Lynette Hoppe

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V o l u m e 2 2 , N u m b e r F A L L 2 0 0 6

T h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l M i s s i o n A g e n c y o f S C O B A

MISSION TEAMS 2007Are you Ready t

Make A Difference

A RADIANT LIGHFollowing the Apostles—

Spreading the Good News

the Ends of the Ear

His Eminenc

Archbishop DEMETRIO

Chairman of SCOB

A Life of issionary inistry

Lynette Hoppe— emory Eterna

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Lynette Hoppe The Eulogy of Archbishop Anastasios for Lynette Hoppe .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Delivered in Shen Vlash, Albania, August 29, 2006

Sermon: On Lynette Hoppe ’s Fina l Moments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Excerpt from Fr. Alex Veronis

In Memory of Lynette Hoppe & Her Missionary Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

A Christian Witness of Living and Dying in Honor of Lynette Hoppe . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Excerpt from a Eulogy prepared by Fr. Luke A. Veronis

Family Friend and Fellow Missionary in Albania

On behalf of the Standing Conference ofthe Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas ( SCOBA), I am pleased to offer

words of encouragement for the continued

good work of our Orthodox Christian Mis-

sion Center (OCMC). Formally established

in 1994 as the official international mission

agency of SCOBA, the important ministry of

OCMC has been, in reality, an Apostolic en-

deavor that our Holy Orthodox Church has

carried out from its foundation. Indeed, the

very lifeline of the Christian Church rests

in the primacy of Her mission, namely, to

spread the Good News of eternal salvation

in Jesus Christ to peoples in all corners of

the earth consistent with the Lord’s com-

mandment to His Apostles to “go…and

make disciples of all nations, baptizing them

in the Name of the Father and of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19).

In light of this understanding of the primacy

of mission, it is correct to assert that we

are not properly acting as the Church, the

Body of Christ, unless we, as a Church, are

actively and globally engaged in the work of

missions.

Today, OCMC has reached considerable

levels of growth, as demonstrated by its

fully staffed office of dedicated clergy and

lay professionals and teams of Orthodox

Christian missionaries and their families

throughout the world. The people who carry

out this very special and important ministry

hail from widely varied backgrounds, cul-

tures, ages, and life experiences; but they

all share a commonly held conviction which

hearkens back to the same conviction held

by the Apostles themselves: “They can-

not but speak of what they have seen and

heard.” (cf. Acts 4:20).

In the articles that follow in this informa-

tive and inspirational issue of the OCMC Mis-

sion Magazine, you will see illustrations and

read a variety of accounts from missionar-ies and team members in the field who are

engaged in the sacred work of missionary

activity across the globe. All of these illus-

trations and accounts are different by virtue

of their social contexts, yet each of them

reveals and communicates an identical

source of inspiration, namely, the Holy Spir-

it. You will note that this issue begins with

a special tribute to the late Lynette Hoppe

of blessed memory, a dedicated missionary

of our Church in Albania who fell asleep in

our Lord on August 27, 2006, after fighting

a courageous battle with cancer. On behalf

The OCMC’s Mission Magazine is published twice a

year for members of the Saints Cyril and Methodios

Orthodox Mission Society by the Orthodox Christian

Mission Center.

EDITOR: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fr . M ar ti n R it si

INTERIM MANAGING EDITOR: .. . OksanaKlufasWillower

DESIGN: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C am er on T h or p

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is the official

international mission agency of the Standing Conference of

Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).

For more information about OCMCvisit our website at www.ocmc.org

or contact us atOrthodox Christian Mission Center

P.O. Box 4319 St. Augustine, FL 32085

PH: (904) 829-5132 Fax: (904) 829-1635Toll Free: 1-877-GO-FORTH (463-6784)

Email: [email protected]

or visit us at: 85 S. Dixie Highway, St. Augustine, FL

Program Contacts:Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fr. Martin Ritsi

Associate Director/

M is si on ar ie s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fr. David Rucker

Te am s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrew J. Lekos

D ev el op me nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .John-Paul Conners

Commu ni ca ti on s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alex Goodwin

Agape Canister & SAMP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenny Kidd

F in an ce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Klees

OCMC Missionaries and their families:Alaska: Paul Sidebottom Albania: Georgia Gilman * Nathan,

Tristan and Katherine Hoppe * Dr. Charles, Maria, George

Anthony, Joanna, Adrian and Melania Linderman * Driko

(Andrew) Christine, Anthony and Constantine Pappas *

George, Pauline, Christopher and Madeline Russell *

Dn. Hector and Katerina Firoglanis Argentina: Cynthia

Baldwin-Thanos Guatemala:Christina Hagelios * Edwin Pier

Romania:Flyod and Ancuta Frantz Uganda:John Burnett *

Peter & Sharon Georges

OCMC BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Mr. Cliff Argue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P re si de nt

V. Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vice President

Fr. Raymond Velencia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tr ea su re r

Fr. George P. Liacopulos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S ec re ta ry

Fr. Alexander Veronis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P res id en t E mer it us

OCMC BOARD MEMBERS:Fr. Nicholas Anctil, Fr. John Chakos, Fr. Louis Christopulos,

Mr. George Conopeotis, Mr. Patrick Crosson, Mrs. CinaDaskalakis, Dr. John Demakis, Fr. Peter Gillquist,Mr. Robert Gremley, Fr. John Harvey, Fr. Gregory Horton,

Fr. David Hudson, Dr. Spero Kinnas, Fr. Dimitri Leussis, Mr.George Maragakes, Fr. Constantine Mersinas, Fr. Luke Mihaly,Mr. Scott Mitchell, Mrs. Helen Nicozisis, Fr. Ted Pisarchuk,

Fr. John Rallis, Fr. David Rucker, Mrs. Elizabeth Slanta, Fr.Matthew Tate, Fr. Nicholas Verdaris, Dr. Gayle Woloschak, Mr.Andrew Yiannakos

Opinions expressedarethose of theindividual authors andnot necessarilythoseof OCMC.We reservetheright toedit all articles andall submissionsforlength andcontent.Articles may bereproduced andused with written acknowledgement of thesource.

Fa l l 2006 • Vo lume 22, Number 2

Taste & See . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Andrew Lentz—Mission Team member to Tanzania

What is God Teaching Me? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Rachel Mellas—Mission Team member to Albania

200 7 Mi ssi on Te am Opp or tu ni ti es . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Let Your Journey Begin—Detachable Poster

A Fluid Blessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Daniel Belonick —Mission Team Member to Alaska

A Day in a Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Peter Georges—OCMC Missionary in Uganda

I ’d Like a One Way Ticket – Arriving in Albania .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

The Luisi Family—OCMC Missionaries in Albania

Your Con ti nu ed Prayer s f or In di a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Tim Arestou—OCMC Missionary in India

“Dad” Work at the Hogar Ayau Orphanage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Ed Pier—OCMC Missionary in Guatemala

Mission News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

> F E A T U R E S

CONTENTS

MISSION M A G A Z I N E

e Orthodox Christian Mission Center: Helping Orthodox Christians respond to Christ’s call to preach, teach,

ptize, minister to the poor and make disciples of all nations.

A Radiant LIGHTContribution by HIS EMINENCE A RCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS, CHAIRMAN OF SCOBA

On the cover: A reflection of Lynette Hoppe’s ministries.

Each of these examples reflects the work of the Chur

mission, which is nothing less than sharing with others the tr

the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ. We share this offeri

a Church to others freely, and we do this out of our love f

people, whom we recognize as living icons of God.

rica, countless people are being intro-

duced to the Holy Gospel, many of them

for the first time in their lives. In some

nations where the Orthodox Christian faith

has grown significantly over time, for ex-

ample in Uganda, we see the emergence

of seminaries which are uniquely situatedto meet the social and spiritual needs and

conditions of their people and to train lo-

cal priests accordingly. In other countries,

we see the love of Christ demonstrated

by specialized initiatives of OCMC, such

as the dispatching of trained teams of

professionals to aid with the implemen-

tation and support of substance abuse

programs; or to engage in building and

construction projects to meet the basic

needs of others in developing countries.

Each of these examples reflects the

and life-giving work of OCMC, either

a monetary contribution, or even

through the rewarding experience o

on a missionary team. In any event

for your continued and steadfast pra

the growing prosperity of OCMC, so t

ers might know the glory of the LoChrist, His message of love, and th

ise of eternal life in His Name. On b

all the hierarchs of SCOBA, I bid eac

peace in Christ Jesus, and I pray

radiant light may shine perpetually

hearts, minds, and souls.

