Church as Hospital

By Fr. Demetrios Swanson  |  Resident Priest, Project Mexico

Why Ideas Matter

The imagery of the Church as a hospital is beautiful, helpful, and true. What we believe or think very quickly becomes what we do, which is why ideas are important. Which is why good theology is important. So yes, the Church is, among other things, a hospital. A place we go to heal.

The Hidden Healing Language of Faith

Someone told me recently that the word "salvation" is related to the Latin "salve" which dictionaries define as "an analgesic or medical ointment." Even in the roots of the word "salvation," there is the idea of healing. Similarly, the Greek word "mercy" is "eleos" which is connected with the Greek word "elaion" meaning olive oil, the biblical and historical substance used for healing and wellness.

"Lord have mercy" in Greek sounds like "Lord, anoint me with healing oil." Lots of hidden healing language. This reality of healing in the Church is important when understanding the sacrament of confession, which is a sacrament of healing, not something legalistic.

Still Becoming, Still Healing

As long as we are in this life we are still becoming. We are still healing, becoming stronger, cleaner. Confession is that time in the hospital when the wound is treated, cleaned, and bandaged. And then the doctor explains how to take care of the wound and avoid further injury.

Deep Healing in Baja California

There is deep healing happening here in Baja California, Mexico, by God's grace. This Lent, two other adults and I took seven middle school boys from the orphanage on a spiritual retreat in the Tecate desert. The theme was "Gratitude" and we kept repeating throughout the weekend, "Gracias a Dios", especially for some reason while playing mini-golf.

One evening beside the light of the campfire and beneath the bright stars each of the seven boys sat next to me to say their confession. During the summer homebuilding season, there are many Saturday nights when a handful of priests hear confessions after vespers, sometimes going until midnight.

Every week I receive messages: "Father, can I do confession this week?" Glory to God.

A Measure of Parish Health

A few years ago, a respected older priest was asked how the success of a parish could be measured. He thought about it a long time and then confidently said, "by the proportion of its people that regularly go to confession."

Because the Church is a hospital.

They Shall Rejoice

By Anastasia Grace  |  Casa Cuna Caregiver, St. Innocent Orphanage

"Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled, they shall rejoice." Psalm 50:8

Luna Arrives

When I met Luna*, I was sure we were in trouble. She was eleven months old but looked half that age, spindly and floppy with a swollen belly that hinted at parasites. My supervisor whispered to me that she had come to us straight from the hospital, where she had arrived by ambulance, bones laced with hairline fractures after being brutally battered by a parent struggling with alcoholism. She was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome and released to our care at St. Innocent's Orphanage.

One glance as they carried her in the door told me that this child, like so many of the little ones we receive, had faced more adversity in months than most of us do in decades. When I picked her up, she weighed so little that I thought her bones might be hollow like a bird's. But the spark in her eyes admitted no weakness.

Oh, Lord, I prayed. Help us give her what she needs.

Learning to Read Her Needs

We settled Luna into her new home, a cheerful little room with a sunny window. Because we rarely have access to any information about a new child's past, we carefully observe their behavior, piecing together hints of past traumatic experiences so we know how best to support them. It quickly became apparent that Luna would present some challenges. If we gently chastised her, she would hit herself or hurl herself bodily to the floor. Discipline in her past must have been coupled with physical abuse.

Mealtimes were another battleground. Luna was so underweight when she arrived that we were all desperate to feed her. Her first dinner with us, I settled down complacently by her high chair with spoon in one hand and pureed pear in the other. She opened her mouth obligingly.

Excellent, I said to myself. No problems here.

Luna lifted her chin, looked me dead in the eye, and spat her food slowly out.

Oh, Lord, I thought. Give me patience.

A Breakthrough at the Table

This routine continued for a month regardless of what we tried to tempt her with. She never smiled. As Luna worked to acclimate to her new home, we worked to acclimate to Luna. One mealtime, after yet another spitting episode, I gave up on the spoon and put a few rice puffs in front of her, hoping that if she felt in control, she would be able to eat. She studied the puffs, then put one in her mouth and actually ate it. From then on, we let her feed herself, and she began to eat in huge quantities. Her aggressiveness lessened, and she stopped hitting herself.

