Cooking Up a Soup Kitchen
Cooking Up a Soup Kitchen
by Pauline Russell, OCMC Missionary in Albania
June 8, 2005
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), St. Augustine, FL - George
and Pauline Russell have been serving as OCMC Missionaries in Albania
since spring 2003. Early this year, they opened up a soup kitchen, which
Pauline writes about.
"The soup kitchen my husband, George, and I worked to open now serves
50-70 people three times a week. It is truly an amazing experience
seeing all those people standing outside waiting to be fed, who
otherwise would be hungry. We are doing what we came here as OCMC
Missionaries to do. I didn’t know I would actually enjoy it; I was so
busy being nervous about how it was all going to happen. Every Tuesday,
Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 am, people come in like clockwork to be
fed. Most of the time, George, the kids (Christopher and Madeline) and I
are here to greet and eat with them. The people love to see the
children there and pinch their cheeks.
Some of the soup kitchen clients are very thankful for the meal and
others just come and go without a word. One man only motions to his
mouth to make sure I know he is there for the food and then quietly goes
back out on the street. Over time, I have learned that each person has
his or her own unique story as to why they are either on the street with
nothing and no one, or have some rudimentary shelter with little or no
food to eat.
One gentleman was imprisoned for eight years because of a picture he
painted during the Communist era. His family, over time, deserted him
and he lost his mind being locked up. Even after he was released, he was
never the same. He gave George one of his paintings all neatly rolled
up in some newspaper in gratitude. Another man left Bulgaria in hopes of
a better life here, which unfortunately did not happen. He now collects
aluminum cans for one cent a piece. Another woman who regularly comes,
is severely depressed from an abusive husband who deserted her and her
two small children, and profusely cries and kisses my hand - so thankful
to have someone interested in helping her. It is truly nonstop.
Sometimes His Beatitude, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and all Albania
blesses us with a visit and eats and talks with everyone. To see His
Beatitude finally being able to sit with the people he was so anxious to
feed is fantastic. We also have a local priest who tries to come once
or twice a week to bless the food and be available for those who are
interested in speaking with a priest. Our soup kitchen clients get a
whole lot more than just food when they dine with us.
We have found that running the soup kitchen isn’t just about the
logistics of preparing and serving food to a bunch of people. We have
come to understand the greater responsibility of showing them the love
and respect they greatly deserve. And to consciously keep in mind that
all those we serve are individuals, made and loved by God, in His image.
It is a humbling challenge. God bless you for your prayers, interest
and support."
To learn more about the ministry of these dedicated OCMC Missionaries,
please visit these websites: www.russellmission.org and www.ocmc.org.
Funds to help support and encourage the Russell family can be sent to
the Orthodox Christian Mission Center designated for “Russells” in memo
line at PO Box 4319, St. Augustine, FL, 32085.
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The Orthodox Christian Mission Center: Helping Orthodox Christians
respond to Christ's call to preach, teach, baptize, minister to the poor
and make disciples of all nations as the official international mission
agency of SCOBA.