Friends of RSM

Rehoboth Sampaloc Ministries
Sampaloc, Philippines

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year ! We look back with thankfulness for the year that has been and forward with anticipation of what will come in the year ahead as we work with determination to make family life a reality for kids in need.

As promised in the last newsletter...
We were blessed with a hard working and fun loving team from Casino Presbyterian Church and Casino Christian School (CPC/CCS). Please read about their time at Rehoboth below.
With the completion of the water project that the CPC/CCS team took on, and the arrival of the water tank (as seen to the left) , we were able to open the Bonnie's Heart Baby Home building.

The kids are so happy to be able to use and live in this new space and the caregivers are appreciating the feeding tables, change tables and bathrooms equipped especially for very young children. This has been the culmination of many years work and we are so excited it can be put to use. At the moment we have closed one of the buildings on the original site which needs roof repair/strengthening and have transferred toddlers and babies to the new building. Here are some photos of Day 1.

Did you know that Rehoboth now has a piano? Our beautiful Baba donated her piano for the use of Rehoboth and now gives the children lessons on it. See below for some photos of it's epic journey to Rehoboth.

Rehoboth also held their annual United Nations Day where each child dresses up to represent their chosen country as Ms or Mr. There is a ceremony and parade and it's a day full of color and laughter. You can see more photos on our website.

In news with the children; Marian Jane celebrated her 13th birthday. There are some photos below.
We are still waiting with anticipation for the quick processing of papers for our children waiting for adoption and matching. Please keep the children, the caregivers who support them, Pauline our social worker and the staff at ICAB (the Inter Country Adoption Board) and the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) in your prayers as they play their roles in making Rehoboth's vision of a loving and caring family for each child, a reality.

Christmas At Rehoboth

Thank you to the donors who gave specifically to enrich Rehoboth Christmas celebrations. The children were able to enjoy a happy, time of celebration with gifts and delicious food. We were also able to bless the staff with Christmas gifts. We had a wonderful evening of entertainment, karaoke and fun. It was wonderful to have Tammy and Gail onsite for the festivities too. Click on the image for a short video of the celebrations

We were also blessed to have the Subaru Club come onsite with a special visitor (Jolibee). This is the 3rd year in a row they have visited and generously provided an unforgettable Christmas celebration. Please see below for photos and there are more on our website.

It was great fun to have Sarah's brother Mark visit from Australia and also Russel Wright and his team of volunteers. More about them in our next newsletter !

Thanks for keeping up with everything Rehoboth !
Please keep us in your prayers

Elisa

Volunteer team from Casino Presbyterian Church and Casino Christian School (from Casino, NSW Australia)

Rehoboth had a busy and exciting few weeks when this volunteer team was on-site. The CPC/CCS team had been fundraising in their community to bless Rehoboth and the local community surrounding Rehoboth. This team primarily raised funds for a new water system on the land where the new baby home and medical clinic are situated. For days they dug muddy trenches and worked tirelessly to help install pipes underground. A reliable and constant water source was impeding moving forward to make the buildings on this site fully operational. This hurdle has now been cleared and we are so thankful !

The CPC/CCS team also spent a lot of time with the kids, providing activities and fun experiences for them and the staff. They hosted a bush dance (Australian early European settler folk dancing) which left everyone with smiles on their faces. The staff responded, providing the opportunity to do some Filipino Tinikling dancing with bamboo sticks.

These are precious, happy memories in the minds of our Rehoboth Family which many of the children take with them to their forever families. Even if the memories are not concrete, the affect of this love and attention remains for a lifetime.

Not only did they spend time onsite, the CPC/CCS team also ran a local outreach program as well as a feeding program for local families in need.

Rehoboth was so very blessed to have them onsite and look forward to when they return.

Rehoboth's Piano

Rehoboth was given a speical gift late last year - a piano which once belonged to Baba. As you can see it was quite an ordeal to get the piano to Rehoboth, but smiles all around when it was put in it's place. There is no doubt that this instrument will bring much enrichment to the little ones at Rehoboth.
Thank you Baba for your kind donation and continuing to teach the children with such joy and diligence. We appreciate you !

Birthday Photos

Marian Jane's 13th Birthday Celebration

The writing on the cake was a little squashed in transit, but the boys didn't mind helping remove the evidence. Happy Birthday Marian Jane.

Subaru Club Christmas Party Photos.

For more photos of this event please visit our website.

Please Pray for...

The adoptive families that have recently picked up their children from Rehoboth and for the families and children eagerly waiting to meet each other.
Wisdom for our social workers and ICAB staff in working together for the best outcomes for Rehoboth children.
safetly and protection in the typhoon season for Rehoboth, the staff and the wider Sampaloc community.
the volunteers who have visited and will soon visit Rehoboth. Thanking God for their servant hearts and willingness to give their time, energy and talents.
Staffing for the medical clinic so RSM can serve the wider community in this important way.
Rehoboth Staff - that they will know and always be reminded of the vital work they undertake every day
continued finances to keep Rehoboth running.
the Board and leadership - that they will remain focused on allowing God to provide and following His direction.
a Human Resources and Communications volunteer
the family and friends of Mamma Gemma, and the staff and kids at Rehoboth who are mourning the loss of this beautiful lady.
the opening of the medical clinic - that we will be able to begin seeing maternity patients in the near future.

December 2014 News