Safe Enough to Fight Back

One afternoon, in the chaos of herding several energetic toddlers toward nap time, I carried Luna into the kitchen to prepare her bottle. As I reached for it, I slipped and nearly fell with her in my arms. Thankfully I managed to catch myself upright with a jolt.

Oh, no, I thought. That must have terrified her.

I looked at her and giggled to show her that all was well. For a split second she locked expressionless eyes with mine. Then, without warning, she launched herself at my face, clawing like a wildcat. I was shocked, I was scratched up, and in all honesty, I was angry. Not until I had laid her down to sleep and stalked off to inspect my face did it occur to me that this was a milestone. The jolt must have triggered a traumatic memory of being shaken. For the first time, she had felt safe enough to fight back.

Baptism, Icons, and a First Smile

We baptized Luna under the patronage of St. Dymphna, who herself experienced abuse and healing at a young age and is a powerful intercessor for those who seek healing. Luna would insist on kissing her patron's icon before going to bed at night. She began to walk haltingly around the chapel as we sang. One day she toddled straight to the icons and planted a smacking kiss on the Mother of God. She began to attune herself to the pain of other children. One afternoon, one of our babies began to cry inconsolably. He had been fed, he had been changed, he had been snuggled, but it wasn't enough. Luna turned her head to look at him. I think he needed to be comforted by someone who understood. She toddled up to the wailing baby and placed one small hand on his fuzzy head. And then she smiled.

Bones That Rejoice

Recently I came across an article referencing a phenomenon I had read about years before, marveled at, and promptly forgotten. A broken bone, when it is given the chance to heal properly, will knit together stronger than it was before, more resilient to the stress and pressure it must continue to encounter through the bumps and bruises of life.

None of us will pass through this world unwounded. We cannot pretend that we do not carry scars in mind and body. Our bones have been broken by sin or circumstances or the deeds of others. Yet as we draw near the Church, looking for a home, looking for healing, our Physician draws the shards together, filling the empty spaces between the broken pieces with myrrh and making whole that which was shattered, until the day comes when we offer of that myrrh to anoint another. And in that day, our humbled bones will rejoice.

* Name changed to protect identity.

A Vision Lost, a Faith Tested

The words in the header above were made clear by the Lord in the Gospel of Mark. (Mark 2:17) This message truly resonates with me. In early 2025, I observed that my peripheral vision was starting to become blurred. By the end of November, the symptoms had worsened by affecting 60% of my vision. On December 12th, I received an MRI that clearly showed a benign tumor below my brain, above my pituitary gland, pressing on my optic nerves. Hence, I was losing my vision.

Surgery and the Grace of God

Six weeks later, I was at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles having surgery to remove the tumor and relieve the pressure on my optic chiasm. Through the Grace of God and the skill of the outstanding medical staff, the tumor was 99% removed, and my vision has been healed. I am so grateful to Jesus and the doctors for the success of the operation but the procedure had its share of difficulties.

Three Weeks in the ICU

Unfortunately, because of cranial fluid leakage at one point, the pain was almost beyond relief. What was supposed to be a few days in the hospital turned into almost three weeks in the ICU. The consistent headaches made it impossible to think, no matter pray and this is where God touched my faith. Now, I can truly see the meaning of St. Paul's words to the Roman that emphasized the blessings of suffering. (Rom 5:3-5)

In the hospital, I was confined to a bed for 85% of the day. While being incarcerated to my mattress, I realized that God is present even when you cannot do your morning prayers or read His Bible. Despite the three surgeries and my arms so sore from I.V.s, my belief in the Lord never wavered. Our belief does not rely on our ability to think. We are called to know Jesus and this relationship transcends all understanding.

What This Means for Our Mission

All this relates directly to the work of Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage. We teach the boys and families that, even though we suffer and we cannot make sense of the craziness of the world, it does not mean you don't believe. The small babies who come to us from the streets of Tijuana and are addicted to drugs can still know God. That infant experiences Jesus through the loving care of the missionaries holding them. The teenage boys in their rebellious years learn to know God by the stable home that we give them to grow and mature. The young adults who serve realize that the Lord exists in the most dire situations, because even though poverty can be crushing, God is still working.

