Holy Week, the beautiful week before Christ’s Resurrection is a highlight for many Christians. Especially in the Orthodox traditions, there are numerous services leading up to Good Friday and Pascha/Easter/Pascua (in Spanish). Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday with a procession around the grounds with freshly cut palms singing Hosanna, just like those back 2000 years back. Last night, and tonight we have held Bridegroom Matins in the chapel. We sing hymns praising our savior, our Bridegroom who came, died, and trampled down death by death. We’re reminded that we have no garment that is worthy of our bridegroom. But in true love, he saved us from death and allowed us to be sons and heirs of His great kingdom.
Here at the ranch the boys are off for spring break, and will be able to attend all the services this week. We are all growing excited in anticipation of this Sunday. It is a great blessing to have Fr. Evangelos Pepps here with us. Having a priest here for the services makes the services so much more fulfilling.
Please keep us in your prayers here at St. Innocents. Blessed Holy Week and blessed struggle!
Take care, God bless!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
can you believe it's March?
Just wanted to share what’s been happening recently at St. Innocents.
The last couple weeks we’ve been doing some roofing on a couple of our buildings. Up in the sun all day, I’ve developed a serious farmer’s tan. As long as I keep my shirt on, you could almost pass for a Mexican! Well… maybe not yet, but working my way towards that!
Life for the boys has stayed pretty constant recently. We’ve been going through the season of Lent before Pascha/Easter. In a week the boys will be off for a couple weeks for spring break. All of us are looking forward to Holy Week.
Today, after doing some prep for a group coming tomorrow, I was able to join in a large game of futbol. We were playing down on the big field, and it was quite the game with a number of the counselors joining in as well. Two hours of playing, the game settled at 5-3.
Even though it sometimes seems like my Spanish is day to day, one day being passable, other times unintelligible, today at least seemed like a decent day. My comprehension continues to improve, and my speaking the language continues to follow. As always, it’s always an exciting experience when you hear a sentence or conversation, that you couldn’t understand beforehand, but are able to understand now.
The last couple weeks we’ve been doing some roofing on a couple of our buildings. Up in the sun all day, I’ve developed a serious farmer’s tan. As long as I keep my shirt on, you could almost pass for a Mexican! Well… maybe not yet, but working my way towards that!
Life for the boys has stayed pretty constant recently. We’ve been going through the season of Lent before Pascha/Easter. In a week the boys will be off for a couple weeks for spring break. All of us are looking forward to Holy Week.
Today, after doing some prep for a group coming tomorrow, I was able to join in a large game of futbol. We were playing down on the big field, and it was quite the game with a number of the counselors joining in as well. Two hours of playing, the game settled at 5-3.
Even though it sometimes seems like my Spanish is day to day, one day being passable, other times unintelligible, today at least seemed like a decent day. My comprehension continues to improve, and my speaking the language continues to follow. As always, it’s always an exciting experience when you hear a sentence or conversation, that you couldn’t understand beforehand, but are able to understand now.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
comings and goings
Yet again, I find myself writing weeks after my last entry. Things have been super busy recently and I’ve found myself having less and less personal time. Which is good, but of course this leaves little time for blog updating.
However, I’ll try to bring everything up to date. Since I last wrote…
We have a new intern, and I have a new roommate. Tim Morley, he’s taking off a semester from school and spending about three months of it with us. It’s great having another willing pair of hands around the place. He and I have teamed up on a number of projects recently. It’s been great having a roommate and friend to hang out with.
It has rained quite a bit over the last month and a half. It’s beautiful, the fields around the orphanage are covered in yellow flowers. Looking around you could never imagine how dusty and brown it is during the summer time. Currently, it looks more like the garden of Eden.
This weekend the boys were invited to a Soccer Tournament in Mexicali (about three hours away). So the ranch is pretty quiet with all the little ones off jugando futbol.
The orphanage has had another change, as our wonderful librarian Karen has left to move on to other things. She had spent almost two years here and did an amazing job. We all miss her here.
Later this week, I’ll be heading out with Madi, Tim and one of the older boys to go look at the new community that we’ll be building in this summer. I’m very excited. In the next few months Madi will be doing family interviews. Personally, I’m thrilled to be able to tag along and be able to help out.
Differing from past years, this year we will be building for families of native decent. Therefore, we’ll be building for some of the poorest families in the area. Sadly in Mexico there is a great deal of racism. Your skin color has a great deal to with how you are seen and treated in the community. People with darker skin are looked down upon. This goes all the way back to the Spanish settling in Mexico. When the Spanish came, they conquered the native people and became the highest in society. The Spanish of course had lighter skin and the natives darker. Ever since then, the lighter your skin implies that you have that much more Spanish blood in you and therefore are allowed into the higher societies. And vice versa, the darker you are the more native, and lower in society. A very sad thing to see but it is a fact of life for Mexicans.
Ironically, the reason you will see Mexicans have a mustache, or facial hair is due to the whole society order. The Spanish were able to grow facial hair, but the natives were not. Therefore, to show that they belong in a higher class, men will grow mustaches and facial hair to show they are of Spanish decent. I personally find it rather fascinating, and saddening to see this type of racism right in front of my eyes.
On lighter topics, this last week we went through vehicle checks and I was able to change the oil on the cars. I know, 19 years old, I should know how to do that already. However, now I do, and it never felt so good to come out of day, dirty and oily. J
As I’ve written before, life is becoming more normal here. It feels like home. The futbol games on Saturday afternoons, helping one of the boys fix their bikes, going for a walk with a little guy on my shoulders, working on chores with them, hanging out and watching a movie. St. Innocent’s become my home away from home and every day is a blessing to be here.
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
Take care, God Bless!