With paternal love in Christ,

† DEMETRIOS

Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in

ca and Chairman of the Standing Confe

the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the A

of all the hierarchs of SCOBA, I offer heart-

felt prayers and condolences to her beloved

family. May her memory be eternal.

Additional articles in this issue focus

on the tremendous Orthodox Christian

work that is being carried out by others in

the name of Jesus Christ in places all over

our world. From Alaska, to Albania, to Af-

work of the Church in mission, w

nothing less than sharing with oth

truth of the Gospel and the love o

Christ. We share this offering as a

to others freely, and we do this ou

love for all people, whom we reco

living icons of God. As you read th

please consider supporting the b

Following the Apostles—Spreading the Good News to the Ends of the Earth

The Orthodox Bishops convened at the SCOBA conference in Chicago, October 2006. His Eminence A

bishop Demetrios is located in the front row, fourth from the right.

Radiant Light- Following the Apostles—Spreading the Good News to the Ends of the Earth

ntribution by His Eminence Archbishop DEMETRIOS, Chairman of SCOBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

4 Highlighting OCMC for20 Years of Service in

Kenya: A letter from Arch-

bishop MAKARIOS of Kenya

0 The Same Body &Heart: Stacy Shipman—

Mission Team member to

Tanzania

15 Works of Great Conse-quence—Mission Team

Families: Alex Goodwin—

Mission Team Member to Ke-

nya & OCMC Communications

Director

17 Mustard Seed, Patienceand Salvation: John Burnett

—OCMC Missionary serving at St.

Paul Seminary in Uganda

19 Through the World ofN. Cameroon and Chad:

Notes from a First Travelogue of

Metropolitan GREGORIOS of

Cameroon

A L S

O

I N

T H I S

I S S U E

O C M C M I S S I O N M A G A Z I N E • W W W . O C M C . O R G O C M C M I S S I O N M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 0 6


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ear Fr. Martin and our beloved Friend in Christ,

hrist is in our midst!

W e send our warmest felicitations and compliments as theOrthodox Christian Mission Center celebrates 20 years ofsending missionaries. ruly, this occasion is a joyous one of

hich you must be so proud. You, Fr. Martin and Presvytera Renee,cole and Stephanos, all are such a dedicted part of this wonderfuldertaking of Orthodox Christians in the United States and Canadath so many Canonical Orthodox Jurisdictions working together tolp build Orthodoxy in Kenya, in Africa and th roughout the World.

ou, and your entire family have been seriously and sincerely involvedthe work of missions since the beginning, as Missionaries in our very

wn Archdiocese, and now as Executive Director of OCMC. Even inis 20th year of celebration of OCMC you have been in Kenya doinge work of Christ, Jesus.

So many, similarly devoted Orthodox Christians have had their

H OCMC 20 EARS S

A M K

give educational opportunities for those who will use them as part oftheir daily lives.

With that said, we are very thankful for the support of the Studentsof Archbishopric who have benefited from further education at HolyCross and St. Vladimir’s Seminaries. You have helped the local churchthrough this essential support because it prepares these pious youngpriests for future leadership within the Orthodox Church in Kenya. Weask that you continue this vital support, as educated leadership continuesthe process of building a strong Orthodox presence in Africa.

Te Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s presence is strongly feltin the Chevogere medical clinic which has become so crucial to locallife. You have contributed greatly to the welfare of the local people in somany ways for which God will radiate His Love and Light upon you.

Te Elder Iakovos salikis, pinpoints the spirit of your work: “…I give one and God gives me ten. As soon as I think of giving something,

immediately God’s response gives me many times over…our charity must beunmurmuring.” 1991

Te service of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center reaches out to somany sources, human and material, because emphasis is placed upon theLord and His Holy eachings. Your Mission eams are blessed because

you emphasize the spiritual element of each member. Te interactionand fellowship of the Mission eam with local Orthodox is a spiritualblessing, as well as an example. Te experiences are shared in the commonprayer and the common work which brings people together in Christ.

St. John of Kronstadt (1908) teaches:“Te almightiness of the Lord is without limits. Whatever His power andHis Grace touches, becomes life-giving…Jesus Christ is the consolation, joy,life and peace of our hearts .”

It is our prayer and wish that the work of the Orthodox ChristianMission Center will continue to be blessed by the Grace of God andthe touch of the Holy Spirit. raditionally, we sing the hymn, “Godgrant you many years!” We also sing, “Having asked for the unity ofthe Faith and the communion of the Holy Spirit, let us commendourselves and each other and our life unto Christ our God”. With this

we feel indeed deep gratitude for the work of OCMC especially for thesacrifices made by the entire Staff, Missionaries, Mission eams andDonors on behalf of the Orthodox Church in Kenya and in Africa.

“Divine aid on the one hand and our will on the other hand bring victoryagainst the devil .” St. Basil the Great

Tere is a song in Swahili which says: “ Maisha ru milima, huwezianguka ” (Life is like a mount, you cannot fall off ). Te implication is thaton our Way to Christ, we face many temptations but our togethernessin Christ keeps us from failing to reach God.

St. Ephraim, the Syrian, speaks directly to all of us:“…Love is the capital of all virtues, the cause of all good, the salt ofvirtues…Blessed and thrice blessed is everyone who has obtained true andun-hypocritical love .”

Te Spirit of the Holy rinity dwells in each of you. May you beencouraged to love those who are in need. Know that whatever yourrole in Mission…through prayer, through donations of materials andmoney, or through your own personal contribution of yourselves, youare doing the Will of God. Feel blessed knowing that God loves youand your good works. St. John Chrysostom reminds us: “Whoeverbears fruit with w orks of faith and love, he is a real disciple of Christ ”.

Asanteni! Tank you for your gifts and your Holy Works.

les in the work of Orthodoxy throughout the World; as donorslping financially, spiritually through their prayers, and by even

ffering themselves as missionaries and members of the many Missioneams which helped in the construction of the Holy rinity Orthodoxhurch in Laikipia, the Chevogere Mission Clinic, the Church of St.ark, the Orthodox Secondary School in Chevogere and the recentission eam which helped to construct the Orthodox Church inpeketoni, in the Lamu area.Te Orthodox Archbishopric of Kenya has also benefited f rom

e SAMP program (Support A Mission Priest). Tis support for ourergy has been so critical in the growth of the faith. Since the early

ys, American Orthodox have been involved directly in teaching in therthodox Patriarchal Ecclesiastical School, ‘Makarios III of Cyprus’.those days the number of clergy were so few in number. oday

e have 165 priests, serving Christ through His Holy Sacramentsroughout the country; in Nyanza Province, in the Rift Valley fromurkana, Nandi, Nakuru and the Maasai areas of Ewu asu Kedong tooitokitik in the shadows of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Tere are also priests inentral Province, the City of Nairobi, Nyeri, Meru and even Embud now on the Coast in Mpeketoni! Surely, without the generous aid

om the SAMP program, we might not have made the progress weve. OCMC has also made contributions of Holy Utensils, Vestmentsd books for the Ecclesiastical School’s Library whi ch are so essentialour Liturgical Practices and to the reading of our students. Not onlyyou build the physical structures of Churches and Schools, but you

Kenya Y

Lsay , “ruly, truly I say to you, he

who hears My Word and believesin Him Who sent Me has eternal life anddoes not come into judgment but haspassed from death to life” (John 5:24). Tis

was surely the case of our beloved LynetteKatherine. She heard Christ’s word andbelieved with all her heart in the Father

who sent the Son. Sh e ga ve witness tothis truth through the Holy Spirit. Lo,Lynette was in communion with Christ

Who is t he R esurrecti on and the Life.

She obeyed the last commandment,“You shall receive power when the HolySpirit has come upon you and you shallbe My witness in Jerusalem, and in all

Judea, and Samaria , and to the end ofthe earth” (Acts 1:8). Te last time Isaw Lynette standing was at the girls’camp on the 16th of August. She wasthin, smiling, and radiating a secretlight. Lynette had the seal of the HolySpirit, knowing clearly that the fruit ofthe Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self control. With thispower of the Spirit, Lynette confrontedsickness and pain for twenty months.

I remember her as a martyr ready toaccept martyrdom in a certain unknownprocess. Lynette has confronted death—face to face—for a very long period—first, with a strong faith, a crucified andresurrected love; second, with a deep peace;third, with a sense of gratitude in theLord; fourth, with an authentic joy; andfinally , with radiating love transmitting

around her more faith, more peace, and more love. She became a model of loveand always, as you saw during these days, created this atmosphere.