Therefore, Jesus is healing all of us and the cure to our sickness is to know Him being assured He is always with us.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out with prayers and messages of concern. We are very grateful for your care and for keeping our children and staff in your thoughts.

We are happy to share that everyone at Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage is safe, and our daily operations continue as normal. Our staff is currently on site in Rosarito, and the children are in school and going about their regular routines.

 As you know, our orphanage is located in a quiet residential area, and there have been no impacts to our programs.

At this time, everything remains stable.

Thank you again for your continued prayers and support.

In Christ,

Fr. Nicholas Andruchow & the Staff of Project Mexico and St Innocent Orphanage

FOrCE Speaker Series 2026: Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists

The FOrCE Speaker Series 2026 launches on February 19 with an inspiring opening session led by Fr. Theodore, setting the tone for a powerful season of faith, service, and vocational discovery. Hosted by Project Mexico in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, this free online speaker series is designed to equip and inspire young Orthodox Christians as they discern their next steps in education, ministry, and leadership.

Through engaging, faith-centered conversations, the FOrCE Speaker Series connects participants with clergy, educators, and lay leaders who share real-world insights on living out the Orthodox faith through service, mission, and Christian higher education. Each session invites viewers to reflect deeply, ask meaningful questions, and explore how God may be calling them to serve the Church and the world.

🎥 Watch live or on demand and journey alongside others who are passionate about faith in action. Whether you’re exploring Orthodox education, mission work, or leadership opportunities, the FOrCE Speaker Series offers encouragement, clarity, and inspiration for the road ahead.

As we celebrate the Nativity of our Lord, we are reminded that Christmas is first and foremost a story of love made visible — of God drawing near to His people and offering hope to the world.

This Christmas season, we invite you to experience that joy through our newly released video, “A Joyful Christmas at Project Mexico.” It offers a glimpse into the life of our mission during this holy season — filled with prayer, gratitude, laughter, and the quiet beauty of lives being shaped by Christ’s love.

From the boys at St. Innocent Orphanage to the families and volunteers who call Project Mexico home, this video reflects what makes our mission so special: a community rooted in faith, service, and hope. It is a reminder that joy is often found not in abundance, but in love freely given and received.

As you watch, we invite you to reflect on the ways Christ continues to work through this mission — and through the generosity of those who support it. This season, your prayers, your encouragement, and your gifts help make moments like these possible.

May this glimpse of Christmas at Project Mexico bring warmth to your heart and remind you of the enduring joy found in serving others in Christ’s name.

This season, joy can be multiplied.

Every gift given to Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage is currently being matched dollar for dollar, up to $250,000, helping us build homes, care for vulnerable children, and continue sharing Christ’s love through service. If this video moved your heart, we invite you to take part and help us reach the match before the year-end deadline.

Support Homebuilding, Orphan Care, and Faith Formation—Your Gift Is Matched

Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage have updated their Annual Matching Grant Campaign, allowing supporters to double their impact through a $250,000 matching grant.

All donations made through December 31 will be matched dollar for dollar, directly supporting homebuilding efforts, care for orphaned and vulnerable children, and faith-based mission programs.

The expanded matching grant reflects the generosity of donors committed to strengthening families, forming youth, and sharing Christ’s love through service.

Give before December 31 to have your gift matched and help build homes, heal hearts, and grow faith.

How Two Years in the Mission Field Changed My Life by Presbytera Faeli Karcher

A Personal Journey of Faith, Calling, and Transformation at Project Mexico

I sat cross legged on the cold, somewhat dusty, concrete floor of the pavilion. Tiny burrs were sticking to my clothing. Fr Nicholas Andruchow was speaking to the group of us gathered there for prayer after a long day of homebuilding. “I’m going to say something that might shock you,” he stuck out his pinky and it felt like he was pointing right at me, “every Orthodox Christian should spend two years—at least—in the mission field.”

