2006 Mission Appeal to Benefit the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage
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July 10, 2006 - Mission Team Reflection I: Our Relationship with the Hogar
Dear Parish Faithful,
Following the Divine Liturgy yesterday morning, Chris and Laura Murphy spoke briefly of their experience as Mission Team members to the Hogar San Rafael Ayau Orphanage in late June. This visit to the Hogar was their first, and Chris stated near the end of his talk, that they would like to return to the Hogar one day. This seems to be the overwhelming response of most "missionaries" to the Hogar. Something must prompt such a pervasive desire. Listening to Chris and Laura, my impression once again is that one is overwhelmed by the many children at the Hogar and the evident love and care that these "abandoned, abused and orphaned" children receive. In the absence of their natural families, the children form one large family that is deepened and sustained by the sacramental life of the Church into which they are immersed on a daily basis. Something is and always will be missing from the lives - and this can leave them scarred to some extent for the remainder of their lives - but they receive great consolation from God in their rebirth in the life of the Church; from the security of their newly-found Hogar family; and from the love of their many caregivers. This appears to remain the most indelible impression of the "Hogar experience," brought home again yesterday in listening to Chris and Laura. Having written about this extensively in the past, I would like to simply offer a few other loosely-related impressions and stories/anecdotes based on this latest visit to the Hogar.
I was glad that Chris chose to also emphasize our on-going parish relationship with the Hogar and how it is perceived from their vantage point as expressed by Mother Ines. While visiting the monastery, Mother Ines told us that our parish has about the longest-standing supportive ties with the Hogar of the many North American parishes that now support them. She is obviously referring to Sister Vicki Bellas' many journeys to the Hogar in the late 90's while still a member of our parish. Those visits were prompted and carried out by Sister Vicki on her own initiative. Be that as it may, there remains a sense of continuity as her initial "pioneering" endeavors soon became parish-based due to her inspiration. In no way am I attempting to inflate our contributions to the Hogar in some self-congratulatory manner; but rather I want to convey the deep sense of appreciation on their part toward us, as Chris mentioned yesterday. The Hogar has Guatemalan-based centers of support and assistance, but this only accounts for a certain portion of their daily needs, and so any and all support from Orthodox Christians elsewhere is essential to their daily survival. To them, it is an expression of love and the children understand this and thus warmly greet and treat the various Mission Teams that visit the Hogar and bring assistance in the process. As Chris further mentioned yesterday, when you actually visit the Hogar and witness its day-to-day operations, then you realize that every dollar donated is "well-spent."
Over the past few decades, some Orthodox parishes in North America have "adopted" a sister parish elsewhere in the world, primarily in Russia, I believe. Besides establishing some form of inter-communication between the two parishes, often the American parish has offered some form of assistance in response to the needs of their less fortunate sister parish. By the grace and providence of God, we have "adopted" an Orthodox orphanage in Guatemala over the years and established a wonderful relationship with the Hogar based upon our many visits there (about twenty-five persons associated with our parish have now made the trip) and our ongoing support of the Hogar's incredible work with these children. I continue to refer to this as a responsibility and a privilege for us. This takes on added importance when you realize that the Hogar is the only Orthodox presence in Guatemala, and that the Mothers and the children would experence a great sense of isolation without the visits and support of other Orthodox Christians from other parts of the world. By the way, it is always heartening that on my visits to the Hogar, I notice that each time more and more of the local Guatemalan staff have converted to Orthodoxy. I am certain that each time while serving at the Hogar I am giving Holy Communion to a couple more of the nineras (nannies) than from a previous visit! "Big is God!" as the Mothers would say.