Lynette is a modern secret martyr. Inother ages, the faithful were confrontedby lions and other threats; now, in ourage, one of their names is cancer. A brave, gentle, noble soul, Lynette confronteddeath singing: Who shall separate us fromthe love of Christ? Shall it be tribulation, ordistress or, or? For I am sure that neither

death nor life , nor hate, nor anything else inall creation will be able to separate us fromthe love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

By her life she underlined that whether we live or whether we die, we are God’s.Lynette is of great importance for the newera of missionary work—underlining theimportance of inspiring people, not onlyof clergy but especially of lay people, men,and women alike.

I would also like to emphasize theimportance of Lynette and her family tothe Orthodox Church of Albania. I said

that today there is a great loss for us,

death, a secret treasure of the OChurch, a sign of the universal chof the Orthodox Church. We are tfor Nathan, Lynette, and their c

We are thankful to the whole famall these years and days have emour beloved Lynette with so muI would like to express on behalChurch of Albania our thanks father, brothers, and sister for supher in her decision to return (I knthis is not self evident—some actually create problems for peop

would like to come here). Now will be an ambassador in heaven wother holy women from Albania, wgave their own witness in a very

way here. Pray for the progress o

Church, in order to always stayatmosphere of the Resurrection Christ. Especially pray for thethat Lynette loved so much. I hothe young people and all thosesickness and troubles will haexample as a concrete guide in astruggles, an example of Chcourage and strength. May thinspire more people to follow Lin her obedience to Christ and bpartners in Jerusalem, in Albanto the ends of the earth—we

know where.Once again let us read the firs“ruly, truly I say to you, he who h

Word and believes in Him Who shas eternal life…but has passed froto life.” Ten this last grief is noatmosphere of sorrow and sufferingatmosphere of hope, an atmospherresurrection, because we know thatis in the hands of our Lord. Shelived with this hope, this expectatlife of the Resurrection.

May Lynette’s memory be eterna

Te Eulogy of A A for

but at the same time a gain of a precioustreasure and asset. Nathan and Lynettedecided to come to Albania only forthe love of Christ…only obeying Hiscommandment. It was not an easydecision. Tey were foreigners, acceptingdifficulties and risks. For them it wasnothing in the presence of Christ. Andthis last commandment, “Go in peace,”

was exact ly their e xperien ce.Lynette is an example of a devoted

spouse. Nathan remains always the same: a person with a deep love, affection, andconcern for all his family. Tey haveshared all the troubles of our life in

Albania for eight years with their twobeloved children, ristan and Katherine.

Lynette and Nathan accepted living insimplicity, curing their behavior and lifefor the better. Humble, meek, pure inheart, merciful in His making. Tey have

worked among the youth, edited differentChurch publications and made manyother concrete contributions.

Finally, Lynette and Nathan decidedto return in order to die here, or rather topass from death to life here - to be buriedin Albania, an everlasting symbol of thelove of Christ which is stronger than

ynette had the seal of the oly pirit,knowing clearly that the fruit of the pirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

Delivered in Shen Vlash, Albania • August 29, 2006

Lynette Hoppe

Archbishop ANASTASIOS offers streKatherine during her mother’s funera

Children in Kenya clapping and singing during a

celebration with Archbishop Makarios



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L ynette is in her mid-forties, the motherof two young children 8 and 6. Sheand her husband Nathan, both well-

ucated with advanced degrees, are OCMCssionaries. Tey converted to the Orthodox

hurch about 12 years ago.Lynette and Nathan, children ofssionaries, departed from the comforts and

curity of America to enter the Albanianission eight years ago to teach at thesurrection Orthodox Seminary. Lynette,

graphic artist and writer, also edited thehurch’s newspaper. She recently publishedbeautifully illustrated photo history of the-year Albanian Mission under the inspireddership of Archbishop Anastasios. In

ecember of 2004, Lynette learned that her

body was racked with cancer and returned tothe Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for treatment.

Presbytera Pearl and I visited Lynette andNathan twice in Albania and witnessed their

vibrant Spirit filled ministry firsthand. Lynetteimpressed us deeply. Her contagious faithradiates Christ’s love. Her simplicity, her joy,her gentle manner and gracious personality,and her skill with words pervade her ministry.

Lynette kept a diary about her battle with cancer and her many friends andadmirers began a website on the Internet at

www.prayforlynette.org to post passages.Lynette knew her own days were limited.

She and her family recently returned to Albaniato be among the people she had served andloved so dearly.

Lynette’s inal omentselivered one week before her death at thennunciation reek O rthodox Church, ancaster, PA

i f e o f

Lynette played a vital role in the AlbanianCamp Ministries, especially planning and

implementing the craft projects. Here Lynettedemonstrates how to make a mosaic with the

girls at her first summer camp.

Lynette trained

key youngAlbanians in

graphic design to

build their capac-ity for ministry.

Fr. Alexander Veronis, August 20, 2006

Lynette writes as she faces imminent death:

“When I first got news of my pending d eparture, I was frantic, thinking I needed to do some kindof ‘ministry,’ but I soon realized that there was novalue in ministry at this point. What I have doneuntil now is what I have done.…I am allowingmyself to simply relax in the love of Jesus, to enjoyHim in a new way. o think about joining Himsoon.”

“I have so much peace in thinking that thereis nothing I can do to win over Christ. All I cando is throw myself into His arms…. I feel that Iam ready to die a ‘painless, blameless, and peacefuldeath’ as we pray every liturgy. I may have a lotof physical pain, but in spirit I feel no pain, otherthan the pain of leaving those I love.”

St. Paul wrote, “For me to live is Christ,but to die is gain.” Like him, Lynette lived forChrist and in Christ and is now ready to joinHim. Like the great Apostle, she accumulatedno wealth on earth, only treasures in heaven.

When our own time comes, may we, too, be ablealso to say with Lynette’s faith and conviction,as did the Apostle Paul before his martyrdom:“I have fought the good fight, I have finishedthe race, I have kept the faith. Tere is now laidup for me the crown of righteousness whichthe Lord, the righteous judge, will award tome on that day, and not only to me, but to all

who have loved His appearing.” (II im. 7:8) AMEN.

o read the full text of Fr. Alexander Veronis’Sermon on Lynette Hoppe, please visit our websiteat www.ocmc.org and click under News.

The Lord has blessed the Mission Center for the past eight years with

a missionary of Lynette’s caliber. The Albanians will never forget her!

or will all who saw her in action in Albania. Lynette taught many how

Christian faces death with hope, faith and love. Her ministry brought

any people closer to Christ. May her life be an example to us all and an

spiration to those called to a life in Missions.

During the

Kosovocrisis, Lynette

ministered torefugees.

At the National Art Gallery of Albania,Lynette stands in front of the poster

advertising her book signing event.

SERMON:

L ynette entered the mission field inearly 1998 with her husband Nathanand 3 month old son ristan. Her role

as a wife, mother and homemaker plus herexperience in illustration and graphic design

were the foundation for vibrant ministriesthat influenced the growth in the Church of

Albania. Lynette soon found that her primaryrole as a missionary was to assist with thechurch publications office, creating variouschurch materials and mentoring others ingraphic design. Even during the Kosovo crisis,

Lynette’s compassion for others was evident as

implemented the craft projects. By 2003 theprogram continued to expand and flourish.Her presence as loving mother and fullmember of the church, impacted many younggirls and women. She also reached out to thechildren in her neighborhood with a four dayNeighborhood Kid’s Camp program, heldat the Hoppe home, which helped draw thechildren from their street into closer contact

with Christ.In December 2004, Lynette was diagnosed

with breast cancer by Dr. Charles Linderman, who urged her to seek treatment in the States.Her parents lived just 30-minutes from thefamed Mayo Clinic in Minnesota where she

sought treatment. In the two week betdiagnosis and the Hoppes’return to thStates, Lynette traveled to Greece to cfinal proofs of her book at the printing prBy February 2005, her book, ResurrecOrthodox Autocephalous Church of 1991-2003, was in print after almost sevof effort.

Te Hoppe family returned to Alban2006. Lynette’s battle with cancer c

yet her solid faith served as a shiningdependence on Christ. Trough her diaries and newsletters, she shared herEven during her final stages and strugcancer, Lynette gathered her strength anfaculties to spend time speaking to the gabout the physical death and preparatioour Lord. Lynette’s testimony and her to our Lord continue to be an examplall of us, not only in our daily lives but oprepare for a Christian end.

she took care of a refugee family in their homefor two months.

