Support St. Innocent Orphanage’s Back-to-School Preparations

Northern Baja, Mexico – July 29, 2024 – Project Mexico welcomed over 250 guests to our 16-acre ranch in northern Baja on Friday, June 28th, to celebrate the grand opening of Casa Cuna San Felipe, the only Orthodox Christian Infant Orphanage in NAs the new school year approaches, the children and young boys at Casa Hogar are gearing up for their return to the classroom. Schools in Mexico require meticulous organization of educational materials, and our dedicated staff is currently facing the challenge of preparing supplies for twenty-two boys.

The process involves tagging and color-coding a range of items including books, pens, pencils, compasses, and art supplies. This task is crucial to ensure each child is well-equipped and ready to excel in their studies. To support our efforts, we are reaching out to our community and supporters for assistance.

We have created a convenient Amazon needs list to streamline the process for those who wish to contribute. Your support, whether big or small, will make a significant impact on the boys' educational experience and help them start the school year with confidence.

To view the list and make a contribution, please visit [Insert Amazon Needs List Link Here]. Every donation helps us in our mission to provide quality education and a nurturing environment for the children of Casa Hogar.

We deeply appreciate your continued faith, love, and support. Together, we can make this school year a memorable and successful one for the boys at St. Innocent Orphanage.

Project Mexico Celebrates Grand Opening of Casa Cuna San Felipe, North America's First Orthodox Christian Infant Orphanage

Northern Baja, Mexico – June 28, 2024 – Project Mexico welcomed over 250 guests to our 16-acre ranch in northern Baja on Friday, June 28th, to celebrate the grand opening of Casa Cuna San Felipe, the only Orthodox Christian Infant Orphanage in North America. This landmark event marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide a safe, nurturing environment for vulnerable infants.

The grand opening ceremony was a joyous occasion, blessed by our Executive Director and Priest, Fr. Nicholas Andruchow, alongside nearly a dozen Orthodox priests from parishes around the world. Their presence and prayers underscored the deep spiritual commitment and global support for our mission.

Casa Cuna San Felipe stands as a testament to our dedication to the care and well-being of orphaned infants, providing them with a loving home grounded in Orthodox Christian values. This new facility will offer these children not only a place to live but also a foundation of faith, love, and security.

As our ministry continues to grow, so do our needs for additional housing. One of our most pressing needs is the construction of long-term housing for our female missionaries. These dedicated women play a crucial role in the day-to-day care and upbringing of the children, and providing them with suitable housing is essential to the continued success of our mission.

We invite all our supporters and those who believe in our cause to contribute to our Nanny Housing Fund. Your generous donations will help us build the necessary housing to support our missionaries and ensure the continued care of the children at Casa Cuna San Felipe.

Growth and Life by Julia Kasten

Essential Ingredients to Inspire Growth

The life-changing and substantial ingredients that inspire growth aren't the most significant events or the most dramatic changes. They're often simple acts and choices that we make each day. I know this isn't an uncommon idea, but when you experience growth that turns into consistency and habit, it becomes a foundation for beautiful things to develop.

I have been working at the Casa Cuna infant orphanage since we received our first child. I have witnessed how quickly kids ages 0-2 develop. Everything sticks with them. From learning the daily routine and knowing that washing our hands means it's time to eat, to talking to them in well-spoken language, we must be mindful that they indeed soak it all up and mimic us. We see them begin to imitate our practices in church. They now know how to kiss icons and recognize a cross.

The other day, we got them all in high chairs and at the table ready for a meal. Queadan (my coworker) and I made the sign of the cross, in preparation to eat. Three of the kids were very watchful. They clumsily copied our motion while only looking at us. It made me think about the foundation and way in which I was raised. Always going to church on Sundays, praying before meals, asking forgiveness, and living in the community. It is a way of life that pushes me to grow and seek my faith.

The position I have found myself in now creates opportunities for me to foster the same foundation for children. But much of the work is in the everyday. Taking the babies for walks and telling them that God created everything they see and or allowing them to kiss the same icon 15 times in a row. Even if they aren't aware of our action, they feel it. It is part of that foundation.

