more grads!!!

Shown here is Marlou, who is a college grad as of 2 days ago, and former street kid, with our campus director, Ruel. Congrats Marlou!! Marlou plans to use his automotive mechanical skills at a respected repair shop in the city. Please pray for Marlou as he begins his transition outside of CH, as a skilled, degree holding, disciple!

Also shown here are pics from todays elementary graduation:
Last week Gerald asked if I would march with him in his graduation. Since that day, he has updated me multiple times a day with news and reminders about graduation, ect. He was so proud and very excited for elementary school graduation day! Well today the day finally arrived. He came into the guest house ready to go a few hours before the ceremony looking very handsome (the school is about a 5 minute walk from campus)!!! Upon arrival at the school I put on Gerald's corsage and garlands. He smiled and promptly took his seat. On time and ready to go Gerald waited patiently for the ceremony to begin on "filipino time", instead of 9 am, 9:40 am! As we stood in line for the processional march holding hands, Gerland was suddenly quiet, and nerves seemed to take the place of his smile. He was thoroughly checking everything out, and getting ready to walk across stage. When in the middle of the stage we are supposed to stop and face the crowd and bow. Since i already know gerlad, i knew that our walk would be quick, and his bow even quicker, so i prepared to make it fast! as we approached the center, gerald did a half bow, barely stopping for me to take my place and also bow! It was so funny! All that excitment, just to get it over with so fast! HEHEHE.

I was proud to march Gerald, and even prouder to see our 6 elementary grads walk across that stage. They have already done something which some do not acheive here in the Philippines, and what many would not have expected these kids to do considering their lives before CH. 4 of the six are orphans from the north, 1 street kid from the north, and they all learned a new language as they completed their elementary. the other 2 came from very poor families and on the streets here in Mindanao. These 2 guys are many years older than their classmates, yet they still pushed through and worked hard to accomplish the, at one time, unexpected!

Congrats Diana, Nerina, Gerald, Frederico, Ryan, and Rich!!!