UPCOMING MISSION TRIP – GUATEMALA
Tentative Date : January 15, 2025
Project: Assembling icons for 160 Churches
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
2025
160 ORTHODOX CHURCHES ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP!
MISSIONS OF LOVE AND HOPE, (MOLAH) a Christian Orthodox 501c3 organization
(EIN 92-1230217) is starting off the new year with a bang by helping 160 Orthodox Churches in GUATEMALA and COLUMBIA.
WHAT – a team of Orthodox men & women will travel to Guatemala City to assemble
1000 icons and 210 crucifixes for the churches of Guatemala & Columbia.
WHEN – On January 15, 2025, this team will meet in Guatemala City, and travel down to Huehuetemango, by mini bus to the seminary in Huehuetenango. There, under the guidance of Bishop Osios and Fr. John Chakos they will put their love for Christ into action by preparing the wooden base, trimming & cutting the canvas, gluing, assembling & varnishing the icons and crucifixes.
WHY – Many of the churches were converted from other religions, leaving them with minimal supplies for the priests to perform the Orthodox services properly, and to provide the parishioners with the true essence of the Orthodox Faith.
HOW – After previously serving on several mission teams in Kenya and Guatemala, the founders of MOLAH, Ted & Eleni Karamatskos, and Elayne Goldman saw various needs of the communities. Ted saw the need of icons and crucifixes in many of the churches. Ted also saw the need for baptismal fonts and built several fonts, for the churches in Kenya. With his experience, and working alongside Fr. John Chakos, Ted saw the possibility of bringing the icons and crucifixes to Guatemala and Columbia. He also guided several priests and parishes in agricultural projects to help the churches become self-sufficient and avoid hunger. Eleni Karamatskos, on the other hand, worked with the children of Kenya teaching iconography, Christian songs, arts & crafts and sports activities. Ted & Eleni also worked together in preparing a 20year old building as a clinic in Nuevo Concepcion, Guatemala. Elayne Goldman worked with single moms, provided Orthodox education, lead projects defining women’s role in the Orthodox communities, and supported the acquisition of supplies for a new secondary school in central Kenya
OUR REQUEST – There are several ways you can help. First of all, and most importantly, through your prayers, secondly, by choosing to join us on this exciting mission trip, and finally by making a financial donation of any size by:
USPS – Missions of Love and Hope
416 Charles Drive
Elk Grove Village, Il 60007
Zelle – molah501c3@gmail.com
PayPal –molah501c3@gmail.com
OTHER POSSIBLE WAYS TO DONATE:
Be a benefactor and donate the icons for the temple of one church, (6 icons, a crucifix & an icon set of daily Saints for the Narthex) – $1000
Or, Donate in honor of a loved one or family members
TRIP INFORMATION – Date of the trip January 15, 2025. Each participant is responsible for their own airfare to Guatemala City. Possibly paying for hotel accommodations in Guatemala City before the trip and after the end of the project, depending on the coordination of the times of the various flights. Each participant is encouraged to donate a free will offering to His Grace, Bishop Osios to cover the cost of food and transportation to/from Guatemala City. Housing will be provided in the medical team building, dormitory style. There will be opportunities to teach the local children and families about the icons of the church, farming of fruits and vegetables, and the raising of chickens and rabbits.
CONTACT US – molah501c3@gmail.com
Elayne Goldman – 971-235-5548
Eleni Karamatskos – 847-630-9077
WE HOPE AND PRAY YOU WILL JOIN THE TEAM AND SUPPORT PROJECT GUATEMALA 2025.
PLEASE PRAY FOR US
Wishing you a Blessed Advent Season, a Merry Christmas, and a Healthy and Joyous New Year!