Te Hoppe family grew with the birth ofKatherine in April 2000. Her duties includedcreating an annual liturgical calendar, which

was a challenge because the four colorprocessing equipment available in Albania

was either damaged or outdated. She alsoedited Archbishop ANASASIOS’ Englishcorrespondence. Added to her tasks, Lynetteillustrated a book for the Church of Albaniaand another about Albanian saints anddesigned English newsletters.

She played a vital role in the AlbanianCamp ministries. Each year she developed and

Lynette’s battle with cancer continued, yether solid faith served as a shining light of

dependence on Christ.

i n i s t r y

Lynette sings at an outdoor concert in the countryside of Albania as part of an outrea

project in conjunction with the 2002 OCMC summer team.

In Memor yof Lynette

Hoppe & Her Missionar y Work

>> To read more of Lynette’s insp iring journals visit; www.prayforLynette

ynette, very near the end, surrounded byer family. Left to right are: Lynette’s father,ynn Holm, her brothers, Brian, Joel, andohn, and her sister Sherry

Just ten days before her death Lynetat the St. John Vladimir’s girls’ camp

she spent much of the last two monther life, about a Christian end to life.



5/13

ut the righteous person, though she die early,ll be at rest…Tere was one who pleased Godd was loved by him, and while living among

nners she was taken up. She was caught upfore evil could change her…. Being perfected inhort time, she fulfilled long years; for her soul

as pleasing to the Lord, therefore He took herickly from the midst of evil.” (W

:-)

W ofSolomon aptly describe Lynette Hoppe’s46 years of life. Many people have been

pired by the witness of faith, courage, strength,ace, joy and love which Lynette and Nathanve displayed these past 20 months. St. Paulites, “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if

e die, we die to the Lord. Terefore, whether wee or die, we are the Lord’s.”(R :) Lyn ettes modeled these words not only through theay she lived as a Christian, a missionary, mother,fe, daughter, mentor and friend, but especiallyrough her unforgettable and inspiring journeycancer, suffering, and death.While some may wonder why a faithful servant

the Lord in the prime of her life needed to face

Heaven here and now. And Lynette lived wellthis mystery of life and death like few people

we have ever known. What has made th is mystery even more

poignant is how Lynette and Nathan invitedothers to join them in her final journeythrough the website www.prayforlynette.org.

Tey reflected a genuine understanding of

Christian community by inviting others toshare their experience and walk with them —both by inspiring others through their exampleand lessons learned, while not hesitating to askothers to pray, visit, and help them in theirmoments of darkness.

I had the special and blessed privilegeto experience this journey from an intimateperspective. Not only are our families dearestof friends, but throughout her illness, I spoke

with Lynette almost weekly, along with beingable to see her six times over the past 20months. From such contact, several aspects

of Lynette’s journey brilliantly stand out as alight and example for all of us.

St. Paul wrote, “For me to live is Christ, andto die is gain.” (P :) Shortly before shedied, Lynette shared with me, “Although I cryat the thought of leaving my dear husbandand precious children, I simultaneously realizethat our heavenly homeland awaits me, and Ilook forward to dwelling with our Lord.” Lifeis but a brief sojourn on planet earth. Godcreated us for eternity, and Lynette understoodthat eternal perspective so well. She had apassionate love for Christ, which filled her

with the joy of going home.Of course, her illness held many “valleys

of the shadow of death” which often

humbled her. In following the path of thesaints, though, she was an astute pupil whohumbly learned many invaluable lessonsfrom her illness. In her inspiring journal,she describes her struggles with pride,self-righteousness, lack of understanding,immature desires, and life-long temptations.

Yet, wh ile honestly critiqu ing herself, shediscovered anew the unconditional anddivine love of God.

One of the most illuminating characteristicsLynette radiated throughout her illness washer spirit of joy and gratitude. St. Paul writes

A Christian witness of living and dying In honor of

F. L V

L H

I met them (the Hoppe’s) a few weeks ago ona mission trip in Albania. They are the mostloving, brilliant, God-fearing, and inspirational

family I have ever encountered. I hope, now

that she has passed, people do not forget the

beautiful examples and hope she provided for

so many! May Lynette’s memory be eternal!

Sophia Olson,Mission Team Albania 2006

Please know that many who have been

introduced to Lynette and her family

only since the onset of her illness are at

once saddened for her obviously devoted,

loving, faithful family and edified by her life

and her passing from this life....May the

Holy Spirit, the Comforter be their comfort.

With our respect,Father Peter and Nikki Salmas

W e all send our Prayers and Sympathiesto Lynette’s family and friends fromthe Assumption Greek Orthodox Church,

here in Madison, Wisconsin. We ask that

our Blessed Savior grant her soul rest; and

courage to the family to continue without

her. The world only knows a few individuals

of her stature and her love for life. May those

who she came in contact with have pleasant

memories to cherish and may God grant her

rest and may her memory be eternal.

Presvytera Vasiliki &Fr. Joseph Tzougros

& the Assumption Family

W e can thank God for all the waysLynette was used by God and how sheaccepted His guidance all her life, in times

of strength and weakness.

Because of the Hoppe Family’s presence in

Albania, as well as Archbishop ANASTASIOS

and the OCMC Missionaries & Mission

Teams, the nation of Albania will be in a

better position to fend off the forces of evil.

In Christ,Darla Haines

Many notes and contributions have been received in loving memory of

Lynette Hoppe. Here are a few of the many messages that reflect the

strength and faith that Lynette displayed in her life:

ributes to Lynette

ncer and death —and no less with two youngildren—Lynette exemplified how such a pathillness and death, when experienced with faith,n lead one into a fuller union with God and

ffer a witness more powerful and memorablean many lifetimes on earth. As the WisdomSolomon so poetically describes, the righteous

ten don’t live to a ripe old age, but in the prime

their lives God calls them to remind the worldwhat a genuine, Christ-centered life of divine

ve and invincible faith is all about.Te saintly Bishop G Ace said, “Life is not a problem to be solved, butmystery to be lived.” Lynette embraced thisvine, and sometime harsh mystery of life, andowed it to hone her faith, deepen her love,d increase her compassion. From a humanrspective, we don’t understand cancer andath at a young age. From a divine point of

ew, however, life is a deep mystery that whened properly, leads us into the Kingdom of

Life is but a brief sojourn on planet earth.God created us for eternity, and Lynette

understood that eternal perspective so well.

that we are to “Rejoice always…and give thanksin all circumstances.” ( :,) I’m notexaggerating when I say that at each stage ofLynette’s illness, her first words to me wouldalways be, “Well, although the news isn’t good,still I thank God…”

She possessed the rare, yet divine, ability tosee God’s hand at work in the midst of anyand every situation. She held a deep rootedattitude of gratitude, understanding full wellSt. Paul’s promise that “ Neither death, nor life…nor things present nor things to come…will beable to separate us from the love of God in Christ

Jesus our Lord.” (R :-) I heard Lynettethank God shortly after she discovered hercancer, after her cancer had metastasized,after the cancer entered her bones, and evenin her last days, when the cancer entered herliver and the doctors gave her a few weeks tolive. o be honest w ith you, if I had not talked

with Lynette so frequently, and witnessed theauthenticity of her gratitude, I’m not sure Icould have believed that it was so sincere.

Feeling the concrete presence of God, andliving with this spirit of gratitude, gave root to

one of the most visible signs of an authenticrelationship with our Lord—that of deep,spiritual joy and peace. In the midst of illness,suffering and dying, with the temptation of fearand doubt ever lurking nearby, Lynette never

lost that sense of deep, inner joy. As she wrotein one of her final diary entries, “Both Nathanand I feel overwhelmed by the amazing gracethat God has given to us. We could not be so

joyful without His help….I am happy andfeel a great sense of joyful anticipation at myhome-going. God is with us and will continueto be with us until the end.”

And such joy led to a deep, inner peace.During one of her final days of life, my wifeFaith and I sat around her bed, together withNathan, her father, siblings and friends, singinghymns and reminiscing about Lynette’s legacy.In those final hours, Lynette radiated divinepeace. At times, she would open her eyesand struggle to smile. Yes, she was dying, butsimultaneously she dwelt securely in the peaceof her Lord.

So much more could be said about whata gifted woman Lynette was, but I think herbeloved husband summarized it well a fewdays before her death: “My eyes are full oftears as I write but I also have a strong senseof joy. Te jewel which I have been privilegedto hold a short time is slipping away from

me, but I know that she will be held in farmore worthy arms until we are reunited. Iam so blessed in these days by her joy andher faith and her love. She is truly an iconof Christ to me.”

