Melba Update No.20

Written by David Evans | 06 May 2010

Philippians 2:4 “Each of us should look out not only for our own interests, But also  for  the  interests of others. To all Melba’s Aussie supporters & friends. I have just returned from a 3 week visit to the Philippines and wish to present this report to you on her behalf. I arrived in Cebu, Philippines, March 25 and was met at the airport by Melba and the girls. 

School has concluded for the summer break. Summer holidays are the months of April and May with school resuming in June. The only duties left for the school was the recognition of students for the past 12 months.  On Monday, March 29 it was recognition day for the primary school.   Our three primary girls - Jenelyn Junavel & Jocelyn all received the following honours. 

Junavel:  First class honours, Best in English,  Best in Math’s,  Best in Civics & Culture,  Best behaved, Most neat & clean.
Jenelyn:  Best behaved, Most punctual
Jocelyn  (our newest & youngest):   Most helpful, Most cooperative

The next day, March 30 it was the High School’s recognition day. Unlike primary school where the children are told in advance what awards they have earned,  the High School students do not know until their names are called out. Jinky  was the outstanding high school student receiving  3 Gold & 2 Bronze medals. I was as excited as any parent to see the achievements of our girls as they also asked if I can pin their medals on them. The girls also have a good work ethic at home. Junavel is sometimes up at 4.30 am sweeping the concrete paths, etc, outside the home!!   At 6.00am Jinky prepares the breakfast,  Jenelyn prepares the table & Jocelyn cleans the bathroom & helps make beds. They then take it in turns to wash the dishes. Melba checks their homework & does a daily devotion before breakfast with them.

The next day things changed dramatically for them as it was their first ever visit to the dentist.  Some just needed to have their teeth cleaned others had to endure needles, drilling & fillings.  Melba told me not to accompany them to the dentist as it was not safe for a Westerner to enter that area & sure enough a robbery took place in front of them. They are all  now on iron tablets,  vitamins  & worming/parasite tablets. he following day again as Melba & Jocelyn were walking to the shops a man in a car pulled out a gun & shot dead a dispatch rider a few mins before they arrived. e have now had double dead locks fitted to their house; security doors back & front of the house & security screens fitted. It is now a much safer place for them to live.   Living in the Philippines is not without its dangers so when Jinky resumes High School in June we have to arrange for a tricycab to bring her home at night. High school finishes at 10pm. Due to the generosity of an Australia lady I was able to take in with me many children’s new clothes, some of which were distributed to recent fire victims & poor & needy. Just before I concluded my time in the Philippines a friend of Melbas on the island of Illigan asked them all to come & have a break with them. This lady also has an orphanage & is supported by the Baptist Church. The home is very spacious and very close to the ocean. They took a trek into the mountains to the Tinago falls & Maria Christina falls.  Most of the electricity for the Philippines is generated from these falls. It was good for them to observe firsthand how electricity is generated.  Until the Before they left for Cebu a pig was killed & roasted on the spit.

Until the next time on behalf of Melba & the girls, thank you so much for your prayers, love, concern & financial support.

May the God of peace bless you, prosper you, keep you safe and always make His face to smile upon you.
David