There are now 15 Orthodox Christians from North America who are dedicating two or more years of their lives to provide a living witness to the hope, love, and salvation of Christ with the world as OCMC missionaries. A beautiful way to support these faithful servants as they share the Orthodox faith with the world is to remember them in your prayers:
ALBANIA
Anastasia Pamela Barksdale; Georgia Gilman Bendo; Nathan & Gabriela Hoppe; Melanie Linderman; George & Pauline Russell
ROMANIA
Floyd & Ancuta Frantz; Christina Semon
TANZANIA
James Hargrave; Michael Pagedas; Charita Stavrou; Felice Stewart; Katherine Wilcoxson
Please also consider making a gift to the Mission Center in support of the missionary program by logging onto www.ocmc.org/donate, or by mailing a check payable to the OCMC with "missionaries" in the memo line to 220 Mason Manatee Way, St. Augustine, FL, 32086. Your donation will ensure that these missionaries receive the training, administrative support, and ministry funding that they need to continue the work of "making disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Tanzania and James - July 2010 Update
Dear friends,
Wamefika! They have arrived!
On Friday, July 9th I was joined here in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by Felice Stewart, Katie Wilcoxson, and Michael Pagedas. We will be together for the time being as we all work on learning Kiswahili. It has been a delight having them here, and I'm enjoying showing them the ropes of life in Tanzania's biggest city. Of course there are always hiccups, but so far they have been thankfully minor. It has been nice to play "host" for a change, after months of being the "guest." Please continue to pray for us as we begin to learn how to work together as a team.
A few things have happened since I last wrote. My dad was in Tanzania for much of June in his capacity as agricultural consultant for ECHO as they are organizing an agricultural conference in Arusha next year. After concluding his business in Arusha, he came down to spend several days with me in Dar es Salaam. It was great to have Dad around and to show him what life in the city is like. He's been speaking Kiswahili since I was very young, and so now that I'm learning the language we were able to get around together in the local language-- pretty cool.
And I am well into my third month of language learning. The more I experience of the world around me, the more I'm aware of how very little I understand. But lately, every now and then, I'll see someone's face light up in appreciation of my effort to speak and behave their way, rather than expecting them to know my language and culture. It's a nice feeling.
Last month I was also able to take a two-day vacation out to the island of Zanzibar. The one thing I forgot to pack was my camera. The "excuse" was that Zanzibar is the birthplace of Kiswahili, so it would be a learning experience. Which it was, but two nights on the island was also a delightful change of pace from the big city. The highlight of my time there was visiting the Christ Church Anglican Cathedral (no Orthodox parish yet!). When the Sultan of Zanzibar abolished slavery in the late 19th century, he donated the slave market to the Anglican Church and the cathedral's high altar was built where the whipping-post used to be. It's a moving place to visit.
July 4th, of course, is not a holiday in Tanzania. I felt a little lonely that day, especially since I wasn't able to find any American treats like sweet tea or mashed potatoes. But July 7th, called Saba Saba ("seven seven") is a major holiday somewhat akin to the American Fourth of July. So my language helper and I went with some friends to the fairgrounds nearby to join in the festivities and see the exhibits. We missed out on the official opening ceremony with President Lulu de Silva of Brazil along with Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete, but my Kiswahili was taxed to its limits learning about Parliament, AIDS prevention, and fish-farming. Then we went to everyone's favorite part: the zoo. Yes, I took a picture of the giraffe.
My sister Ginny and her husband Stephen have arrived in Doro, Sudan where they will spend the next few months assisting a Protestant group there with water development projects. Their African experience has been very different from mine and the story of their journey from Nairobi, Kenya up to Doro is well worth the read.
God willing, in the coming months I will be able to transition to Mwanza and begin working for Metropolitan Jeronymos there in addition to continuing with Kiswahili language study. In the meantime, I thank God for continued good health and strength as I continue learning how to speak, live, and act in Tanzania. I know that many of you are praying for me, because I am being well-cared for here. Thank you for your prayers, as well as for your friendship and encouragement. Please keep in touch.
By your prayers,
James Hargrave
Wamefika! They have arrived!
On Friday, July 9th I was joined here in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by Felice Stewart, Katie Wilcoxson, and Michael Pagedas. We will be together for the time being as we all work on learning Kiswahili. It has been a delight having them here, and I'm enjoying showing them the ropes of life in Tanzania's biggest city. Of course there are always hiccups, but so far they have been thankfully minor. It has been nice to play "host" for a change, after months of being the "guest." Please continue to pray for us as we begin to learn how to work together as a team.
A few things have happened since I last wrote. My dad was in Tanzania for much of June in his capacity as agricultural consultant for ECHO as they are organizing an agricultural conference in Arusha next year. After concluding his business in Arusha, he came down to spend several days with me in Dar es Salaam. It was great to have Dad around and to show him what life in the city is like. He's been speaking Kiswahili since I was very young, and so now that I'm learning the language we were able to get around together in the local language-- pretty cool.
