Because schools are out due to the corona virus, Casa Esperanza of
Angels has begun the planned summer activities for the children. The House Parents, the Social Worker and Gigi
Brown will handle different classes. We
have tutorials, Bible story classes, Math, English and crafting classes. We also teach other topics such as personal hygiene, good manners and other life learning lessons. We have film showings and games so the kids won’t feel bored.
So far the kids are enjoying their classes very much.
Today, April 6, we learned that there have been no new cases of the virus reported on the island of Negros Oriental. Two earlier cases should have recovered by this time. While this is good news, we are still on stay-home lockdown until April 18. If the ban is lifted, activities on this island can begin to get back to normal but the transportation to Manila or Cebu may still be cut off due to cases continuing to increase there.
It is in the 90's in the Philippines with high humidity so the theory that the virus may die down with hotter temperatures and humidity as is the case of the flu, does not seem to be the situation at this time. We also know that the virus continues to spread in Laos and Thailand, which are also very hot countries.
The house on the left is identical to the first house for children except the floor plan is slightly different. This house is being financed by Save Asian Souls and it will house teenage girls that are at high risk for traffickers. These girls are sold to brothels of Japan after being promised good jobs as nannies, cooks or housekeepers for wealthy families.
The roof is complete and the ceilings and walls on the inside are now being finished. The work will slow for a few weeks as workers returned home and cannot travel due to the lock-in restrictions.
A young minister has been interviewed to come work at Casa and we are hopeful he and his wife will live here to be the house parents for the teenage girls we admit to this house as well as the spiritual leader for the orphanage.
We have been very blessed to have spent some time with Jessica, the social worker. She is very nice and caring. It has been a privilege to get to know her and realize how much she cares for the children.
Ron and I also spent some time one-on-one with Renante and Erlyn, the house parents. Ron explained the sober commitment we have been given to mold the lives of children into productive human beings that will serve God. We challenged them to be committed to serving God in this job as it is one of the most important things they could do with their own lives. We talked about "parenting" and gave them some grandparents' tips for handling children that we had to learn by the school of hard knocks. They really seemed to appreciate the encouragement.
We are blessed in so many ways we can't count them. Our blessings are as numerous as the stars in the heavens. Continue your prayers for others and include us in your prayers also.
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