What is the meaning of life for an Orthodox Christian? By Presbytera Merilynn Andruchow

This summer, 25 young adults will leave the comforts of their homes to travel to Tijuana, Mexico, where they will reside on the grounds of St Innocent Orphanage. They will assist over 600 visiting volunteers from the United States in constructing modest homes that will transform the lives of families forever. 

These young adults are embarking on an adventure to discover the true meaning of life, and their lives will be transformed forever. They will leave behind their secular lifestyles, characterized by anxiety and depression, in which they believe that life revolves around superficial measures such as physical appearance, financial success, and excessive drinking. They have come to view casual relationships as the norm, focusing on "what they do" rather than "who they are" as individuals. 

Once these young adults cross the border into Mexico, they will come to realize that life must encompass more than their current experiences. They will begin to ask themselves, "If I truly call myself an Orthodox Christian; how does God fit into the meaning of my life?" 

These young adults will embark on a transformative journey to shed the burdens of a secular lifestyle while living closely together in a country marked by poverty and corruption. They will engage with orphaned infants and boys, serve alongside over 600 volunteers, and, most importantly, immerse themselves in the sacramental life of the Church, seeking God's guidance and support. As they release the weight of their secular lifestyle, our merciful Lord will begin to bestow upon them the virtues of love, forgiveness, patience, faithfulness, kindness, and long-suffering—qualities that are becoming increasingly rare in our world.

They will come to realize that their previous way of life was a facade and that the true meaning of life is to walk side by side with God. By living a virtuous, God-fearing life filled with hope for something better, they will prepare themselves for eternal life with God when their time on this earth comes to an end. 

I have listed the 25 young adults who will be serving this summer, along with their respective states. Please keep them and the ministry of Project Mexico in your prayers. 

William Filanowski -CO 

Mark Stamoulis – MA 

Wyatt West – CA 

James Clohessy – IL 

Gabe Braskett - AZ 

Andoni Zervoglos – MA 

Zechariah Collins – CA 

Samuel Jenkins – PA 

Chalker Griffin – FL 

Franco Vitz – CA 

Petru Cojocaru – MA 

James Furman – NY 

Caleb Petker - Canada 

Anna Jackson – CA 

Julia Sheridan – LA 

Zelda Gilbert – NJ 

Yana Brinegar – NM 

Isabella Zamora – TX 

Iona West – CA 

Jasmine Hunter – TX 

Zoe Kasten – CO 

Hattie Sparks – IN 

Jean Zaur – PA 

Lucille Stobbe – Canada 

Raya Christiansen - AZ 

A Home of Transformation by Elise Buschbacher

A Home of Transformation by Elise Buschbacher

“Glory to Thee for the Feast Day of Life”

Clothes still stained with bright limewash, a reminder of the place where a family will soon find safety and comfort, you stand in prayer. Immersed in the grace that fills the pavilion at the Project Mexico ranch, the voices of the Akathist of Thanksgiving surround your heart. Project Mexico is a home of transformation. Weeks spent building alongside interns and volunteers, and encountering families reveal countless stories of God’s faithfulness.

After build weeks packed with unforeseen challenges, you are somehow strengthened to serve even more diligently. Not by your own power but completely relying on God. In this, faith deepens, joy blossoms.

A joy immeasurably powerful. You’re completely exhausted, yet still in awe over the sunflowers gathered from the barren hills, the laughter shared as an intern sprints to buy tortillas at a backed up traffic light. The friendships built on prayer and service are some of the most powerful, heartfelt and lasting.

God’s grace surrounds you in the simplicity of life. It is seen both on and off the ranch, a little boy hands you his most treasured toy, leaving you in awe of the generosity of a child with so few material things. A little girl tugs your hand as you scope out a new build site. Her smile is a spark of God’s faithfulness.

While the last words of the Akathist are prayed, an intern quietly gathers the enormous pots and pans for dinner, just as they gathered tools that morning, just as they gathered their courage before leading their first home construction. The struggle warms your heart, no gift so powerful as the opportunity to serve wholeheartedly those around you.

The struggles plant a seed of deep, powerful faith. It takes root, urging us to water it with gratitude as we return home. The comfort we live in, the education we receive, blessings once overlooked, are seen as they are, undeniable gifts from God. Friendships made continue to grow. A new perspective allowing awareness of the shared moments of faith even at a distance.