And I am well into my third month of language learning. The more I experience of the world around me, the more I'm aware of how very little I understand. But lately, every now and then, I'll see someone's face light up in appreciation of my effort to speak and behave their way, rather than expecting them to know my language and culture. It's a nice feeling.
Last month I was also able to take a two-day vacation out to the island of Zanzibar. The one thing I forgot to pack was my camera. The "excuse" was that Zanzibar is the birthplace of Kiswahili, so it would be a learning experience. Which it was, but two nights on the island was also a delightful change of pace from the big city. The highlight of my time there was visiting the Christ Church Anglican Cathedral (no Orthodox parish yet!). When the Sultan of Zanzibar abolished slavery in the late 19th century, he donated the slave market to the Anglican Church and the cathedral's high altar was built where the whipping-post used to be. It's a moving place to visit.
July 4th, of course, is not a holiday in Tanzania. I felt a little lonely that day, especially since I wasn't able to find any American treats like sweet tea or mashed potatoes. But July 7th, called Saba Saba ("seven seven") is a major holiday somewhat akin to the American Fourth of July. So my language helper and I went with some friends to the fairgrounds nearby to join in the festivities and see the exhibits. We missed out on the official opening ceremony with President Lulu de Silva of Brazil along with Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete, but my Kiswahili was taxed to its limits learning about Parliament, AIDS prevention, and fish-farming. Then we went to everyone's favorite part: the zoo. Yes, I took a picture of the giraffe.
My sister Ginny and her husband Stephen have arrived in Doro, Sudan where they will spend the next few months assisting a Protestant group there with water development projects. Their African experience has been very different from mine and the story of their journey from Nairobi, Kenya up to Doro is well worth the read.
God willing, in the coming months I will be able to transition to Mwanza and begin working for Metropolitan Jeronymos there in addition to continuing with Kiswahili language study. In the meantime, I thank God for continued good health and strength as I continue learning how to speak, live, and act in Tanzania. I know that many of you are praying for me, because I am being well-cared for here. Thank you for your prayers, as well as for your friendship and encouragement. Please keep in touch.
By your prayers,
James Hargrave
First Update From Africa: Michael Pagedas
I’ve just completed my second week in Africa, and I thought now would be a good time for my first official blog update from Africa. Here is Part 1 of 2 on how the past couple of weeks have gone:
On July 4, I flew from O’Hare Airport in Chicago to London’s Heathrow Airport. I had a 12-hour layover in London, so I took the Tube into Central London, where I met up with a family friend at the Leicester Square stop. He took me on a walking tour of London, and I got to hit the high points: Downing Street, where the Prime Minister lives, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, Big Ben, Parliament, Big Ben, Parliament. I had never been to London before, and it was really nice to finally get a chance to see it. That evening, I caught a flight to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. I spent the next few days in Kampala visiting friends and exploring the city. I caught a World Cup game at a popular night spot and was saddened to hear that two days after I left Kampala, a series of bombs went off during two World Cup parties. An American who was among the dead worked for an organization called “Invisible Children” that is working to end the use of child soldiers in Uganda. I went to the website soon after hearing about the tragedy and saw that a memorial webpage had been set up in honor of the worker who was killed in the bombing. I felt the need to include that link in this blog. If you are moved to donate to the cause, great. If not, remember him and his family in your prayers.
http://www.natehenn.com/
I arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Friday, July 9, and met up with three of the other people who are also a part of Team Tanzania. James Hargrave, who had been here for about three months before the rest of us arrived, proved to be as good a tour guide as a host when he welcomed us to Tanzania. Katie Wilcoxson and Felice Stewart, both of whom will be working with me in Bukoba, arrived a few hours before I did. Our home for the next few months will be the Salvation Army compound in Dar es Salaam. More on that and Swahili lessons in my next blog.
Thank you to my support team!!
Peace
Michael
On July 4, I flew from O’Hare Airport in Chicago to London’s Heathrow Airport. I had a 12-hour layover in London, so I took the Tube into Central London, where I met up with a family friend at the Leicester Square stop. He took me on a walking tour of London, and I got to hit the high points: Downing Street, where the Prime Minister lives, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, Big Ben, Parliament, Big Ben, Parliament. I had never been to London before, and it was really nice to finally get a chance to see it. That evening, I caught a flight to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. I spent the next few days in Kampala visiting friends and exploring the city. I caught a World Cup game at a popular night spot and was saddened to hear that two days after I left Kampala, a series of bombs went off during two World Cup parties. An American who was among the dead worked for an organization called “Invisible Children” that is working to end the use of child soldiers in Uganda. I went to the website soon after hearing about the tragedy and saw that a memorial webpage had been set up in honor of the worker who was killed in the bombing. I felt the need to include that link in this blog. If you are moved to donate to the cause, great. If not, remember him and his family in your prayers.
http://www.natehenn.com/
I arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Friday, July 9, and met up with three of the other people who are also a part of Team Tanzania. James Hargrave, who had been here for about three months before the rest of us arrived, proved to be as good a tour guide as a host when he welcomed us to Tanzania. Katie Wilcoxson and Felice Stewart, both of whom will be working with me in Bukoba, arrived a few hours before I did. Our home for the next few months will be the Salvation Army compound in Dar es Salaam. More on that and Swahili lessons in my next blog.