This has made me see where my own spiritual foundation can be improved and learn how to grow. I’ve noticed the change isn't to read a Bible chapter every day but to say "Lord have mercy," during those quiet moments. My work with the infants reminds me that whatever effort I put into growing my relationship with Christ, it will in turn cultivate a foundation in Christ for the children.

Stepping Through the Door by Boone Jenkins

When Project Mexico first offered me the position of Homebuilding Coordinator, I knew that I wasn’t up to the job. That’s not modesty, nor self-deprecation; it’s just fact. Ultimately, I had to say, “As I am, right now, I can’t do this. So, I have to trust that, along the way, God will help me grow into someone who can.”

And now I can happily say that my trust was not misplaced. 

Recently, Fr. Rob Spaliatsos, the missionary director of OCMC, spoke at Project Mexico. He said that life is more about accepting invitations than coming up with plans. I’ve found that to be true. I didn’t plan the best experiences in my life—a door opened and I walked through. The important thing is having the courage to walk through the door, trusting that God has your back—because that’s where growth happens.

As a psychology major, I like to think about growth from a neurological perspective. Usually, when you experience something new, your brain simply fits it into an existing framework. You effectively add a folder to your mental desk drawer, and oftentimes, that’s good enough. 

But sometimes it’s not. 

Sometimes an experience is so revolutionary that it necessitates a complete reframing of how you view the world. Then, you have to sit down, empty out your drawer, and rethink your entire organizational strategy. And in that process—painful as it may be—you grow.

For me, taking on this position was one of those experiences, and there was a lot in my drawer that needed to be thrown out. But I think that was God’s plan all along. Looking back, I don’t fully understand the process. I think there was a good bit of grace involved. But the key thing was saying, “God, I don’t know how You’ll make this work, but I trust that You will.”

My hope is that the next time a door opens in front of you, and you feel a wild breeze wafting through from strange, unknown lands, you’ll take a deep breath, say a quick prayer, place your trust in God’s plan, and step through.

Learning to Laugh

God came to challenge us to keep growing no matter what our age. (Matt. 5:48) As we celebrate Pascha/Easter, we learn what it really means to follow Jesus. We realize that He suffered for us and through His resurrection our lives can be filled with life and hope. We are called to follow with hope. Here in Tijuana, we are surrounded by plenty of tragedy for this reason the Mexican government asked us to open “Casa Cuna San Felipe,” Casa Cuna is Spanish for Infant Orphanage.

In October of last year we received our first infant, little Felipe. We loved him. We held him. We fed him. He learned how to smile and laugh for the first time and was adopted by a loving Mexican family in January of this year. These infants and toddlers, who were abandoned, learn to do their Orthodox cross, kiss icons and sing to Jesus. Laughter emanates from the Casa Cuna. These joyous little ones know that Jesus loves them because now they have a home.

Currently, we care for 27 boys, one infant and four toddlers. St. Paul encourages us to live a life of purpose, patience, perseverance, and faith. (2 Tim. 3:10-15) As missionaries of the Good News we strive to live the Gospel by upholding the life of Christ through compassion and love. This endeavor is easier said than done when you have an infant crying, two toddlers fighting and three teenagers making fun of you.

The Orthodox team here in Tijuana is not perfect but it is our goal to learn from the lessons of the ministry so to grow closer to Jesus. The Church community of St. Innocent Orphanage allows us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We also have access to the Sacramental Life. In tears we confess our sins. With hope we lift up our voices to praise God. And in gratefulness, we receive Holy Communion, the Eucharist, the flesh and blood of God. We are becoming one with Jesus through caring for His little ones.

