We've been very blessed by the ministry of Resources for the Blind here in Davao!
Tuesday they hosted a birthday party for Jesus for their younger clients. Arlene and I took James and Jerard to the party. It was great fun!
Teachers Anna and Daisy with Jerard. They provide twice-a-week
occupational therapy for Jerard.
Ben and James had the fun of playing with some of the neighbor kids the other day in the vacant lot next to us. The kids were teaching Ben how to shoot arrows from the coconut fronds. They had a great time and Ben is looking forward to Christmas break to play more with them.
"Welcome to Hotel Bethlehem...." the exuberant elementary kids sang at last night's performance of Hotel Bethlehem. It was a wonderful show and a clear presentation of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
The choir director did an excellent job working with the kids to learn all their songs and motions.
I had the fun and privilege of being 'costume manager'! I truly enjoyed doing that!
Ben had a great time singing in the choir, too!
pinning up costumes
making sure kids look good for the show!
Ben
Ben enthusiastically singing and doing the motions for the songs
The K - 4th graders
The choir ended the show with a rousing performance of "Jesus, Jesus, Oh What A Wonderful Child." A clear invitation to accept Christ as Saviour was presented. As I watched and listened I thanked God for all the teachers at Faith Academy, for the privilege our kids have to attend here, and for being able to be in a school that can clearly present the gospel and real reason for Christmas.
"Jesus, Jesus
Oh what a wonderful child
Jesus, Jesus
So lowly meek and mild
New life, new hope, new joy He brings
Won't you listen to the angels sing
Glory, glory, glory
To the new born King"
Isaiah 9:6-7
6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Tawa tawa is a weed that grows here in the Philippines. It is also useful for helping dengue sufferers get better faster. I'm told it helps build up the platelet count of dengue sufferers.
Our helper, Arlene, has been making tawa tawa tea for James and he has two large glasses of it each day. He does seem to be helped by it and today his rash is much better and his energy level is higher.
Thanks for praying for him as he continues to recover from dengue fever!
James has been running a high fever for the past few days.
This afternoon he developed a rash on his face, neck, arms, chest and back.
The doctor is very certain it is dengue.
So, keep James in your prayers as he recovers from this viral infection.
James hasn't been quite so happy lately, but he is doing ok.
The doctor said it's better to get dengue when young, just like
chicken pox is better to have when a kid. It's tougher on adults.
In case you want to know more about dengue, read on.....this is the short story of what dengue is from the World Health Organization website.....
"Dengue is transmitted by the bite of an Aedes mosquito infected with any one of the four dengue viruses. It occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world. Symptoms appear 3--14 days after the infective bite. Dengue fever is a febrile illness that affects infants, young children and adults.
Symptoms range from a mild fever, to incapacitating high fever, with severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue. It is important to maintain hydration. Use of acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. aspirin) and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Ibuprofen) is not recommended.
Dengue haemorrhagic fever (fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding) is a potentially lethal complication, affecting mainly children. Early clinical diagnosis and careful clinical management by experienced physicians and nurses increase survival of patients. "
http://www.who.int/topics/dengue/en/