Lynette shows the girls at winter camp

2002 how to do a stamping craft

Archbishop ANASTASIOS presides at

funeral services at the Monastery of SAlso presiding were Metropolitan Jo

rca, Metropolitan Ignatius of Berat an

Martin Ritsi, Executive Director of

the United States.

Top: Nathan and Lynette’s sister Shethe children, Tristan and Katherine, spruce tree in front of the church at S

in Lynette’s memory. Left: As Tristanlooks on, Father Martin Ritsi lays a on Lynette’s gravesite on behalf of tsion Center and its Board of DirectorsKatherine and Tristan lighting a candl40 day service.



6/13

ventured off with some of the quirkiest, funnestpeople to be found within Orthodoxy, and as anvert, I can attest that quirky and fun are bothundant here. Tey are also among the mostmpassionate and sincere people that I have met.e boarded our planes and made our way to thees of Kenya, Uganda, and anzania. Memoriesod me now… Dr. Bill skipping in the Nairobiport high-fiving everyone in his jet-lagged stupor,lirious with excitement and the experience of

ting foot in Africa… the giant grasshopper thatarly ate Dimitri while still training in Florida…e look on Fr. Michael’s face when our gift frome village came walking toward us bleating andnking. My anzania team debated on a goodme for our goat, but in the end I think it justmed too harsh to name dinner.Of course, there are other memories, too.

emories of the Africans themselves, but oneemory resonates in my mind, the memoriesJosephina… or Fina, as they called her, a smallle girl about five years old. Tere are children

erywhere, all displaying the natural curiosity thatakes all children endearing. Tey rubbed our skinsee if the color would come off. Tey touched ourr. Tey shyly sat in our laps when handed over by

eir welcoming parents. But Fina… Fina had a lighther eyes that shown unmistakably with joy. Herle face was radiant with life!Te first time I met Fina was in the village of

ubale where we taught a catechism seminar for thekoba Diocese under the invitation of His Grace,

W hat is God teaching me?” Asan eighteen year old on myfirst mission trip, this question by

Andy Lekos (Mission Team Director

at OCMC) echoed in my mind

throughout our team’s 2½ week

stay at the Children’s Home of Hope

in St. Vlash, Albania.

How inspiring the children of

the Home were! Each one of them

lived in Christ, “letting their little

light so shine” (Matthew 5:16) that

I felt humbled and privileged to be

there as a Mission Team member.

In the two short weeks I was there, I

learned valuable lessons in patience,

Bishop JERONYMOS. When our team arrivedthey rang the bell and everyone came runninginto the church, as the service was about to begin.

Admittedly I was distracted from the service bythe stares of the small children about me and theKiswahili that impregnated the space around me.In the midst of all those beautiful children stoodFina. As others looked on shyly or in the boldest ofcuriosity, Fina simply smiled and looked up at me asthough I were an old f riend, anticipation lining her

face. Amidst the “karibu’s” (welcome) and “farahana amani’s”(peace and joy) her face is the one thatmade me truly feel welcome in this place on theother side of the world.

Morning after morning this delicious child would run up the village road to greet our team. She would accompany our team from class to class as wetaught about salvation, missions, the role of fasting,and other such catechetical topics. Ten, one day,she wasn’t there. We inquired with her father as to

her mystical absence. “It’s a bout with malaria,”hetold us through Sanktus, our translator. Our heartsbroke as our minds all immediately traced back toensuring that we, ourselves, had taken our own anti-malaria pills, and we reapplied bug spray as we mademental notes to re-tape the holes in the mosquitonets covering our beds.

Tanks be to God that little Fina bounced backbefore our departure. How delighted I was whenthe crowd of students around me began to split andcreate a path, down which the amazingly resilientFina walked carrying a gift. Her tiny little body wasshadowed by the long pole of sugar cane which shehad carefully wrapped in a banana-tree leaf andcarried it toward me. Shyly she handed it to meand as though she had also given me the gift of herradiance. I beamed back at her as I received it.

When Bishop JERONYMOS arrived, little Finamarched with us through the village of Rubale as wesang hymns to the glory of our God. As the studentsdanced and sang for Bishop JERONYMOS and saidgood-bye to our team, the tuckered out little Fina atlast fell asleep in my arms. Little Josephina and Inever spoke an understandable word to one another,but we understood each other perfectly. I continue

to think of Fina daily. I wonder what will become ofher life lived in such amazing poverty and constantlythreatened by diseases completely treatable in myown country. Like we all do, I foolishly ponder thedesign of God—myself born into abundance andopportunities and she born into desperation and thefear of hopelessness. I ache to know if that glow inher beautiful young face will remain.

I suppose, though, in the end, what has changedme the most; no longer is Africa the romanticizeddream I’ve carried about since I was eight. Tenames and faces are now those that belong to people

with whom I have journeyed this life. Tese aren’t“simply” the starving Africans of commercials and“We are the World” sing-alongs, they are OrthodoxChristians with whom I mystically commune at everyEucharist offering. Tey are of the same body and Iam now gripped with the awesome responsibilityto care for them as I would myself. All theologicalmissiology debates aside, all jurisdictional squabblesstifled… we are of the same Body. Josephine is mysister and I miss her.

If I were to tell you that there is a job so

fulfilling that you couldn’t pass it up, would

you listen? You would hav e everything you

need and you would be living in the comfort of

knowing you are doing God’s work. Interested

yet? No? Then ho w about exp eriencing a joy

in your job so wonderful, that you couldn’t

possibly imagine doing anything else with your

life? Are you ready now? All you have to do is

be a Christian!

What most tend to forget is that being aChristian is synonymous with being a missionary.

Yeah, that’s right. I hate to break it to you,

but you are in fact a missionary. It was your

commission when you were baptized as a

Christian. It takes some longer than others to

realize, but once you do your life is changed

halfway around the world in their very ho

The importance of our mission journey w

not in the places we went, b ut in the sp

journey we took with the people we me

blessing was having such incredible com

on the journey in Christ. The reward was

receiving a taste of the Christian missio

a life in Christ.

“Taste and see that the Lord is go

(Psalm 34). Fr. Alexander Schmeman

explains that this verse tells us we mfirst experience (taste) and only then

understand (see). I offer a challenge

experience the Christian missionary

Then, you will truly understand this a

of my mission team journey in Chris

Tanzania. Furaha na amani! Joy and

the common room, a room with a

large fireplace, a circle of couches

and chairs, and all sorts of colorful

crafts that hung from the ceiling.

The children sang songs in both

Albanian and English, in loud

voices, eager to show off for their

visitors. The children each told us

their aspirations for the future: to be

doctors, missionaries, priests and

nuns! I was amazed to see such

young kids with such big hearts. I

thought to myself, “How can I be an

example of mission work to these

children? What can I do”? Andy’s

words echoed in my mind, “What is

of faith, love and the light of Christ

that by the time we departed for

the United States I was amazed to

realize that these children taughtme more about living in Christ than

anything I could have ever hoped to

teach them!

Yet another example of Christ

working through others was the

influence the long-term missionaries

had on us. We had the opportunity

to meet the Linderman, Pappas,

Russell and Hoppe families. Each

family impacted our missionary

experience in unique and special

ways and we were inspired by the

faith and love that emanated from

each missionary. I was incredibly

fortunate to have been able

Lynette Hoppe and learn

and her family’s example

I can speak for the entire short-term Mission Tea

we felt truly blessed to b

presence of such devoted

Christians.

“What is God teach

What have I learned f

experience?” For me, An

question doesn’t need a lo

theological answer. It is fou

very scripture verse that w

orientation; 1 Corinthian

“And now abide faith, ho

these three; but the gre

these is love”.

When our teamarrived they rang the

bell and everyonecame running intothe church, as theservice was about

to begin.

”“

am a young woman of 31 who has dreamed of going toAfrica. I have been preparing myself for the work of missionsor the better part of my adult life. My mother might arguehat I’ve been preparing for it since I was a child, but that’snother matter. When God orchestrated the time and meansor that door to finally open, I found myself heading off on a

Mission eam with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.

Stacy Shipman—Mission Team Member to Tanzania

LEFT: Bonding with the local children

was a highlight for the Author, Stacy

Shipman BELOW: In Tanzania, the Mis-

sion Team joins the faithful for service

at a new church still under construction

RIGHT: In the eyes of a child, there’s

hope for all that is to come for the

Church in Tanzania.

Body & Heart h e a m e

ee aste forever. I had such a life-changing experience on

my mission trip to Tanzania.

