Our children’s poignant stories continue
How important is the work of our Church, as we strive with toil and sacrifice to continue on the path shown to us by our Holy Elders, who were our spiritual Fathers and guides on the long journey we have traversed for more than four decades. I feel that we have done almost nothing yet and that our path will still be long, to fully fulfill our mission and thus fill the gaps we did not manage to cover.
As we all know, the summer months are a holiday period for most of us. Here, however, in our own field, that is, of the Mission, it is the time for our pastoral visits to all areas under our spiritual jurisdiction. As we noted previously, the distances and climatic conditions trouble us, because from one day to the next we travel hundreds of kilometers. Thus, during our journey, we find an area where there is terrible cold, as we need four blankets to sleep comfortably at night, and then, in another area, we feel that we cannot endure the high temperature. These are the things we experience and taste all these years, without complaints or grievances. We know that everything is part of God’s plan and we find peace, since all that belongs to His wisdom and providence strengthens us for our own benefit.
So, I was traveling to one of the remote places, to an area where the inhabitants lack everything, water and food! My God, what a sight that was! I thought I was dreaming. What to recall first. I saw the people, and especially the children, looking at me, and I felt that they were expecting something from me. What could I do and where to begin?
So, we entered the schoolyard, made of mud. Dust everywhere and scorching sun. The children were waiting. Meanwhile, our hero, the priest, had informed me earlier about the prevailing situation. Thus, two trucks arrived at the same time: one full of food and the other with water. One can understand the joy of the children and their teachers, whom, as I noted in a previous report, I call heroes! It is impossible to remain indifferent.
For this reason, both education and food, we believe as the Orthodox Church, are our obligation, so that we may help our forgotten and suffering brethren in Africa. We are not indifferent, but we feel it is our duty to support them. We are commissioned by God and our Lord not to be indifferent, nor to wrong those who are created by our Creator Himself. We are here to elevate the living standards of our faithful in all areas. This dedicated effort of ours, of course, needs support from those who have understood the meaning of foreign mission. Therefore, we must not be indifferent to all this virtue of love, acceptance, charity, and support. This act of charity precisely reflects the fulfillment of the commandment of love towards our wronged brethren, our neighbor, who is the same as us, “he who hungers and thirsts for righteousness.” That is why we, humble servants of the Holy Fathers of our Church, are the defenders of their rights.
Water, therefore, gives life to man, especially to small and innocent children. It is essential for the continuation of life. The same applies to food. We seek, therefore, to save lives. Through the actions of our Church, we will reduce death, misery, and pain. Consider that, according to United Nations statistics, 395,000 children may die within a year because they do not have access to clean drinking water, but only to contaminated water. This information is based on an announcement by the World Health Organization. It is truly unacceptable that governments in underdeveloped countries are indifferent to providing clean drinking water for the protection of public health, we repeat, of young children. And the same organization assures us, after on-site investigations, that in many countries it is impossible to secure drinking water to reduce deaths and diseases, since these governments rule us and decisions are made accordingly. Especially in the sensitive area of the African continent.
Orthodox Africa is not a simple matter; it is the place where faith in the mystery of the Church is revealed and confessed, and the harmony of ecclesiastical ethos and body is manifested. Through these, the authenticity of man’s spiritual wealth is intellectually manifested, where the authentic way of love and the power of His creation are ascertained. We are bound by this reality. Any unrealistic behavior brings disappointment and closes the doors and windows of truth and reality.
Our thoughts and actions must not be driven by “supposed interest” and “self-deification.” The practical application of the Gospel saying about love, humility, and reconciliation is expressed in the best possible way when individualism and egocentrism are crushed. If we correctly assess our dynamic arsenal, then we will realize that prosperity, ultimately, in our journey is crowned with success through faith “working through love” and “we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).
