Mel and Randy's News

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YouTube - Your Gift Part 5
 

 

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YouTube - Malaybalay City Children in need
 

 

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YouTube - Malaybalay Youth Center
 

 

“Da Place” Malaybalay Youth Center

Since opening Da Place has picked up its pace in ministry. With two informal cell/Bible study groups with about 8 youth in each,  a rally and preaching every Thursday after school  on a stage in a basketball court,  fellowship and friendship building, and band tutorial.

It’s in a wonderful God-appointed location across the road from a High school, and down the road from an elementary school.

We are hoping that when the youth centers’ support is more consistent that we will be able to start a regular free lunch or snack and Bible story on Wednesdays for Grade 6 students.  Please pray for this.

Occasionally, there are some young children hanging around outside so Randy will take the opportunity to read Bible Stories to them.

Praise God!!  The youth center received a little persecution, a volunteer was quietly standing outside the center and a drunken 40 or so year old man came up and punched him the jaw for no reason!!  He was later arrested for various charges. Randy visited him in the jail and decided to drop the charges of assault in grace to this man as he has many other charges.

Values Formation Teaching

Praise God!!  The Mayor of Malaybalay City has given his recommendation for Randy

(who is officially a Chaplain of the Philippine Coast guard Auxiliary) to teach values at the high school which is across the road from our youth center.  After the Principal decides the schedule, Randy should begin teaching values in life at the High school soon until late 2009.  Wow another door to bring His Word!! Pray!!

Jail Ministry

  Randy is now also a Parole Officer Volunteer, and he his helping pastor Tim in his Jail ministry. Every Saturday afternoon they visit the jail bringing the instruments from the youth center and teach about 8 of the inmates (who became born again),  music and praise songs, and to disciple  them.

Some of these men are really being impacted and they would like to become Pastor’s when are finished their sentence, they want to live for the Lord. Pray for them!!

Child Sponsorship Program

  This past month we have not had any more activities with the families whose children need sponsors.  There are still more children in need of sponsors. And the children whom do have sponsors committed to them are in need of their regular monthly support. We have asked the kids to write letters, and we are in the process of translating them and they will soon be sent out.

At Home Ministry

While Randy is busy with ministry out of the house, we are still busy here; growing and learning. The kids are developing; Jakim learning fast now with reading, writing, telling time, counting and addition. Alexandria learning to walk and talk; and Chenaniah, is chugging away at grade 1, an excellent student, and learning how to be a friend and forgive his classmates. Wife, and Teacher Mama Mel, is also learning and growing in character and (in belly haha). 1 ½ month to go before baby is born. I said in the last newsletter that we would call him Frankie but we decided to change it so to be announced.

Please pray for his birth it is my hope that I can do a trial of labor and that the doctors will agree. They think that it is too soon after my previous Caesarean and are recommending a repeat.  But the recovery would be long and hard on us as a family, if that were to happen, especially for Alexandria. Please also pray for the provision of the hospital fees for the delivery. If I cannot pay on time they will not release me from the hospital.

Praise the Lord we have been blessed with a used motorbike, easier for Randy to get around and cheaper than our old ford on gas.

Thank you so much dear friends for trusting us and partnering with us in what He is doing here. We are excited about what is taking place and the doors of opportunity that have opened up, in this new neighbourhood we are in  Please continue to pray for the salvation and discipleship of those whom hear the word. Pray for Randy’s continual wisdom and perseverance in present the Word, and for me as I support him at home and teach our children.

  Yes, you’ve probably heard in the news about the war in Mindanao. So far we haven’t seen any action in our city, as there are many military camps here. But the fighting is occurring in other regions ranging from 3 to 6 hrs drive from were we are.  Please pray for our safety, as foreigners can be targeted right now in kidnappings and what not, by other groups whom want to take advantage of the instability here.

  WE would love to hear from you and to be apart of your lives also in prayer, so please write us and let us know how you are!!

Randy and Melanie Relos

P.O. Box 01

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

8700

Mindanao, Philippines

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!!!