OCMC

Published by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, November 24, 2004

Called To Love - OCMC's Agape Canister Program

by Amy Barrett, OCMCs' Agape Canister Coordinator

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also have love for one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:34-35.

We are called by the Lord to love each other. He says that others will know we are His disciples by the love we show one another. Jesus’ disciples showed their love for the Lord and for each other by obeying His command and spreading His Word to all nations. One of the most effective ways to spread the Orthodox Faith is by being a good Christian example; by living a good Christian life. What does it mean to show love for one another? Further, how can we show love to those we do not know?

One way is through giving of our time and efforts to help others less fortunate than us. A perfect example of this is what our Agape Partners do. They give a few moments of their time each month to gather the money collected in Agape Canisters which they have placed in local businesses and churches. This is how they help to make a huge difference in the lives of those who are in great need around the world. Agape Partners answer Christ’s command to love one another by showing love for people they do not even know. The money they collect helps to support medical clinics, orphanages, feeding programs and other educational and social programs around the world.

KENYA

In many areas around the world there are few comforts. In rural villages in Kenya, for example, women line up with their children and wait for hours upon hours for vaccinations. No appointments are taken and most have walked many miles to get there. Those who support the Agape Canister Program show their love for these mothers by supporting the possibility of the purchase of better medicines, the payment of nurses and the existence of a rural clinic. There are few pharmacies outside of the big cities and villages and the preciousness of actually being able to get medicine in smaller villages cannot be measured. Most clinics do not have access to sophisticated medicines; only basic antibiotics, ointments and cough syrups. The Agape Canister Program supports a primary care clinic in Chavogere, Kenya that provides these basic treatments to the people of Chavogere and the surrounding villages.

ROMANIA

This hard way of life does not only exist in Africa. In Romania, in the city of Cluj, it is estimated that 72 infants are abandoned a year by mothers who are terrified and know they will not be able to support their children. This has caused severe overcrowding in state run child care facilities. So much so that many babies are not held, handled or stimulated enough. Not only will these children grow up knowing they were abandoned, they will grow up with severe developmental and emotional problems because there are not enough nurses to take care of them all. Those who support Agape help to create a refuge for abandoned babies. The Protection of the Theotokos Center, which is partially supported by the Agape Canister Program, is a place where they are cared for and shown the love they deserve; a way to lessen the burden on an already overburdened system.

Those who support Agape help to create a refuge for abandoned babies. The Protection of the Theotokos Family Center in Romania is partially supported by OCMC’s Agape Canister Program.

ALASKA

In rural Alaska, substance abuse is a critical problem. Due to recent state budget cuts, it is a problem that is not being adequately addressed. There is a great need for Church sponsored counseling services as the following statistics indicate:

In the age group 25 to 34, American Indian males die almost three times more frequently than their non- Indian counterparts from motor vehicle crashes; they are twice as likely to commit suicide; they are seven times more likely to suffer from alcohol-related problems, such as cirrhosis of the liver. Alaska Native males ages 15 to 24 have a suicide rate 14 times the national average. (www.samhsa.gov)

Funds raised by the Agape Canister Program help train seminarians to become certified substance abuse counselors who will counsel those who suffer from substance abuse problems and guide them back to the Light of Christ. These seminarians are further empowered to spread the love Agape Partners have shown them, to those who seek treatment.

Now we have a challenge. The examples above are only three of the 12 projects Agape helps to support. There is so much need in the world; imagine how much more we can do. If you are already an Agape Partner, consider placing more canisters. For those who are not yet a part of the program, consider joining us as we seek to obey the Lord’s new commandment. Together we can not only help those in need, but show the world we are the Disciples of Christ by our love for one another.

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The Orthodox Christian Mission Center: Helping Orthodox Christians respond to Christ's call to preach, teach, baptize, minister to the poor and make disciples of all nations as the official international mission agency of SCOBA.



Volume 6 Number 48 - Tuesday, November 30th, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY