Posts tagged mission

A few days late, I know… I apologize! I was too busy or too exhausted to write anything but gibberish… So here’s an update on the rest of the mission trip:

Saturday was an emotional day. We had a break from morning Matins, so we all went straight to finishing up yard work. Some of the older girls sat down with Emily and I while we were weeding the walkway, and helped out. And by helped out, I mean worked twice as efficient as both of us combined, using their bare hands. It was a nice opportunity for all of us to ask questions and get to know each other better.

During our lunch break, three of the boys who set a fire in their dorm a couple nights prior, had to shovel bricks into bags as part of their punishment. They were of course allowed to eat, but they had rice and beans, instead of the pizza and ice cream, so graciously provided by Father Dean in memory of his father who recently passed. Rebeca, a 13-year-old who I became very close with, was seen crying and eating only rice and beans as well. She refused to tell me what happened, I think she was embarrassed. I assured her that I have done my fair share of stupid and embarrassing things in life. It was hard to see such a sweet, smart, hard-working young girl miss out on pizza and ice cream, that of which I’m sure they only get a few times a year; but when trying to keep order with 50+ kids, rules are rules, and Mother Ivonne teaches that they must own their consequences. This is where the “American kids are spoiled” part comes in again.

After lunch, we went back to weeding, and Rebeca joined us again, just a little quieter this time around. Later while attending Vigil (another type of church service), the kids all began singing; and I instantly broke down. I think it was the culmination of a lot of things, but to hear these orphans sing with such heart and soul, with no words in front of them, was so touching. That evening, us missionaries sat outside and shared our thoughts and feelings from our experience thus far. Naturally, I cried through 75% of it. Dr. Prevas, who has made several visits, shared that she always feels she receives more from these children than she is able to give. We all agreed, but were reminded that we give more than we may realize. JoAnn, or “Jo Jo”, who is 80 years old, shared that this was a part of her bucket list. For her, it all was a dream come true, and God willing, she will return. Geli, our team leader, reminded us that the majority of the orphans come to The Hogar emotionally and physically sick and abused. The Hogar is a home of healing for them, with structure rooted in Christianity, so it isn’t your typical government run orphanage. The children are always welcome to call The Hogar their home even after they turn 18, as long as they are in school, have jobs, or start their own families. We also discussed how some people don’t understand why we volunteer our time in a foreign country, especially when our country also has problems. Geli quoted something he was told regarding that subject, and it was that Jesus calls us to “feed all nations”, so why on Earth would we start with ourselves?

Sunday I woke up to what I thought was a gun-shot or bomb, but I was told it was just a car’s muffler backfiring. Still don’t understand the reasoning behind all the bad mufflers and random firecrackers going off. At 7:30am, a mariachi band started playing outside the church for Cara’s quinceanera. Cara was adopted by a family in Ohio when she was 3 1/2, and she still has memories of being at the orphanage. Her nanny continues to work at The Hogar to this day. She chose to give up her American Sweet 16, and instead celebrate her 15th birthday with all of us in Guatemala. Liturgy, or “Mass”, was held directly following the dance session. What a sight to see, everyone dressed in their “Sunday best”. I “directed” (haha) the choir singing “Praise the Lord” in both Greek and English during Communion. Following that, we headed over to bless and dedicate the playground which was graciously donated by the Vrettakos family, Peter, Bess, and Stephanie, in honor their “Papou”, or grandfather, who recently passed. It had been over 6 hours of fasting, and no one had consumed any food, tea, or coffee yet. Us adults of course complained more than the children.

We entered the dining hall for lunch, and it was so beautifully decorated in orange Hawaiian theme by Cara’s family for her Fiesta Quinceanera. Everyone wore lei’s, including the 3 nuns and Mother Maria’s dog, Mieka. Cara had also changed into orange Converse shoes, which her mother had bedazzled for her, to match her beautiful orange gown. The mariachi band returned, and the dancing continued all afternoon. Exhausted, after High School Musical and Jonas Brothers music, all I wanted to do was take a nap, but the kids naturally had more energy than that. Somehow I found myself playing soccer with them for awhile in the gym. They are all amazing soccer players! I’m not sure they completely understand or care to follow the official rules, but regardless, they’d make any American soccer team proud.

Before sundown, I sat in the park with some of the older girls, who wanted to listen to my music. They also learned the chorus to my song “Someday”, to hopefully have that footage be used in the upcoming music video. Elisa, who is a 15, going on 16, year-old wannabe rock star, asked me what inspires me to write music. For the first time, the purpose and drive behind my music career was finally put to it’s official use. My ultimate goal is not to become rich and famous. I strive to make a living, earn respect in the industry, and most importantly, use my God-given gifts and talents to inspire others. I was able to explain the meaning behind my music, and be a positive influence on these girls. I am forever grateful for that moment on the lawn. My music career could end tomorrow, and I would not have one regret. After dinner that night, some of the girls walked me to our dorms, and told me that tomorrow morning their “hearts would break” when I left. I assured them that my heart would break just as much, if not more.