I spoke above of the daily needs of the Hogar. More specifically, I would like to speak of the "daily bread" of the children based upon a talk with Mother Ines in the dining hall one day. Her "philosophy" of food is interesting in the light of the fact that I - and others - always observe the hearty, if not voracious appetites, of most of the children. In fact, it is hard not to find humorous just how much some of these slightly-built and small Guatemalan children can eat. I have especially noticed this when we have been blessed to take some of the children out of the Hogar to a restaurant or to Antigua for the day. They seem capable of endlessly eating! This is not because they are not well-fed or that their food is rationed at the Hogar. On the contrary, they are very well-fed at the Hogar on a daily basis, with three hot meals and snacks in between. Mother Ines makes a point of this, and I will return to it shortly. The root cause behind this is probably more psychological than physical. These children have grown up with great want, many of them living in near-starvation conditions in which food was very scarce. This seems to play in their minds and, hence, their voracious appetites. They live under a fear of not having access to enough food to stave off great hunger or starvation. This part of their past remains with them apparently.
Mother Ines related to us a brief history of the first days of the Hogar nearly a decade ago now. The first group of children - about a hundred - was extremely challenging and difficult, behaving "like animals" at times. Hungry though they may have been, they would not know how to act or eat properly in the dining hall, throwing their food on the floor, walls or ceiling. But then they would rummage through the garbage looking for something to eat! They were unable to initially break the pattern of how they would have to search for food in order to survive while living outside of the Hogar. (A daily sight in Guatemala is that of children roaming through garbage heaps intent upon finding something to eat). All of this is hard to believe when you now see how orderly and well-behaved the children are when they enter the dining hall for a meal. To return to Mother Ines' appreciation of the childrens' psychology concerning food, her directives to the staff is to always have more than enough food prepared and out in plain sight so that the children can see it on a daily basis. Mother Ines does not encourage over-eating; in fact I have been there when she spoke on this theme to the children. But again, she makes sure that the food necessary to satisfy the hunger of each child in more than amply provided. Over time a sense of trust is built up in the children that food in abundance will always be there for them. The children appreciate this and always "clean their plates" on a daily basis!
By the way, not a child at the Hogar would dream of sitting down to a meal before saying the Lord's Prayer over his or her food. When the children enter the dining hall according to their age groupings, silence is maintained and then they all say the Lord's Prayer together, and if a priest is present he will bless the food. The Mission Teams eat at the same time and thus partipate in this "rite." But if a particular child was delayed for some reason and then comes in late, he or she will stand before the icon of Christ on the wall and silently say the Lord's Prayer before proceeding to the cafeteria and the food line. Following the meal, the children will then sing the prayer of thanksgiving for a meal. Just about everything begins and ends with prayer at the Hogar. I also noticed that the children - at least the older ones - are now much more integrally involved in some of the serving of the food and the clean-up. There is clearly a rotating series of teams that stay behind to wash the dishes and clean up in the kitchen and the dining hall itself. This reinforces a sense of responsibility in them and a sense of care for the upkeep of their environment.
I have another anecodote or two that I will try to prepare for another time. We also hope to have a few slides in the future that we can eventually show in the church hall.
Fr. Steven
June 30, 2006 - A Thank You Note from the Hogar
From Fr. Steven: Upon returning home, I discovered that my last pre-Guatemalan parish mailing failed to make it out of the outbox. I had written about the final total of our 2006 Hogar Appeal, which turned out to be: $6,674.00. Chris Murphy, our parish treasurer, handed over a check for exactly $6,000.00 to Mother Ines when we visited her at the monastery. The remainder of the money was used to buy various other gifts for the children, all of which was handed over to Mother Maria and Senora Ericka. In response, Mother Ines later gave me the following card to share with the entire parish:
Dear Father Kostoff and faithful friends of the children of the Hogar Rafael Ayau,
It is with great joy that we give thanks to God for your faithful friendship and support during these ten years of existence of the Hogar, the Orthodox home for children in Guatemala. Without your prayers, financial support, your visits, your constant love, this task would have been very difficult. It is because we can count on you, because the children count on you, that God can do wonderous things in their lives, and we receive abundant blessings through them, from God, our Father. Keep on coming and being part of this Orthodox mission, keep on having this home, a home away from home. We appreciate your love and friendship and feel honored to be part of your parish in so many ways. Thank you, dear Father and Presvytera, thank you to each of you. In the hope to see you again and in His love,
Mother Ines, the nuns and children with me, in Christ.