However, I’ll try to bring everything up to date. Since I last wrote…
We have a new intern, and I have a new roommate. Tim Morley, he’s taking off a semester from school and spending about three months of it with us. It’s great having another willing pair of hands around the place. He and I have teamed up on a number of projects recently. It’s been great having a roommate and friend to hang out with.
It has rained quite a bit over the last month and a half. It’s beautiful, the fields around the orphanage are covered in yellow flowers. Looking around you could never imagine how dusty and brown it is during the summer time. Currently, it looks more like the garden of Eden.
This weekend the boys were invited to a Soccer Tournament in Mexicali (about three hours away). So the ranch is pretty quiet with all the little ones off jugando futbol.
The orphanage has had another change, as our wonderful librarian Karen has left to move on to other things. She had spent almost two years here and did an amazing job. We all miss her here.
Later this week, I’ll be heading out with Madi, Tim and one of the older boys to go look at the new community that we’ll be building in this summer. I’m very excited. In the next few months Madi will be doing family interviews. Personally, I’m thrilled to be able to tag along and be able to help out.
Differing from past years, this year we will be building for families of native decent. Therefore, we’ll be building for some of the poorest families in the area. Sadly in Mexico there is a great deal of racism. Your skin color has a great deal to with how you are seen and treated in the community. People with darker skin are looked down upon. This goes all the way back to the Spanish settling in Mexico. When the Spanish came, they conquered the native people and became the highest in society. The Spanish of course had lighter skin and the natives darker. Ever since then, the lighter your skin implies that you have that much more Spanish blood in you and therefore are allowed into the higher societies. And vice versa, the darker you are the more native, and lower in society. A very sad thing to see but it is a fact of life for Mexicans.
Ironically, the reason you will see Mexicans have a mustache, or facial hair is due to the whole society order. The Spanish were able to grow facial hair, but the natives were not. Therefore, to show that they belong in a higher class, men will grow mustaches and facial hair to show they are of Spanish decent. I personally find it rather fascinating, and saddening to see this type of racism right in front of my eyes.
On lighter topics, this last week we went through vehicle checks and I was able to change the oil on the cars. I know, 19 years old, I should know how to do that already. However, now I do, and it never felt so good to come out of day, dirty and oily. J
As I’ve written before, life is becoming more normal here. It feels like home. The futbol games on Saturday afternoons, helping one of the boys fix their bikes, going for a walk with a little guy on my shoulders, working on chores with them, hanging out and watching a movie. St. Innocent’s become my home away from home and every day is a blessing to be here.
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
Take care, God Bless!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
life keeps moving on
Hi all,
I just wanted to pass along some pictures. Life has been moving along normally. The boys are doing well and we're all excited to be entering the blessed season of Lent.
Recently, I've been working with the boys after school. Either with homework, or supervising them afterwards. Thank the Lord my spanish has been able to benefit from this time. It's very exciting, as sentences are really starting to come together and I'm able to have real conversations. Granted, it is 5+ months in, but better late than never right?
Thursday and Friday I spent the days importing donations into Mexico. It was pretty neat, Friday I had to go through customs and go through the lengthy process on my own. Things went well and I had a nice boarder guard who was very happy to see that they were donations for an orphanage. Yes, it is irritating at times when officials act a little too high and mighty. But every now and then you'll run into a real gem.
Enjoy the pictures, and keep us in your prayers,
Joel
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I just wanted to pass along some pictures. Life has been moving along normally. The boys are doing well and we're all excited to be entering the blessed season of Lent.
Recently, I've been working with the boys after school. Either with homework, or supervising them afterwards. Thank the Lord my spanish has been able to benefit from this time. It's very exciting, as sentences are really starting to come together and I'm able to have real conversations. Granted, it is 5+ months in, but better late than never right?
Thursday and Friday I spent the days importing donations into Mexico. It was pretty neat, Friday I had to go through customs and go through the lengthy process on my own. Things went well and I had a nice boarder guard who was very happy to see that they were donations for an orphanage. Yes, it is irritating at times when officials act a little too high and mighty. But every now and then you'll run into a real gem.
Enjoy the pictures, and keep us in your prayers,
Joel
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Please pray for us
Forgive me for not writing much over the last month. There have been some regrettable changes in the organization.
As many of you know, due to the economy the directors could not pay Fr. Michael Nasser, and Fr. Michael and his family had to leave a couple weeks back.
Secondly, and more recently, our wonderful librarian Karen was fired. I know from personal experience that she was a great blessing to the boys and the orphanage. We are all going to miss her being here.
These decisions have been confusing, and Project Mexico is caught in some serious turmoil right now. Please just keep us in your prayers. Pray that the Lord lets what is best for the boys happen. Talking to some of them recently, they seem very confused with these decisions as well.
Lord have mercy,
joel
As many of you know, due to the economy the directors could not pay Fr. Michael Nasser, and Fr. Michael and his family had to leave a couple weeks back.
Secondly, and more recently, our wonderful librarian Karen was fired. I know from personal experience that she was a great blessing to the boys and the orphanage. We are all going to miss her being here.
These decisions have been confusing, and Project Mexico is caught in some serious turmoil right now. Please just keep us in your prayers. Pray that the Lord lets what is best for the boys happen. Talking to some of them recently, they seem very confused with these decisions as well.
Lord have mercy,
joel
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
the last two weeks
Forgive me for not writing more frequently. For better or worse, things seem to be becoming more and more routine down here. Day to day the stories I used to find new and different, are becoming more normal. I believe that this is a good thing. However, to anyone reading it’s provides less and less to write about. However, I’ll try to summarize what’s been happening the last couple weeks.
The few days after I returned to St. Innocent’s, were filled with a lot of futbol, and hanging out with the boys. All the boys were off for two weeks, some a little bit longer than that. So the few days they were off after I came back, I tried to spend as much of it as possible with them. This definitely helped with the Spanish to say the least.
