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
---
.jpg)
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
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