. Mary & Martha, then you should. If you're in college (or in your twenties), you should go to their winter retreat.
While based at the monastery, I experienced much of South Carolina-- Holy Ascension in Charleston, Holy Apostles in Columbia, and Holy Resurrection in Aiken. Charleston is called the "Holy City" for its skyline of steeples. The churches of this port city are architectural landmarks, and Holy Ascension is the finest among them. With its towering cupolas and breathtaking iconography, it is unmistakably an Orthodox Christian temple built for the ages. With its heart-pine floors and an exterior of stucco and bronze, it is unmistakably at home in Charleston. This stunning work of liturgical architecture has a choir to match. And the hearts of the faithful of Charleston exceed even the glory of their temple.
After a behind-the-scenes tour of downtown Charleston given to me by a native who knows her stuff, I got to visit with the local Orthodox Christian Fellowship. The group is a mix of students from College of Charleston and cadets from The Citadel.
Student fellowship at a military academy looks a little different than it does in other schools. How does it look different? Well, we actually began on time...
From there I visited Holy Apostles in Columbia very briefly, just for Liturgy of the Nativity of the Theotokos where I was able to worship with the faithful and meet in fellowship afterwards. I've ended up in Columbia periodically over the years, and Holy Apostles is like an old friend that you only get to see once in a blue moon--it's always great to be back. After a few more days at the monastery, I spent Saturday evening Vespers with the faithful of Holy Resurrection in Aiken, SC. This is a small mission parish. When I say small, I mean that you've got to crowd to the back of the nave to avoid getting hit in the eye by Fr. Robert's censer. There is a crowd in that little building, though, and their vision for the future is grand.
Early on the morning of Sunday the 13th I drove through the hills of North Georgia to St. Philothea Greek Orthodox Church in Watkinsville (just outside of Athens), home to the University of Georgia. St. Philothea, like my own home parish St. Elizabeth's in Gainesville, is a college-town church with great diversity. I heard the Our Father in at least five languages and met parishioners from a great variety of backgrounds. After spending time with relatives in the area and visiting the local sights (Stone Mountain in thick fog and cold rain), I returned to South Carolina's Piedmont to visit with St. John of the Ladder Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Clemson University. The hospitality shown by the people of South Carolina is hard to beat.
The following weekend found me in North Carolina-- Holy Cross in High Point on Saturday the 19th and Annunciation in Winston-Salem on Sunday the 20th. These are two very different and equally impressive parishes. Holy Cross, along with the entire OCA Carolinas Deanery, is a shining example of solid apostolic missiology applied to the twenty-first century American South. If a missiology textbook isn't written soon on the Carolinas Deanery, then I just might have to research and write that texbook myself. I learned a lot and will continue to draw on the clergy and faithful of this deanery for their wisdom and their war stories.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Winston Salem is an eighty-year-old monument to the work of generations for the glory of God. This large parish has a strong clergy and diverse congregation who are engaged in ministry to a large immigrant population and even larger overall population of every conceivable background. Breakfast with Fr. Demetri and the men's group was a tremendous encouragement.
From Winston-Salem I crossed the Blue Ridge and spent a week in the mountains. First in Johnson City, Tennessee, visiting with dear friends from high school and Holy Resurrection Mission. On Wednesday, I was able to pray Vespers with the deacon and subdeacon and spend another hour in conversation with them about what Christian missions and evangelism mean, both in Tanzania and in the Appalachians. Then on Thursday, the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at the University of Tennessee invited me to Knoxville where we talked about missions and shared a "Mighty Meat Pizza" at the Mellow Mushroom. A college town is not a college town unless it has a Mellow Mushroom.
On the way to central Kentucky from northeast Tennessee, I took the back roads through western Virginia and Harlan County. My mother taught elementary school in this region thirty-five years ago, and I enjoyed the brief visit to a part of the world that doesn't seem to have changed much in the intervening decades. The drive through little coal mining towns north of Pine Ridge to Corbin was, despite heavy fog and rain, stunningly beautiful. And the radio stations are all preachin' and prayin' and singin' all the time.
