OCTOBER 2015

We thank you for visiting our website and reading the latest news from the activities at the Orthodox Residence San Miguel by the Lake.

The school activities run smoothly and daily with out interruption. This is le last month of school. November is planning month for the next year and December is vacation month with its own activities towards the Nativity.

1st The International Day for the Children was celebrated with a delicious lunch, candies and

brownies. All days are children’s days!

Our new webpage with mushroom information was launched. You can visit at: www.hongosmushroomsenelmonastery.com and if you have questions about fungi or mushrooms, write us an email.

2nd The woodworkers continue to work on the boards for

Vinoteca (www.vinoteca.com.gt) and they delivered them on this day.

3rd Family visit took place in the afternoon.

Our dear missionary Laryssa Klein married Joshua Madsen at Saint Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in Minneapolis, Minnesota. When they sent us their wedding invitation they wrote:

“We know you cannot physically be here with us, but we know you will be with us in prayer. You also made such beautiful wedding candles. Thank you! God willing you can watch our wedding over Skype. Love you all, thank you for your prayers. You are part of my family forever. God bless.”

The children were able to be present at the wedding thanks to Skype and to Barb and Johnny Neumann who set it up. When the couple was leaving the church, our children were chanting “Brilla, brilla…” (Shine, shine…) as they played a recording. When they left the church, they looked up to the cell phone and made a sign telling us: “I love you.” Thank you for loving the children so much. We wish the best in life to the newly married couple Laryssa and Josh!

Through a loving email they wrote the following:

“Glory to Jesus Christ! Thank you for the beautiful card that you sent, it was a wonderful start to our wedding week. Also, thank you so very much for being part of our wedding. It was such a blessing to have my family from the Hogar present at our wedding and participating. The singing at the end of the service was beautiful, I know it was a recording, but Barb Neumann told me that they started to sing along. I am in such awe and amazement how much God has blessed me. Thank you for your constant prayers over the years and for the love and support you have always given me. On our way out of the church, I had told Josh you were all watching live. So, we looked up at you all and gave you the "I Love You" sign in sign language. :)

Josh and I will continue to keep you all in our prayers, and we will send you wedding pictures when we get them along with a wedding program. God-willing we will see you all soon. We humbly ask that you pray for us as we start our journey together as a married couple, as well as our journey together in our faith. Many blessings and prayers to you all. Please send my love and gratitude to everyone and the children. In His Love, Laryssa and Joshua.”

The Vigil was chanted in the chapel.

4th The Akathist for Holy Communion was

chanted prior to the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Father Antonio. Stiven who is not yet 3 years old, served with his altar robe for the first time. Isaías brought his son Juan Diego to the Liturgy, it is beautiful to see our children return as their lives as adults advance.

After brunch the children walked down to the lake and returned early to watch their favorite movies on the tv.

5th The boys continue to enjoy their

wood shop classes in the afternoon and are happy building their wooden helicopters cut with the CNC Router, Shopbot.

Guadalupe turned 20 years old and she celebrated with a birthday cake and a surprise dinner with the older girls and the nuns. Many years Lupe!

A tragedy struck the country as a subdivision called Cambray II suffered a terrible land slide where more than 500 people lost their lives. Memory eternal!

6th The children are learning to write icons in the Iconography

classes with Mother Maria. The toddlers are using watercolors for the first time learning how to handle a paintbrush, master curved and straight lines, and all the children learn how to mix pigments, transfer line icons onto tiles, observe and follow the colors of prototypes. They are loving and enjoying their class! Follow the children on the Facebook of "Maria Amistoso (Mother Maria)".

Because there is a prayerful silence during the class and a candle is lighted at the icon prayer wall with burning incense and Orthodox music playing, the children and especially the toddlers, whisper their questions!

Young Stiven (who will be 3 years old only at the end of March) continues to be a challenge. He assists in giving weekly products to the nannies and cooks. He perfectly knows how to handle his ipad without any assistance. Many years to this sweet boy who makes us so happy!

7th God bless all Guatemalans who have kindly donated so much water, food and clothes for

the ones who lost loved ones and their homes at the Cambray II land slide. Our daily prayers!

8th The rain was abundant all through these days. Lord have mercy!

9th Friday dancing lessons with Aleksandra our Russian language teacher continued in the

afternoon.

Guadalupe and Reina moved to live at the Tabor House before they travel to Russia to continue their studies. They are to continue coming to work and for their meals at San Miguel. They have grown!

10th Some of the older girls were invited to

Jorge’s home to have lunch with Reina Marroquín who returned this day to Moscow, Russia to continue studying her Master’s degree. The best of life for Reina!

The Vigil for Sunday was chanted in the chapel.

11th The Akathist for Holy Communion was chanted before

the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Father Antonio.

Brunch was served and a special cake and presents were presented to Mother Alexandra who turned 50 years old. Many years dear Madre Alexandra!

12th Nice plastic plates and napkins were bought to be prepared for our Christmas

celebration.

