The school year has just finished here in the Philippines.  This summer we will be offering a summer tutoring program for students with 8 hours of activities per week for each student.  We are also opening a small library for the community here so that students can use some of their free time in the summer to read.  Ann McCarthy gathered many books through the Leif Ericson Lutheran School in Brooklyn, NY and sent us about 3 BIG Boxes.

Lyn Lyn, Krisnalyn and Grace have been doing a Bible

Study from the book God Cares for Me donated by

Leif Ericson Lutheran School

High Schoolers Vernie Rose and Jerry Mae checking out the books. 

5th graders Derek and Sextor smile for the camera

Loving and giving to children is often tiring and receives little appreciation, but it is a wonderful feeling when the children give back.  I think Paul says it something like this:  Let us not grow weary in doing good because we will receive a reward in due time if we do not give up.  On Jiji's birthday this group came with cards & songs to wish her a Happy Birthday. 

These 3 guys practically live in our computer lab.  Jonathan & Derek are finishing grade 4 this year, while Melquades is finishing grade 6.  They spend an average of 20+ hours per week here.  Every time I see them out there, clicking around, it makes me think of a young Marlon.  And in case that makes you worried, they do find time to do their schoolwork.  Derek and Jonathan were first and second in their school this year and Melquades grades improved. 

After she completed the Mt. Rushmore jigsaw puzzle, I asked Jesusa to put her head over President Roosevelt's face and I took this picture.  This picture represents to me my desire for the children that enter our home for tutoring each week - that they would reach the heights that God has planted within them - that they would not be imprisoned by poverty and a very hierarchical society, but would find God able to help them overcome all obstacles.  Jesusa repeated grade 1 three times.  She couldn't read when she came to our tutoring.  Now she has learned to read.  She still struggles in school, but she now has a belief in herself that she can learn.  (Images like this are what keep me here in the Philippines when I could be a lot more comfortable in other places.)

My sister Connie and brother-in-law Tom brought my mom to the Philippines to check up and see if I was ok over here in the Philippines.  (Actually, they wanted to see mom's grandchildren)  Before she came my mother had a swimsuit collection at my home church - Ravenna Alliance.  She was able to fill a couple of suitcases with swimsuits so now we can go swimming anytime we want.  We take our kids to a public park with a reasonable entrance fee.  The park has a decent pool, but they cannot use it without a swimsuit and none of our kids have their own swimsuits . . . but thanks to your generosity that problem is solved.  Now we can take our tutoring kids swimming anytime.

Above are the girls in their suits.  Below is the proof that they went swimming.  My sister Connie is in that crowd.  Can you see her? 

Thanks Connie & Tom & Mom for your love and generosity.  We enjoyed your visit so much.

We are here in Cebu enjoying the life that God has given us.  Jiji and the girls are spending the day at the beach with VAST students, while Rick is at home working on this website.  We hope that it will help us communicate much more effectively with all of you.Here is Alicia with her big sister.  They seem to be getting along. . .

Rick was invited to speak at the missions conference of this elementary school in Mandaue.  The children dressed in different traditional costumes.  This is the Philippine flag.

This class dressed in Kimonos

David and Carol Epp visited the Philippines 8 years ago and got to know Jiji.  Over the years they had lost contact.  When they returned to Cebu this February, they were hoping to see Jiji again.  We were happy to reunite and come to find out that Carol had taken a career change to counseling.  At the same time, Jiji had been in the US studying her counseling course.  So not only old friends, but new partners in ministry.  Jiji had been needing a supervisor for her counseling practice - someone to have professional dialogue with and bounce ideas and give input for professional growth and an old friend comes to supply that need.  When the Epps returned to the US, they were visiting with friends from Long Island.  As they were sharing the good time they had in the Philippines, it turned out that their Long Island friends also had a connection.  Bob & Debbie Cuthel and their children used to be very involved in the Bible Quizzing Program of their church when Rick was directing the program.

Here the whole group of Canadians are posing with our VAST students.  They have started a foundation to sponsor about 50 students living in Talisay, Cebu under the pastor care of Pastor    Bong Cortez