This past week was spent getting ready for the groups coming on Thursday and Friday. Thursday, a group from Florida came down. The leader of the group is actually a friend of mine, Mero. I had met him in Montreal a few years ago. It was cool, because, his mother and two sisters had come in the group as well, so I got to meet almost his entire family. Mero himself wasn’t able to come until Friday morning. I went and picked him up from the airport, and we were able to catch up a bit on the drive down into Mexico and to the work site.
Friday we were able to stucco a second layer on a house that had been built this past summer. The family we helped were very grateful. The mother and two daughters tried to help us whenever they could. I was able to talk with the two little girls and hear what they were doing in school. I put one of them on my shoulders and then the other girl wanted a ride too. The sound of the girls’ laughter was one of the purest sounds of joy I’ve ever heard. It amazes me sometimes how much we take for granted. The simple things in life, these children took such great pleasure from.
In the evening we had a group come from St. Andrews in Riverside, CA. Those who have read since I arrived may remember me mentioning the Sunday I drove up there in September. The community up there is really inspiring, and Fr. Josiah, Kh. Catherine and their entire family are amazing. Speaking of which, Aiden, Victoria, and Anastasia Trenham were among the group. Saturday both groups worked side by side on two different houses. The chapel was very full that night as we all gathered for Vespers. Following dinner the Riverside group returned up to the states.
Sunday we celebrated a reader’s service with the sad absence of Fr. Michael and the family. Afterwards, Madi, Deanna, the group and I went out into Rosarito for the afternoon. Going through the shops was nice, but it was very sobering to see two women sitting outside asking for a nickel or two. I can spend a dollar or two with out giving it a second thought, when a dollar or two could make their day.
Returning back to the ranch, we had a debriefing for the group. After dinner and evening prayers we headed down to the campfire. I pulled out my guitar and played a bit as the group’s final night faded away like the sparks from the fire.
After the group left Monday the rains came, and since then it hasn’t really stopped. We’re having another El Nino year here and for the next couple weeks we should have quite a bit of rain. Driving in the mud is a lot of fun for sure, but here the rain might as well be a blizzard. Everything stops down in Mexico when it rains, especially if you live off the pavement. I had to run out and do a couple jobs, not even five minutes out there and I was soaked to the bone. Yet as I escaped into my room, and took a nice hot shower I realized how lucky I was. Minutes away people couldn’t escape the cold, in their huts put together with cardboard and boards. The water they couldn’t keep out would create a muddy mess in their dirt floors. Yet here I was complaining?
The few days after I returned to St. Innocent’s, were filled with a lot of futbol, and hanging out with the boys. All the boys were off for two weeks, some a little bit longer than that. So the few days they were off after I came back, I tried to spend as much of it as possible with them. This definitely helped with the Spanish to say the least.
This past week was spent getting ready for the groups coming on Thursday and Friday. Thursday, a group from Florida came down. The leader of the group is actually a friend of mine, Mero. I had met him in Montreal a few years ago. It was cool, because, his mother and two sisters had come in the group as well, so I got to meet almost his entire family. Mero himself wasn’t able to come until Friday morning. I went and picked him up from the airport, and we were able to catch up a bit on the drive down into Mexico and to the work site.
Friday we were able to stucco a second layer on a house that had been built this past summer. The family we helped were very grateful. The mother and two daughters tried to help us whenever they could. I was able to talk with the two little girls and hear what they were doing in school. I put one of them on my shoulders and then the other girl wanted a ride too. The sound of the girls’ laughter was one of the purest sounds of joy I’ve ever heard. It amazes me sometimes how much we take for granted. The simple things in life, these children took such great pleasure from.
In the evening we had a group come from St. Andrews in Riverside, CA. Those who have read since I arrived may remember me mentioning the Sunday I drove up there in September. The community up there is really inspiring, and Fr. Josiah, Kh. Catherine and their entire family are amazing. Speaking of which, Aiden, Victoria, and Anastasia Trenham were among the group. Saturday both groups worked side by side on two different houses. The chapel was very full that night as we all gathered for Vespers. Following dinner the Riverside group returned up to the states.
Sunday we celebrated a reader’s service with the sad absence of Fr. Michael and the family. Afterwards, Madi, Deanna, the group and I went out into Rosarito for the afternoon. Going through the shops was nice, but it was very sobering to see two women sitting outside asking for a nickel or two. I can spend a dollar or two with out giving it a second thought, when a dollar or two could make their day.
Returning back to the ranch, we had a debriefing for the group. After dinner and evening prayers we headed down to the campfire. I pulled out my guitar and played a bit as the group’s final night faded away like the sparks from the fire.
After the group left Monday the rains came, and since then it hasn’t really stopped. We’re having another El Nino year here and for the next couple weeks we should have quite a bit of rain. Driving in the mud is a lot of fun for sure, but here the rain might as well be a blizzard. Everything stops down in Mexico when it rains, especially if you live off the pavement. I had to run out and do a couple jobs, not even five minutes out there and I was soaked to the bone. Yet as I escaped into my room, and took a nice hot shower I realized how lucky I was. Minutes away people couldn’t escape the cold, in their huts put together with cardboard and boards. The water they couldn’t keep out would create a muddy mess in their dirt floors. Yet here I was complaining?
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Part Two
Being back here at St. Innocent’s has been really wonderful. While away in the states I found myself missing my Mexican brothers, and wishing I were back in the desert near the sea. Driving back here to Mexico, it quickly felt like I was driving home. It brought a smile to my face, as a few of the boys ran up to give me a big hug.
