Haven of Hope Orphanage

Kid’s Summer Activities 

The children at HOH enjoyed their two-month summer vacation from school in April & May. They were involved in enjoyable activities such as bag-making, stick broom-making, and visiting families and loved ones in the nearby villages. As part of their entrepreneurial training, the children made brooms out of dried coconut midribs which they sold for P15.00 each (about 35 cents). They also visited their families in the villages to reconnect to their roots and recount the goodness of the Lord in giving them a chance to a better life in the orphanage.  Pictured below are Jhon Rey and Honeylynn (Janna).

 

This summer, the children received a  great blessing in the form of a generous monetary gift from a dear couple in California who gave funds for the children’s dental needs. Throughout the summer, the children took turns in the dental chair to have their teeth cleaned, extracted, and fixed. They came out of the dental clinic every time, smiling confidently with their clean, white teeth! All the children are very grateful to the Lord for this opportunity.  Also, two of our younger boys underwent circumcision this summer.

 

Another blessing that we received from the Lord was a good harvest of mangoes from the grounds at HOH. The children and the staff waited and prayed for four months until harvest time. When that day finally arrived, our front yard became alive with joyful activities. The children got busy running from tree to tree to help the harvesters pick the fruits and gather them in a big pile. We harvested more than 50 boxes of mangoes and sold them for a substantial amount, to help offset costs here, leaving enough mangoes for the children and the staff to enjoy, also  giving away some to our friends. What a real blessing from the Lord!

 

The children ended their summer vacation by staying overnight at a farm by a river. They enjoyed swimming in the cool, flowing water, sunbathing on top of big rocks, and basking in the beauty around them. Our boys tried their hands on fishing using improvised hook and line. When this proved unsuccessful, they tried catching fish with their bare hands. This method proved more productive! They came home very proud to show off their catch of very small fish! Coming home from the trip, the children were overjoyed as they recalled their unique experience of sampling the beauty of God’s handiwork in nature, watching fireflies shine like teeny-weeny stars at night, and listening to the concert of insects singing in abandon with the accompaniment of a gurgling stream.

 

 

After two months of enjoyable vacation, the children went back to school. Before the opening of classes, Ate Ana and the children purchased and prepared the school supplies and uniforms. It is amazing how the Lord supplied every need of the children for their schooling! To all of you who have given money and school supplies, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!  May the Lord bless you more!

 

This school year, we have one (1) college student, four in (4) high school, ten (10) elementary students, and one child who is being tutored at HOH.  Please help us pray that the children will persevere and do well in their classes and be better prepared to serve God through this opportunity.. 

 

 To God be the glory! 

 

We appreciate all of your prayers and support for the ministries here in the Philippines.

 

Jo L. Pabalate

HOH Executive Director