St Nicholas 2016 Update

Dear friends,

Blessed fast!

Greetings from the end of the semester at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Last time we wrote, Daphne, Peter and I were settling in after our move here from Canada. Now we’ve been in New England for over three months.

Peter holds St Nicholas’ staff

My midterms went well, and with your prayers I’m on my way to a strong finish for the semester. My parish assignment— St George Orthodox Church in Norwood, MA— is treating us like family. I help with religious education, and preached my second homily this past Sunday. Classes were cancelled on Tuesday for a campus-wide celebration of St Nicholas Day. Peter, along with other children of students, especially enjoyed a visit from St Nicholas that afternoon.

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Update – Holy Cross 2016

Dear friends,

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

– John 12:32

Greetings from Boston!

The past month has been eventful. In early August Daphne, Peter and I loaded up a moving truck and drove out from British Columbia. Over the following twelve days we passed eight mountain ranges; followed the Oregon Trail; crossed the Columbia, the Platte, the Missouri, the Mississippi, the Ohio, the Monongahela and the Hudson; and spent good time with many dear friends and relatives. In late August, because of your prayers, we arrived safely at our new home in Jamaica Plain on the campus of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

Update – Ss Peter & Paul 2016

Dear friends,

Furaha na amani!

This greeting, common in the Orthodox Church in Tanzania, comes from the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Romans (15:13):

Mount Peter and Mount Paul

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 
As we seek this God-given hope through the joy and peace of faith, we remember the Holy Apostle Paul especially now in the days following the feasts of the Holy Apostles.

Since our son Peter was born, we have celebrated every feast of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul in the Nicola Valley of the British Columbia interior. The feast falls just before Canada Day on July first, which we mark there with Daphne’s parents at a lakeside campground. It was also our third time to attend Divine Liturgy in the shadows of Mount Peter and Mount Paul at the lovely, hospitable Ukrainian Orthodox Church of All Saints in nearby Kamloops, BC.

Update – Resurrection 2016

Dear friends,

Kristo amefufuka! Christ is risen!

Just after Pascha 2010, I arrived in Tanzania as a brand-new Missionary with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. My job assignment seemed clear: learn Swahili, work at the Church office in Mwanza, help with OCMC Teams and Archdiocese youth programs.

By God’s mercy, with your prayers and loving support, I did these things. But I found myself deeply underqualified for other assignments and expectations. Within months, I realized that I desperately lacked a solid theological education. Six years have passed, and now we’re off to seminary!

Springtime is bright here in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Trees are in bloom and strawberries are in. A lush and brilliant summer awaits. Peter is now three years old, and Daphne has been working in Home Health as a Registered Nurse for over two years. Our time near Daphne’s family, and with Holy Nativity Antiochian Orthodox Church in Langley, BC has been richly blessed.

Update – St Nicholas 2015

Dear friends,

Greetings once again from Abbotsford, British Columbia. The Pacific winter is upon us- damp, dark and chilly. I’m looking forward to next year, where I suspect New England may be much colder but should also have a bit more sunshine.

We are all doing well. Daphne continues her work as a Registered Nurse for Home Health, helping patients live at home with support from the local health authority. Peter is growing and thriving. He particularly loves jumping in puddles with his dinosaur boots. When you ask how old he is, he declares “Two!” with authority. Peter’s schedule- swimming, music class, playdates, adventures in the park no matter the weather- keeps me busy enough, but I’ve also started teaching two very different classes.

Update – Holy Cross 2015

Dear friends,

Through the Cross, joy has come into all the world.
– Matins of Resurrection

Greetings from Abbotsford, British Columbia.

As autumn begins, Daphne, Peter and I begin our third year of life here
in the green Fraser Valley.

These years have found us rooted in the life and worship of Holy
Nativity Orthodox Church in Langley, BC. We have grown together as a
family, near Daphne’s family, being nourished and strengthened by the
love of God. Daphne has had good work as an RN and Home Health Case
Manager. My immigration status still bars me from employment, but my
time is filled managing the household and caring for our
two-and-a-half-year-old son.

Hargrave Update – Holy Cross 2014

September 12, 2014

 

Dear Friends,

Glory to Jesus Christ!

And greetings from the Hargrave family farm in Alachua County, Florida,
where all James’ siblings and their families have gathered together with
Mom and Dad and Grandma Hargrave. (Babu, Goko, and Great-Grandma to the
youngsters.) This is the first time that all five cousins of the new
generation have been at the farm. They range in age from four months to
two years, so you can imagine the fun.

We haven’t communicated in a long time, and would like to update you.

News from the Hargraves

Dear friends,

 

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

– Matthew 11:28 – 30

 

Greetings to you all from Mwanza, Tanzania.

 

Daphne, Peter Henry and I just returned here a few hours ago, after spending the last month in Nairobi, Kenya where we traveled for pediatric and other appointments, to collect our son’s Canadian passport, and to take a much needed rest from life in Mwanza. It was a very good time of recuperation and refreshment as well as getting a lot of business done.

 

As we have processed the challenging circumstances of the past months we, together with our leadership at the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, have arrived at a major decision.

St Gregory 2013 Update

25 January, 2013

Dear friends,

 

Msiwe na wasiwasi mkisema, “Tutakula nini?” au “Tutakunywa nini?” au “Tutavaa nini?”… Baba yenu wa mbingui anafahamu kwamba mnahitaji yote hayo. Lakini uta futeni kwanza Ufalme wa mbinguni na haki yake, na haya yote mtaongezewa. Kwa hiyo msihangaike kuhusu kesho, kwa sababu kesho itajihangaika yenyewe. Kila siku ina shida zake za kutosha.

 

Do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”… for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

– Matthew 6:31-34

 

Entrance of the Theotokos 2012 Update

Dear friends,

Basi, ninyi si wageni tena, wala si watu wa nje; ninyi ni raia pamoja na watu wa Mungu, na ni watu wa jamaa ya Mungu.

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

– Ephesians 2:19

Greetings from Mwanza, Tanzania. This is James writing.

We’re expecting!