The gift of this time is not just in what was built during the summer, but the light we bring home and strive to give to those we encounter when we leave. The light we were given from the encounters on the worksite and ranch, from the confidence of faith built on constant appearance of God’s unimaginable love.

“O Lord, how lovely it is to be Thy guest!”

Holding it all Together by Charlie Boardman

Holding it all Together by Charlie Boardman

The beginning of the Gospel, according to St. John, who is my patron saint, teaches us that all things were made by God through Christ. We see this too in some of my favorite icons, those that show Christ creating the Cosmos and all the animals of the Earth. The Apostle Paul, speaking of Christ in his first letter to the Colossians, teaches that "in him all things hold together". So, Christ doesn't create and then abandon and move on, but actively sustains all of creation, meaning all of us.

 It's been easy to see this sustainment from above at St. Innocent Ranch these last few years. In my role as Director of Operations I am in the middle of numerous new challenges that are popping up everywhere thanks to our growth: more children and babies means more complexity in every area as costs increase, facilities need to expand, and more activities need support from our limited resources.

I have always been amazed that any large organization is able to hold it together. When you see how difficult things are on the inside, it becomes easier to understand St. John's and St. Paul's teaching. All things that exist, from all of us individually to our families and churches and businesses, hold together because God sustains them. I thank God for continuing to sustain us with divine love at Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage and for continuing to sustain all of you, our community of supporters.

Your prayers, your visits to the ranch, and your spiritual work on our behalf invigorate us, and it's clear to me you are acting as the body of Christ and making Christ's sustaining love visible and knowable to those of us working here physically. Thank you and God bless you.

Learning How to Talk by Father Nicholas Andruchow

Learning How to Talk by Fr. Nicholas Andruchow (p

This summer, we are preparing to receive over 700 missionaries who will serve in Tijuana. The continuing courage and zeal that the Orthodox demonstrate from America are not just encouraging but inspiring. All those who come will receive a lesson in life: how good we have it in America and how God is calling us to share the goods we have. 

This summer’s Homebuilding theme is “Learning from on high”. We are challenging all the summer participants to look up to God and be taught. Jesus is the ultimate “Maestro” (Maestro is word for teacher in Spanish) and through the sacrifice of helping the suffering at the border, we are all enlightened.

Beginning to Pray

Bishop Anthony Bloom writes in his book “Beginning to Pray” that we all need to be aware that God does not always talk back we when cry out to Him. Despite this fact, we all still need to talk to God. Therefore, ask Him for help. Tell Him you are grateful for what you have. Tell Him you are sorry for the mistakes you have made. This is where we must start. Learn to talk to God! 

Finish every day with a conversation with Jesus. Here on the 16-acre ranch where you will stay when building a home for a family in need, you will have 15 minutes of quiet time with God each morning. Here, you will look up to the heavens and the Lord will teach you, and the unexpected will happen. He will bless you with a fresh perspective of what is really important, which is our relationship with Him.

The End Result

Ultimately, we want our relationship with Jesus to grow. I recently read that we should desire to want to spend all our time with God. We should get excited about talking about Him and when we think of Him, we should be filled with joy and excitement. Recently I became a grandfather. It is a truly blessing and it gave me a wider perspective of how I should love Jesus. I love talking about my grandson, when I think about him, I get excited and I can’t wait to see him again. 

This is how it should be with Jesus. So let us be proactive and look to the heavens to learn how to love God. We invite you to come to Mexico and the lessons from on high will open your eyes and you will speak sweet words to the One we love, the Lord Jesus.

In the Spirit of Light by Father Demetrios Swanson

In the Spirit of Light by Fr. Demetrio Swanson

There is a story about a visitor to Mt. Athos who came across a monk building a large stone wall. As the visitor observed the monk, he began to doubt that the wall could ever be finished. He said this to the monk. The monk replied that it mattered not in the least if he ever finished, because someone after him could do it. More importantly, he said, God had allowed him to labor in this part and it was his blessing to do that. The rest was up to God. It is God’s. 

I was expressing to someone recently the strong feeling that “things are not as they should be”. This is that same awe at the immensity of a task like that stone wall that cannot be finished. We might also experience this feeling toward the growing darkness in the world around us. Maybe we feel that everything is falling apart and we cannot keep the pieces up. What can we do? 

St. Porphyrios says: “Forget the darkness. Leave it alone. Fill yourself with Light, and the darkness loses its very existence. Water the Good and the evil withers from neglect.”

