Faeli is an OCMC Missionary working at Casa Hogar and St Innocent Orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. She works as an online school tutor for the 25 boys on the residential property. She is also the co-host of Project Mexico Podcast, Stories of Hope.

PM: Why did you decide to become a full-time missionary, and also specifically work for Project Mexico?

FH: It was a decision that happened very much with God’s prompting...something I stumbled into by His grace. I was a homebuilding intern with PM back in 2019 and I had reapplied to come back in summer 2020. Homebuilding was canceled because of the pandemic, but I was still able to go down to St. Innocent Ranch to help out with all the boys. I was scheduled to leave on the Feast of Dormition, but I ended up offering to stay and continue helping with the boys. I thought perhaps I’d leave after Christmas 2020, but by then I knew that God wanted me here and that I had found somewhere that felt like home. It was during this time that I was connected with OCMC, and I realized that missionary work is the path I’m being led down. I am about to reach my one-year anniversary here in Mexico, and I am so thankful to God for everything He has brought me in that time.

I am equally excited for what’s in the future. 

PM: Describe your role with Project Mexico. What are your responsibilities and contributions to the organization?

FH: The bulk of my time is spent with our 6th-grade group of boys in their online classes--one of those boys is my newly-illumined godson! I assist them throughout the day: keeping them on track, making sure they’re in the right classes, writing down their assignments, and helping them work through the many frustrations that come up throughout the day. Additionally, I’ve helped here and there with various marketing and fundraising projects.

PM: Tell us about how you have grown personally since you came to work for Project Mexico full-time?

FH: I think it’s quite possible I’ve grown more in this last year than any other year of my life. Lord willing, I have grown in patience and flexibility...but my prayer is that I have grown the most in love. My experiences here with the boys have opened my eyes to real love. It’s a love that takes priority over all else and sometimes feels too much to bear. I have a long way to go before I understand it and I can love others selflessly, but I’ve received a taste of it during my time here.

PM: What is a personal talent or interest that would surprise people to learn about you?

FH: I’ve always been fascinated by “old-timey” things. When I’m not bouncing on trampolines with kiddos, running around after ranch dogs, or generally favoring practicality, my personal style is Edwardian-lady-meets-wannabe-hipster. In fact, my godson once saw my church outfit and asked me “Are you from the past?”

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