The day I got home, we had two big soccer games. I was able to play with the older boys, and either they’re getting better, or I’m loosing my touch, because I felt I was a step behind. Whatever the case, it still turned out to be a very fun afternoon.
Thursday, I helped the Nasser’s pack. It’s really sad to know that they’ll be leaving soon. I had a great time packing books with Elena. Taping the boxes was the highlight, and Joshua and Elena would debate upon who should have the privilege of taping the next box. Afterwards, I headed up to the States for our US staff meeting. At the end of the day, everyone went out together for dinner in San Diego. Following Dinner, we all headed to the Yova’s for a great dessert. We had the blessings of having summer interns, Jenny, Mary, Charity, and Niko here. They all were here for a while over Christmas, break and you could see the great friendships they had created with all the boys.
Friday, I woke up at my new scheduled wake-up hour of 6am. After prayers and breakfast, we all bid farewell to the Jenny, Mary and Charity as they had to head up to the states to catch flights back home. After watching an amazing sunrise, I set my mind back to Spanish lessons.
Shocking as it is, I’m just about half-way done with my time here in Mexico. Honestly, it scares me. Granted, the time down here has been fantastic. I have learned so much, and it had been an experience of a lifetime. However, I feel there is a lot more that I can do - in particular with my Spanish. My communication is pretty minimal right now, I really should know more by now. But I guess there’s nothing but time to slow me down. In addition, I’ve had a couple friends and staff members kindly remind me that I need to focus and learn a little quicker. As I begin part two of my time here, one of my main goals at the beginning remains intact. LEARN SPANISH! Well I’ve got a little more than 4 ½ months left. Here we go!
Thank you for your prayers,
Joel
The day I got home, we had two big soccer games. I was able to play with the older boys, and either they’re getting better, or I’m loosing my touch, because I felt I was a step behind. Whatever the case, it still turned out to be a very fun afternoon.
Thursday, I helped the Nasser’s pack. It’s really sad to know that they’ll be leaving soon. I had a great time packing books with Elena. Taping the boxes was the highlight, and Joshua and Elena would debate upon who should have the privilege of taping the next box. Afterwards, I headed up to the States for our US staff meeting. At the end of the day, everyone went out together for dinner in San Diego. Following Dinner, we all headed to the Yova’s for a great dessert. We had the blessings of having summer interns, Jenny, Mary, Charity, and Niko here. They all were here for a while over Christmas, break and you could see the great friendships they had created with all the boys.
Friday, I woke up at my new scheduled wake-up hour of 6am. After prayers and breakfast, we all bid farewell to the Jenny, Mary and Charity as they had to head up to the states to catch flights back home. After watching an amazing sunrise, I set my mind back to Spanish lessons.
Shocking as it is, I’m just about half-way done with my time here in Mexico. Honestly, it scares me. Granted, the time down here has been fantastic. I have learned so much, and it had been an experience of a lifetime. However, I feel there is a lot more that I can do - in particular with my Spanish. My communication is pretty minimal right now, I really should know more by now. But I guess there’s nothing but time to slow me down. In addition, I’ve had a couple friends and staff members kindly remind me that I need to focus and learn a little quicker. As I begin part two of my time here, one of my main goals at the beginning remains intact. LEARN SPANISH! Well I’ve got a little more than 4 ½ months left. Here we go!
Thank you for your prayers,
Joel
Sunday, January 3, 2010
I'll be home for Chr... New Years!
I'm home! Happy New Year! Feliz Neuvo Ano! Thanks to the wonderful generosity of my grandparents, I was able to sneak home and surprise my family for New Years Eve. The last few days have been wonderful, catching up with everyone. Today, I went to St. Johns for church, and I was able to see everyone. I spoke a little bit about my time at Project Mexico/St. Innocents. Due to the wonderful generosity of our parishioners, we were able to raise a sizeable amount money for the orphanage. More than I expected due to the financial situation these days.
It's been a great being home. I'll be flying home on Tuesday and back in Mexico on Wednesday. I'll be sure to write once I get back.
God Bless,
Joel
It's been a great being home. I'll be flying home on Tuesday and back in Mexico on Wednesday. I'll be sure to write once I get back.
God Bless,
Joel
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Feliz Navidad!
Wow! Christmas in Mexico is quite a beautiful experience. After all the hustle and bustle in the days preceding, everyone gathered in the chapel on Christmas Eve. A quiet, candle light service was held, while boys concealed their excitement. In our humble, yet beautiful chapel in Mexico, one couldn’t help but feel like they were taken back 2,000 years to the cave, the stable, and the manger scene.
For me, this season has been quite an experience for me. It’s wonderful to see this celebration of Christ’s birth cherished by people of other countries. To hear, read, and even see pictures of it is one thing. But to experience a culture holding onto this holy celebration, is far better. As I listen to hymns that I know in English, being sung in Spanish, I could not help but smile.
Christmas morning, we woke up, and celebrated the Christmas liturgy. The boys all dressed up, were a very handsome bunch. After the morning service, we headed over to la cocina (the kitchen) for the Christmas feast! And what a feast it was! Tomales, piled high, meat, rice, and of course beans as always. It was a fantastic Mexican smorgasbord!
Following the meal, we all sat, patting our full stomachs, as Luis Sanchez (our Mexican orphanage director) handed out gifts to all the boys. Each boy had their picture taken with their respective gift. Afterwards they would go back to their seat and sit with their present on their lap. Finally, when all the boys had received their regalos (gifts), Luis counted down quickly, UNO, DOS, TRES!!!
In one unforgettable moment, I was able to witness an explosion of boys, presents, paper and excitement. Paper was literally flying around the room, as the boys masked exhilaration was let loose. A pogo stick, a Chargers jersey, night vision goggles, and game boys! The highlight for many, were the new nerf guns they boys received. Personally, I wonder why I didn’t get one. I find myself a rather vulnerable, defenseless intern who has quickly turned into a favorite target. Ah, well, I’ll have to put that on my list for next year.