St. Seraphim of Sarov says, “Acquire the Spirit of Peace and thousands around you will be saved.”

So, what can we do? Focus on doing what we are supposed to do today, right now, and leave the rest up to God. It’s His. Focus on our current task, the simple things we are supposed to do moment by moment, and leave the rest up to God. I love the Greek saying, “Exei O Theos,” or, “God has it.”

This is the way of the saints, the way of that monk on Mt. Athos building the wall. 

There is a priest I heard about who would end every day with the prayer: “My Lord, I have done everything I can for Your Church today. But it is Your Church, and I’m going to bed.” I modify this slightly and usually end my day saying, “My Christ, in my weakness I have done everything I can for Your Church today. But it is Your Church, and I’m going to bed.” 

What does all this mean? It is all Christ’s. We do our part, we do what we are supposed to day by day and then we see the miracles of God, the perfect working of all things, our humble labors being transformed. Our nothing, our many “zeros” of effort turn into millions when God places a “one” in front of all the seeming “nothing” we have done. That is from St. Paisios. 

This orphanage is God’s. This chapel is God’s. This new temple we are building in Rosarito is God’s. This “ranch” community and neighborhood is God’s. This building of homes is God’s.

It is all His. 

As the resident priest I encourage all of us to make a good effort to do our tasks given us each day, and then let it go. Finish our tasks, our battle each day, and take refuge in the Lord of the tasks. The Lord of everything. 

Who loves us.

Opportunities in Youth Ministry TELOS

Our friends at the TELOS Project are looking for young, service-minded individuals to join the 2025 Cohort.

The Telos Project partners with parishes across the country to inspire and fuel young adult engagement in parish life. Telos offers coaching, education, and design thinking to help your parish develop ministry with and for young adults.

Parishes who work with Telos have seen:

• A growing community of young adults supporting each other

• Relationships developed across generations

• Increased presence of young adults in worship and other parish ministries

• Spiritual growth of young adults

• An increase of young adults taking on leadership roles in the parish

Childlike Love for Christ by Julia Paresenios

Artist Rendering

My name is Julia Paresenios, I am a caregiver at the Casa Cuna and OCMC Missionary. Over the past several months at Casa Cuna, our infant orphanage, I’ve witnessed firsthand the energy, challenges, and endless tasks that come with life on the ranch. With two orphanages, a homebuilding program, and a growing parish, it feels like a million things happen every day.

Yet, in the midst of it all, Casa Cuna remains a place of love, laughter, and transformation.

Every child who comes through our doors, whether for a few days or a few months, presents an opportunity to share Christ’s light—and to see it reflected in their innocent, joyful faces. Some struggle to adjust, while others embrace their new routine quickly, but each one teaches us something about patience, love, and faith.

These little ones bring joy to the entire ranch, whether it’s through a simple walk, a Sunday Liturgy, or even their fleeting obsessions (like a three-day love affair with bananas). But caring for them requires many hands and open hearts.

We need you.

We need faithful Orthodox Christians to commit to six months, one year, or two years to love these orphaned babies.  Whether you're soothing a fussy baby, helping with diaper changes, or simply offering a warm presence, your time and care will make an incredible difference.

If you feel called to serve, please join us. Come witness the beauty of Christ’s love in the smallest among us. Reach out today and become part of this life-changing mission!

If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Casa Cuna San Felipe caregiver, please contact Presbytera Merilynn.

*As a caregiver for Casa Cuna San Felipe, you will be expected to live and work in Mexico for three (3) to six (6) months and up to two years alongside your fellow caregivers. Caregivers are responsible for raising their own funds through our partner missionary organizations.

Moving Toward the Good God by Father Demetrios Swanson

Artist Rendering

When watching a movie or reading a book I have always taught my children to say, “he is really acting badly” instead of “he is a bad guy” when we come across those characters. Solzhenitsyn famously said that the line between good and evil does not run through groups of people but rather through the middle of each human heart. So that “bad guy” in the movie is battling with the line in his heart. The battle is not decided. And there is something else too. 