June 19, 2006 - Final Entry before Departure - Mission Team Prayer List
Dear Parish Faithful and Friends,
Our final total for the 2006 Hogar Appeal was $6,674.00. We will make a check out for the orphanage for an even $6,000.00 We used the remainder of the collected donations to purchase requested items by the Hogar. Please keep our Mission Team in your prayers:
- Fr. Steven
- Chris
- Laura
- Lesa
- Roberta (Bobbie)
- Khouria Rose
- Matushka Susan
- Andrew
- Mary
~~~
I am "signing off" until next Wednesday. May your upcoming week be blessed.
Fr. Steven
June 15, 2006 - Pre-Mission Trip Summary
Dear Parish Faithful and Friends,
Last Sunday we collected an additional $1,361.00 for our Hogar Appeal. That took our over-all total to $5,129.00! Most of that money has come from many of you in the parish, so this is once again a very parish-wide accomplishment. It will be a privilege to represent the parish's generosity and concern for the children of the Hogar, together with Chris and Laura Murphy, on this year's Mission Team.
In addition, another $910 was collected at Kara Krueger's workplace, UnumProvident. That gives us a total of $6,039.00! One of Kara's co-workers, Lesa Postel, works there and she will be on our Team as she was last year. A good portion of that $910.00 was raised by selling baklava prepared by two of our parish women. They donated all of the ingredients and, of course, the time and labor. We thank them for their efforts. I am already anticipating Mother Ines' beaming smile when we hand over our check to her. The Hogar is always in need, and thus all donations are timely. We will also have four suitcases filled primarily with clothing.
In a fallen and sinful world, many human beings are powerless and defenseless. And the most vulnerable are children. There is nothing more horrible to contemplate than the sufferings of innocent children. Sadly, this begins with the unborn whose lives are "terminated" because often they are simply unwanted and inconvenient. There are also the maimed or killed victims of war. But certainly some of the most powerless and defenseless children who actually see the light of day are those who are "abandoned, abused or orphaned." They are also unwanted and are considered to be a "social burden." Their futures are not bright. The fortunate ones may end up in a good orphanage or institution where they have concerned and loving caregivers. This is less than ideal, but it protects them from further brutalization. The Hogar San Rafael Ayau Orphanage is such a place. All of us from the parish who have gone down there can unanimously witness to that. I have developed the deepest respect - even "awe" - for the caregivers and protectors of the wounded children there. The patience, the strength, and the courage needed are exceptionally in evidence, and all of this is illumined by a deep sense of Christian love. We can only speculate about their struggles with disappointment and discouragement, and their battles with the court system. Even though we are at quite a distance from the Mothers, the staff and the children, it is - in my humble opinion - and honor and a privilege to offer our modest assistance and support to the over-all work of the Hogar on behalf of the children. May God abundantly bless your generosity and concern.
We will have a basket by the Cross this coming Sunday, our last before leaving for Guatemala on Tuesday. Any further donations of any size would be greatly appreciated. And, of course, we will have a Prayer for Traveling near the end of the Liturgy
Fr. Steven
May 19, 2006 - An Urgent Appeal
The following is taken from the Hogar website under the title "Urgent Donation Request:"
Please note: What's needed most at this time is MONETARY DONATIONS, please. Our budget is $35,000 per month to operate our orphanage and meet the needs of all of our children. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. May God bless you for all that you give in His name.
According to the above, the annual budget for Hogar is around $420,000! With only four of us going to the Hogar from Cincinnati this summer, we are definitely concentrating on the monetary donation. Although we will still try and take some essential items down with us. As stated earlier, our Appeal has been receiving a steady flow of generous donations, and it would be wonderful if we could substantially add to that over the course of the next few weeks. Please consider making a donation to the Hogar on behalf of the children there.