Thank you to my support team!!
Peace
Michael
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
OCMC Uganda Healthcare Team Sees Record Number of Patients
Northern Uganda had been decimated by war and insurrection for many of the years since its independence from Britain in 1961. Now relatively secure, former residents are beginning to return, and their medical needs are tremendous. This June, an Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Health Care Team was sent to Uganda to address the persistent needs that exist there.
Malaria is a scourge in East Africa, and intestinal worms are pandemic. Arriving in Kampala and first working out of Gulu and then moving to Lira, the team treated over 3,800 patients in nine rural clinics. The first day saw a new record for a one-day patient count when over 700 people were examined and treated. The Team pharmacy worked until 8:30 pm filling prescriptions by the light of a kerosene lantern.
The team, led by Fr. Joseph Ciarciaglino, utilized two doctors, one nurse practitioner, three RNs, one physical therapist, and one health care student to bring medical services to many who had not had any care since last year's OCMC Team treated them. These dedicated Orthodox medical professionals are a credit to themselves and to the Orthodox Church. The love and care with which they served God's children was a visible sign of the Gospel message of love of neighbor.
In addition to over $9,200 worth of medical supplies, the Team brought liturgical books and two sets of vestments for the priests. A set of icons, an icon cross for St. Basil Orthodox Church in Gulu, over 3,000 paper icons, and a set of church banners were also gifted by the Team. Financial contributions were made toward a day school and other needs as they arose.
On one occasion, a father brought his infant daughter to the Team. The child's mother had died the day before and, as one of the priests observed, the child's life was in danger. Milk is very expensive for the people of northern Uganda, the equivalent of about 50 cents US per liter; so the Team gave the priest enough money to support the child until she could be fed solid food. (To God belongs the glory!)
Team members were humbled to be in the presence of holy men such as the Ugandan priests that they worked with. “These men are truly ‘fathers’,” one Team member noted, “not only to their parishioners but to all in need in their areas. They try to provide for the people's temporal as well as spiritual needs.” In Uganda, many of the priests take from their own pockets to help those most in need, and no one is ever asked if they are Orthodox. “Each person is treated as the child of God that they are. All of this work is done with a smile and a joyful heart.”
Numerous Team members shared that the people of northern Uganda were a great joy to be with. Despite their poverty, they always insisted on feeding the Team lunch as a token of their appreciation. The spiritual highlight of the trip for the Team was Sunday Divine Liturgy celebrated in a mud walled, thatched roof church. The people sang with great joy and enthusiasm. Fr. Joseph delivered the sermon through a translator and delighted the congregation by blessing them in their own language.
Fr. Joseph was accepted as an altar brother and treated with love and kindness by the priests and by the people. He recalls, “Their celebration of the Divine Liturgy was done with awe and with care for the Holy Mystery. It was a great joy to concelebrate with them in a church that had mud walls and a thatched roof. The greatest cathedral never had a more joyful, reverential, and well-sung Liturgy.”
Malaria is a scourge in East Africa, and intestinal worms are pandemic. Arriving in Kampala and first working out of Gulu and then moving to Lira, the team treated over 3,800 patients in nine rural clinics. The first day saw a new record for a one-day patient count when over 700 people were examined and treated. The Team pharmacy worked until 8:30 pm filling prescriptions by the light of a kerosene lantern.
The team, led by Fr. Joseph Ciarciaglino, utilized two doctors, one nurse practitioner, three RNs, one physical therapist, and one health care student to bring medical services to many who had not had any care since last year's OCMC Team treated them. These dedicated Orthodox medical professionals are a credit to themselves and to the Orthodox Church. The love and care with which they served God's children was a visible sign of the Gospel message of love of neighbor.
In addition to over $9,200 worth of medical supplies, the Team brought liturgical books and two sets of vestments for the priests. A set of icons, an icon cross for St. Basil Orthodox Church in Gulu, over 3,000 paper icons, and a set of church banners were also gifted by the Team. Financial contributions were made toward a day school and other needs as they arose.
On one occasion, a father brought his infant daughter to the Team. The child's mother had died the day before and, as one of the priests observed, the child's life was in danger. Milk is very expensive for the people of northern Uganda, the equivalent of about 50 cents US per liter; so the Team gave the priest enough money to support the child until she could be fed solid food. (To God belongs the glory!)