Miraculously we have been quoted $600,000 USD to completely build a beautiful church and fellowship area. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, we have raised more $400,000 to start the first phase of construction. With an additional $200,000 we can fully complete the project and establish a Mexican Orthodox church for the first time. Consider sharing your treasure with us, and your heart, because “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21)”. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will  be also.” –Matthew 6:21 Scan the QR code to donate or go to projectmexico.org/ temple 

When the three magi presented gifts to Christ, they offered gold for a king, frankincense for a god, and myrrh for the dead. This is the ancient understanding and meaning of the three gifts. The priest, like one of the magi, often circles the church during services offering that same frankincense to the people. Frankincense is for gods. So why do we cense the people? Because they are made in the image of God, they are made in the image of our good God and are in turn worthy of a gift offered to gods. 

We also have this element in us called the likeness, which is our free will. That free will moves at another level in us toward and away from that good God. So, we are good, made in the image of a good God, a beautiful God and in our free will we battle with that line in our heart as we work on our salvation, our sanctification. 

But the good image is ever-present. In my individual conversations with the boys of the orphanage, I often end a chat by telling them, “You’re a good kid”, “eres un buen joven.” Because they are. This is something so important for each of us to remember about ourselves. We are all good at that deepest level and striving to realize that goodness in our hearts, in our lives. This means we are worthy of love, no matter what. Another activity I do with the boys of the orphanage is practice loving ourselves by saying, “[my name], I love you” and try to really mean it. No matter our struggles, we are good. And we are trying to be good. We are loved. And worthy of love.   

“Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” –Isaiah 49:16 

This changes everything. 

Behind the Scenes with Project Mexico Intern Anna Jackson

The most rewarding part of being a homebuilding intern are the bonds of fellowship forged during the homebuilding season.

Every week, teenagers and young adults who have come to build a house leave the Project Mexico Ranch expressing how much they want to be interns the following summer. These young volunteers express this desire despite seeing us interns stressed, tired, and stretched to the limit. We work alongside them, leading and laughing, but we also struggle.

This is not to say that the build weeks are bad for the interns, merely that the weeks are mentally and physically difficult. But these challenges are why many of us choose to come at all, to serve those in need. There is a burden of responsibility – both for the work we do and for the people we serve – that, while incredibly fulfilling, weighs heavily upon the mind and body. This is the most beautiful aspect of being a Project Mexico homebuilding intern. Something else I love even more occurs on the off days of the build weeks.

During builds weeks, interns are divided into teams of four or five. The volunteers never see the group of twenty or so nearly inseparable friends. We work for hours and hours together, learning each other’s strengths and improving; every morning and every evening, we pray together; when work is done, we gather in one house or another – everything is done in fellowship. These are all people who have come, by the grace of God, to serve the families we build for, our volunteers, and one another. This is truly the best part of being an intern at Project Mexico – to be surrounded by these shining icons of Christ.

Newlywed Life as Volunteers in Mexico: Growing in Faith, Love, and Service at St. Innocent Orphanage

My wife, Evangeline and I have lived in Mexico for a year now, serving as volunteers at St. Innocent Orphanage and Project Mexico. Living on the ranch as newlyweds has been a humbling experience, from navigating our new life together in such an involved community to learning to reset our priorities to put Christ and our marriage first. What a journey full of joy, leaps of faith, struggle, and trusting blindly it has been. And glory be to God, the journey continues!

Seeing our marriage and each other grow through our work is the most incredible experience. Evangeline has had challenging experiences in her work with the infants and toddlers at Casa Cuna San Felipe and has become a more grateful, patient, and loving person. I continue to learn and grow in my everyday interactions with the niños and thank God for this opportunity to give back to the place that has given me so much.

Growing up as an orphan, it can be difficult to grasp what a healthy and loving relationship between a husband and wife looks like. Our hope for our marriage is to be an example for the boys and those around us. As Evangeline continues in her work with the babies and I continue in mine with the boys, together we strive to minister to this community that is doing God’s work by opening our home to all who need it, praying for our marriage to be a blessing to those around us, and asking God to use this time in our lives to teach us the meaning of sacrificial love.

It is truly beautiful to pursue the challenge of carrying out God’s will alongside each other in our first months of marriage and to struggle with choosing to trust God again and again. We are so incredibly thankful to this ministry for bringing us together, giving us this special chapter of our lives, and helping us draw closer to our faith through striving to serve as Christ served. 

In Christ,

Alejandro and Evangeline Zendejas

Alejandro Zendejas is a former resident of St. Innocent Orphanage and has since graduated from Hellenic College in Brookline, MA. Alejandro and Evangeline have dedicated their first years of marriage to this ministry.