September ended among the faithful of St. Athanasius Orthodox Church in Nicholasville, Kentucky. St. Athanasius is the most ethnically homogenous parish I've seen since my days at St. Paul's in Korea. They have quite a story, as a group of rural Kentucky Methodists who together sought out the ancient roots of Christianity and were received as a body into the Orthodox Church in America at about the same time that I was encountering Orthodoxy myself. St. Athanasius is special to me because it has sent so many people to Florida who have played transformative roles in my life. I first met folks from this parish four years ago and have been longing to visit ever since.
And that brings me to October in Ohio. Last Wednesday the Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Miami University (the REAL Miami) hosted me in Oxford, and I'm now spending quality time with relatives in Cincinnati. It was hot summertime in Tennessee, but the drive to Kentucky was an entrance into a chilly autumn which is only getting chillier.
These days are full of joy, and I think what I've written reflects this. These days are also difficult. Staying organized, staying safe on the road, getting business done while in a different house every few days-- little things add up. And being a face of Orthodox Christian cross-cultural missions and a representative of missionary work in Tanzania demands a maturity and strength that I don't always think I possess. It is a scary thing, weak and unworthy as I am, to stand in front of people and ask to be sent as a missionary. Only the mercy and grace of God, through your fervent prayers, will keep me true to this calling. Don't stop praying.
In Christ,
James
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Share in a Journey of Faith: Join a 2010 Mission Team!
“I am surrounded by love. It's not the kind of love you see on TV or in the movies, but love in its most true and simple form. It is the love that can only come from God ... I have already found that love in abundance everywhere I look.” - A 2009 Team member
Now is the time for you to have a Teams experience! In 2010, Teams will be offered during more times of the year and for varying amounts of time (as few as 9 days and as long as 3 weeks) and there will be opportunities for families as well! Be a living witness of your Faith on a Teaching team; provide labor on a Construction team; engage the future of our Church on a Youth team; or take part in the holistic mission of the Church on a Health Care team. Develop deep relationships with others, have a cultural learning experience, and live in response to the Lord’s command to “make disciples of all nations.”
For over 20 years, Team members have proudly served through OCMC to participate in the Holy Orthodox Church’s unending mission effort to bring the saving message of salvation to the ends of the earth. Join the thousands of Orthodox Christians from North America who have been witnessing to the hope and good news of the risen Christ with the world. There will be at least 14 opportunities to participate on a Team in 2010: Alaska – Teaching and Outreach; Albania – Youth camp; Guatemala – Youth camp; India – Teaching; Kenya – Teaching; Korea – Youth camp (ESL); Madagascar – Teaching; Romania – Youth camp; South Africa – Teaching; Tanzania – Construction and Teaching; Uganda – Health Care and Zimbabwe – Teaching.
Team applications and more detailed information are available online at http://teams.ocmc.org or you can call the OCMC at 1.877.463.6787 (ext 142) for more information.
Now is the time for you to have a Teams experience! In 2010, Teams will be offered during more times of the year and for varying amounts of time (as few as 9 days and as long as 3 weeks) and there will be opportunities for families as well! Be a living witness of your Faith on a Teaching team; provide labor on a Construction team; engage the future of our Church on a Youth team; or take part in the holistic mission of the Church on a Health Care team. Develop deep relationships with others, have a cultural learning experience, and live in response to the Lord’s command to “make disciples of all nations.”