At age sixteen, two years felt like half a lifetime. How could he say that so confidently? “Crazy, I know,” he chuckled, “but it’s true. This action is what cements our faith. Think about the concrete you’ve worked with this week. It’s the hardest part of your week, but it’s essential for the house. Your faith is the same, it needs that cement. Two years! Try it out, sometime.”

Little did I know that I would do just that, and that my feet would walk the smooth concrete of that pavilion floor on countless occasions. God opened a door that I stumbled blindly through, and during the peak and slow decline of the 2020 pandemic, I worked with the boys at St Innocent orphanage. Later on, I helped coordinate the 2023 homebuilding summer. Without intending to fulfil Padre Nicholas’ suggestion (though it came to feel more like a prophecy on my life) I experienced the “cementing” of my faith that he described.

My spiritual life and the deep, inward working parts of my faith now rest on a clear foundation: one that was formed from an odd yet sacred mixture of Mexican dust, fresh figs still warm from the sun, earwigs in my bed, salty tears, Spanish slang, the muddiest Pascha I’ve ever experienced, and many (likely failed) attempts at sincere prayer.

These years were not only my spiritual foundation, but the necessary precursor for the following open doors in my life. If it weren’t for my time at Project Mexico, I likely never would have attended Hellenic College Holy Cross. If I hadn’t attended HCHC when I did, I probably wouldn’t have met my husband. If I hadn’t met my husband, we wouldn’t have gotten married, he wouldn’t have become a priest, and our sweet 6 month old daughter wouldn’t be soundly asleep by my side as I write this.

I will echo those “shocking” words of Fr. Nicholas now. Every Orthodox Christian (that means you!) should spend at least two years in the mission field. For me, this happened when I least expected it, and God used it in countless ways to bless my life and further equip me to serve His Holy Church.

If you find yourself unable to pack your bags and walk out the door at this moment, there are other ways that you can serve the Lord our God until he calls you forth. Please give to Project Mexico and Saint Innocent Orphanage to support those who are doing the work of the Lord: caring for the most vulnerable among us and proclaiming the good news of Christ to the farthest, dustiest, and certainly most beautiful corners of the Earth.

Discover how a summer internship with Project Mexico taught lessons of humility, perseverance, and faith.

By Jasmine Hunter
Project Mexico Intern 2025

It was my last build week of the summer, and I was convinced that I was going to mix the whole concrete pad we build the house on with whatever strength I had left in my body. It was an ambitious goal, as up until that point, I’d spent most of my concrete days shoveling sand and carrying buckets. Over-confident and amped up on the sugar of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I grabbed a hoe.

An hour or two in, I was mixing in disbelief. I knew in my heart that it was not by my own strength that my muscles continued to pull beyond any capacity I’d known. God was surely there with me, giving me the strength to continue on. I was grateful for about half the pad, but as we neared completion, my thoughts turned towards how proud I’d be when sharing my accomplishments with my friends. 

God, in His loving kindness, didn’t leave me in my prideful temptation. A blister started to form on my left hand. I initially ignored it, but three-quarters of the way through the pad, it burned with a fury. In frustration and disappointment, I passed on the hoe and left to go nurse my wound. Reflecting later on, I couldn’t help but chuckle. It was as if God were telling me, “Remain humble. You think you are indestructible? I took you out with a mere blister!”

My last concrete day is an allegory for my whole experience as a Project Mexico intern this past summer. Coming down to serve in a different country with no experience in construction, I expected to struggle. There were several times when I felt that I’d pushed myself beyond my limits, and yet I held on to the mustard seed of faith that had brought me there. In every moment, I strove to give whatever minuscule strength or effort I could provide, trusting that God would provide the rest, and that through his strength, I could accomplish seemingly impossible things.

Hello, my name is Brandon Omar and I would like to share something that is important to me.

I came to Casa Hogar San Inocencio when I was just 9 years old, along with my brother. Back then, I was a very insecure child, with a lot of pent up anger, who felt alone and always had negative thoughts. I felt like I had no one else in my life besides my brother. However, everything started to change after I arrived.

