muchas divertido!

Today, I got to experience my first liturgy in the chapel. It was very neat. The peace and quiet in the beginning of the morning with matins, was wonderful. Since the boys will be at school tomorrow, we sort of celebrated the elevation of the cross today. Father explained to them the story of how Constantine and Helen found the cross. It was exciting to be able to pick up the story through bits and pieces of the Spanish.

Afterwards we had lunch in the dinning hall, and then a church meeting at Father’s house. It looks like the community that comes to worship at the chapel at the orphanage, is trying to get a mission parish off the ground in rosarito. It is really exciting to hear that Orthodoxy is growing here in Mexico. Up until now there really has not been much growth at all, but now there is a start!

Afterwards, I went with one of the parishioners and a member of the staff down to Rosarito. It looks like I’m going to get to go deep sea fishing here in a couple weeks! I’ve done some freshwater fishing back home, but I’ve not gone sea fishing. I’m excited. While we were down there it was fascinating to see some daily Mexican life. It amazes me how people can make a living selling simple wares on the beach, or in the streets. Can you imagine what it would be like if you had to do that for the rest of your life?

I came home and got to just hang with the boys for a bit, watching some tv, learning some game boy games. Father Michael had the younger boys over for a movie night. We watched high school musical in English, but it amazed me that almost all the boys knew most of the words. They laughed as I did the “wildcat dance” with them. Of course some gringo like me doesn’t look too good dancing to anything, let alone any high school musical numbers.

Afterwards, I just hung out with the little boys. They really like it when I pick them up and put them on my shoulders. It’s great for about the first five boys or so, but when the other 4 come up asking for rides I have to explain I’m not super man. Haha. Por favor no mas, is a very common saying of mine during the “get a piggy-back from Joel sessions”. It is super encouraging to be able to communicate more and more with them. Learning a new language is a constant roller coaster of emotions. You love it, you hate it, it’s encouraging and discouraging all at the same time.

Pray for me,

Joel