• Repurposed a dormitory to house five female long-term missionaries

• Installed two new icons in the Orphanage Chapel

• Purchased land to build a new church outside of the Orphanage for the people of Tijuana

• Remodeled the intern dorm so we could begin caring for six infants

• Completed 60% of the infant orphanage which will house up to 15 children from newborns to toddlers

Like the mustard tree, Project Mexico has become a place where children can find refuge, where young adults can discover God’s purpose for them, and where Mexican families can receive help in order to rise out of homelessness. Jesus Christ was sent by His Father and hung on the tree for us. That tree is the cross and is the vehicle that brings life. Now, at the St. Innocent Orphanage & Project Mexico, the tree is growing and we all are becoming more like Jesus. Therefore, let us celebrate Pascha/Easter, rise to the occasion and learn to always put our hope in God.

FOrCE Series Presents Father Demetrios Swanson and Ministry Abroad

An initiative of Project Mexico, in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, The FOrCE introduces the faithful to opportunities in Christian higher education.

In collaboration with our partners at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, an Orthodox Christian liberal arts college and seminary, the FOrCE educational series consists of six (6) 45-min ZOOM lectures purposefully designed to introduce the wealth of post-service opportunities in Orthodox education. This series will help the faithful tangibly fulfill their Orthodox Faith, fortify their conviction, add to the welfare of the community, and directly benefit the churches in America by Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists.

Fr. Demetrios grew up in the Pacific Northwest in a small Antiochian Church in the countryside. He attended school at Hellenic College and in 2014 received a degree in religious studies with hopes of continuing on to seminary in the future. He met his wife Sophia at Hellenic College. Taking a break from their schooling, Fr. Demetrios and Pres. Sophia moved to St. Innocent Orphanage and worked together as the work trip coordinator from 2014 to 2016. With many tears, they left the orphanage. With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, they studied at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology as a seminarian. Fr. Demetrios graduated with his Masters of Divinity in 2019. After college, he served for three years as the Pastoral Assistant and chanter at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox in Wheeling, West Virginia, and in 2022 moved back to the orphanage with the invitation of Fr. Nicholas Andruchow.

After many conversations about the best path forward, he was ordained a priest by His Eminence Metropolitan Ignacio of the Antiochian Archdiocese of Mexico in November of 2022 and continues to serve as "Resident Priest" at the orphanage.

FOrCE Series Presents Dr Ann Mitsakos Bezzerides and Vocation in Ministry

An initiative of Project Mexico, in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, The FOrCE introduces the faithful to opportunities in Christian higher education.

In collaboration with our partners at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, an Orthodox Christian liberal arts college and seminary, the FOrCE educational series consists of six (6) 45-min ZOOM lectures purposefully designed to introduce the wealth of post-service opportunities in Orthodox education. This series will help the faithful tangibly fulfill their Orthodox Faith, fortify their conviction, add to the welfare of the community, and directly benefit the churches in America by Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists.

Dr Ann Mitsakos Bezzerides is Director of the Office of Vocation Ministry at Holy Cross, where she teaches Youth Ministry and runs the Certificate in Youth & Young Adult Ministry and Leadership; she is also Executive Director of CrossRoad Institute, which offers transformative education for youth, young adults, parents and parishes. She is editor and contributor to two volumes of collected essays, Christ at Work: Orthodox Christian Perspectives of Vocation and Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Higher Education, as well as co-author with Dr Jenny Haddad Mosher of the new book, Find Your Telos: Discover What Orthodox Young Adults & Parishes Can Create Together. She is a graduate of Middlebury College (BA), St. Vladimir's Seminary (MDiv), and Boston College (PhD).

Growing Faith by Wyatt West

My name is Wyatt, I am 27 years old and I live in California.

This Summer I will be visiting Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage for one month to help as a homebuilding intern. I will be in charge of many tasks such as overseeing build sites, facilitating group activities and maintaining the orphanage grounds. My history with Project Mexico began in 2014. I took my first trip to Project Mexico as a member of one of the many Summer build groups. The week was filled with work, a lot of nerves and awkwardness and a lot of fun! This was my first time out of the country and a huge leap out of my comfort zone.

During introductions at the beginning of the week one of the icebreaker questions was why each of us had decided to visit Project Mexico. My response was, “My mom made me go”.

I returned the following year as part of a week-long build group, missed one year due to a surgery and then returned for a third time in 2017 as a Summer intern. Wow. That Summer was probably the most exciting Summer I’d ever experienced. It was filled with all manner of events! There were good times, hard times, crazy times and everything in between. I gained a lot of self-confidence through my experiences that Summer.