Casa Hogar San Inocencio is not just an orphanage; it's a true home. It is a place where you feel at peace, cared for, and above all, loved. From the very beginning, I found people who worried about me, who listened to me, and who taught me how to trust again. The tutors and counselors have helped me grow, mature, and changed my outlook on life.

Thanks to them, I am no longer the same fearful and insecure child. Now I am a young man with goals, faith and hope. I have learned that I am not alone and that there are good people who are willing to help and support without asking for anything in return.

One of the greatest pillars in my life is Father Nicholas. He taught me that with God, everything is possible. That if you trust in Him, life can be transformed. He taught me that God does not abandon us, even if life sometimes seems difficult. Thanks to his guidance, my faith has grown and my spiritual life has become very important to me. Today I understand that church is not just a place, it is a family that supports you.

Over time, I have accomplished things that I could have never imagined. I flew in an airplane for the first time, I excelled in the sport that I love, and now I study in one of the best schools in Tijuana. Every accomplishment that I have, I value, because I know where I came from and how much it cost me to get to where I am now.

Thanks to God, Father Nicholas, my tutors, and everyone at Casa Hogar San Inocencio, I am a better person today. I am not perfect but I am someone that strives, who believes and who wants to succeed.

Don’t we all wish that Christ will speak to us and say, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”? (Luke 23:43)

Project Mexico is a taste of Paradise, even though it started from humble beginnings.  In 1987, the founders, Greg and Margaret Yova, had few resources, limited experience working with orphans, and virtually no track record of running a multifaceted international Orthodox ministry.  But with ample faith and little resources, they accomplished so much.  Not having enough money to pay the mortgage, salaries or buy groceries made the ministry’s foundation precarious.  And these two young adults laid the foundation for the largest young adult short-term mission organization in the world.  From a little seed so much has grown.

I remember when I first arrived at Project Mexico in 1995.  I had no intention of committing my life to Christ in third-world conditions, but Jesus had other plans.  As a layman, I visited for two weeks, and it turned into three years.  After leaving in 1999, attending seminary and running a small church in Arizona for ten years, I returned to Mexico in 2011 with three children and a wife.  My bishop blessed me to leave parish life for two years with the intent to return to America.  Those two years have turned into 15 years of serving the Church via Project Mexico.  Both tours grew from a spark of dedication and were transformed into a tenure of service. God converted a humble leap of faith into close to two decades of laborers.  Jesus’ power changes the smallest effort into abundant success.

Recently, one of the boys commented that the St. Innocent Orphanage is a type of paradise.  He arrived only eight years old and had barely survived the terrors of Tijuana.  He ran away from home because of all the abuse and tried to avoid the Mexican government, knowing how unhealthy the state boys’ shelters are.  Eventually, the authorities found him and his brother homeless on the streets.  He always had faith that there was going to be something better, which is why he fled his horrible family life.  He found something so much better, the St. Innocent Orphanage.  Both he and his brother are safe, receiving a good education and feel the love of Jesus every day.  Their little faith has been turned into a life of Paradise.

Thousands of young adults from all Orthodox jurisdictions in America have come to Mexico to make a difference and build homes.  They believe in Jesus Christ and that has given them the courage to serve in stressful third-world conditions.  Their youthful faith has converted this missionary ministry into an ambitious labor that runs the only Orthodox Orphanage in the hemisphere.  Possibly these young volunteers are not seminary trained, nor are they international entrepreneurs or graduates of master's programs in anthropology, but they have faith.  Faith that is little, young and might seem minuscule has moved mountains.  Paradise has been planted.  Come and see this piece of paradise for yourself just south of the border in Tijuana.

Take the next step in faith. Contribute to our Matching Grant Campaign and transform lives with a doubled gift.

Project Mexico Announces $200,000 Annual Matching Grant Campaign

Year-End Donations Will Be Doubled Through December 30, Supporting Homes and Hope for Families and Orphaned Children

Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage announced on November 1st the launch of its Annual Matching Grant Campaign, an opportunity for supporters to double the impact of their giving through a generous dollar-for-dollar match—up to $200,000—now through December 31, 2025.

