Graduated from Kinder 2 already!!

That’s our smart boy Chen!! At his first week of formal school ever in kinder 2 he was getting bored with the work. He would complain after school that it is too easy.  We inquired with the principal about what can be done because we don’t want him to be under-stimulated. The principal and teachers had him read aloud some grade 1 books and they were shocked and excited at how well he can read. They decided he should be in grade 1. So we tried the grade one class and he fits right in…he likes it a lot and has just the right amount of challenge in the work! He is the youngest in the class but the toughest (the other boys complain to me about him that he plays fighting), and the teacher says he is the best reader. He is adjusting well and is a brave boy, as it is his first time being away from home all day for 5 days a week. It is very hard for mommy, as I miss him and tend to worry if he is ok! I’ve been home-schooling him since he was 3. Two concerns we have are his adjustments socially, and he has to learn Tagalog (national language of the Philippines), as it is one required subject. He knows bisaya (the language in Mindanao) but not Tagalog. Many other Filipino students in his class also need to learn Tagalog, so he is not the only one.  Jakim is now learning how to read and write here at home and doing wonderful work!! He has a different way oflearning than his Kuya (big brother), he is more of a visual learner, so I had to figure out what technique will work for him to learn letter sounds…he has caught on pretty fast, and will probably be in grade 1 when he starts next year.

Alexandria is now 10 months old and learning to walk and talk.  So smart like her big brothers!! What a happy girl she is!!

The name of our coming baby boy is Dylan Frank Towsey Relos, he is due in the middle of October.  We are praying and trusting the Lord for a normal delivery and not a repeat Caesarean. I really want a normal delivery for several reasons, one is that it will be hard on Dria for mommy to be gone, and also the recovery is so slow and hard

We’ve moved to a new smaller house and the septic tank here really smells bad all day and night, I can smell it as I type. We need to get it fixed and also add a small roof over the front door as the hard rain floods into the house. But other than that it is a great place to live, as there is a field behind the house for the boys and papa to run around in and it is close to the youth center. Because we moved I am not able to email so often, no connection at home.

Malaybalay Youth Center,”Da Place”

Soon to open in a great new location, across the road from a high school, and elementary school, it is smaller than the previous one but perfect for after school ministry!!!!  Randy is still renovating it and setting up the furniture and instruments, and planning the schedule.

Child Sponsorship and Feeding Program From what was given for the children living beside the garbage dump site, we were able to buy school bags for 10 children and a sack of rice and canned goods to distribute. We also had a child dedication service and message for them with lunch after!!!