13th The children continue to walk in the afternoon after

Vespers. The hike is enjoyed by everyone.

14th Fogel (www.fogel-group.com) who produces refrigerators

and freezers and helps us so much, sent a technician to fix two of our refrigerators. We thank them for being there for us always.

15th Many years to Cristofer and Cristian (the twins) who turned 22 years old! Cristofer lives

at the Hogar in downtown and Cristian lives with the priests in the South Coast. Both go to College.

A visit from the Paramedics and Firemen from the town of Villa Nueva was received. Leaded by Paramedic Walter Orellana they came to program two talks to be given to children and adults of San Miguel. Dr. Ludwig Logemann was here and shared with them. As they tour around, they requested from the woodshop some souvenirs to give to other paramedics who visit them.

16th The children had a final formal activity as

part of their school year. They learned to exchange through cacao seeds. They had to choose an activity they like where they would serve once they are adults. The cacao seeds were used as points to get more of them and with the value of money. A store was open where they bought candies or games with the value given. They learned the process of exchange as the Mayans did and enjoyed the day.

Dance classes were enjoyed in the afternoon to celebrate the end of another week.

17th Many years to Elisa who turned 21 years old in Moscow, Russia where she is studying.

The Vigil for Sunday was chanted in the chapel.

18th The Akathist for Holy Communion was chanted prior to

the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Father Antonio.

Miguel’s celebration on his 12th birthday was done at brunch. He enjoyed his cake and presents. Many years to Miguel!

19th A rainy day and a holiday from

school. The children enjoyed playing board games and watching tv.

Many years to Seño Johana, one of our nannies, on her birthday. The celebration included cupcakes.

20th Alma Susie Garcia from California visited San Miguel and shared lunch among us.

21st Rains all over the country, there were many floods affecting the population. Our prayers

for all the Guatemalans suffering.

22nd Many years to Andrea Marbely

who turned 14 years old. She enjoyed her cake and presents.

23rd The Paramedics and Firemen from Villa

Nueva came to get the wooden souvenirs they ordered from the woodshop. They were happy with the job!

Two little girls arrived to San Miguel. Betzabeth who is 7 years old and her sister Samantha who is 3. Their mother brought them for lack of food and health. Welcome!

The woodworkers got to pick up their wood to make the many projects that are being ordered. Good for them!

The three year olds are enjoying their own table at the comedor for meal times.

Many years to Rolando who turned 25 years old in Moscow, Russia where he is studying his Master’s degree.

24th The Tefel Party to celebrate the children

and teens who had a birthday in the second semester of the year took place. The Bastarrechea Family organized it with games, piñata and a clown. They brought lots of food and candies (including “shucos” our national hot-dogs) and donations (tooth paste, tooth brushes, soap and chlorine for cleaning). Each child received a gift: a new pair of shoes for church. We thank this giving and loving family for being so kind!

The children drew cards for a fund raiser organized by Tefel Foundation that was to take place the following week.

The Pre-hospital Congress took place at the gym of the Hogar in downtown. About 250 people attended.

25th The Akathist for Holy Communion took place

before the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Father Antonio.

After brunch the children went down to play by the lake and the adults went to vote on the second round for President and Vice-President of the Republic of Guatemala. Before 10 pm the results were evident: Mr. Jimmy Morales is our new President. May the Lord guide him. A link in English: http://on.wsj.com/1XsriMc.

26th The Paramedics and

Firemen of Villa Nueva gave a course to the children and teachers on First Aid emergencies and prevention of accidents. They all appreciated the course and we thank them.

27th Programming the school activities for 2016 started. The official school year is closed.

28th The two girls who recently arrived had all their laboratory tests done. We thank Dr.

Heidi Logemann for being so kind with all our children.

29th Dr. Ludwig Logemann our doctor

continues to check the children who need it. He comes at least once a week to check them. Thank you Doctor L!

Asociación Juan Carlos Tefel organized a rock concert with music of The Beatles in benefit of the children of our Hogar. It was celebrated with the sponsorship of Fogel (www.fogel-group.com), Hotel Vista Real (www.vistareal.com), Vinoteca (www.vinoteca.com.gt), Grupo de Álvaro, S.A. (www.gdasa.com) and Composición Litográfica (www.composicionlitografica.com). Thank you all so much!

30th Our dear Friends from Norway who help us sponsor various children wrote their

newsletter dedicated to Samuel. Thank you amigos y amigas!

Nyhetsbrev 02/2015

Fadderprosjektet St. Rafael

Kjære Faddere,

Vi ønsker å informere dere litt mer om vårt fadderbarn Samuel. Han kom til barnehjemmet som en av tre brødre da han var et par år gammel. Faren hans leverte alle tre til barnehjemmet samtidig, og barna var preget av mishandling og omsorgssvikt, Samuel mest. Føttene hans var deformert etter skoldeskader, og han hadde vanskelig for å gå. I tillegg var han mentalt preget av det han hadde opplevd.