For more than 35 years, Project Mexico has been dedicated to serving the most vulnerable through its longstanding homebuilding ministry and the nurturing environment of St. Innocent Orphanage. The Annual Matching Grant Campaign plays a critical role in sustaining these life-changing programs by allowing donors to stretch their support dollars further than at any other time of year.

“This matching grant is one of the most impactful opportunities for supporters to help us continue our mission,” said Executive Director Father Nicholas Andruchow. “Every dollar given effectively becomes two—directly supporting the boys in our care and helping families in need receive safe, secure housing.”

Donations made during the campaign will support:

• Safe, stable homes for families living in substandard conditions

• Daily care, education, and spiritual development for the boys at St. Innocent Orphanage

• Long-term sustainability of Project Mexico’s ministry and outreach efforts

With the rising need for support across the communities Project Mexico serves, the matching grant offers donors a powerful way to amplify their generosity and make a tangible difference.

Supporters are encouraged to make their contributions before December 30 to ensure their gifts are fully matched.

San Diego, CA — October 31, 2025 — Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage are delighted to announce the launch of their 2025 Online Benefit Auction, now live through Saturday, November 22, 2025. This annual event provides supporters near and far with a meaningful way to help transform the lives of orphaned boys, infants, and families in need throughout Mexico.

The online auction features a variety of exciting items, including tickets to the World Famous San Diego Zoo, Indoor Skydiving, and tickets to a San Francisco 49ers game. Each experience has been donated by generous supporters, with all proceeds directly benefiting the children of St. Innocent Orphanage and Project Mexico’s mission to serve the poor through housing, education, and spiritual development.

“Each bid is an act of love that directly supports our mission,” said Fr. Nicholas Andruchow, Executive Director of Project Mexico. “Whether you join us in person or online, your participation helps bring stability, care, and faith to those who need it most.”

Supporters are encouraged to start bidding today and check back frequently, as new items will be added throughout the auction period. The online auction will conclude during the Project Mexico Benefit Dinner at Resurrection Orthodox Church in Castro Valley, CA, on Saturday, November 22 at 8:00 PM PST.

In addition to the auction, attendees of the Benefit Dinner will enjoy an inspiring evening of fellowship, live music, authentic Mexican cuisine, and updates from the mission field.

Event Details

📅 When: Auction open now through November 22, 2025
📍 Benefit Dinner: Saturday, November 22, 2025 – Resurrection Orthodox Church, Castro Valley, CA
💻 Auction Website: Start Bidding Here »

All proceeds from the auction and Benefit Dinner help sustain Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage’s year-round work—providing safe homes, education, and spiritual guidance to children and families in need.

To learn more about the auction, purchase Benefit Dinner tickets, or become a sponsor, please visit www.projectmexico.org/benefit-dinner.

There’s something special about a product made by hand, grown with care, and rooted in love and faith. Padre’s Fig Jam isn’t just a delicious spread—it’s a taste of hope and compassion that reaches far beyond the kitchen table.

Harvested from sun-ripened figs grown on the grounds of St. Innocent Orphanage in Rosarito, Mexico, this small-batch jam is crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients. Every jar reflects the care of our community and the beauty of God’s creation. But what truly makes Padre’s Fig Jam unique is its purpose.

All proceeds directly support Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage, helping us continue our mission of building homes for families in need and providing care for orphaned children. Each purchase helps us house, feed, and educate children while empowering volunteers to serve Christ through love and service.

Whether you spread it on warm bread, drizzle it over cheese, or gift it to a loved one, Padre’s Fig Jam brings sweetness with meaning. It’s more than a jar of jam—it’s a way to be part of something lasting, something that transforms lives.

Your support helps us grow not just fruit, but faith, hope, and opportunity.

Shop Padre’s Fig Jam today and savor the difference your generosity makes. Together, we can continue to build homes, nurture children, and spread love—one spoonful at a time.

We’re excited to invite you to a very special evening! On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage will host our Annual Benefit Dinner at Resurrection Parish in Castro Valley, California. This cherished event brings together friends, families, and community members with one shared purpose: to support vulnerable children and families in need across Mexico.

