Guatemala Mission Team for 2008

Orthodox Christians are needed to help make a difference in the world by applying to become a member of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto's Short-term Mission Team to Guatemala in 2008. All those willing to share their faith, time and talents are being called to serve from July 17th to July 28th, 2008. Those who answer the call will be following in the footsteps of the missionary saints by helping an Orthodox orphanage in Guatemala. Applications are now being accepted and space is limited.

If you are considering applying, please read through the following information carefully:

SHORT TERM MISSION: Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage, Guatemala City, Guatemala, with a visit to the Monastery Lavra Mambré.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Team members will provide youth outreach, organize sports, crafts and educational activities for the 85 children who call the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage home. Team members may also assist in maintenance and upkeep of existing orphanage structures and grounds (e.g. painting, gardening, etc.) Team members will attend Orthodox liturgical services and provide positive witness to the Orthodox Christian faith.

MISSION TEAM DATES: Thursday, July 17 - Monday, July 28, 2008. The total duration of the mission will be 12 days (2 days orientation in Toronto, and 10 days mission in Guatemala).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, December 17, 2007

TEAM COST: approx. $1500.00 (CDN). Team cost covers orientation, air and ground transportation, travel medical and baggage insurance, accommodation, airport taxes, assigned maintenance project costs, educational outing shared with the children, and donation to the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage.

PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR: Helen Dimaras (helen.dimaras@utoronto.ca)

c/o Mission Board

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)

86 Overlea Blvd

Toronto ON
M4H 1C6

HOW TO APPLY:

(1) Prepare, Prepare, Prepare! Serving on a mission is no trivial matter.

Read and follow the information on this website entitled "Is God Calling you to be a Missionary?". Discuss these issues with your Spiritual Father.
Visit the Hogar Rafael Ayau website (http://www.hogarafaelayau.org), download and read their Missionary Packet, prior to applying. Read about past teams and their duties at the Hogar. Learn about the circumstances by which the children come to the orphanage. Are you strong enough emotionally, physically, and spiritually to deal with these issues?
Learn about Monastic Life. Remember, the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage is run by the nuns of the Monasterio Orthodoxo Lavra Mambré. It is a monastic community with much structure. Monastic obedience is key to your participation on this short-term mission. Are you ready and willing to accept this?
Learn about Guatemala, especially Guatemala City, where the orphanage is located. Are you up to the challenge of living and working in a third-world country?

(2) Confirm that you meet eligibility requirements.

A note on applicant eligibility from Mother Abess Ines at the Hogar Rafael Ayau:

"As you know, the Hogar is a Home for children but first and foremost, it is an Orthodox Monastery that nurtures orphaned children, most of them surviving terrible situations of abuse and neglect. Our primary responsibility is to the children and teenagers God has entrusted to us. Therefore we must be very discerning in our application process selecting only applicants that are living their lives in accordance with the sacramental life of the Church and as such will serve as an exemplary role model to our children."

--Abbess, Mother Ines

In addition, all applicants must:

be at least 21 years old at time of departure. There will be no exceptions made.
speak English. Knowledge of Spanish is an asset, but not required.
have a valid Canadian passport.
submit a complete application package (details below).
have a letter of reference submitted on their behalf by their parish priest (details below).

(3) Complete and Submit an Application Package

A completed application package must be sent to the Project Co-ordinators c/o the Mission Board office (address above) by the application deadline. In addition, an electronic copy of the application form and a digital photograph must be e-mailed to the Project Coordinators by the application deadline.

A completed application package consists of:

Application Form: Download the Application form from this website. Please copy and paste the application to your desktop and complete the application on a word processor.
Health Information: The portion of the application form regarding health must be signed and dated by your family physician. No exceptions will be made.
Recent Photograph: a recent digital photograph should accompany both your print and electronic application.
Photocopy of Passport: passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the teams return date to Canada.
Background/Security Check: since this mission team involves working with children, we are required to perform background/security checks on all applicants. Please visit your local police station and request documentation that proves you have no criminal record and are permitted to work with children/vulnerable persons, then submit together with your application.
Deposit: You are asked to submit a deposit of $200.00 at the time of application. Cheques should be made payable to "Missions - Greek Orthodox Metropolis" with your name in the memo section. Cheques will not be cashed until your application is accepted and you confirm your participation on the team; once this is done, the deposit will count towards your total team cost. Should your application not be accepted or you choose not to participate on the team at the time of acceptance, the cheques will be returned.