In the end, many would agree that Navidad in Mexico was a wonderful experience for all involved. Thank you to everyone who has donated to Project Mexico, and especially to those who sent Christmas gifts. I can personally testify that the boys loved them, and are very grateful for your generosity!
---
On a more personal note, I ended up staying at the ranch until early afternoon. However, at that time, the boys took off to play with their new toys. Suddenly with free time on my hands, I decided to go up and spend the evening with Papa, Grammy and some of my extended family in San Diego. Since I hadn’t been planning on going up, I decided to not call ahead and come as a surprise. It turned out to be just that, as everyone was very surprised when I pulled up. Looking back now, I feel very blessed. I was able to experience the full Navidad celebration in Mexico, a surprise for my grandparents in the States, Christmas in two countries on the same day, oh and I have to add… a CHARGERS WIN!
Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas! Dios Benditio! God Bless!
For me, this season has been quite an experience for me. It’s wonderful to see this celebration of Christ’s birth cherished by people of other countries. To hear, read, and even see pictures of it is one thing. But to experience a culture holding onto this holy celebration, is far better. As I listen to hymns that I know in English, being sung in Spanish, I could not help but smile.
Christmas morning, we woke up, and celebrated the Christmas liturgy. The boys all dressed up, were a very handsome bunch. After the morning service, we headed over to la cocina (the kitchen) for the Christmas feast! And what a feast it was! Tomales, piled high, meat, rice, and of course beans as always. It was a fantastic Mexican smorgasbord!
Following the meal, we all sat, patting our full stomachs, as Luis Sanchez (our Mexican orphanage director) handed out gifts to all the boys. Each boy had their picture taken with their respective gift. Afterwards they would go back to their seat and sit with their present on their lap. Finally, when all the boys had received their regalos (gifts), Luis counted down quickly, UNO, DOS, TRES!!!
In one unforgettable moment, I was able to witness an explosion of boys, presents, paper and excitement. Paper was literally flying around the room, as the boys masked exhilaration was let loose. A pogo stick, a Chargers jersey, night vision goggles, and game boys! The highlight for many, were the new nerf guns they boys received. Personally, I wonder why I didn’t get one. I find myself a rather vulnerable, defenseless intern who has quickly turned into a favorite target. Ah, well, I’ll have to put that on my list for next year.
In the end, many would agree that Navidad in Mexico was a wonderful experience for all involved. Thank you to everyone who has donated to Project Mexico, and especially to those who sent Christmas gifts. I can personally testify that the boys loved them, and are very grateful for your generosity!
---
On a more personal note, I ended up staying at the ranch until early afternoon. However, at that time, the boys took off to play with their new toys. Suddenly with free time on my hands, I decided to go up and spend the evening with Papa, Grammy and some of my extended family in San Diego. Since I hadn’t been planning on going up, I decided to not call ahead and come as a surprise. It turned out to be just that, as everyone was very surprised when I pulled up. Looking back now, I feel very blessed. I was able to experience the full Navidad celebration in Mexico, a surprise for my grandparents in the States, Christmas in two countries on the same day, oh and I have to add… a CHARGERS WIN!
Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas! Dios Benditio! God Bless!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Everything seems to be set, and the countdown is almost complete. Navidad is only three days away and everyone is very excited. The presents are laid underneath the tree, and tomorrow we'll be making tamales together! As I'm sure you all are experiencing at home, it is exciting as every day brings greater anticipation of the best day of the year! It's been really neat getting to see and hear people getting ready for Christmas in the community. As everyone does, you love hearing Christmas music playing on the speakers at small local store, and greeting people with a smile and "Feliz Navidad!" Ironically, the one Christmas song I know in Spanish, is “Feliz Navidad”. However, when I played it about a month ago as a joke, the boys loved the fact that I knew another song in Spanish. I've played that song many, many times since then. You would think they get tired of it, but whenever they see me with my guitar, at least one or two of the boys, will run up asking "Feliz Navidad???"
I hope you all are enjoying this time of year, and not being too stressed with the worries of season. Remember again what we're celebrating, and that presents are meaningless if they take precedence over family, friends, and above all, Christ.
I hope you all are enjoying this time of year, and not being too stressed with the worries of season. Remember again what we're celebrating, and that presents are meaningless if they take precedence over family, friends, and above all, Christ.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
learning to live in mexico
Recently, things have really improved in my "living" in mexico. I'm house sitting for a family in the church, so today, I drove over and fed dog, and did a couple other things there. Afterwards, I went down into Rosarito and got a haircut. What Joel? That's not worth mentioning, isn't that normal life? - EXACTLY! Finally, I'm starting to live just a normal life here. The Spanish is not perfect by any means, but I'm communicating. I know the area pretty well now too and don't have much of a problem navigating through Tijuana or Rosarito. It's really a blessing and an exciting step. Not huge, but I notice the difference.
You have to love Mexican weather. It's sunny, 75 and warm. Love it!
You have to love Mexican weather. It's sunny, 75 and warm. Love it!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The life that could have been
Recently, I’ve been kept really busy, making donation runs and phone calls for Project Mexico. It keeps me moving, and wears me out, but I have to step back and realize that I’m doing this for the boys. With that in mind, everything’s a breeze.