On Monday, after finding a huge spider in my suitcase and after morning Matins finished, Mother Ivonne expressed her gratitude of our visit. Some of the younger children presented each of us with handmade posters, prayer rope bracelets, and cross magnets. Rebeca was the one to bring mine to me, and I couldn’t help but start sobbing. She hugged me, looked into my eyes, and I lost it. Then we all lined up outside the church, and each child gave us a hug, thanking us and we said our official goodbyes. After our last breakfast as a team, we headed over to the classroom, and did presentations. We were supposed to do this in the beginning of our visit, but it got pushed back. We each talked for 2-3 minutes, giving a better insight to our lives in the US, some showing photos on the projection screen. We left them with a few gifts to have after classes were over that day. Naturally, Matt and I gave them Organic Trader Joe’s Lollipops. ;) Just because their orphans, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the best!

Shortly after, we all loaded into the van headed to the Monastery of the Holy and Life-Giving Trinity in the mountains outside Guatemala City. We were able to have an inside look at the slums, while trying not to get car sick from the city’s poorly paved streets and Jorge’s driving! Side note - many streets and bridges are collapsed around Guatemala City due to all of the recent mudslides. They do not have the quality, nor equipment, as the US does to fix them as efficiently.

An hour later we arrived, and it was a breath-taking sight to see! Once past the gates and armed guards, we saw the construction site of the new Hogar San Miguel orphanage on the cliff. They hope to move the children to this site in little over a year for better air quality, and more room, safety, and quietness. They plan to keep the original site as an intake for orphans, as well as an Orthodox Christian learning center for the growing number of Orthodox Christians in Guatemala. The current orphanage costs about $35,000 a month to run, and the new orphanage will cost $1.6 million to completely finish. They are in need of donations now, more than ever! The views at the Monastery are incredible. It overlooks Lake Amatitian and 2 volcanoes, Pacaya, which is very active, and another bigger one that is dead. Mother Ines gave us a tour of the future orphanage site, which will be so beautiful once finished. The nuns then invited us to stay for lunch and I felt like I was in a movie, the kind of movie where important people are discussing important things in a beautiful place in the middle of a very dangerous country. It all was too surreal. The Monastery strives to be as self-sustainable as possible-which I LOVE. There is a fish farm (we ate the Tilapia for lunch which Mother Ines caught that morning herself), rabbit farm, including a worm farm to create compost out of any remains, vegetable garden, and plenty of fruit, avocado, and cocoa trees. We were also lucky enough to have 18 year-old orphan, Sarah, with us for the entire day. She had to go out to get her official adult ID. We finished touring the property, took a group photo, said our good-byes and headed to a hotel for the night, so not to leave or enter The Hogar when dark for safety purposes. We had one final team dinner at the hotel, and Jorge (the driver and Mother Ivonne’s brother) joined us. He shared some stories on his relationships and experiences with all the orphans. He is the only positive father figure in their lives.

So Tuesday morning at 5:30am, we woke up and made our journey back home, back to reality, but it really didn’t feel like reality at all. If anything, it felt like the complete opposite. It’s really hard now to give a shit about anything else but these kids! My motivation to keep working hard though, is knowing I can make a bigger and better impact on their lives, and so many others, if I keep following my dreams and goals in the blessed life I’ve been given.

I had a great time meeting and getting to know our team from Baltimore - I like to call it “My Big, Fat, Greek Mission Trip”. :D I also want to thank all of you who have followed me on this short journey, prayed for me and those at The Hogar, and donated your time and/or money to better their lives. Like we reminded the orphans, we will always be together in the presence of God! I urge everyone to do whatever they can, whether in their own communities or in a 3rd world country, to help those in need. Also, stay tuned for the upcoming “Someday” music video which will feature footage from this mission trip!

God Bless!

-AZ

The children and Mother Ivonne said a special prayer in church yesterday. Apparently, Tuesday night at 7:15pm, there were gunshots heard right outside the orphanage walls, and our guard witnessed the whole thing. A man was coming home from work and was mugged and beat up by 3 men, in and out of jail, who have been robbing and raping women and children for years. The man,furious, got his motorcycle and his gun, found the 3 men and shot all of them right on our street. One died at the scene, and the other two died at the hospital. The man drove away and was never “found”. The neighbors all know who did it, but no one will say anything because they feel he finally cleaned up a big mess. Mother and the children prayed for all 4 of the men that morning, and to also keep themselves safe because we never know when our day could come.