Team members were humbled to be in the presence of holy men such as the Ugandan priests that they worked with. “These men are truly ‘fathers’,” one Team member noted, “not only to their parishioners but to all in need in their areas. They try to provide for the people's temporal as well as spiritual needs.” In Uganda, many of the priests take from their own pockets to help those most in need, and no one is ever asked if they are Orthodox. “Each person is treated as the child of God that they are. All of this work is done with a smile and a joyful heart.”
Numerous Team members shared that the people of northern Uganda were a great joy to be with. Despite their poverty, they always insisted on feeding the Team lunch as a token of their appreciation. The spiritual highlight of the trip for the Team was Sunday Divine Liturgy celebrated in a mud walled, thatched roof church. The people sang with great joy and enthusiasm. Fr. Joseph delivered the sermon through a translator and delighted the congregation by blessing them in their own language.
Fr. Joseph was accepted as an altar brother and treated with love and kindness by the priests and by the people. He recalls, “Their celebration of the Divine Liturgy was done with awe and with care for the Holy Mystery. It was a great joy to concelebrate with them in a church that had mud walls and a thatched roof. The greatest cathedral never had a more joyful, reverential, and well-sung Liturgy.”
Thursday, July 15, 2010
2010 OCMC Home of Hope Team: An Update from Missionary Pamela Anastasia Barksdale
Dearest Partners in Prayer,
Glory to God! Please forgive my silence for the past two months as I resettled in my work here in Albania. I returned from America filled with your prayers and spiritual blessings to share with our co-workers in the Lord here. May and June passed so quickly, it felt like I had barely recovered from the time and location change when Fr. Luke Veronis arrived with the Mission Institute, represented by students from Holy Cross and St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Nathan Hoppe returned for a few days as well to set up the camp in Kosovo and arrived with several other guests; Dr. Jeffrey Macdonald and Fr. Paisios also accompanied the group. Guests are always a blessing and we must be prepared in our hearts always to receive “angels unaware,” and certainly this group was filled with expected blessings and holy guests. Fr. Luke invited me to join the group on several occasions and I was really delighted to introduce the Albanian seminary students to this diverse cross section of Americans who were being called to ministry. Several members of the group were seriously contemplating mission service, and spending time with Archbishop Anastasios, and seeing first hand how he organized the Albanian mission was a wonderful opportunity for a realistic look at the missionary spirit in action.
As I spoke with various students and tried to answer questions about Albania, often we realized how much mission ministry in Albania and America had in common. The context in both countries holds both differences and similarities: the fallen condition of man is the same wherever we go, the social pressures of our age--global communication, secularism in all aspects of society--we must all address the same problems everywhere. Certainly the diversity of poverty and affluence, social and political freedoms, education and moral standards create different dimensions to our ministry; however, the proclamation of the good news of God’s love for all people is addressed to the heart of each person, in whatever immediate circumstances they are in when they meet the Lord.
It is, however, culture and language that continue to hold the key to communicating the Gospel. Fr. Luke had, in his time in Albania, acquired the gift of translating the message of God’s love to others, even when his Albanian syntax was not always correct. I was struck again with the fact that it is not only a linguistic skill, it is a gift of the spirit, it is the gift of understanding given at Pentecost that allows the good news to continue to be proclaimed in every tongue to all people.
It was a blessing also to be with Fr. Luke as he renewed his spiritual experience with his former students and co-workers in the Lord. During his 10 years of ministry here in Albania he had sown seeds of love and friendship, and it was a joy to see him greet his spiritual children and be touched and renewed by the fruit of his labor here in Albania. I have been continually aware that any work I do here is done because of the foundation that has been laid in Christ by others before me: the Apostle Paul and the disciples, St. Kosmos Aitolos, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, Fr. Martin Ritsi, Fr. Luke and so many others. There are days when I feel so personally small and insignificant in God's plan, I wonder how I can contribute anything at all to this work and then I remember that we are only meant to do whatever we do with great love, with loyalty to Our Lord and with faith. If we fill our days with the love of God and love of neighbor, then we are working to transform this world into “heaven on earth,” into the “Kingdom of God.”
With agape and dedication to serve our Lord Jesus Christ and my neighbor, I remain your partner in prayer here in Albania,
Pamela Anastasia Barksdale
Glory to God! Please forgive my silence for the past two months as I resettled in my work here in Albania. I returned from America filled with your prayers and spiritual blessings to share with our co-workers in the Lord here. May and June passed so quickly, it felt like I had barely recovered from the time and location change when Fr. Luke Veronis arrived with the Mission Institute, represented by students from Holy Cross and St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Nathan Hoppe returned for a few days as well to set up the camp in Kosovo and arrived with several other guests; Dr. Jeffrey Macdonald and Fr. Paisios also accompanied the group. Guests are always a blessing and we must be prepared in our hearts always to receive “angels unaware,” and certainly this group was filled with expected blessings and holy guests. Fr. Luke invited me to join the group on several occasions and I was really delighted to introduce the Albanian seminary students to this diverse cross section of Americans who were being called to ministry. Several members of the group were seriously contemplating mission service, and spending time with Archbishop Anastasios, and seeing first hand how he organized the Albanian mission was a wonderful opportunity for a realistic look at the missionary spirit in action.