Fr. Steven
May 15, 2006 - A Special Gift
Dear Parish Faithful,
Cristo ha Resucitado!
I would like to share a meaningful event from yesterday: While eating and speaking with Archbishop Job at the brunch, one of our parish families approached me. I found myself being presented with a very substantial donation for our Hogar Appeal in the form of a check. And yet I was most impressed and moved when one of the children informed me that the donation was made possible because the family chose to save the money by not spending it on certain usual and enjoyable family outings. All of the smiling faces told me that this was done happily and not reluctantly. I, in turn, informed them that without the protection and care of the Hogar and such supportive donations from people like us, the children there would be reduced to conditions of near starvation. Without too much exaggeration, it could be said that our donations literally put food on the table for the children (as well as pay the staff, the teachers, needed medicines, etc.)
It was very encouraging to encounter a response of this sort from within our parish.
We have also received a steady flow of generous donations from others in the parish, so our 2006 Hogar Appeal is steadily growing. We will be collecting into June, so hopefully our total will continue to grow. In anticipation, may God bless you for your generosity.
Fr. Steven
May 12, 2006 - Pascha Greetings and Update from the Hogar
Dear Parish Faithful,
Christ is Risen!
As a supplement to our Hogar Appeal 2006, I wanted to share this wonderful letter from our dear friend, Mother Maria. This letter is bursting with paschal joy as Mother Maria attempts to express her joy and that of the children following the events that led to their celebration. There is a little miracle at work here, because the Hogar is without an assigned priest currently, and it appeared as if there wouldn't be one for Holy Week and Pascha. That is something of the context of her description of Fr. Philemon's "eleventh hour" presence.
These children "deserve" some joy and consolation in their lives, and the Hogar, which brings them into the sacramental life of the Church, is the setting for them to experience God's joyful presence. Your support continues to sustain their lives at the Hogar.
Fr. Steven
_____
Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen !!!
Cristo ha Resucitado! Verdaderamente ha Resucitado !!!
Kristos Anesti! Alithos Anesti !!!
My very dear Family and Friends,
Year after year, we receive the Grace and the Gift of the RISEN LIFE of our Lord!
Truly He is Risen and our hearts burst with so much JOY and so many BLESSINGS on this Feast of Feasts !!!
This year is another special Pascha for me personally. As you know, last year was very special with the presence of my niece Bingbing Munoz who was a well-loved missionary for one year with us !!! This year, our celebrating priest for the Holy Week and Pascha is another Filipino, a happy and holy priest-monk friend, Archimandrite Philemon !!! Fr. Philemon is finishing his Master's Degree in Divinity at St. Tikhon's Theological Seminary and Monastery in Pennsylvania, the first Russian Orthodox Monastery and Seminary in the USA.
It was impressive how everyone loved and appreciated Fr. Philemon and how everybody was deeply touched by his inspiring love for God, his spiritual depth and joyful spirit !!! The Holy Week services were liturgically rich and our children actively participated in the long Church services --fruit of the 40 days of Great Lent discipline and preparations with many prayers, prostrations, fasting and good deeds !!! For the Paschal Vigil, we were in Church for seven hours straight. Four new children were baptized and four more of our key staff workers have asked to be chrismated into the Orthodox faith. The Divine Liturgy ended at 3:45 AM and both the children and adults exploded with JOY in celebrating the POWER of NEW LIFE from the Risen Lord !!! Everyone also enjoyed the festive Paschal meal that followed and our children most especially had a good time exchanging the Paschal greeting before the breaking of the beautifully colored eggs among themselves !!!
Indeed, "BIG IS GOD" and we thank Him for enabling Fr. Philemon to come and share with us this year's Feast of Feasts !!! After the festal meal, (at about 6:30 AM !!!) all cheered and clapped for Fr. Philemon exclaiming: "Father, come back again !!!" And they told us nuns: "This is our best Pascha !!! The Filipinos are a joyful people!" Mabuhay ang Pilipinas !!! Of course as you can imagine, Fr. Philemon fell in love with all our children and the people of my dear Guatemala !!! I am so proud and pray for my kababayan friend, may God grant Fr. Philemon many years and many blessings in his priesthood and monastic life.