(4) Have your Parish Priest Complete and Submit the Priest Reference Form on your behalf.

The Priest Reference Form should be sent to the Mission Board Office directly from your parish priest. Download the Priest Reference Form from this website. This form must be completed by your parish priest. If your spiritual advisor is separate than your parish priest, then you may have this priest submit a second letter on your behalf.

ON ACCEPTANCE:

Congratulations, you've been accepted to serve on the short-term mission team! Now what? Well, now the hard work really begins.

You will be sent an acceptance letter along with a detailed information package about your mission. First, you must accept or decline the offer within a specified amount of time (usually 2 weeks).

To accept the offer and ensure your participation on the team, you must:

notify the Project Co-ordinator by signing and returning the acceptance slip included in your information package.
sign and submit the Liability Release Form.
visit a travel clinic and arrange to have the recommended immunizations for travel to Guatemala.
commit to raising the remainder of your team cost by the specified deadlines. We need to purchase the airline tickets, make arrangements for orientation, work assignments, etc., well in advance of the mission team departure, therefore you are required to submit the required funds by the specified dates. Failure to do so may result in your removal from the team.

FUNDRAISING:

The detailed information package you will receive on acceptance will include information about how to fundraise to finance your participation on this team. Fundraising is an essential part of your team participation, because it allows you to increase awareness of missions as well as gain spiritual and financial support from your community. Prayers for the success of your mission team are just as important as raising the funds. In addition, fundraising your trip makes you accountable to your supporters for your actions on the short-term mission. Any excess funds can be given to the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage as a much needed donation. If you have any questions/concerns about fundraising, please contact the Project Co-ordinator.

ORIENTATION: July 17 - 18, 2008

Attendance at the 2-day orientation prior to the team's departure is mandatory. This is your opportunity to meet your fellow team members and attend training sessions and pray together to prepare you to serve in Guatemala. Your full cooperation at orientation is required for the success of this team. The orientation will take place at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada), and represents the commencement of the short-term mission. You must be packed and fully prepared; you will not be permitted to run last-minute errands, etc., during orientation.

SHORT-TERM MISSION: July 19 - 28, 20087

The mission team will depart together from Toronto's Pearson International Airport and arrangements will be made for someone from the Hogar staff to receive the team upon arrival in Guatemala City. Your precise role at the monastery and orphanage may be explained at the orientation in Toronto, however, it is possible that your work assignments will be given to you after the Hogar orientation and a tour of the orphanage. In general, you can expect the following:

The Priest will serve as the Spiritual Leader of the team and will work closely with the Project Co-ordinators and clergy and mission staff of the Hogar. He will make certain everyone is where they need to be and follows through with their daily responsibilities. The Priest will conduct the scheduled evening session for spiritual growth (his choice of topic), discuss with missionaries what they witness (de-briefing session), and incorporate time for the announcements and group feedback. He will assist the Hogar Priest with Divine Liturgy and take missionaries' confessions (if missionaries desire). Matins and Vespers are reader services which they participate in, as well as bless all in attendance. He will also be asked to give the blessing in the Comedor (dining hall) at mealtimes and anoint the children each day. It is not a requirement to speak Spanish. The Priest, like every member of the team, is also required to help with the maintenance tasks and participate in activities of the children.

Work assignments vary according to the need. Every team is expected to assist with maintenance work that is assigned in the morning hours and may involve painting, gardening, cleaning, etc. In the afternoon, assisting with the little ones is very helpful. Sometimes this assignment is based on an individual's talents, experience, or profession. Often the greatest necessity is giving love and care to the babies. The toddlers and preschoolers have scheduled activities and assistance is also desired to those who are in charge of them. Also, assistance is needed in feeding the toddlers at mealtimes in the Comedor. You will still have time to attend church and other scheduled activities with the children.

UPON YOUR RETURN: July 28 & onwards!

Your role as a short-term missionary does not end upon your return to Canada. Now is the time to thank your supporters, give a talk or slide-show presentation about your experiences, and raise awareness about missionary work in general. Continue to respond to the Lord's call!

Pictures: To Come!