Assistance for Greg & Margaret

for Greg and Margaret Yova,
Founders of Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage

They helped so many, now let's help them.

Over the past 32 years, Greg and Margaret Yova have profoundly impacted the lives of dozens of orphaned boys, 300 of Mexico's poorest families, and 15,000 volunteers from all over the U.S. and Canada as founders of Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage.

Now they need our help.

Both Greg and Margaret have health conditions that caused them to step down from their leadership roles in Project Mexico ten years ago. Since that time, these health conditions have prevented them from working outside their home even before the pandemic began. And now, their primary source of income has been cut off.

 Here's what we can do to help:

·         Share their story with friends and family, especially those who are part of the extended Project Mexico community.

·         Send words of encouragement to Greg and Margaret by clicking "Contact" below.

·         Consider making a donation, no matter how small, to help Greg and Margaret.  100% of donations will be used toward securing their home by paying down their mortgage.

To learn more about their journey and dedication to those in need of help, read their full story below.




 GREG + MARGARET’S JOURNEY

·         It started with a desire to provide American youth with opportunities to serve others…
In 1988 Greg Yova began organizing and bringing young adults from Southern California on weekend service trips across the border.  His energy and enthusiasm were absolutely contagious.  Participation grew rapidly, and soon, side by side, Greg and Margaret were learning the Spanish language, getting to know the people and their culture, educating themselves about home building, and Mexican law and government.  The ministry called Project Mexico was born.  With the blessing of their spiritual father, the endorsement of all bishops through SCOBA, and the participation of clergy and groups from multiple Orthodox Christian jurisdictions, they led more and more people of all ages on spiritual retreats and work trips that were completely life-changing, both for those building the homes and the families receiving them. 



 ·         …and then a home for boys without families was built.
In 1992, after realizing there was not a single orphanage in Mexico dedicated to caring for teenage boys, St. Innocent Orphanage was founded as an outgrowth of the homebuilding ministry.  Greg and Margaret continued to work tirelessly to serve and to inspire.  With the help of hundreds of volunteers, horse stalls were transformed into bedrooms, a well was dug, Greg used his engineering and construction background to design an infrastructure of water system, electrical system, and plumbing, and to manage overall construction.  In an effort to be self-sufficient, a first project was the raising of pigs and other livestock.  This proved to be a viable way to provide food and income for the orphanage.  Financial support was raised, staff was hired, and relationships were formed with government agencies to give orphaned boys a safe and stable home, a good education, and a loving family. A chapel was built, dedicated to St. Innocent of Alaska, so that the Eucharist and prayer would be at the heart of it all.  The foundation was Christ, the motivation--His Gospel to love “the least of these.” 


 ·         The rest is history.
The growth, the hard work, the joys, the trials, the miracles, the lives of so many people affected by the simple inspiration and dedication of this couple who said, “Yes” to God’s call.  Not only have the lives of people in Mexico been touched, but countless lives across America, Canada, Europe, and many other countries.  The hearts of thousands of volunteers and staff members were inspired to love and serve those of their own families and cities - many of whom were led to serve the Church as missionaries, social workers, clergy, monastics, and full-time church workers.  For some it involved a complete change in career path.  (Project Mexico has also brought together a significant number of couples who ended up getting married!)


·         The journey was not without trials.
Incredibly, while all of this was happening, Greg’s health was under attack.  In 1992, while traveling to raise funds for Project Mexico, Greg contracted an airborne fungal disease called “Valley Fever” - a disease that seriously affects and proves fatal for thousands of people every year.  In the years that followed, he experienced the lingering effects of the Valley Fever, and developed other health complications.


As Greg’s health became increasingly debilitating, and after an extensive Capital Campaign was successfully completed, he gradually began stepping away from directly overseeing the ministry as Executive Director and focused on creating a transition plan that would ensure the integrity of the solid non-profit organization they founded.  Greg's turning over the reins was hastened by a near fatal blood clot.  He officially stepped down in 2010 and Margaret in 2011.   

The plan was for them to return after an appropriate medical leave to take the lead on several major projects, assist with fundraising, and help move the organization towards self-sufficiency.  However, since that time, Greg’s condition has worsened, with the development of more life-threatening and inoperable blood clots, an internal bleed that required being in Intensive Care for ten days, and a reaction to an infusion that nearly put him into a coma.  And in the past year, the need for a total hip replacement has added to his burden.  He suffers from near constant pain.  Ten years ago, Margaret was diagnosed with  Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that affects the entire body, and which is likely the cause of the daily migraine-like headaches with which she has suffered for the past five years.   Her condition is partly manageable, but has prevented her from working outside the home. 

With the desire to create a source of income for themselves and to help care for others, including a plan to give a percentage of the proceeds to the orphanage, Greg and Margaret applied their years of experience crossing the Mexican border to found bordertraffic.com - an app that helps daily commuters navigate multiple border crossings into Mexico.   While this has allowed them to work from home,  it has not yet reached the level of producing income for them.

·         Let's show our gratitude!
As is the case with so many individuals who have the courage to start meaningful ministries, Greg and Margaret stepped out in faith.  They believed that their sacrifice and effort would be blessed, and entrusted their care in old age to the God who provided the necessary resources for the ministry year after year, even in times of extreme economic hardship and spiritual challenge.   


Greg and Margaret continue to live a simple life and to entrust their lives to God, but they have recently experienced the loss of the primary source of income that was helping them to cover their basic living expenses.  We would like to show them our gratitude for having the courage to follow through with the spark of an idea that they turned into a full blown, mature ministry that has blessed and served so many. 

We understand that many of you are facing challenges and uncertainties at this time, however, we also believe that many will want to participate in this campaign to show gratitude and support for Greg and Margaret.  Because they gave the most productive years of their lives to provide homes for Mexican families and orphaned boys, we are asking you to help us to secure their home now.  The proceeds of this campaign will be used to pay down the mortgage on their home in Chula Vista, California, and allow them to focus on the other challenges ahead.

We ask that you give as you are able and inclined.  Any amount will be a huge encouragement for them.  We also ask that you please pray for them.

Thank you for your consideration.  May God bless and guard you and your family during these very unusual and challenging times!

  
Friends of Greg and Margaret
     Khouria Vanessa Kinder 
     Geoff Bray 
     Valerie Yova