And to you all my dear ones, may the GOOD NEWS of PASCHA bring us all much closer to God Whose LOVE faithfully gives LIFE to our day-to-day ordinary lives with more MEANING and HOPE and JOY !!!
Si Cristo ay Nabuhay! Sa katotohanan, Siya'y Nabuhay !!!
In the JOY of the RISEN LORD,
Mother Maria
May 1, 2006 - Annual Mission Appeal and Trip set for June 20
Dear Parish Faithful & Friends in Christ,
Christ is Risen!
In seven weeks from tomorrow (June 20), our combined 2006 Cincinnati/Toledo Mission Team will depart for Guatemala City and the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage. This will be the fifth consecutive summer that we have prepared a Team to visit the Hogar. Our parish teams have always gone as representative of the parish. And over the years, twenty two persons associated with our parish have gone to the Hogar! Therefore, we have always made an appeal to the entire parish, so that those who are unable to make the trip, but who desire to support the work of the Hogar on behalf of the children, may do so. If you recall, in 2005 we were able to donate more than $13,500 in and through our parish to the Hogar! For either Presvytera Deborah or me, this will most assuredly be our last such trip for the foreseeable future. Our concentration and attention will hopefully soon be focused elsewhere.
I am quite aware of the fact, that for many of you, the Hogar has become an ongoing concern and has received your support consistently. A few of our parishoners have taken on the direct sponsorship of one or more of the children, thus providing great relief for the Hogar. Further, the Kruegers have sponsored a new music program for the children in memory of Matthew, and Mother Ivonne reports that this has been very well received. Thus, we have formed some wonderful bonds with the Hogar over the years, allowing us to do the work of God in responding to others in need.
I am strongly convinced that this is primarily due to the fact that we are assisting children in the process. The children of the Hogar are only a tiny fraction of the world's "abandoned, abused and orphaned children" that we pray for in the Liturgy. Not only is this heartbreaking, but there is something "morally intolerable" about encountering or learning about innocent children who must suffer because of the sins of their families and/or society at large. We cannot "fix" these complex problems that are inescapable in a fallen and sinful world; but we can make a contribution from our abundance that can help bring relief and much-needed assistance to their care-givers and protectors. The Hogar counts on people like us, and God has privileged us with this possibility of offering assistance. The good news is that we have received a $1,000 donation from a "friend of the parish," that has already gotten us off to a great start!
Please make any checks payable to Christ the Savior/Holy Spirit and give them to either our treasurer, Chris Murphy, or to me. As you know, any size contribution eventually adds up into something greater. We will then hand over one check from the parish in June. If you have any friends or relatives who may be interested, please inform them.
Anticipating yet again a generous response, I remain yours
In Christ,
Fr. Steven
Please Consider Making a Donation
We would feel richly blessed if you joined with us in our annual Mission Appeal for the orphanage. 100% of all funds raised are given directly to the Hogar Rafael Ayau. All our time and efforts (and even Mission Team travel expenses) at Christ the Savior are donated, so there are no administrative costs. If you would like to help support our efforts, you may send your check to us at the address below (same as the address on our web banner). Please make your check payable to "Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit Orthodox Church," and note on the memo line, "For Hogar Rafael Ayau 2006 Mission." All donations are tax deductible; please indicate if you would like a receipt for your donation for tax purposes. Thank you for your consideration, and may God bless you.
- Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit Orthodox Church
- 2006 Hogar Rafael Ayau Mission Appeal
- 4285 Ashland Ave
- Cincinnati OH 45212
call us at 513-351-0907 if you have any questions, or email Fr. Steven at stevenk@choice.net
Or contact the Hogar directly via their website: www.hogarafaelayau.org