As I spoke with various students and tried to answer questions about Albania, often we realized how much mission ministry in Albania and America had in common. The context in both countries holds both differences and similarities: the fallen condition of man is the same wherever we go, the social pressures of our age--global communication, secularism in all aspects of society--we must all address the same problems everywhere. Certainly the diversity of poverty and affluence, social and political freedoms, education and moral standards create different dimensions to our ministry; however, the proclamation of the good news of God’s love for all people is addressed to the heart of each person, in whatever immediate circumstances they are in when they meet the Lord.
It is, however, culture and language that continue to hold the key to communicating the Gospel. Fr. Luke had, in his time in Albania, acquired the gift of translating the message of God’s love to others, even when his Albanian syntax was not always correct. I was struck again with the fact that it is not only a linguistic skill, it is a gift of the spirit, it is the gift of understanding given at Pentecost that allows the good news to continue to be proclaimed in every tongue to all people.
It was a blessing also to be with Fr. Luke as he renewed his spiritual experience with his former students and co-workers in the Lord. During his 10 years of ministry here in Albania he had sown seeds of love and friendship, and it was a joy to see him greet his spiritual children and be touched and renewed by the fruit of his labor here in Albania. I have been continually aware that any work I do here is done because of the foundation that has been laid in Christ by others before me: the Apostle Paul and the disciples, St. Kosmos Aitolos, His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios, Fr. Martin Ritsi, Fr. Luke and so many others. There are days when I feel so personally small and insignificant in God's plan, I wonder how I can contribute anything at all to this work and then I remember that we are only meant to do whatever we do with great love, with loyalty to Our Lord and with faith. If we fill our days with the love of God and love of neighbor, then we are working to transform this world into “heaven on earth,” into the “Kingdom of God.”
With agape and dedication to serve our Lord Jesus Christ and my neighbor, I remain your partner in prayer here in Albania,
Pamela Anastasia Barksdale
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The St. Dimitrie Post - Update on OCMC Missionaries Floyd and Ancuta Frantz
Greetings, and I hope that this finds you well today, and in good spirits on this the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. Here in Romania we are enjoying sunny but mild weather, and I am now back in Cluj after a 2 week trip to the northern regions of Romania, called "Moldova." I would like to share with you briefly about the trip, as it was most uplifting to me, and I believe that you will find it interesting.
It started with Fr. Iulian and me doing a two-day training seminar on addictions for the local Orthodox clergy in a small city in Moldova called "Saveni." We do these trainings under the "Office of Education" of Patriarch Daniel. It all went quite well, and even the local doctors' group and the mayor's office were attending and asking very good questions.
What was so uplifting to me about this particular training is that two years ago a priest from Saveni had attended a training that Fr. Iulian and I did in the nearby city of Botosani. He has now started counseling alcoholics at a social center which he has started. I saw the fruit of our work in other places as well.
Over that next weekend I attended a three-day conference which was put on by the local AA groups in Suceava, a city in Moldova. I always get invitations to these things, and am happy to attend. We had helped this group get started several years ago, and it is going in a very good way, with about 40 people attending the conference. This was very nice for me, to see old friends, and new ones, knowing that I had some small part in the program's development.
Well, I am saving the best part for last. As most of you already know, Fr. Iulian and I have been working together ever since he came to Cluj to study our project in 2005, and we now both coordinate the national anti-drug program of the Romanian Orthdox Church. In Iasi, he has his own program based on the 12 Step model that we use here in Cluj, and it has worked quite well in Iasi also. What happened that was so nice was that the local recovery group in Iasi, all of whom have been through his program, invited us to attend a meeting with them at a monastery near Iasi. The Abbot of the monastery also attended, it was a very spiritual group meeting. Fr. Iulian, the Abbot, and I were all very taken by the atmosphere and depth of the meetings.
I am going to close for now, I myself do not like to read long emails and this is quite long enough. Thank you for reading about our work.
Please know that you can pass our postings on to others who you believe might be interested in our work.
If you would like to contact us please use: stdimitrie@yahoo.com
To make a donation please go to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center website at www.ocmc.org. You will need to log into a donation web page, but it is a simple process, and it is very important to us.
I do thank you for your interest in our work, for your support, and most of all for your prayers.
In His Love,
One day at a time,
Floyd & Ancuta Frantz, OCMC Missionaries
It started with Fr. Iulian and me doing a two-day training seminar on addictions for the local Orthodox clergy in a small city in Moldova called "Saveni." We do these trainings under the "Office of Education" of Patriarch Daniel. It all went quite well, and even the local doctors' group and the mayor's office were attending and asking very good questions.
What was so uplifting to me about this particular training is that two years ago a priest from Saveni had attended a training that Fr. Iulian and I did in the nearby city of Botosani. He has now started counseling alcoholics at a social center which he has started. I saw the fruit of our work in other places as well.
