New Boys!

Yesterday, we had the amazing blessing of adding two boys to the orphanage, Irwin and Andres. I feel especially blessed since I’ve gotten to hang out a lot with the boys. Irwin is 10 and Andres 8. Both seem very talented and well coordinated for their age. It was very surprising when after a goal, Andres got down and did a cartwheel/flip. Stunned for a second I asked “otre ves?” (again?) He proceeded to do a handstand and walk across the entire court on his hands. Throughout the day he would put on these little performances that made me wish I had some talent to match. The entire time, I kept thinking to myself… wait he’s only 8, what could he be doing in ten years?

Today, we had a board meeting down here at the orphanage. Essentially twice a year members of the board who live across southern California, come down to the orphanage and discuss current events, issues and successes. Before the meeting I was able to meet a number of the board members and I actually knew a few from our old church, St. Athanasius in Santa Barbara. However,I ended up doing some odd projects around the orphanage instead of attending the meeting. I fixed our church bell to ring clearly now, and I went to the hardware store to get some clips to hang the cross, fans, and candles in the church. In additon, I helped out with a little bit of electricity pipe hanging, and some computer projects as well.

Tomorrow, I’m headed up to LA for the Antiochian Western Diocese’s Fall Gathering. I’ll be up there for the weekend and I’ll be returning Sunday evening.

Thank you all for your prayers, and support!

Under His Mercy,

Joel

--- "It's always better to surprise people with your intelligence, instead of your stupidity. Therefore, when you talk about yourself, poke fun at your short comings, rather than building up amazing stories of your success. Then when the truth comes out, it won't disappoint."