Christ is in our midst!
For over 13 years I have lived in Tijuana. Because of my work, I often travel back and forth from Mexico to the San Diego area. During the pandemic, the world became more isolated and closed off. In the spring of 2020, the southern border of our great country was closed to "non-essential" travel. It was clear that bringing relief to young abandoned children would be considered essential. Therefore the work of Project Mexico and the St. Innocent Orphanage seamlessly continued. The Lord was truly watching over our boys.
From the beginning of the pandemic, it was debated that if volunteers for the homebuilding program would be considered essential travelers. The Mexican families without hesitation considered the acts of mercy of receiving a home unmistakable labor of relief. For this reason, this past summer we began to bring down groups to help the families who are suffering. By implementing COVID protocols, we responsibly came together not letting worldly fear dictate our actions. Courageously the staff at Project Mexico has planned for the summer of 2022 to be a blessed season to build homes and live the Gospel. This is encouraging to so many of us. The Church continues to live and be a vessel of God’s love.
The reason I am writing to all of you is to remind you that faith without action is a faith that is dead. (James 2:17) With hopeful sobriety, I inform all of you that the border closure is being lifted. We, people who live on the North American continent, are finding relief to travel more freely. For American citizens vaccination for those traveling outside the U.S. is a personal choice. Similarly, leaving your comfort zone, traveling to a third-world country, and building a home for a suffering family is also your personal choice.
Hundreds of Orthodox Christians are already planning to make the trip just in nine months. I challenge you to truly live your faith and make the Christ sacrifice and be an example of compassion and love.
In Christ,
Rev. Fr. Nicholas L. Andruchow
Executive Director
Project Mexico and St Innocent Orphanage