Over that next weekend I attended a three-day conference which was put on by the local AA groups in Suceava, a city in Moldova. I always get invitations to these things, and am happy to attend. We had helped this group get started several years ago, and it is going in a very good way, with about 40 people attending the conference. This was very nice for me, to see old friends, and new ones, knowing that I had some small part in the program's development.
Well, I am saving the best part for last. As most of you already know, Fr. Iulian and I have been working together ever since he came to Cluj to study our project in 2005, and we now both coordinate the national anti-drug program of the Romanian Orthdox Church. In Iasi, he has his own program based on the 12 Step model that we use here in Cluj, and it has worked quite well in Iasi also. What happened that was so nice was that the local recovery group in Iasi, all of whom have been through his program, invited us to attend a meeting with them at a monastery near Iasi. The Abbot of the monastery also attended, it was a very spiritual group meeting. Fr. Iulian, the Abbot, and I were all very taken by the atmosphere and depth of the meetings.
I am going to close for now, I myself do not like to read long emails and this is quite long enough. Thank you for reading about our work.
Please know that you can pass our postings on to others who you believe might be interested in our work.
If you would like to contact us please use: stdimitrie@yahoo.com
To make a donation please go to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center website at www.ocmc.org. You will need to log into a donation web page, but it is a simple process, and it is very important to us.
I do thank you for your interest in our work, for your support, and most of all for your prayers.
In His Love,
One day at a time,
Floyd & Ancuta Frantz, OCMC Missionaries
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Be an Ambassador for Missions at Your Parish
The need for Orthodox Christians willing to serve as short-term and long-term missionaries is great. There are many faithful in North America who possess the talents needed to answer this call to share Christ’s love with the world. OCMC Ambassadors serve at the local parish to broaden awareness of missions and to invite their brothers and sisters to participate in this vital work of the Church. Please prayerfully consider serving as an Ambassador for Missions at your local parish. Visit www.ocmc.org for more information or to volunteer as an OCMC Ambassador.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Michael Pagedas: One More Week
I’ll be spending my July 4th in a way that most people probably wouldn’t--by flying to the very country from which we declared our independence! And so my journey to Africa will begin. In the span of just of a couple of weeks, I went from thinking, “When am I getting out of here?” to “I wish I had more time to get ready!”
Now, with only a week to go before deployment, the major things like my visa, health insurance, and transitioning my condo and bills over to the renter have been taken care of, leaving me this next week to buy supplies, organize my luggage, and say goodbye to family and friends. This next week will not only move faster than any previous week I have ever lived, but it will be a veritable sprint to do every last-minute thing I wanted to do, such as that final trip to the zoo and one more take-out order from my favorite Thai restaurant. Considering that I am about to take my life in a completely different direction, I am surprisingly calm and not going through pre-departure withdrawal, which means I’m either emotionally ready to move on or that everything will hit me at once when I land in Africa. I’ll let you know when I get there.
In the midst of trying to make final arrangements for everything, I remembered that I have a lot of thank-you notes that still need to be written to members of my support team. There is a chance I may not get to all of them before I leave. If you have sent me a donation, are reading this, and have not received a thank-you note from me, please forgive me and understand that every donation is much-needed and appreciated. As I have said in my parish presentations, I regard members of my support team as an extension of my ministry in Tanzania, and I look forward to taking you along for the ride. I hope to supplement these blogs with video, pictures, and audio that will provide an even more comprehensive look into the mission work we’re doing.
If you have any comments or suggestions for what you would like to see on the blog, please contact me at m.pagedas@ocmc.org.
See you in Africa.
Now, with only a week to go before deployment, the major things like my visa, health insurance, and transitioning my condo and bills over to the renter have been taken care of, leaving me this next week to buy supplies, organize my luggage, and say goodbye to family and friends. This next week will not only move faster than any previous week I have ever lived, but it will be a veritable sprint to do every last-minute thing I wanted to do, such as that final trip to the zoo and one more take-out order from my favorite Thai restaurant. Considering that I am about to take my life in a completely different direction, I am surprisingly calm and not going through pre-departure withdrawal, which means I’m either emotionally ready to move on or that everything will hit me at once when I land in Africa. I’ll let you know when I get there.
In the midst of trying to make final arrangements for everything, I remembered that I have a lot of thank-you notes that still need to be written to members of my support team. There is a chance I may not get to all of them before I leave. If you have sent me a donation, are reading this, and have not received a thank-you note from me, please forgive me and understand that every donation is much-needed and appreciated. As I have said in my parish presentations, I regard members of my support team as an extension of my ministry in Tanzania, and I look forward to taking you along for the ride. I hope to supplement these blogs with video, pictures, and audio that will provide an even more comprehensive look into the mission work we’re doing.
If you have any comments or suggestions for what you would like to see on the blog, please contact me at m.pagedas@ocmc.org.
See you in Africa.
