Fall 2019 Update: Day by Day Through Your Prayers...
Jennifer Rice, OCMC Missionary
Traveling in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, often involves traversing bumpy terrain in the church van to reach one of the over 80 communities Fr. Evangelios personally serves as their spiritual father under the blessing of Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico City. During these visits, we are blessed to join the faithful in celebrating the community’s feast day and feasts of the Church, blessing of new building projects, as well as sacraments of baptisms, chrismations, and weddings. It is a joy to be present to celebrate together such historic moments and personally see first-hand the fruits of labors of Fr. Evangelios, Fr. Mihail, Fr. Daniel, Fr. Alexios, and Fr. Blas tending to their flock of tens of thousands in over a hundred communities in Guatemala and Southern Mexico.
The daily rhythm of living in the rural village of Aguacate in Guatemala also includes the unique opportunity to eat meals with Fr. Evangelios, the seminarians studying at the Seminary of St. Andrew, medical students serving in the San Andres Medical Clinic in Aguacate, missionary colleagues, as well as visiting guests. By the grace of God, over the years our household has slowly expanded, which even necessitated building a larger dining table because at any given time there are about 20 individuals coming together at each meal to break bread. However, for us instead of bread, it is often tortillas we have at our meals! And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
-Acts 2:46-7 RSV
It is through your continued prayers and support, we assist as God sees fit in continuing the legacy of Fr. Andrés Girón, of blessed memory. From where I sit at the dining table in Aguacate, I can see of photo of him preaching and I am reminded of the example he set forth. Fr. Andrés was not only a priest, but also advocated for the rights of the indigenous people of Guatemala. His most important ministry was as the spiritual leader of his clergy and people, which would later result in a mass conversion of tens of thousands of people to the Orthodox Church. He gave everything he had, his life, and his very breath for others. We are inspired by his example to do the same to the best of our abilities.
Each of us come to the table humbly to offer our respective gifts, talents, and prayers for the mission. I continue to assist the growing Church in Guatemala by being involved in the liturgical music instruction, supporting the Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s efforts in producing publications for use with indigenous clergy and catechists in the metropolis, assisting with the Seminary of St. Andrés and the receiving and hosting of mission teams.
Although there are thousands of miles that separate us, you are very much co-laborers in this work. We are forever grateful for joining us in the growing missionary efforts of Orthodoxy in Latin America. Let us pray that the Lord continues to add to our numbers day by day.
With Gratitude,
Jennifer Rice
OCMC Missionary to
Guatemala & Southern MexicoNovember 2019, a medical mission team provided care to over 250 individuals at the San Andrés Medical Clinic in Aguacate, Guatemala!Fr. Evangelios, seminarians & missionary colleagues with Fr. Alexios, acolytes, & choir of the parish of Most Holy Theotokos of Perpetual Help in Tajumuco, Guatemala at the conclusion of their feast day celebrations.
His Eminence Athenagoras of Mexico City, celebrating Pascha in Aguacate, Guatemala.
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Yours truly with photo of Fr. Andrés Girón of blessed memory in the background.CLICK HERE TO OFFER YOUR MONTHLY SUPPORT!