Da noen av oss besøkte Hogar i 2006, var Samuel akkurat operert i føttene, den første av flere operasjoner. Han var et rastløst og urolig barn, og hadde behov for mye støtte og hjelp på alle områder. Hans to andre brødre var bortadoptert. Bildet til høyre viser Samuel til hest med Marianne, da vi besøkte en dyrehage i Guatemala by.

Mange år er gått og Samuel har fått den oppfølging som barnehjemmet har hatt mulighet til å gi han, - operasjoner, skolegang, trygghet og omsorg. Da vi traff han igjen i 2014 var han blitt en stor og sterk gutt, nesten som voksen i kroppen, beveget seg nå ubesværet og var blid og fornøyd. Da vi fortalte at han skulle bli vårt fadderbarn, på oppfordring av nonene, strålte hele gutten. Han visste godt om oss i Norge og det var helt tydelig viktig for han å skulle være ”vår”.

Bildet til venstre er fra Samuel sin gradueringsfest. Stolt viser han frem sitt eksamensbevis.

Samuel er nå 15 år og begynt å jobbe på barnehjemmet og klosterområdet, hvor det blant annet drives jordbruk. Som moder Yvonne skriver:

“Samuel has reached the level where he needs to learn to work with his hands. He has physically grown a lot at 15 years old and needs to feel more of the man he is becoming. He is so happy and grateful always.

He is already working at the Monastery's farm with Maco and is very happy. He comes to Matins in the morning, breakfast, goes to work until lunch time. In the afternoon he works from 2 to 4 and then he comes to Vespers in the Chapel and continues all the activities with the other boys. Samuel is such a simple and happy soul.

Thank you for all the help you give us by sponsoring him. We appreciate it”

Dette betyr at Samuel er godt ivaretatt på barnehjemmet fremdeles, selv om han er ferdig med skolegang. Han får arbeidstrening i trygge og gode omgivelser og fortsetter å bo hjemme til han eventuelt kan klare seg selv. På bildet over får han utlevert arbeidsutstyr, arbeidsplan og en klokke, så han kan passe tiden, av m. Ines.

Det er en stor glede å se at han utvikler seg så bra og fortsatt er godt ivaretatt på barnehjemmet, ut fra sine ressurser og evner.

Med vennlig hilsen, Liss Søreide, Styreleder

31st The boys continue to work at the woodshop on

Saturdays.

The Vigil for the Feast of Saint Cosmas and Damian took place in the chapel.

Notes: Andrew Zimmerman filmed a program in Guatemala on bizarre food. Check it: http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/bizarre-foods/episodes/guatemala-balls-brains-and-bulls-eyes Our gratitude to: To all our donors and sponsors who support, love and trust our work. To Georgi Speliopoulos who got a donation and we were able to purchase at Office Depot all these supplies for school. (Notebooks, planners, paint brushes, scissors, stickers, coloring markers, China paper for school projects, page numbered for official school papers, punchers 3 holes, 2 holes, pins, folders, erasers, board markers, temperas, masking tape, silicon liquid glue, fasteners, calendar with positive messages for 2016, wrapping paper for birthday gifts, cards, file pouch, wall clocks for classrooms and Canon PG210 ink for printer). Thank you Georgi!

Our Prayers for:

All Orthodox Christians around the world, especially where Christians are being persecuted and murdered.

Bishop Yussef and Bishop Yuhanna who continued to be abducted in Syria.

Our Patriarch His Beatitude John X of Antioch who suffered an accident and needed eye surgery. http://www.pravoslavie.ru/english/87196.htm

Congratulations to:

Laryssa Klein and John Madsen on their recent wedding (read news on October 3rd).

Our dear missionary Dr. Carton (Rick) Wagner who is Professor & Endowed Chair of Medicinal Chemistry; Director, Chemical Biology Initiative; and Executive Editor, Molecular Pharmaceutics/ Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Minnesota who launched a new company under the name Tychon Biosciences. This is a startup to develop and commercialize adaptive immunotherapy treatments for cancer. http://www.itbusinessnet.com/article/Invenshure-Launches-Tychon-Biosciences-4112453

Memory eternal to:

Chris Legeros (Doria Saros’s brother) who slept in the Lord on October 9th. As he was loved and respected at the Seattle television station where he worked for over 30 years, they wrote beautiful things about Chris and transmitted his Greek Orthodox funeral at kirotv. Memory eternal

Chris! http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/beloved-kiro-7-reporter-legeros-dies/nnyrh/

We thank everyone for your continued support and love. Your donations are invaluable, both from Guatemalans and from the missionaries who visit us and all the supportive people abroad. Your monetary donations are helpful to run the San Miguel Residence. Please pray for us as we pray for you!

Remember: if you want to visit our latest news check the following, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/hogar.rafaelayau)

Web page of the Residence (www.hogarafaelayau.org)

Foundation Friends of the Hogar (www.friendsofthehogar.org).