Friday, July 2, 2010
The Long Journey Home: Orthodox Priests Sharing the Gospel in Mission Lands
"When I was a boy my father showed me the way to Lodwar. Each semester I would walk for three days across the desert, so that I could receive an education,” recalls Fr. Zachariah, one of three Orthodox priests of the Turkana tribe in northern Kenya.
Fr. Zachariah hails from Loupwala, a small village nestled amidst a forest of acacia trees not far from a river that is bone dry most of the year. It is hot and extremely arid. The people of Loupwala live to survive raising cattle, goats, and camels--they long for a better life for their families.
The perilous journey that Fr. Zachariah bravely endured in solitude as a child was well worth the risk, as it meant that he would be one of the few people from his village to receive a formal education. In Lodwar, however, Fr. Zachariah didn’t just learn history, math, and science from the Catholic academy he attended; he also began a relationship with Christ.
Years passed and Fr. Zachariah was exposed to other Christians, including a charismatic preacher espousing the truth of Orthodox Christianity. As a result, Fr. Zachariah became an Orthodox Christian. The journey that began as a march across the desert in search of an education ultimately led him to the Makarios III Orthodox Seminary in Nairobi, Kenya. Upon completing his studies, Fr. Zachariah was ordained to the priesthood, and after years away from his home in Loupwala he was sent back – this time with the message of the Gospel.
Now, Fr. Zachariah walks amongst his people sharing Christ with them as they fetch water or tend their herd. With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Makarios, and through his evangelistic efforts, Fr. Zachariah was able to start an Orthodox church in Loupwala. Many people from his village have become Orthodox Christian; and he is working together with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) to start another church in a neighboring village.
Each year, young men like Fr. Zachariah are called to the priesthood in countries around the world where the light of Christ and His Church is beginning to shine with ever-increasing brilliance. It is not uncommon for these men to plant two, three, or more parishes once they have been ordained.
OCMC supports theses priests and their ministries in many ways, but most directly through its Theological Training and Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) programs. The Theological Training program issues grants to the seminaries that these men attend and sometimes awards scholarships toward their theological education. Once ordained, many of these men then receive regular monthly stipends from their hierarchs. The SAMP program supplements these stipends, enabling them to dedicate themselves to the growth and pastoral care of their communities full-time.
Though we are two millennia removed from the mission of the first Apostles, there are still people who need to be evangelized. The priests called, and filled, by the Holy Spirit to continue this work in mission countries are often the ones to take the love of Christ to people who still long for the hope of salvation. They look to us, their brothers and sisters around the world, for strength, prayer, and support as they continue the witness of the Church to the ends of the earth. United under the banner of Orthodoxy, these priests and those who prayerfully support them may help others to begin a journey in Christ that, like Fr. Zachariah's, ultimately leads them back home.
Fr. Zachariah hails from Loupwala, a small village nestled amidst a forest of acacia trees not far from a river that is bone dry most of the year. It is hot and extremely arid. The people of Loupwala live to survive raising cattle, goats, and camels--they long for a better life for their families.
The perilous journey that Fr. Zachariah bravely endured in solitude as a child was well worth the risk, as it meant that he would be one of the few people from his village to receive a formal education. In Lodwar, however, Fr. Zachariah didn’t just learn history, math, and science from the Catholic academy he attended; he also began a relationship with Christ.
Years passed and Fr. Zachariah was exposed to other Christians, including a charismatic preacher espousing the truth of Orthodox Christianity. As a result, Fr. Zachariah became an Orthodox Christian. The journey that began as a march across the desert in search of an education ultimately led him to the Makarios III Orthodox Seminary in Nairobi, Kenya. Upon completing his studies, Fr. Zachariah was ordained to the priesthood, and after years away from his home in Loupwala he was sent back – this time with the message of the Gospel.
Now, Fr. Zachariah walks amongst his people sharing Christ with them as they fetch water or tend their herd. With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Makarios, and through his evangelistic efforts, Fr. Zachariah was able to start an Orthodox church in Loupwala. Many people from his village have become Orthodox Christian; and he is working together with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) to start another church in a neighboring village.
Each year, young men like Fr. Zachariah are called to the priesthood in countries around the world where the light of Christ and His Church is beginning to shine with ever-increasing brilliance. It is not uncommon for these men to plant two, three, or more parishes once they have been ordained.
OCMC supports theses priests and their ministries in many ways, but most directly through its Theological Training and Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) programs. The Theological Training program issues grants to the seminaries that these men attend and sometimes awards scholarships toward their theological education. Once ordained, many of these men then receive regular monthly stipends from their hierarchs. The SAMP program supplements these stipends, enabling them to dedicate themselves to the growth and pastoral care of their communities full-time.
