In August RELC celebrated "Buwan ng Wika" a yearly activity of every school to commemorate and honor Filipino National Language.

RELC more recently celebrated their annual United Nations Day. Adorable costumes and cultural performances abounded. Each child dressed up as a representative of a country.

Here we can see Mr Denmark and Ms Mexico. Thank you to our RELC teachers and the Rehoboth staff who work so hard to make these events happen and get the kids ready. These early years of learning are so foundational and precious and we are glad thy are under your care.

Agriculture
The farm is thriving ! There are 13 chickens laying eggs daily and we are hoping to add 15 more to the flock soon. The eggs are used for the nutrition of the kids. Any left over are marketed to the staff or local community. Other chickens we were raising for meat were "harvested" in the last week of November. The meat is frozen and used for the children's meals. Another 50 chicks will be purchased this week.

The Aquaponics system is going from strength to strength. There has been a focused effort by Phil and Robert Thoburn alongside Pastor Romy our staff member. It is producing healthy well-sized tilapia. Here are some photos of the latest harvest of 20 red and 4 black fish that were used to feed the children. From now we are harvesting mature fish as needed and will add fingerlings when there is space for them to grow. The tomatoes which grow above the fish are thriving and apparently much better tasting that the ones grown in soil. String and baguio beans were planted and will be harvested in December along with squash and pumpkin. Pechay, Chili and papaya were harvested at the beginning of November. The pigs are also fairing well with a donation of 2 hogs - a welcome addition.

Clinic

With the help of Major Cacas (one of our board members), the dental chair has been fixed and is operational. The dental clinic is now operating with a donation of time and expertise by of Doctora Cacas (Major Cacas daughter). We are grateful for this family's generosity.

We also have regular Doctor, Doctora Ana Karina-Mariano working Saturday 10am - 2pm in family medicine. Another local doctor rented space in our facility for her patients who needed to stay for care.

The clinic saw 272 people in October for other needs like ear holing, nebulization, blood pressure checks, pap smears, wound dressing, suturing, family planning and new born screening.

There were 12 births at the clinic in October compared to 13 for June/July/August, and 69 pre-natal check ups with Doctora Villegas and the midwives. We are thankful for the rising number of births.

Finance and Funding
Rehoboth relies on donations for it's operation.

Each year Rehoboth budgets $180,000 USD/$245,000 AUD to care for the children. While we have a capacity of 48 children, we have put a hold on accepting new children until we can secure the budget to support them. We were able to admit the 4 children in June/July/August without a significant change in budget as the staffing is the majority cost for caring for the children. We had room in our ratios to admit them. 
Rehoboth tries to stretch it's budget to help as many children as possible.

There are 3 ways to help !

1. Rehoboth would welcome your Christmas donation.

• As you prepare for the end of the year Rehoboth would love you to consider us in your giving plan.
• We are committed to the dignity of each child in need. In that light, we won't show you tears or trauma to elicit your donation. We know that you recognise that a child's life has these elements for them to be living at Rehoboth.
• Rehoboth provides stability, nurture and security while the adults work out family pathways forward. Your donation echos through this.
• Click here to donate

2. Sponsor a child

• Our child sponsors form the backbone of support for Rehoboth. Regular giving provides a strong financial foundation. The updates our sponsors receive, allow a close-up perspective on the nurture each child receives at Rehoboth.
• You can become a child's sponsor for $35 per month. A team of sponsors is needed to fully fund the cost of one child's expenses.
• Click here to Sponsor a Child

3. Become a Rehoboth Ambassador

• Coming in 2019 - We are looking for Rehoboth Ambassadors throughout the world who would commit to raising funds for Rehoboth. These people would rally the people around them in one or more fund raising efforts or events, in support of Rehoboth. We'd love you to set a workable goal and will support you in your efforts. Click Here to register your interest.

Volunteers and Visitors
Thank you to our visitors  and volunteers. Rehoboth had 5 groups visit recently with donations of rice, nappies (diapers), and milk formula. Thanks to Paul for having his birthday at Rehoboth, the SGRC Raiders and Ponkan Raiders groups. Thanks to Laura Phelps who  brought a team from Pacific Valley Christian School in Australia. So wonderful to have you on site and bless the staff and kids at Rehoboth.

Thanks for keeping up with everything Rehoboth.
Elisa

PS Please see below a list of ways you can pray for Rehoboth.

• the kids. Each precious one is living at Rehoboth due to circumstances outside their control. Pray they embrace the safety and comfort that Rehoboth provides, and that they will readily acceptance of the love and care the Mamas provide.
• the care giving staff. Please pray for the caregivers (Mamas) and teachers Neg and Edison, and Ate Beth managing the kitchen and laundry as they nurture these little ones. Pray for patience, wisdom and insight in to how best to care for the children.
• the social work team. Please pray for Mae, Fe, Weng and Meralyn as they process paperwork, follow up families and work our the best family environment for each child - reunification or adoption
• The administration staff. Pray for wisdom in guiding and leading the team, allocating finances and caring for the staff. For Ailyn, Loida, and Joy. Pray for continued unity in the team and eyes to see clearly the work they do each day and how it changes the lives of the children under their care.
• the Pogi boys - the staff who manage the agriculture plot, car and maintenance. Pray for Eric and his team. They play a vital role onsite, not only in the gardens and buildings, but also with the children as they build confidence in father figures who care for them.
• The Clinic staff - the clinic has not yet found a permanent full time doctor and despite best efforts, the number of patients for birth has not continually increased as anticipated. Please pray for wise solutions for the clinic.
• adoptive parents and families as they wait for children or settle and raise their children. Pray for patience, trust, strong bonds, wisdom, perseverance and support. Pray for good friends and healthy community. Pray for healing in hearts and minds where it is present. Pray for good communication and fast language learning.
• the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare) workers, ICAB (Inter-Country Adoption Board) staff and local judges who hear the cases for the kids at Rehoboth. 
• The RSM Board -  Please pray for wise decision-making of the members and the Board. Please pray for increased local interest in RSM governance ad support.

• our child sponsors, Sacred Portion Children's Outreach (USA), Siloam Christian Ministries (UK), our church partner Werribee Church of Christ, the RSM Board, volunteers, visitors, and individuals who give their time, talents and funds to support Rehoboth. This is a joint effort on the ground and across the world. 
• adoptive families and birth families reunited with their children who care for the kids beyond the walls of Rehoboth.
• concerned neighbors, family, friends and citizens who report children and parents in crisis to the DSWD, so that they can get the help they need.