Everyday on my trip, I arose with a joy I had

never experienced before. The 5 a.m. wake up

was difficult, but the joy pushed me out of bed.

There was work to be done! Our mission was to

teach basic catechism courses and visit with local

communities who would otherwise have little or

no contact with the rest of the world. In my time

in Tanzania I learned what hospitality truly means,

generosity was redefined, and being sincere ineverything you say and do was as natural as

breathing. My work became my life and my life

became my work.

Being halfway around the world can be an

incredible experience in itself, but we had the

blessing to interact with fellow Orthodox Christians

By Andrew Lentz

flexibility, faith and love that I will

carry with me throughout my life.

I only hope to follow the children’s

examples: to be a beacon of light,

praising God and sharing that light

with others.

One day we were situated in

God teaching me?” In just my first

day, I experienced so much, beyond

what I expected and witnessed God

working through each and every one

of us as Mission Team members

and children alike.

The children’s lives were so full

Teaching Me?”

I was amazed to see such young kids with such big hearts. I thought to myself,

“How can I be an example of mission work

to these children? What can I do”?

“By Rachel Mellas

“What is God

ABOVE: As a welcome gift

om a Tanzanian parish,

r. Michael Miklos, Mission

eam Leader, receives a

oat on behalf of the team.

A procession of the faithful in one of the ten

communities visited by this year’s Tanzania team.

Joyous faces show true test that Christ lives in the

children from the Home of Hope as they chase bubbles.



7/13

T e a c h i n g

S h a r e a n d t e a c h t h e O r t h o d o x

F a i t h

t o

y o u t h , a d u l t s , c a t e c h u m e n s , m i n i s

t r y

l e a d e r s , a n d f a i t h f u l . C l e r g y , s e m i n a r i a n s ,

t e a c h e r s ,

y o u t h

l e a d e r s ,

s t u d e n t s

a n d

t h o s e w i l l i n g t o t e a c h t h e F a i t h a r e u r

g e d

t o a p p l y .

> > A l a s k a

> > A r g e n t i n a

> > G h a n a

> > I n d i a

> > T a n z a n i a

> > S o u t h

A f r i c a

Y o u t h

C a m p s

P a r t i c i p a t e

i n

y o u t h

c a m p

p r o g r a m s

i n

c o m m u n i t i e s

t h a t

h a v e

r e q u e s

t e d

r e l i g i o u s

e d u c a t i o n

f o r

t h e

y o u t h .

C a m p

c o u n s e l o r s ,

y o u t h

m i n i s t r y

d i r e c t o r s ,

s t u d e n t s a n d t h o s e w i t h c a m p e x p e r i e

n c e

a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o a p p l y .

> > A l b a n i a

> > G u a t e m a l a

> > R o m a n i a

C o n s t r u c t i o n

H e l p

b u i l d

a n

O r t h o d o x

C h u r c h

f o r

a

g r o w i n g c o m m u n i t y b y o f f e r i n g y o u r

l a -

b o r a n d s e r v i c e .

E n g i n e e r s , c o n s t r u c t i o n

w o r k e r s , c o n t r a c t o r s , c a r p e n t e r s , p a i n t -

e r s , e l e c t r i c i a n s a n d a l l h a r d w o r k e r s

a r e

i n v i t e d t o a p p l y t o d a y .

C o n s t r u c t i o n e x

p e -

r i e n c e i s w e l c o m e d ,

b u t n o t n e c e s s a r y .

> > C a m e r o o n

> > K e n y a

> > S o u t h

A f r i c a

H e a l t h

C a r e

P r o v i d e a h o l i s t i c w i t n e s s o f t h e G o s p e l

b y m i n i s t e r i n g t o t h e p h y s i c a l n e e d s o f

c h i l d r e n a n d a d u l t s w h i l e p r o v i d i n g b a s i c

h e a l t h

c a r e

a n d

e d u c a t i o n .

H e a l t h c

a r e

p e r s o n n e l ;

d o c t o r s ,

d e n t i s t s ,

n u r s e s ,

c o u n s e l o r s ,

H I V / A I D S

s p e c i a l i s t s ,

t h e

r a -

p i s t s — a r e e s p e c i a l l y n e e d e d .

> > E t h i o p i a

> > G u a t e m a l a

> > K e n y a

> > R o m a n i a

A l l

h a r d

w o r k e r s

w i l l i n g

t o

s h a r e

t h e

F a i t h

a n d

w i s h i n g

t o

p a r t i c i p a t e

a n d

s e r v e

o n

a n

O R T H O D O X

M I S S I O N

T E A M

a r e

u r g e d

t o

a p p l y

t o d a y .

> > A M E R I C A S : A l a s k a

•

A r g e n t i n a

• G

u a t e m a l a

> > E U R O P E : A l b a n i a

• R o m a n i a

> > A F R I C A : C a m e r o o n

• E t h i o

p i a

• G h a n a

• K e n y a

• S o u t h

A f r i c a

• T a n z a n i a

> > A S I A : I n d i a

> > A n d r e w

L e n t z ,

2 0 0 6

M i s s i o n

T e a m

m e m b e r ,

e x t e n d s t h e m a n y a r m s o f s u p p o r t e r s a s h e

e m b r a c e s a c h i l d i n T a n z a n i a

O R T H O D O X C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N C E N T E R

O

R

T

H

O

D

O

X

C

H

R

I

S

T

I

A

N

M

I

S

S

I

O

N

C

E

N

T

E

R

M I S S I O N T E

A M S

D e t a c h a b l e K e e p s a k e P o s t e r


8/13

There is usually a certain amount of anxietyassociated with any travel, What should Ipack? Will my luggage arrive on time? A

ssion trip carries additional concerns, How wille group dynamics be? What can we expect? Willey have laundry facilities? Will we be effective inr goals? Many of these questions, ranging from the

asonable to the rather silly, crossed my mind severalmes during the journey across North America tohat was for me a distant land—Alaska.

When I first heard of the opportunity to go toaska through OCMC I jumped at the chance,rtly for selfish reasons. Te mission team wassigned to assist in teaching a youth retreat and helpth the annual pilgrimage to Spruce Island. I had

ways wanted to visit Alaska. Not only was I attractedthe natural beauty I saw in photos but I wanted tolk the land where our first North American Saints,ch as Saints Herman and Innocent, traversed.

veral friends who had previously done missionsps in Alaska confirmed my desire. Moreover, I wasracted to the opportunity to teach the Orthodoxth to youth of the Kodiak region. Being a studentSt. Vladimir’s Seminary I felt compelled to share,some small way, the knowledge of the faith I haden given. What I did not expect however, was therning experience that I was to go through.After a day’s worth of traveling from New York,

finally arrived on Kodiak to the welcome of twothe Alaskan clergy. Although weary from the

ng trip, I was eager to get to work with fellowCMC members who had already arrived and anthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) group from

e University of Connecticut. My first act, however,s to venerate the relics of St. Herman which

in this manner. St. Herman after all wasn’t glorifiedonly due to the numerous miracles he performed, butbecause of his tireless efforts in the simple, ordinarylabors of love for the Alaskan people.

Te day after, while half of our 14 member teamremained in Kodiak to teach a youth retreat, sevenof us, along with a seminarian from St. Herman’s,undertook the trek to the village of Ouzinkie,located on Spruce Island. Our task seemed simpleenough, to run a teen camp for the Kodiak diocese.But I suppose the only way to describe our trip is a

word we used often: fluid. We arrived in Ouzinkiehauling food, supplies, and other necessities for thefive day camp, enough to cover 35 youth and ourteam. Knowing of only a few teens having signed

basketball at the gym, the Akathist to St. Hermanin the Chapel with the villagers, the preparing offish soup with the elders, sharing fellowship witheveryone on the last night, and concluding the tripin the best way we knew how, celebrating the DivineLiturgy together. We went as a team to teach thefaith, but we learned as a team how that faith is livedin the love, warmth, and incredible generosity ofthis little Alaskan village. I was joking with othermembers that when we left they gave me the key tothe village. It’s simply knowing how to open a door

without knocking! Te remainder of the trip was just as remarkable,

taking part in the annual pilgrimage to SpruceIsland, serving Liturgy both on Spruce Island and inKodiak on successive days, with a Vigil in between!

o say the least, we were all quite tired. But as HisGrace Bishop NIKOLAI of Alaska reminded us, apilgrimage is designed to take effort, but out of thateffort one finds their spiritual rewards. o serve an

Akathist to St. Herman is a beautiful experience. oserve the Vigil and Liturgy for his feast is just asstunning. But to be a part of these services in thepresence of St. Herman himself is simply heavenly.Despite our fatigue from our camp experiences,

manual labors around the Cathedral and Seminary,in addition to the many services, we found strengthevery day in the presence of St. Herman and thepeople of Alaska.