Today, I had the pleasure of having one of the older boys, Ricardo, along to help me with donation runs. When you have two or more people in a car, you get pulled over less for a search at the border. Ricardo therefore came along to be that extra there is less of a chance for you to get pulled over to be searched coming into Mexico. In the three and a half months I’ve been here, I don’t think I’ve had a day more focused on Spanish. Being with Ricardo, we talked a lot in Spanish. He and I are pretty similar in how well we speak the other’s language. I would give him a slight edge. There are some words and phrases that he knows in English, which I don’t know in Spanish. We’re able to help each other out. However, I feel I am definitely getting the better end of the deal. Whatever the case spending time with him was very neat. Ricardo is my age, so getting to hear about his life offers insight into what one might expect in Mexico. At lunch we both went out to Panda Express and had lunch together. (I elaborate a little more about this below, but being able to eat lunch with someone from another country, as a friend and brother just feels right. The time spent with him, I felt it was the way the world is supposed to be, two guys from different countries working together like, they had known each other since day one.) At one point I commented to him as we were heading towards the border. I said it was interesting that we were driving from the country of my birth, my home country, and we could see ahead the country of his birth, and his home. We come from different backgrounds, different countries, but we were both in the same car doing the same thing, listening to the same Spanish song on the radio.
Every time I am in one country, looking over to the other, I am reminded how lucky I am to be an American. There are so many thing I take for granted that are not readily available in Mexico. Reading recently, I was able to have some things put in perspective for me.
My mother recently sent me an email with a link to the LA Times. The website had an interactive page focused on Mexico. A large portion of the site, is centered around Tijuana and traveling in Mexico. As many of you have heard, Tijuana has had many shootings and deaths related to gang-related activity. Something one reported said that I had felt but couldn’t say. Tijuana seems normal. When you drive in, you’re driving on paved roads and people act like normal Mexican citizens. As an American, you would think that other than some slight cultural things, everything was pretty normal. However, as you venture farther in, you begin to see the poverty, and the other face of Mexico, and Tijuana. When you search, you see under it all there’s a fear that I’ve noticed among the citizens. People act like a conquered people, from a conquered country. Now this has to do a bit with the history of Mexico. Taking a look back in history you can see that Mexico has been on the loosing side of many wars and this has subconsciously been passed on to generations. However, in Tijuana, I can sometimes see a hint of fear behind a person’s eyes due to the current reign of another power.
Sitting in the border line, I thought how my life would be different if I lived in downtown Tijuana. To be honest, a lot would be different. Most significantly, there would be a good chance, I would be involved in a gang. Through my being in a gang, my family is brought under protection from some, and fire from others. A number of people have asked if it’s scary crossing the border. For me, I really don’t have any worries because I have nothing to hide. However, a big business in border towns like Tijuana is smuggling drugs across. If I lived a different life, I could be sitting in that same line, knowing that I had something to hide. A very expensive setif I was caught a large portion of my life could be spent in a prison. If I did not take the drugs, my life as well as my family could be in imminent danger. If I were a successful smuggler, I might have a great car, but I’d live my life with a heavy conscience hanging over my head. This is the life of many young men my age. From the outside it might seem like a black and white decision. But I’m beginning to learn, here, there are a lot of times in life where one has to make a decision between the lesser of multiple evils.
Thinking about this, I cannot help but be grateful for all the blessings in my life. I also have to thank the Lord that I don’t have to make such difficult decisions. Lord have mercy, on the men in this world, unwilling caught in the web of gang society.
That said, I wanted to share what a transformation my life has become over the last three months, yes, but the last month especially. I’ve finally gotten to the point where I’m communicating well with the boys. The first few months I often would want to go to the States and speak English, and grab a Starbucks. Now, for the first time, I’m really appreciating my time here. Every moment spent in Mexico, meeting new people, doing new things I realize I only have this time guaranteed. I’m only guaranteed the breath I’m taking, make sure that every moment is spent well.
Traffic has been a recent trend with Christmas around the corner, both in San Diego and Tijuana. A couple times today I couldn’t take the turns I normally take in Tijuana, and I had to find my way through parts of Tijuana. For those who have read my blog from the beginning, you may recall my “terrifying” experiences driving through Tijuana on my own. Not knowing where I was going, and praying I didn’t up in the wrong hands. Now, three months later, I couldn’t feel more comfortable. Driving in Mexico is a real adventure, and now I am able to easily read signs and figure out where I’m going. Mexico is becoming my home away from home. I shared my thoughts about the hints of fear behind people’s eyes, but in almost all cases if you greet someone with a smile, one is sent back your way.
Heading back into a more disappointing topic, something that I’ve noticed recently, is the racial preferences of the culture. There is a form of racism here, now we’re not talking about Ku Klux Klan, but a different type. If you turn on Mexican television you’ll notice that almost all the people are white. Looking around at the bulletin boards in Tijuana you’ll notice the people are white, or very, very light.
This honestly strikes me as rather ridiculous. Growing up in multi-race, multi-cultural California - from day one I never gave a thought to discriminating because of race. I can say with pride that a few of my second cousins are African American. I grew up hanging with my cousin Christian, Kayla and Alexandra. They’re my cousins, but they’re my brothers and sister as well. “What do you mean their skin color is different? That doesn’t mean a thing.”
With that in mind, when I see this discrimination against people with darker skin down here, it is really disappointing for me. Honestly, I find it somewhat ironic. Only a few decades back having darker skin or a different background, unjustly, was grounds for discrimination in the states. However, now all you have to is look at a magazine to notice that having darker skin is a major plus, to the point that having white skin, is not preferred. Life as a child was often painted in a rosy image. Growing up, you realize that the world is not as perfect as it once looked. Sadly, I feel like I’m waking up to another disappointing aspect of life here, one that simply seems pretty ridiculous to me.
Thank you for your prayers! If you get the chance and are able to donate to Project Mexico, please do! We are in a real pinch financially with the economy the way it is.
Project Mexico
P.O. Box 120028
Chula Vista, CA 91912
God Bless!
