Westward Bound by John Touloupis

I turned off Louisiana County Road 169 onto I-20 East towards Shreveport. I was traveling back to school in Oxford, Mississippi, after spending the long weekend in Austin, Texas, with my girlfriend. I turned off the politics podcast I had been listening to for the past hour. I only put the show on to try something new since I already heard every single possible hot take on sports radio about the new-look Cavaliers team as a result of the trade deadline. No one knows where Lebron is going to play basketball next year, and I couldn’t bear to hear another opinion on the topic. I don’t know how or why or what lead me to it, but I decided to search Ancient Faith Radio in the podcast search bar on my iPhone. Even though I’m a huge fan of podcasts, I’ve never listened to Ancient Faith Radio and didn’t know it was a podcast network. Scrolling through the shows while trying to keep my eyes on the road, I queued up a podcast about the prodigal son, a familiar story I felt comfortable with and thought I knew a lot about.

Fr. Josiah Trenham described the parable as a “picture of our entire earthly lives.” Everyone knows the Sunday school classic of the prodigal son. A father has two sons, one stays home while the other decides to leave, blowing through his inheritance before humbling himself and returning home. When the son returned, his father rejoiced with a giant feast, much to the dismay of his older brother, who remained loyal and stayed with his father. Angered, the older brother questioned the father’s motives. Why had he never received such a celebration for his dedicated service?

The father comforts his eldest son, saying the celebration was not about him, but about the return, the rebirth, of his youngest son, who was lost, but is now saved.

Even though I’ve heard that story hundreds of times, I wept.

My name is John Touloupis, and I’m a sophomore studying Economics and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Mississippi. My dad was born in Greece, and my mom in the Bahamas. I grew up in the same community where my parents met at the Holy Trinity Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Growing up in the Greek Orthodox Church with my younger brother and sister, I served in the altar, participated in GOYA activities, danced during the Greek festivals, and went to “greek camp” every year. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to travel to Ionian Village in Greece and study our faith during CrossRoad at Hellenic College. My Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage are two major cornerstones I try to use as guiding principles in my daily life.

The keyword here is “try.”

This summer, I am blessed with the opportunity to intern at Project Mexico. Last year, my mom floated the idea of volunteering at Project Mexico with my girlfriend, Steph. My mom described it to me as something on her bucket list, and she told me she would regret it for the rest of her life if we never went. Being a good son, I first made sure my mom knew what she was getting into.

            “You know it’s a lot of manual labor, right?” I asked.

            “I know,” she said.

            “You know we sleep on the ground in tents outside, right?” I asked.

            “I’m aware,” she said.

            “Are you sure you’re going to be able to physically handle this?” I asked.

            “There is only one way to find out,” she said. “We have to go.”

So last summer, my mom, Steph, and I went to Project Mexico together as volunteers for the first time.

This summer, I’ll be going back.

And I’m terrified.

I don’t think I’m a great Orthodox Christian. My prayer is alright. I really, really don’t like fasting. I barely go to church when I’m at school because I’m either too tired after socializing in the Grove all day Saturday, overwhelmed with schoolwork, or a combination of both. I’m scared I’ll spend my summer away from my family for the first time in a foreign country, speaking a language I’m not in fluent in.

My life as a 19-year-old college student is busy. I am constantly attempting to balance and maintain my GPA, sensible social life and healthy lifestyle, lesson my anxiety by fighting panic attacks and generally trying to be as organized as humanly possible. These nearly impossible tasks are even harder when I neglect my spiritual life. I could’ve worked at summer camps, helped at my parent’s restaurant, or interned in Washington D.C., instead, I’ll be in Mexico trying to work on myself while using my talents to help serve Project Mexico.

After much thought and reflection, I truly felt a call to return to Project Mexico. One of my biggest takeaways from my time at CrossRoad several summers ago was the notion of vocation. During the program, we were challenged to not only discover our strengths, but specifically find a way to use them to serve our church. As a Broadcast Journalism student, I love writing, taking pictures, shooting videos, and ultimately telling stories. After the short week I spent in Mexico last summer, I saw an opportunity to serve the church using my talents.

Project Mexico and the St. Innocent Orphanage carries a beautiful yet overlooked story. 

This summer, my goal is to change that. 

I couldn’t be more excited!

Instead of running around an office doing coffee runs and making copies, I’ll be returning like the prodigal son to Mexico with a camera, computer, and passion to share an incredible story.

This summer, I start my new adventure in Mexico, won’t you join me for the ride?

Internships Open for 2018 - Apply Today

Without the hard work of Interns each year, Project Mexico would not be able to continue our summer Home Building Program. Interns are a critical part of a community and for that, we thank God for you. People who are willing to give a summer of their time in serving others are the type of people who truly make a positive impact in the world. 