Our Alaskan experience was more than we couldhave expected. Plans changed, locations moved,feet and backs wearied. But right before our eyesmiracles occurred. Doors opened that once wereshut, ten youth turned into almost fifty, smiles camefrom shyness, cultures embraced, strangers becamefriends, even Fr. Michael completed knots in hisprayer rope! We came to Alaska as visitors, we leftas family. Troughout, we felt God’s grace throughSt. Herman guiding us. We left knowing that all weencountered proved to be a fluid blessing.

BlessingDaniel Belonick

A Fluid

ide within the Cathedral on Kodiak. As a fellowgrim mentioned; “you have to start out right.”ere, in front of me, lay St. Herman’s relics, along

th the heavy iron-cross and hat that accompaniedm through the Alaskan terrain.

Many times I thought of Saints’lives and worksdistant from my own. But to stand before St.

erman and begin work where he labored was anperience that brought significantly more meaningour efforts. Knowing about St. Herman’s life, thiss a blessing I hadn’t expected, and I think, the onlyy to start this particular trip.From this glorious beginning, I spent the rest of th e

y hitting cement with a pick-axe near the Cathedralclear for drainage. Tis was followed by helping toin the wooden chapel at St. Herman’s Seminaryat was wearied by a long winter. Neither of theseks I envisioned. But it seems more fitting to begin

up in Ouzinkie and bringing along a few frommainland Kodiak, our expectations seemed to behigher than circumstances permitted. Before arriving

in Kodiak we had anticipated almost 30 youth, whichturned into less than 15 by the time of our arrival inOuzinkie. I think most of us at that point were feelinganxious, especially with confusion about where thecamp was to be held. We eventually settled into therecently built community center which offered usboth cooking facilities and room to hold classes andactivities, the perfect hub for our camp.

Over the course of the week, what was to be ateen retreat became a village youth event. Our focus

was the Creed, having two Christian educationsper day, along with art and physical activities. Testrongest moments of the camp, however, were notfelt in the classroom, but in singing the roparionto St. Peter the Aleut by the campers, the games of

St. Herman after all wasn’t glorified only due to the numerous

miracles he performed, but because of his tireless efforts in the

simple, ordinary labors of love for the Alaskan people.

UPPER LEFT: Chapel on Spruce Island built over St.

Herman’s original burial site. LEFT: Liturgy on Spruce

Island ABOVE: Ouzinkie Team at Monk’s Lagoon BE-

LOW: Ouzinkie Youth performing native dances

Te ranks of this year’s short-term mission teams were filled with families in unprecedented numbers,

heading a single call to serve and spread God’s wordto all four corners of the earth. Tey all congregatedfar from their own homes in a seemingly coincidentalanomaly; all hoping that a voyage of great distance

would somehow bring them closer together. As itturned out, these journeys were longer than even theexpansive and boundless wasteland that lazily floatedby, for they began with a love for one another andthey will live on as treasured shared experiences.

Warren Goodwin, of Roseville California, whoserved with his wife and son, stated, “We wereblessed with the opportunity to experience ourfirst OCMC short-term mission as a family. Weexperienced the wonders of Kenya, the enthusiasmof its people, and the solidarity of their Orthodoxfaith. We also were witness to the spiritual growth ofone another as individuals. Te two most significantevents for my wife and I were the warmth and thegratitude given to the entire mission team by theparishioners of the community we were there toserve, and the opportunity to see our son expandhis mission experiences and continue his spiritual

journey.” Tere are memories that mark seminal moments

in every human life. Te images of these moments warm our hearts, remaining clear in our minds,immune to the movements of time. Te passing of a

brick from the tattered hands of a daughter to thoseof her mother as they toiled in a small village on the

horn of Africa to build a house of worship was justone such memory. “For my whole life, my mom has watched and supported me as I’ve grown,”recalledSara Breitsprecher of Minneapolis, Minnesota.“It made me proud to see her step outside of hercomfort zone and I was thankful that I could bethere to support her in her growth. Our trip signifieda change in our relationship. She will always be mymom, but we saw each other as peers for the firsttime giving us a greater appreciation for one anotheras people.”

God has always worked profoundly throughfamilies. With them He has altered the course ofhuman history forever. He reintroduced mankind

to its Creator in the generatstretched from Abraham t

Trough Saint Joachim and AMary, the mother of our Lord a

Jesus Christ. Constantine and hHelen brought faith to an emptwo brothers, Saint Basil the GSaint Gregory of Nyssa, born in century to parents who are also c

saints, shaped Christianity as we know it.History reveals that works of great co

have often come through the family. As seemingly coincidental contribution of families to mission work in 2006 is not coat all. From Alaska to Guatemala, in AlbRomania, and from Kenya to Ugandafamilies shared the Gospel through theitheir words, and their service. As teachersand medical professionals, God workedthem, bestowing upon them the gift of tone another and with Him.

Will the efforts of the families that this year’s short-term mission experience

profound an impact on the course of hu Abraham or Saint Basil the Great? Indalready have. In time their names may be but their contribution, as part of God’ssalvation, will be eternal.

Te common blood that flows throughof family creates an unspoken bond that ithan steel and more precious than the gemstones. It is incorruptible and timeless.Spirit rides on this current like the winds rolling dunes of the Sahara, tying one genthe next , revealing the depths of the Fatfor us, His prodigal children, offering usand beckoning us home.

“ o r k s o f Gr ea t C o n s equ en c e ”

We were blessed with the opportunity to

experience our first OCMC short-term missio

as a family. We experienced the wondersKenya, the enthusiasm of its people, an

the solidarity of their Orthodox faith.

At 30,000 feet the red sands of the Sahara looked like an ocean of fire. Te desert’s stillness could be felt even from on high, providing theperfect opportunity to reflect on the great work that we had just completed.

Most of the other team members were sleeping soundly, lulled by the roar

of the engines and the smooth skies that God had blessed us with. Amongst

them could be found parents, children, husbands, wives, brothers and s isters

desiring not to serve merely as individuals, but as a family.

UPPER LEFT : Breaking a sweat for the Gospel. ABOVE: Father and son

Mission Team members during orientation in St. Augustine RIGHT: A new

Church takes shape thanks to the work of Mission Team members. LEFT:

The sun sets on another day in Africa, affording the perfect opportunity to

reflect on the great work that had just been completed.

MissionTeam

FamiliesBy Alex Goodwin

Alex Goodwin, with his parents, War

and Madeline Goodwin.

4 O C M C M I S S I O N M A G A Z I N E • W W W . O C M C . O R G O C M C M I S S I O N M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 0 6


9/13

MissionariesI

am often asked to describe my typical day here inUganda and I never know quite how to answer.Some days are more eventful than others, andday is ever completely routine. oday there is no

usic festival, nor is it a school visitation day. I’mt traveling to a village deep in the bush, nor am Iiting our parishes in Gulu. I’m not even going towntown Kampala. Tere are no prize bulls or goatsthis story, but a pig will make a brief appearance.Te school term ended yesterday, and we

llected report cards from about sixty of ouronsored students. I photocopied the reports forr files while we had power. Because of national

ad-shedding, we have commercial electricity everyher day. oday was an “on” day and I wanted toke advantage of the situation so we could returne original reports to the children after church

Sunday. Ten I spent some time preparingicitation letters for our Children’s Fund.Sharon has been working six and a half days

week at the hospital, so I offered to do a little

opping for fresh vegetables. On the way to thesubi open-air market, I stopped by the house

here our “daughter” Panayota was spending thehool holiday. Panayota is in sixth grade at a villagearding school. She ended up there last year aftere had a discipline problem with an aunt with whome had been staying. Panayota had been beaten one head with a soda bottle and subsequently ranay from home. I didn’t want her to remain alonethe village, nor could I send her back to the aunt’s,I prevailed upon her stepmother to take her inspend the holiday with her half-siblings Sophia,

eorge, and Paraskevi. I had crayons and coloringoks for the kids and a little extra money for mombuy food.I’d heard stories about the irresponsible, drug-

Peter Georges—OCMC Missionary in Uganda

Dëshiroj një biletë vajije (I’d like ane-way ticket).”