Though we are two millennia removed from the mission of the first Apostles, there are still people who need to be evangelized. The priests called, and filled, by the Holy Spirit to continue this work in mission countries are often the ones to take the love of Christ to people who still long for the hope of salvation. They look to us, their brothers and sisters around the world, for strength, prayer, and support as they continue the witness of the Church to the ends of the earth. United under the banner of Orthodoxy, these priests and those who prayerfully support them may help others to begin a journey in Christ that, like Fr. Zachariah's, ultimately leads them back home.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Maria Roeber: Help Me Serve as Missionary in Tanzania
Dear friends and family,
As many of you know, I’ve been accepted as a Missionary Candidate with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center and am now starting to invite others to join me in ministering to God’s people in Tanzania! I will be living and working in Bukoba, Tanzania, for the next two years, using my skills as a registered nurse to provide health care to those in need. In order to join the other Missionaries who are currently serving, I need to raise prayerful and financial support. My goal is to be completely funded and ready to depart for Africa in early January, 2010. In order to meet that goal I need your help!
I am so grateful to the people in my life who have helped me to grow in faith, and who encourage me in the process of becoming closer to God. I have tried to do the same for others, and I truly believe that I am being called by God to do this for the people living in Tanzania. The Church has been given the task of making disciples of all nations, and we each have our own way of doing this. There have been times in my life when I was called to be “an ambassador of Christ” here in the United States. I do believe that I have the opportunity now to help spread the Gospel in other parts of the world, especially where Orthodoxy is relatively unknown and where my skills as an obstetrical nurse are very much needed.
There is no way for me to become a Missionary and serve in this capacity without the participation of others. We are all called to minister to those who do not know God’s loving care for them. By helping to support me in this mission, you will be following in the footsteps of those who supported the Apostles and Missionaries throughout the history of the church! Not everyone is called to leave their family, their jobs, and their culture in order to reach out to others—you can reach out to those in your community here! But you can also help to reach people outside of your home community, and this is a way for you to do so!
I’ve included a prayer card and a pledge envelope with this letter. Please use the card to pray for me and for Missionaries all over the world. Your prayers are the most critical part of supporting missions! Please pray for the salvation of those I will meet and minister to, and please pray that God grants me strength and safety in this journey! Please pray for a strong and faithful support team to join me!
If you would like to become a partner in supporting my work financially, please consider making a monthly pledge for the two-year term of my service. No contribution is too small to make a difference! You can use the pledge envelope to make your contribution, or you can do so online at www.ocmc.org. When you send in an envelope or donate online you will be entered into my list of supporters and will receive updates on my progress in raising my support team, along with letters and pictures about the ministry in Tanzania once I am there. Remember--as you participate with me, this becomes your missionary effort as well! Please feel free to contact me at the email address or phone number on the prayer card! I would love to hear from you! Thank you for your support and God bless you!
“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:20)
Yours in Christ,
Maria Roeber
As many of you know, I’ve been accepted as a Missionary Candidate with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center and am now starting to invite others to join me in ministering to God’s people in Tanzania! I will be living and working in Bukoba, Tanzania, for the next two years, using my skills as a registered nurse to provide health care to those in need. In order to join the other Missionaries who are currently serving, I need to raise prayerful and financial support. My goal is to be completely funded and ready to depart for Africa in early January, 2010. In order to meet that goal I need your help!
I am so grateful to the people in my life who have helped me to grow in faith, and who encourage me in the process of becoming closer to God. I have tried to do the same for others, and I truly believe that I am being called by God to do this for the people living in Tanzania. The Church has been given the task of making disciples of all nations, and we each have our own way of doing this. There have been times in my life when I was called to be “an ambassador of Christ” here in the United States. I do believe that I have the opportunity now to help spread the Gospel in other parts of the world, especially where Orthodoxy is relatively unknown and where my skills as an obstetrical nurse are very much needed.
There is no way for me to become a Missionary and serve in this capacity without the participation of others. We are all called to minister to those who do not know God’s loving care for them. By helping to support me in this mission, you will be following in the footsteps of those who supported the Apostles and Missionaries throughout the history of the church! Not everyone is called to leave their family, their jobs, and their culture in order to reach out to others—you can reach out to those in your community here! But you can also help to reach people outside of your home community, and this is a way for you to do so!
I’ve included a prayer card and a pledge envelope with this letter. Please use the card to pray for me and for Missionaries all over the world. Your prayers are the most critical part of supporting missions! Please pray for the salvation of those I will meet and minister to, and please pray that God grants me strength and safety in this journey! Please pray for a strong and faithful support team to join me!
If you would like to become a partner in supporting my work financially, please consider making a monthly pledge for the two-year term of my service. No contribution is too small to make a difference! You can use the pledge envelope to make your contribution, or you can do so online at www.ocmc.org. When you send in an envelope or donate online you will be entered into my list of supporters and will receive updates on my progress in raising my support team, along with letters and pictures about the ministry in Tanzania once I am there. Remember--as you participate with me, this becomes your missionary effort as well! Please feel free to contact me at the email address or phone number on the prayer card! I would love to hear from you! Thank you for your support and God bless you!
“And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” (Mark 16:20)
Yours in Christ,
Maria Roeber
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