Every summer we witness a beautiful process of growth and learning. Week by week, groups of volunteers travel to build a home for a needy family and leave changed and inspired by their experience. Your main role as a Home Building Intern would be to make that experience smooth, productive and meaningful for these volunteers. 

As an intern your responsibilities may include guiding volunteers in how to build a home, cleaning bathrooms, reaching out and connecting with young mission-minded youth.

We believe and thrive in a healthy balance of hard work and recovery. 

This includes beach days, taco runs and time with our boys who live at the orphanage.  

Details:

*           Length of Internship: 1-3 Months

*           Where: Saint Innocent Orphanage, Tijuana, Mexico

*           When: Summer 2018 homebuilding season (May-August) 

*           Develop Leadership skills, Construction skills, and Spanish

*           Meet Like-Minded Orthodox Christians

*           Learn Construction Techniques 

*           Experience Mission-Based Service

*           Lead Volunteer Groups in Construction

*           Facilitate Volunteers on Site at Project Mexico

*           Become an Ambassador of Hope

Applicants will need to: 

*           Fundraise to Cover Expenses

*           Practice Spanish Skills 

*           Prepare Spiritually for the Mission Field

*           Arrive with an Attitude of Service and Cultural Respect

*           Love as Christ Loves Us

Application Due November 30, 2017. 

Celebrate St. Innocent Day Sun. Oct. 8th 2017

With your support we can continue our ministry, providing hope for our boys and for families in Mexico. 

Blessed feast of St. Innocent of Alaska! Born in the village of Anginsk, Russia, he was the Apostle of America and Siberia, proclaiming the Gospel abroad like Psalm 19:4, "Their sound went into all the earth, and their word unto the ends of the world."

To celebrate Saint Innocent's blessed feast day, we ask your participation in this nationwide fundraiser! 

There are three ways to get involved: 

1. Give Today by donating in the offering tray passed specifically for Saint Innocent Orphanage and mail offerings directly to: 
   
   ATTN: St. Innocent Day 2017
   Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage
   P.O. Box 120028, Chula Vista, CA 91912
   
    
2. Donate ONLINE at http://weblink.donorperfect.com/stinnocentfeastdaydonation
    
3. Download this Printable St. Innocent Day flier for your distribution at your Parish.

Painting Hope

View fullsize

When we think of paint, what comes to mind?

For many, we think about someone, an artist perhaps, sitting comfortably in the process of depicting a colorful picture with vibrant colors or using a specific color to paint a certain room in a house.

But, what do these images have in common?

Both reveal that it is a preference to some people to reveal their own uniqueness through their color choice or what they are composing on a canvas; a method of expression.

That is exactly what Project Mexico reveals through the use of lime whitewash used to finish families’ homes around Tijuana built by our generous volunteers. Through our work with Project Mexico, we bring to light our uniqueness.

The lime wash is not just a color but it is a symbol of hope. Project Mexico is an organization that was built on hope and when we finish a home with lime paint, it tells a story.

A story, experience, and communion with humanity shared by those who worked long hours on the home to provide shelter for a family in need.

Each time we pass by a white, lime-washed home built by volunteers and missionaries through Project Mexico, it instantly uncovers a story of hope and a symbol of love and strength.

It reminds us who we are as an organization and what we stand for.

By Emilia Gimmaka

Graduation Announcement July 2017

Our Boys Are Growing Up!

Paul graduated from high school with high marks and has been accepted to Universidad
Autonoma de Baja California. He will begin classes majoring in History and has expressed
a passion and desire to teach and write historical texts. We are proud of Paul's dedication to school and ability to enter into this prestigious public university. He has excelled in other areas as well, working at the local movie theater!

Ignacio, Efrain, Anselmo, and Kevin represent our first generation of homeschool graduates! They worked hard over the past three years, increasing their knowledge and maturing into responsible and engaged students. Ignacio, Anselmo, and Efrain are headed to Ibero, a prestigious private Jesuit high schools in Tijuana.

Kevin, on the other hand, will be attending Altazor, a private high school dedicated to teaching the visual arts. A gifted photographer with an excellent eye, this is a great step forward for Kevin as he continues to develop as an artist and visual storyteller.

"Birds" by Kevin

One of our younger boys, Valentin graduated sixth grade! This earnest young man has overcome daunting obstacles with grace and perseverance. We are pleased and proud to announce Valentin will be entering the St. Innocent Homeschool Program, blessing our dedicated teachers with his pleasant and loving demeanor.

Graduationsare always a time for celebration as it reminds us that change and
forward progress is possible. We are grateful to our teacher's Charity, Leo and Noelle. They have worked so hard to ensure that our boys receive the guidance necessary to accomplish their goals.

We are grateful to our donors and their continued support for our School Buddies program. Each note of encouragement, prayer and generous donation ensures our boys have the opportunity to attend school and keeps our middle school teachers doing the great work they do so our other boys can succeed as well. 

To support our orphans through our School Buddies program, you can make a tax-deductible donation today!

Donate