For over 20 years, Team members have proudly served through OCMC to participate in the Holy Orthodox Church’s unending mission effort to bring the saving message of salvation to the ends of the earth. Join the thousands of Orthodox Christians from North America who have been witnessing to the hope and good news of the risen Christ with the world. There will be at least 14 opportunities to participate on a Team in 2010: Alaska – Teaching and Outreach; Albania – Youth camp; Guatemala – Youth camp; India – Teaching; Kenya – Teaching; Korea – Youth camp (ESL); Madagascar – Teaching; Romania – Youth camp; South Africa – Teaching; Tanzania – Construction and Teaching; Uganda – Health Care and Zimbabwe – Teaching.
Team applications and more detailed information are available online at http://teams.ocmc.org or you can call the OCMC at 1.877.463.6787 (ext 142) for more information.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
First Orthodox VCS Program in Hong Kong Successfully Completed
Hong Kong, China – The Orthodox Metropolis of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia (OMHKSEA) recently successfully completed its first ever VCS (Vacation Church School) program. Children from the parish attended the half-day classes during the week of 11-14 August. The theme for this year's program was "God is Wondrous in His Saints;" it was hosted by the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Luke in Hong Kong.
Each day's program was composed of various elements. The children attended prayer services, underwent instruction, participated in arts and crafts projects, learned songs and church hymns, and even played games. The daily lessons comprised two parts – the first part covered one of the Feasts of the Theotokos, while the second part covered a saint or saints who are connected with the parish.
During the week, the children learned about the following feats of the Theotokos: Nativity, Presentation to the Temple, Annunication, and Dormition. They also learned about St. Luke, St. Nektarios, the Orthodox Chinese Martyrs, and Noah. The final day of the program consisted of a field trip to the new Noah's Ark replica on Park Island in Hong Kong.
Since the summer in Hong Kong is usually plagued by poor weather, the VCS program was offered this year by the OMHKSEA in order for the children of the parish to have some sort of activity during the summer months, while learning more about their faith.
Assistance in developing the curriculum for the week was provided by the Orthodox parish of the Holy Trinity in Wilmington, DE, and the Youth Department of the Metropolis of Boston (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America). The OMHKSEA wishes to extend its thanks to the individuals who assisted.
The Orthodox Metropolitinate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia was established by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1997. Its mission is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in Southeast Asia and develop philanthropic programs in the area for all people.
by Fr. Kosta Tsilis
Each day's program was composed of various elements. The children attended prayer services, underwent instruction, participated in arts and crafts projects, learned songs and church hymns, and even played games. The daily lessons comprised two parts – the first part covered one of the Feasts of the Theotokos, while the second part covered a saint or saints who are connected with the parish.
During the week, the children learned about the following feats of the Theotokos: Nativity, Presentation to the Temple, Annunication, and Dormition. They also learned about St. Luke, St. Nektarios, the Orthodox Chinese Martyrs, and Noah. The final day of the program consisted of a field trip to the new Noah's Ark replica on Park Island in Hong Kong.
Since the summer in Hong Kong is usually plagued by poor weather, the VCS program was offered this year by the OMHKSEA in order for the children of the parish to have some sort of activity during the summer months, while learning more about their faith.
Assistance in developing the curriculum for the week was provided by the Orthodox parish of the Holy Trinity in Wilmington, DE, and the Youth Department of the Metropolis of Boston (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America). The OMHKSEA wishes to extend its thanks to the individuals who assisted.
The Orthodox Metropolitinate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia was established by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1997. Its mission is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in Southeast Asia and develop philanthropic programs in the area for all people.
by Fr. Kosta Tsilis
Friday, October 2, 2009
Hear an interview with OCMC Missionary Candidate Michael Pagedas on OCN!
This week on the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) program "Come Receive the Light," Missionary Candidate Michael Pagedas is interviewed about his Mission Team trip to Tanzania. Listen and learn more about the experiences that have inspired Mr. Pagedas to become a Missionary Candidate. You can find this episode of "Come Receive the Light" at http://www.myocn.net/index.php/200910021960/Come-Receive-the-Light/Visit-to-Tanzania.html. The interview with Mr. Pagedas begins around the 10th minute of the show.
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