Back on a lighter note again, bacon and eggs for breakfast, and make your own “burritos” for lunch! We’re definitely spoiled. Still have beans at every meal though! We took 13 little kids to the Children’s Museum in the orphanage van. When I was 4 years old I had this little red plastic boombox and the only tape I had was the song “La Bamba” so I naturally was obsessed. Well, on the van ride that song came on and the kids all started singing in their sweet little voices, bringing tears to my eyes! They also all of a sudden started yelling “Winnie the Pooh!” and I turned and saw him painted on a wall of a building where we were stopped at. Too sweet! They don’t speak a lick of English, and we don’t speak much more Spanish, but they don’t care. They only want to cuddle and hold your hand and call out your name.

After-wards we treated them to Pollo Compare, a mixture of McDonald’s and KFC, but healthier simply because it’s not fake American food. My first time eating “unhealthy” fast food in almost 4 years! We all were pretty tired and hungry by this point, and had a long wait before all the food was ready. Not one complaint or cry from any of them. They all stayed seated at their spot and waited patiently. We joked with 80 year old JoJo, that she complained more than they did! They definitely deserved ice cream after that! Surprisingly clean kids too! Mother Ivonne is a living, breathing, walking, talking, Saint. She does a brilliant job raising these children with old-school discipline, but new-age freedom. They all have their chores and rules to obey, but she never forces them to do anything they don’t want to. We keep waiting for some magical help to appear that has been hiding, because we don’t know how she does it all on her own.

We did a little more yard work when we got back and also bought them a new lawn mower and weed wacker since theirs were failing. Exhausted, we ended the evening with a nice deep theological conversation.

Today our mission was to get as much yard work done as possible since we had guests coming this weekend. Carla, a girl who was adopted by a family in Ohio when she was 3 1/2 years old, and her family flew down to the orphanage this afternoon to celebrate her 15th birthday party with everyone on Sunday. She has visited 4 times before and is friends with all the older girls now. So for 4 straight hours we weeded, swept sidewalks, weed-wacked, and mowed grass. Yes, Mom and Dad, I am fully capable of weeding, just not at your house. ;)

After lunch, we went to the University and The Popol Vuh Museum near by that Mother Ines’ father, Dr. Manuel F. Ayau, started. He died a few months ago, but was a very positively influential person in Guatemala. He ran for President in 2002, but unfortunately did not win. The museum was full of Mayan artifacts, some dating as far back as 20,000 years ago.

After dinner tonight I played soccer with the older girls. They are all so amazing in every way! People are always hesitant to adopt older children, but when you get to know them, they are such beautiful, strong, hard-working, wise people! I hadn’t played soccer in a long time, I was definitely out of shape, but I definitely miss it!

Tomorrow we’ll have all day with the children, who have willingly offered to help us do any necessary yard work. We’re treating them to pizza and ice cream at lunch time too. Such typical Americans. ;) Kids love the same stuff everywhere though I suppose… they love High School Musical and The Jonas Brothers especially!

-AZ

We are often told that relationships require compromise. Really though, they require sacrifices, expecting nothing in return. And by nothing, I mean the other person does not even have to say thank you or even know that anything was given at all! This goes for not just love relationships, but how we should treat life in general. I will paraphrase an old Russian Tale that my Priest told in his sermon yesterday:

“There were three sisters - one was lazy, lazy; one was angry, angry, and one was very hard-working and very pleasant. One day an old woman appeared and when asked who she was, she replied, “I am Fate”. She took the girls on a journey to show them who their husbands would be. First, she brought the lazy, lazy sister to a farm and showed her a hard-working man who worked on the farm all day. Fate told the sister that this was her husband and she was delighted! Then she brought the angry, angry sister to a lovely home with a loving, compassionate, pleasant man in it. Fate told this sister that this was her husband, and she was also delighted! Finally Fate brought the very hard-working and very pleasant sister to a run down building in an alley. There was a drunk man passed out on the steps. Fate told the third sister that this was her husband. The sister was horrified and asked, “You gave my sisters these amazing men, but why do I get the drunk?” Fate replied, “Your sisters need those men to better their lives, just like this man needs you to better his life.”

We can’t choose our Fate in life. We have to play the cards we’re dealt with often without knowing the reason. We have to give, expecting nothing in return.

I leave tomorrow morning, bright and early, for Guatemala City on a mission trip to the Hogar Raphael Ayau Orphanage. I literally have no idea what to expect. I have a feeling it will be emotionally harder than I am anticipating though… To give all of myself for one week without expecting anything in return. I’ve done a mission trip before, working in a soup kitchen for a week in Baltimore, MD when I was in high school and it was very emotionally and spiritually rewarding. I have been living in NYC for over 7 years now though, and while it is truly the center of the Land of Opportunity, it can also be a very face-paced, self-righteous and self-absorbed place. It’s very difficult to keep your head on straight, and not get sucked into this black hole of self-pride and pity. I am assuming this experience will pretty much be the exact opposite, and I believe it will be very humbling!

Please pray for me, as it is a very dangerous city, as well as for my strength to embrace the entire experience for what it is. I will try my hardest to update my blog daily to give you little tid-bits of how it is all going!

Peace,

AZ :D