After many months of preparation, the

isi Family (Constance, Dennis and their

e year old son Dominico) have arrived

fely in Albania. Below, is a reflection

om Constance of the family’s journey as

ssionaries to Albania:

The morning of September 8th, many ofyou will be waking up, and longing for

ffee when we arrive in Tirana. We’ll be a bit

addicted, alcoholic father, but there he was when Iarrived—calm, industrious, and sober. His latest

venture is raising pigs, and he hasn’t yet accumulatedenough cash to build a sty. A number of giant hogs

were rooting around the yard, and as I tried to navigatemy way around their stout, aromatic bodies, one bigfellow unexpectedly charged and nuzzled my rearend with his snout, much to the amusement of thechildren. After greeting the family, I privately gavemom the money for the family’s needs at Kasubi.

Te sprawling outdoor market was bustling with activity and the women selling the vegetablesbrazenly and laughingly called to me, “ Muzungu, over

here!”I found what I needed and marveled at howmuch I could buy for so little money. I accumulateda large bag of fresh tomatoes, green peppers, carrots,and potatoes for the equivalent of two dollars! TenI crossed the road to buy bread and eggs.

Having accomplished my mission, I looked upand saw the church van parked nearby. Aha! A cheapand convenient ride home. While I was waiting, Iheard a musical voice greeting me. It was Father

Joseph’s wife, Anastasia, with baby Pelagia. Shehad also seen the van and had the same idea. I tookPelagia from her arms and tried to convince thebread vendor that she was my kid but he wouldn’tbuy it. Te driver appeared and soon we were allsafely back on our little hill.

Last week I told Ssem, a contractor friend,that I wanted to visit JjaJja ’s house to see about

adding a “bathroom”to the premises. JjaJja is an old woman who takes care of about a dozen orphanedgrandchildren in a small house between the mainroad and a swamp. Last year we finished her house

and earlier this year we added a pit latrine, but thefamily has no private place to bathe. A bathroomcan actually be an outdoor stall where one takes soapand a basin of water, and maybe a towel! Tat’s howmany people wash themselves here.

Ssem arrived and we headed off to JjaJja ’s.She and the kids were happy to see us, and afterthe obligatory greetings we inspected the site andagreed on a proposed location for the addition. As

we were about to leave, JjaJja insisted we comein to see baby Simon whom she said was “sick.” Iremembered that he had cerebral palsy, but still I

was shocked by what I saw. Te two-year-old was allhead and belly, with tiny, vestigial-looking legs andarms dangling limply from his distended torso. Hishead lolled open-mouthed and his eyes gazed intonowhere. Eleven-year-old Fiona picked him up andgently held him while I sat down on the bed, feelingstunned and helpless.

I soon came to my senses, though, and calledSharon on my mobile phone. She prompted me

with some pointed questions, a nd, ably assistedby Ssem as a translator we determined thatSimon was seriously malnourished. His mother

has been feeding him only milk from a cup. Wegave JjaJja instructions on how to prepare maize-flour porridge fortified with milk, eggs, and othernutrients, provided her with a little money to buy

these items, and told her to come to our hospitalfor some nutritional counseling.

We departed, and just to add a bizarre note to ourleave-taking, we passed a woman sitting on the sideof the road playing with gravel. As we approached,I recognized her as one of JjaJja ’s daughters, themother of two of our kids. She seemed about manic,so I greeted her in Luganda and had a brief butinteresting conversation. Ten Ssem and I boardeda matatu back to Namungoona.

Tat evening after Vespers, I found two of ourhigh school students, Sophia and Batte, waitingto give me their school reports. I reviewed theirperformances, gave a little advice for improvement,and sent them on their way as night was falling. Soends another day in Uganda.

Postscript: Tursday, August 24 oday while I wa s in town, Sophia and her sis terMaria, cousins to little Simon, tearfully cameto tell Sharon that he had died this morning.Merciful God, may his memory be eternal. Hissuffering is over; now he is perfect and dwellingin perfect Love.

bleary-eyed, too, having flown from Chicago

to Frankfurt, to Vienna, to Tirana in about 19

hours. We’ll have left the comfortable, familiar

surroundings of Chicago, and will have arrived

in the poorest nation in Europe.

We are joining a vibrant, growing community

of Christians in Albania. The building of the new

cathedral is well underway. There are plans for

new Orthodox schools. There are hopes for asenior home, near the successful soup kitchen.

The Children’s Home of Hope is now about full,

with 30-35 children. Classes continue at the

Seminary, the church camp season is over. It’s

inspiring, and a little daunting, to be joining

a community that the Holy Spirit has clearly

taken in hand.

There are improvements in Albania. There

is a new, brightly-lit imported goods ~ grocery

store. There are other recently opened stores

– a posh, four-floor shopping mall with European

luxury stores has been putting up posters around

town. Tirana has also been repaving the streets

and with the new streets come new street signs,

to the joy of many who have had some trouble

finding their way around.

We were on the road almost every weekend

for the first 6 months of the year, traveling non-

stop for more than a month during Lent. We’ve

logged more than 100 hours just driving and

have visited 12 states. None of this would have

been possible without the encouragement,

support and prayers of all of you. We are more

grateful than we can possibly say.

During their missionary service, the Luisi’s

primary job will be to work with the youth

and children’s choirs, first in Tirana and thenthroughout the country. Dennis’ skills will

be put to work on various building and repair

projects. There may also be opportunities

to put Constance’s language skills to work in

teaching English and French.

We ask for your continued prayers for the

Constance, Dennis and Domenico. Funds to

help support the Luisi Family can be sent to the

Orthodox Christian Mission Center, designated

for the “Luisi Famil y” in the memo line, to P.O.

Box 4319, St. Augustine, FL 32085-4319.

To find out more about the Mission Center’s

missionaries, visit www.ocmc.org. or contact

us at [email protected].

M y work in the Ugandan Orthodox Churchconsists mainly in teaching and trying tostrengthen St. Paul Seminary in any way that I

can. Generally, I teach Dogmatics, Liturgics, Old

Testament and New. There are 16 seminarians

from villages all over Uganda, of different tribes

and tongues. We’re hoping to initiate some

practical programs in 2007, which will make

use of their skills as farmers. Like the mustard,

which is the smallest of seeds, we will patiently

develop dignity, cooperation, and self

in and among the parishes. There is

room, and need, for creativity in Afri

am tremendously inspired and confide

abilities of our seminarians.

Teaching is not my only activity. In

I am struggling to provide translatio

the service books in modern Englis

10,000 pages of text. It’s been a gr

for people to pray the entire daily cyc

first time in a language they can und

Once the Horologion and Oc

Paraklitiki have been distributed to

parishes, and priests and catechists

in using them—they can serve as a

uniform, accessible, and in fact, alm

foundation for catechetics. I’m im

at how wise the fathers were, whoOctoechos together and gave it to u

main fare of each liturgical day.

By no means am I a professional m

but I’ve sung in Orthodox choirs for 3

and seem to have a good ear. As I’v

providing the English texts, it’s falle

to lead some of the chanting, espe

the Daily Cycle on weekdays. Thes

have been for the most part well-r

We’ve all gained a deeper under

of the services from working wit

every day. Serving Vespers and Ma

the seminarians and other faithf

day has been a major part of my

There is vast room for liturgical

here and it will play a key role in th

evangelization/catechetical programs

be developing.

I’m trying to encourage some

artists to study icons and learn to wri

since our churches have so few. I’m

organize translations and service b

four languages. I’m trying to get a few

started learning computers. We can

their help when they do! We need a cate

program. We need to train teachers an

and catechists. We need to train pri

deacons. I love it here!

Weebale! (Thank you!)

What Can You Do?

We ask for your continued prayers

Burnett’s ministry with seminarians in

Funds to help support the him can be se

Orthodox Christian Mission Center, de

for “John Burnett” in the memo line

Box 4319, St. Augustine, FL 3208

To find out more about the Mission

missionaries, visit www.ocmc.org. or

us at [email protected].

Help us to equip some wonderfu

men to carry the flame of Christ’s l

truth deep into the vast continent sou

Sahara!

Arr iving in Albania The Luisi Family

A Day in the Life

Mustard Seed, Patience andSalvation—The Seminary in UgandaBy John Burnett—OCMC Missionary in Uganda

Peter Georges, OCMC Missionary in Ug

watches the children dance.

Students of St. Paul’s Seminary listen attentively while

John Burnett offers Theological Training.

Children of Uganda smile as their lives

are blessed by Missionaries Peter & Sharon

he Luisi Family,

Lynette Hoppe

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Transcript of Lynette Hoppe