Why This Dinner Matters

Every year, your generosity makes a direct impact on the lives of orphaned boys, infants, and toddlers at St. Innocent Orphanage. Proceeds also support Project Mexico’s mission of building homes for families living in poverty, providing access to education, and offering opportunities for spiritual growth.

Father Nicholas Andruchow, our Executive Director, reminds us why this night is so meaningful:

“This dinner is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a chance to come together as a community and change lives. Every ticket purchased and every sponsorship secured directly supports children who deserve safe shelter, nurturing care, and the hope of a brighter future.”

What to Expect

The evening will feature:

• A warm and inspiring program

• Fellowship with friends and supporters

• Opportunities to make a lasting difference for children in our care

Event Details

📍 Where: Resurrection Parish, Castro Valley, CA
📅 When: Saturday, November 22, 2025
🎟 Tickets & Sponsorships: Available now

Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels, offering both individuals and businesses a meaningful way to give back while being recognized for their support.

Be Part of the Impact

Your participation helps us continue our mission that began in 1988—building safe homes, offering loving care, and giving children a brighter future rooted in faith and compassion.

👉 Reserve your spot today at www.projectmexico.org/benefit-dinner.

Together, we can turn this evening into a celebration of hope and transformation. We can’t wait to see you there!

Greetings! My name is Wyatt. I have a longish history with Project Mexico as a volunteer and as an intern. This Summer, I am returning to this amazing place for my 4th internship. It has been a struggle, as it is for many, to figure out what exactly it is I am supposed to be doing on earth and where I stand spiritually. Project Mexico relieves the confusion that both these struggles cause for me. I am able to concretely live out God’s Will and stop wondering what it is I am supposed to be doing with my life because I’m busy doing it.

I always want to have direct experiences with Saints and God. I mean direct. I want to see and hear them in front of me because, for some reason, I think that unless I see something, it’s not real. I’ll ask during prayers or while I’m out walking my dog in the morning, which is when I feel particularly brain dead, “God, where are You? What am I supposed to do? Why is life so hard? St. John (Maximovitch), help me!”

Well. Guess what, Mr. Wyatt. The answers are constantly surrounding me. Read the Bible, read and learn about the saints, pray, serve others, go to church, venerate the icons, and receive communion.

It’s not that hard.

The last two years, 2023-2025, have been particularly challenging, mentally and physically. I have a permanent health issue that bothers me on and off and since 2023, I’ve been mentally assaulted by very strong spiritual warfare. It’s been kind of wild, I’ve never been shaken quite like this before. I’ve had a lot of tricks played on me by demons, I think. I also may have gotten some non-tricks too, though, it’s hard for me to tell, even through talking with several priests and friends about it all.

Most of the spiritual warfare I have been hit with revolved around a girl. Classic. The number one way to mess with a man’s emotions and/or entire life is to place a woman in front of him. That or some good food. I never managed to obtain a date with this girl, but she gave me a lot of trouble, and the demons had some fun messing around in my head with the thought of her. I really thought that it was God’s Will for me to marry this girl. She’s not Orthodox, which was the big kicker because I’m a little bit dead set on marrying (if I can ever manage it) an Orthodox woman because to help build a strong family, I would say that the parents need to be on the same page, Faith-wise.

I was so upset that it wasn’t working out that it got really hard to do the little things in life, the little God’s Wills. I was stuck on the future, big picture, God’s Will, i.e., career path and how the heck am I going to marry this girl and had to fight extra hard to accomplish the small things. Project Mexico takes away the big picture and helps me focus on the little things. The little Wills.

All in all, Project Mexico tends to reveal my inner being. It helps me focus on God’s Will and shows me where my spiritual state lies. Through its simple living and intensely concentrated population of strong Orthodox Christians, it tends to show me if I’m on the right path. If I could put it into one short fictional, comedic yet serious sentence, it would be something like this: “testing testing, 123 how is your spirit? Do you still love Me, Wyatt? I still love you. Build a house.”

I can build a house.

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

“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

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.