The old African proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child” could also refer to other communal endeavors such as building a clinic. We found this to be the case in Aguacate, Guatemala, after a recent visit (Nov. 16th) to see for ourselves how the project was progressing after three months. To … [Read more...]
HEALTH CARE IN GUATEMALA: THE OTHER CRISIS
October 16, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
As I follow the tragic news of the Ebola crisis in West Africa, and now in the United States, I cannot help but wonder what would happen if such an outbreak occurred in Guatemala. The effects of such an epidemic would be overwhelming and calamitous, to say the least. Healthcare, such as it is, for … [Read more...]
Guatemalan Update: The Church Mourns, but not without Hope
August 27, 2014 by · 1 Comment
After the loss of its dynamic and visionary leader- Fr. Andres Giron- the Guatemalan clergy and faithful entered into a difficult period of mourning and readjustment. In every parish that we visited, there was sadness, but no loss of hope. On the contrary, a strong desire to continue the work of Fr. … [Read more...]
ORTHODOXY IN THE GUATEMALAN HIGHLANDS: A LIGHT SHINES BRIGHTLY
July 3, 2014 by · Leave a Comment
On the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, in the humble and unspoiled village of Aguacate, we celebrated one of the most moving liturgies of my stay in Guatemala. For the first time in the Altiplano, I had the joy of experiencing uninterrupted worship from "Blessed be the kingdom" to the last … [Read more...]
MANY VOICES, ONE FLOCK: Church Music in Guatemala
June 18, 2014 by · 1 Comment
On the day of Pentecost many foreign languages were ecstatically uttered by the apostles, but instead of dividing the multitude in attendance, it united them in a bond of love. Such was the experience of the five member OCMC catechetical team that came to teach the music of the Orthodox Church to … [Read more...]
THOUSANDS MOURN THE PASSING OF FR. ANDRES GIRON
February 22, 2014 by · 2 Comments
It was with great sadness that family, friends and the faithful gathered to pay tribute to Fr. Andres Giron- church leader, reformer and passionate servant of the poor. Over the last two months he fought a valiant battle against his diabetes, hoping to overcome its … [Read more...]
MEDICAL MISSION TO GUATEMALA: TO HEAL AS CHRIST DID
December 21, 2013 by · 1 Comment
For many people of the Orthodox Church, especially those living in first-world countries, the mission of Christ is primarily viewed as something spiritual and otherworldly. As such, the main emphasis is placed on liturgical rites and the teaching and preaching ministries of the faith. While these … [Read more...]
LOSING OURSELVES IN CHRIST’S MISSION
September 9, 2013 by · 4 Comments
When the great missionary saint, Kosmas Aitolos, Equal to the Apostles, had prayed, fasted and wept for his sins over a period of 17 years on Mt. Athos, he felt a gnawing sensation, like that of "a worm eating away at wood." It was calling him to leave the safe and tranquil confines of his … [Read more...]
Welcome OCMC Team!
August 13, 2013 by · 1 Comment
On August 2, we were blessed by the arrival of a 14-person construction team sent by the OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center). They will be with us until August 16. A very talented and experienced group of people, they are undertaking the construction of a new dormitory building for our … [Read more...]
UPCOMING EVENT
April 13, 2013 by · 1 Comment
We are currently back in the U.S.A. in our hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Just as Joseph was obliged to travel to Bethlehem with Mary, we have returned to give unto Uncle Sam what is Uncle Sam's (i.e. pay our taxes). But even more important than that, we look forward to spending a joyous Pascha with … [Read more...]