Joel
Today, I had the pleasure of having one of the older boys, Ricardo, along to help me with donation runs. When you have two or more people in a car, you get pulled over less for a search at the border. Ricardo therefore came along to be that extra there is less of a chance for you to get pulled over to be searched coming into Mexico. In the three and a half months I’ve been here, I don’t think I’ve had a day more focused on Spanish. Being with Ricardo, we talked a lot in Spanish. He and I are pretty similar in how well we speak the other’s language. I would give him a slight edge. There are some words and phrases that he knows in English, which I don’t know in Spanish. We’re able to help each other out. However, I feel I am definitely getting the better end of the deal. Whatever the case spending time with him was very neat. Ricardo is my age, so getting to hear about his life offers insight into what one might expect in Mexico. At lunch we both went out to Panda Express and had lunch together. (I elaborate a little more about this below, but being able to eat lunch with someone from another country, as a friend and brother just feels right. The time spent with him, I felt it was the way the world is supposed to be, two guys from different countries working together like, they had known each other since day one.) At one point I commented to him as we were heading towards the border. I said it was interesting that we were driving from the country of my birth, my home country, and we could see ahead the country of his birth, and his home. We come from different backgrounds, different countries, but we were both in the same car doing the same thing, listening to the same Spanish song on the radio.
Every time I am in one country, looking over to the other, I am reminded how lucky I am to be an American. There are so many thing I take for granted that are not readily available in Mexico. Reading recently, I was able to have some things put in perspective for me.
My mother recently sent me an email with a link to the LA Times. The website had an interactive page focused on Mexico. A large portion of the site, is centered around Tijuana and traveling in Mexico. As many of you have heard, Tijuana has had many shootings and deaths related to gang-related activity. Something one reported said that I had felt but couldn’t say. Tijuana seems normal. When you drive in, you’re driving on paved roads and people act like normal Mexican citizens. As an American, you would think that other than some slight cultural things, everything was pretty normal. However, as you venture farther in, you begin to see the poverty, and the other face of Mexico, and Tijuana. When you search, you see under it all there’s a fear that I’ve noticed among the citizens. People act like a conquered people, from a conquered country. Now this has to do a bit with the history of Mexico. Taking a look back in history you can see that Mexico has been on the loosing side of many wars and this has subconsciously been passed on to generations. However, in Tijuana, I can sometimes see a hint of fear behind a person’s eyes due to the current reign of another power.
Sitting in the border line, I thought how my life would be different if I lived in downtown Tijuana. To be honest, a lot would be different. Most significantly, there would be a good chance, I would be involved in a gang. Through my being in a gang, my family is brought under protection from some, and fire from others. A number of people have asked if it’s scary crossing the border. For me, I really don’t have any worries because I have nothing to hide. However, a big business in border towns like Tijuana is smuggling drugs across. If I lived a different life, I could be sitting in that same line, knowing that I had something to hide. A very expensive setif I was caught a large portion of my life could be spent in a prison. If I did not take the drugs, my life as well as my family could be in imminent danger. If I were a successful smuggler, I might have a great car, but I’d live my life with a heavy conscience hanging over my head. This is the life of many young men my age. From the outside it might seem like a black and white decision. But I’m beginning to learn, here, there are a lot of times in life where one has to make a decision between the lesser of multiple evils.
Thinking about this, I cannot help but be grateful for all the blessings in my life. I also have to thank the Lord that I don’t have to make such difficult decisions. Lord have mercy, on the men in this world, unwilling caught in the web of gang society.
That said, I wanted to share what a transformation my life has become over the last three months, yes, but the last month especially. I’ve finally gotten to the point where I’m communicating well with the boys. The first few months I often would want to go to the States and speak English, and grab a Starbucks. Now, for the first time, I’m really appreciating my time here. Every moment spent in Mexico, meeting new people, doing new things I realize I only have this time guaranteed. I’m only guaranteed the breath I’m taking, make sure that every moment is spent well.
Traffic has been a recent trend with Christmas around the corner, both in San Diego and Tijuana. A couple times today I couldn’t take the turns I normally take in Tijuana, and I had to find my way through parts of Tijuana. For those who have read my blog from the beginning, you may recall my “terrifying” experiences driving through Tijuana on my own. Not knowing where I was going, and praying I didn’t up in the wrong hands. Now, three months later, I couldn’t feel more comfortable. Driving in Mexico is a real adventure, and now I am able to easily read signs and figure out where I’m going. Mexico is becoming my home away from home. I shared my thoughts about the hints of fear behind people’s eyes, but in almost all cases if you greet someone with a smile, one is sent back your way.
Heading back into a more disappointing topic, something that I’ve noticed recently, is the racial preferences of the culture. There is a form of racism here, now we’re not talking about Ku Klux Klan, but a different type. If you turn on Mexican television you’ll notice that almost all the people are white. Looking around at the bulletin boards in Tijuana you’ll notice the people are white, or very, very light.
This honestly strikes me as rather ridiculous. Growing up in multi-race, multi-cultural California - from day one I never gave a thought to discriminating because of race. I can say with pride that a few of my second cousins are African American. I grew up hanging with my cousin Christian, Kayla and Alexandra. They’re my cousins, but they’re my brothers and sister as well. “What do you mean their skin color is different? That doesn’t mean a thing.”
With that in mind, when I see this discrimination against people with darker skin down here, it is really disappointing for me. Honestly, I find it somewhat ironic. Only a few decades back having darker skin or a different background, unjustly, was grounds for discrimination in the states. However, now all you have to is look at a magazine to notice that having darker skin is a major plus, to the point that having white skin, is not preferred. Life as a child was often painted in a rosy image. Growing up, you realize that the world is not as perfect as it once looked. Sadly, I feel like I’m waking up to another disappointing aspect of life here, one that simply seems pretty ridiculous to me.
