The Orthodox Mission to the Pacific islands that our Church ministers to continues with the Grace of God. The harvest is plentiful and the Lord’s workers are few. But in every case, God’s presence is evident.
The Pacific Islands are a vast archipelago with many different cultural and linguistic characteristics, with long distances between them and often difficult living conditions, such as isolation, illiteracy, lack of material and human resources. But our missionaries can bring hope by bringing Christ into the hearts of the people.
They naturally face many challenges in offering their ministry. They have to learn local languages and traditions, as well as cope with local social and climatic conditions. They also have to develop relationships with the locals and adapt to their way of life. Clearly, there is a meeting of different cultures, with different concepts of life and different values of life that need to be understood, coexist and respect each other.
Despite these difficulties, our missionaries are ready to face the challenges with faith, commitment and love. Their faith in Christ and in their common goal of bringing the evangelical teaching of Orthodoxy to the whole world is the necessary asset for them to be able to meet the challenges they face. Moreover, their commitment to their ministry is essential.
Our missionaries who minister on the islands are the great blessing that God has sent. They are the great and essential resource that our Church has at her disposal to make her mission a reality. Without people who are dedicated, faithful, with a willingness to serve and offer to their fellow man, nothing would have been accomplished and nothing good would have been predicted for the future of Orthodoxy in the islands of the Pacific Ocean.
It is our daily prayer and our daily request to Almighty God to reveal to the hearts of worthy and humble people, who are capable of giving, the desire to come and minister to our newly converted brothers and sisters in the islands of the Pacific Ocean. To see the big picture of their offering within the great family of the Orthodox, which knows no borders of states, races of people, languages, concepts and beliefs, but only human souls seeking their Creator and His love.
Please do not forget our missionaries in your prayers and seek also deep in your hearts the way in which the evangelical exhortation “make disciples of the nations” will become a reality in your lives.
Happy Great and Holy Lent 2023
✝ Myron of New Zealand
