News From the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
NEWS FROM THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MISSION CENTER (OCMC)
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Guatemala City, Guatemala - The squalid streets of Guatemala City create
an infinite labyrinth of pavement that spans the entire breadth of the
mountain valley that it occupies. Laced with an intricate web of
telephone wires and lined with colorful stucco buildings, these streets
are amongst some of the most impoverished in the Western Hemisphere. In
the center of this bustling metropolis, far away from the shops of Las
Majadas and the romance of Antigua, rests Zona 1. Known as the old
historic district, this area of Guatemala City is also home to some of
the cities more nefarious elements. Yet within this industrial, polluted
and over populated bastion of flailing modernity, shines the light of
God, a place from which can be heard the joyous laughter of children and
the ringing of church bells. This oasis of salvation is the Hogar
Rafael Ayau orphanage.
In 2006 the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) sent two Mission
Teams to the Hogar with the hopes of providing a mother, a father, a
sibling and a friend to small hearts, even if for only a couple of
weeks. One of these teams team, led by Fr. Matthias Moriak, consisted of
11 Orthodox Christians from varying jurisdictions. Sharing his first
impressions of the orphanage and its residents, Fr. Matthias relates,
“The orphanage holds the beauty of God’s love and the protecting grace
of God’s presence to these children, while outside the walls it is
surrounded with the presence of all that is evil and ugly in this
world. I have often reflected in my mind how these children have none
of the possessions that the world thinks are so important, and yet, they
are abundantly rich with what they do have – the healing presence and
love of God.”
Guatemala has always been on the frontlines of the clash between
European and Native American cultures. About half of Guatemala’s
population is mestizo (known in Guatemala as ladino), people of mixed
European and native ancestry. Guatemala is also home to a large
indigenous population of Maya. The Maya have retained their own distinct
identity, speaking their own language and having their own traditional
and religious customs. The two cultures have made Guatemala a complex
society that is deeply divided between rich and poor. This division has
produced much of the tension and violence that has marked Guatemala’s
history, including a 36-year conflict that was only officially ended in
1996.
Guatemala’s economy traditionally has been based on agricultural
exports. This economic approach has enriched the country’s small wealthy
class, but a large segment of the population remains very poor,
especially the native people who supply much of the agricultural labor.
The dangerous cocktail of conflict and poverty has left many Guatemalan
children orphaned.
Amidst the eight million inhabitants of Guatemala City, the largest of
all Central American cities, are thousands of unwanted and unloved
children. An overwhelming majority of Guatemalan population lives on
less than five-dollars per day. This often results in mouths being left
unfed. Without a home and lacking hope, the young struggle to survive.
By the grace of God and through the caring service of the nuns at the
Hogar Rafael Ayau orphanage, many Guatemalan orphans are delivered from
the cold streets of Guatemala City to the warm embrace of a loving
Christian home.
One month before Fr. Matthias’ Team arrived in July, the government gave
the nuns 26 new orphans to care for. The abuse and neglect that come
from the frustrations of abject poverty were the only memories that many
of these children had. Entering into the care of the Hogar can be an
overwhelming experience for a child who has known nothing but suffering.
It takes time to adapt to the sincere compassion that they receive.
Under the care of monastics like Abbess Inés, Mother Ivonne, Mother
Maria, the staff, and OCMC missionaries Christine Hagelios and Ed Pier,
some of these children are shown love for the first time. Everyone works
hard to feed, cloth, educate and provide spiritual direction to a
population of orphans that is constantly in flux.
Thankfully, the older orphans assist in this care. “The older children
help and teach the younger children, especially in the Church. An older
child will lead a younger child as they come into the Church. They
will teach their younger ‘brother’ or ‘sister’ how to make the sign of
the cross, bow, and venerate the icons. The selflessness expressed by
these older children is truly an amazing occurrence”, recalls Fr.
Matthias.
In its most profound expression of love, the orphanage welcomes each of
those in its care into the life of the Church. The many baptisms of the
orphanage’s young residents were some of the most endearing memories
that the Team members who volunteered at the Hogar shared. In addition
to becoming friends and mentors to these children, Team members became
godparents as well. Sophia Andriotis of Watertown, MA shares, “I looked
down at my new godchild, my first godchild, asleep in my arms. One hand
was holding his new cross, the other wrapped around my finger. I smiled
down at him as my eyes welled up with tears as we sang ‘Dios les conceda
muchos años’ (God grant you many years). I thought of all my hopes,
dreams and prayers for him. I held him close to me and saved a picture
of this memorable moment in my mind, knowing I would hold on to it
forever.”
Despite the virtuous work of the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage, it
continues to endure great struggle. How does one address issues of
poverty while being embroiled in the throws of it? As the numbers of
children increase, when will the love of a few dedicated servants be
spread too thin? When asked these questions, Mother Ivonne responds
plainly, “I don’t loose any sleep...you have to trust in God completely;
we've all had to learn that.”
God has always provided for the nuns of the Hogar. The sea of smiling
faces at the orphanage is not a burden to these women, but a blessing.
Though there is always need, volunteers and donations regularly come to
the Hogar. The Mission Center has been sending Teams to the orphanage
since 1998 and it currently sponsors two long-term missionaries in
Guatemala as well. In July 2007, OCMC, the international mission agency
of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America,
will be sending two more teams to Guatemala to assist the sisters in
their vital ministry.
“No matter how much we may do as Mission Team members for these children
in Guatemala,” reflects Fr. Matthias, “the satisfaction and love that
is returned outweighs whatever sacrifices we may make.” Through the
continued help and love of volunteers, the nuns, the staff and its
orphans, the light of the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage will continue
shine, illuminating the darkness left by poverty and bringing the peace
of Christ to the people of Guatemala one child at a time.
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