The following year (2018) I returned as an intern for a second time and got another dose of unique challenges and personal growth. 2018 was the last time interned for Project Mexico. During the last several years I have visited the orphanage during the off-season (Fall, Winter and Spring) and been a part of three Summer build groups with the same church. I also visited my best friend who moved there to take charge of homebuilding for two years.

I love Project Mexico. I love it so much that I have considered moving there and working for them on many occasions. As time has gone on, however, moving there does not seem like the right thing for me to do, at least not at this time.

My love for Project Mexico is still as strong as it has ever been and I miss spending time there. After a lot of thought and conversations with priests, friends, family and others, I have decided to dedicate one month this Summer as a homebuilding intern. With that decision and upon being accepted as an intern once again, there are certain obligations I am entitled to, one of these being the responsible party for raising $3,000 for my trip. $1,600 of this sum will go to me as a stipend and $1,400 will go to the internship program.

If the funds raised exceed $3,000, the excess goes directly to Project Mexico as a donation. God willing, with your help, I can reach the goal of $3,000 before my Summer journey! I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to be returning to Project Mexico as an intern! Getting to work, pray, attend services and meet many other Orthodox Christians almost every day is a dream come true!

I am eager to experience another Summer at Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage. I can’t wait to have those crazy, amazing experiences once again!

If you’d like to support my mission work this summer you can donate directly by clicking the button below.

FOrCE Series Presents Fr. George Parsenios and Behold the Bridegroom Comes

An initiative of Project Mexico, in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, The FOrCE introduces the faithful to opportunities in Christian higher education.

In collaboration with our partners at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, an Orthodox Christian liberal arts college and seminary, the FOrCE educational series consists of six (6) 45-min ZOOM lectures purposefully designed to introduce the wealth of post-service opportunities in Orthodox education. This series will help the faithful tangibly fulfill their Orthodox Faith, fortify their conviction, add to the welfare of the community, and directly benefit the churches in America by Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists.

Fr. George Parsenios is Professor of New Testament at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he has also served as Dean of the Faculty. Prior to coming to Holy Cross, he was Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary for 20 years, and has taught as an adjunct Professor at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and in the St. Athanasius Theological College in the University of Melbourne (Australia). His teaching and research explore the interaction of early Christianity with classical literature. He is the author of three books and several articles, with a particular focus on the Gospel and Letters of John. His current scholarly work includes translating the catechetical homilies of St. John Chrysostom. His education includes an MDiv from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and a PhD from Yale University. As a priest of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, he serves at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Lexington, MA. He and Presvytera Maureen have three children, including a daughter Julia who has served Project Mexico in a variety of capacities.

TOPIC: Behold the Bridegroom Comes

FOrCE Series Presents Presvytera Sarah and the Laying on of Hands

An initiative of Project Mexico, in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, The FOrCE introduces the faithful to opportunities in Christian higher education.

In collaboration with our partners at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, an Orthodox Christian liberal arts college and seminary, the FOrCE educational series consists of six (6) 45-min ZOOM lectures purposefully designed to introduce the wealth of post-service opportunities in Orthodox education. This series will help the faithful tangibly fulfill their Orthodox Faith, fortify their conviction, add to the welfare of the community, and directly benefit the churches in America by Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists.

Presvytera Sarah joyfully serves the community of Annunciation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, Father Savvas, and two children. Sarah was educated as an elementary school teacher and served in public schools for five years. Her summers were spent either in Orthodox summer camps or on mission trips to South Korea, Kenya, and Mexico. When she finally answered the Call she dropped her teaching profession to become a student again, this time at Holy Cross. From 2018-2021 Sarah earned her Masters of Divinity and married her beloved classmate. Pres. Sarah is honored to use her teaching skills to preach sermons, lead mom groups, and teach Greek School. Together Presvytera and Father remain united in their love of iced coffee, their husky (Dunkin’), and their mission-minded parish of believers!