While staying at the orphanage in Guatemala City, I was able to access a variety of stores to supply the needs of my sewing classes. My shopping buddy was usually Señora Irene, one of the capable ladies who organize things at the orphanage. Whatever I needed, Señora Irene knew where to get it. My … [Read more...]
Spicy Contrasts
July 20, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
As mentioned in my previous post, Fr. John, Angel, and I made the 3-hour trek from the noisy congestion of Guatemala City to the peaceful, rural environs of Nueva Concepcion. We would be staying at a beautiful compound with a group of 15 older boys from the orphanage and a few Orthodox monks and … [Read more...]
OCMC Team
July 20, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
I apologize, dear Readers, that my blog has been neglected for many days. Sporadic Internet connections, coupled with my limited technical skills, have interfered with my blogging. There are photos and information that will be posted as soon as I get some help. Until recently, I had been working in … [Read more...]
Going Buggy
July 2, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
This entry in my blog will not be inspirational. It is written, instead, as an advisory to any aspiring missionaries in my readership. My advice is this: when venturing into a new environment, be prepared to give nurture and sustenance, not only to the people in the mission field, but also to the … [Read more...]
Field Trip
June 24, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
These are two of my lovely students, Eulalia and Romelia, who traveled 2 days to reach Guatemala City from the remote mountain village of Avocate. The girls have been working hard in the sewing room, learning to make cassocks for their priest. We were also joined by Presvytera Reina Elisabet … [Read more...]
Visit to Telpepan
June 24, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
As mentioned in a previous post, Archbishop Athenagoras of Mexico arrived for his first visit to Guatemala on June 15. He came to personally acquaint himself with the large group of faithful he had accepted into the Orthodox Church. Along with my husband, Fr. John Chakos, Fr. Andres Giron, and … [Read more...]
Charity
June 22, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
As I packed my bags to travel to Guatemala in the month of June, I anticipated very warm weather. Guatemala is in the northern hemisphere. It´s summer there, I thought, no need to pack a jacket. Well, it´s actually the rainy season. On sunny days it is quite balmy, but when the rain clouds roll … [Read more...]
More Arrivals and Departures
June 16, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Arrivals can be fraught with surprises, as I have learned through personal experience. My own arrival in Guatemala, for example, took an unexpected detour through El Salvador. The next arrivals were a bit of a scheduling surprise to Mother Ivonne, the director of the orphanage. The day after my … [Read more...]
Departure and Arrival
June 13, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
I arrived safely in Guatemala on June 11, but getting here was a bit of a challenge. My 6.15 am flight time necessitated leaving home at 4 am. Sleep was not an option. By the time I got to the airport and entered a long line of expectant passengers, I had been awake for 24 hours. My palpitating … [Read more...]
Then and Now
June 10, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
A blast from the past - I had sent this around a while ago, but am posting it here to give you a chuckle: Some things change and some things stay the same. In the 60's, during our Peace Corps service, Fr. John taught in a University in the city of Rio de Janeiro. I taught sewing and pattern … [Read more...]