Thank you for your prayers! If you get the chance and are able to donate to Project Mexico, please do! We are in a real pinch financially with the economy the way it is.
Project Mexico
P.O. Box 120028
Chula Vista, CA 91912
God Bless!
Joel
Thursday, December 10, 2009
All the help we can get!
Hi All,
I'm in at the office today and I'm working on making phone calls for our end of the year push. We have donors that together will match all our donations before the end of the year up to $45,000! What a blessing! But we need all the help we can get. If you think you may be able to help in any way $5, $10, $20 dollars is a great help! Yesterday, today and tomorrow,l I am going to be working on making phone calls for our iCanGive20.4.24 campaign. We're trying to find people who can donate $20 a month for 24 months. If you think you can join the campaign and help keep teenage orphan boys off the streets of Tijuana, you can go to www.projectmexico.org and sign up for the campaign. If you just want to donate once you can do that there as well. Or if it's easier, you can give the Project Mexico office a call it's 619-426-4610. God bless you all! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season!
Please keep the Project Mexico and St. Innocent's in your prayers,
Joel
I'm in at the office today and I'm working on making phone calls for our end of the year push. We have donors that together will match all our donations before the end of the year up to $45,000! What a blessing! But we need all the help we can get. If you think you may be able to help in any way $5, $10, $20 dollars is a great help! Yesterday, today and tomorrow,l I am going to be working on making phone calls for our iCanGive20.4.24 campaign. We're trying to find people who can donate $20 a month for 24 months. If you think you can join the campaign and help keep teenage orphan boys off the streets of Tijuana, you can go to www.projectmexico.org and sign up for the campaign. If you just want to donate once you can do that there as well. Or if it's easier, you can give the Project Mexico office a call it's 619-426-4610. God bless you all! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season!
Please keep the Project Mexico and St. Innocent's in your prayers,
Joel
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
And I thought I could handle the cold
I wrote this yesterday, when the internet was out, and before the power decided to follow in suit. Today, all I have to add is how grateful I was to have a roof over my head last night. No even a mile away there were families try to sleep in boxes, and I was complaining about the cold...
---
Monday
Two Saturdays ago, I got my first test of life in Mexico with rain. Honestly, it’s quite a mess, the world of dust from the summer turns into a mess of mud. As my shoes doubled their weight as I sunk into the mud, walking around the grounds.
Yet this time I feel as if I were ready to take on a hurricane. We’ve had solid rain since the morning and it has been extremely windy. Father Michael brought me along as he drove the Nasser kids to school. When it was initially suggested that driving in the mud was very different from driving in the snow, I scoffed at the idea. However, after watching just one drive to school and back, I take that all back. Essentially, it’s like driving on constant ice, instead of little patches. In mud your car is continually slipping. When you can slow down and stop on ice, the mud instead keeps sliding with gravity. While you may be content to try to admit temporary defeat, stop, and start again, the mud vetoes that idea. Fishtailing in the ice is a breeze, when you could say that fishtailing is basically a fancy way of saying driving in the mud. Also you’ve got mud being splashed up on the windshield, making the windshield wiper fluid even more important. All this to say, I can’t wait!
The internet has been down since the morning, and the power has been recently flickering in and out. It’s neat. Feels like you’re snowed in, except maybe with out the aesthetic appeal. The boys are all hanging out in the library, school’s canceled and you could mistake it for a holiday. When I woke up this morning and went out, they were all thrilled to share that they were free of the tyranny of education, for one day at least. As I hear the torrent, pelting down as we speak, I can’t help but think that tomorrow could be a bit of déjà vu.
---
Monday
Two Saturdays ago, I got my first test of life in Mexico with rain. Honestly, it’s quite a mess, the world of dust from the summer turns into a mess of mud. As my shoes doubled their weight as I sunk into the mud, walking around the grounds.
Yet this time I feel as if I were ready to take on a hurricane. We’ve had solid rain since the morning and it has been extremely windy. Father Michael brought me along as he drove the Nasser kids to school. When it was initially suggested that driving in the mud was very different from driving in the snow, I scoffed at the idea. However, after watching just one drive to school and back, I take that all back. Essentially, it’s like driving on constant ice, instead of little patches. In mud your car is continually slipping. When you can slow down and stop on ice, the mud instead keeps sliding with gravity. While you may be content to try to admit temporary defeat, stop, and start again, the mud vetoes that idea. Fishtailing in the ice is a breeze, when you could say that fishtailing is basically a fancy way of saying driving in the mud. Also you’ve got mud being splashed up on the windshield, making the windshield wiper fluid even more important. All this to say, I can’t wait!
The internet has been down since the morning, and the power has been recently flickering in and out. It’s neat. Feels like you’re snowed in, except maybe with out the aesthetic appeal. The boys are all hanging out in the library, school’s canceled and you could mistake it for a holiday. When I woke up this morning and went out, they were all thrilled to share that they were free of the tyranny of education, for one day at least. As I hear the torrent, pelting down as we speak, I can’t help but think that tomorrow could be a bit of déjà vu.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
San Nicholas!
Tonight after Vespers, Fr. Michael spoke to the boys about St. Nicholas. Among other things, Fr. Michael focused on pointing out that St. Nicholas did good deeds while people were not looking. He encouraged the boys to remember that. While it is wonderful to do good things any time, it is particularly blessed to do so “en secreto”.
As we all exited the chapel, everyone’s shoes that had been laid outside for San Nicholas, were filled with Christmas candy. I guess St. Nicholas has not given up spreading blessings in secret. :-)
As we all exited the chapel, everyone’s shoes that had been laid outside for San Nicholas, were filled with Christmas candy. I guess St. Nicholas has not given up spreading blessings in secret. :-)
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