Who says
graduation programs happen only in March? Visions of Hope Christian School in Caloocan, in partnership with BLESS (Basic Life Empowerment and Support System), held its first closing program on June 11, 2012. Seven students received
certificates with confidence, having acquired not just academic
knowledge but also spiritual learning because they were taught of their worth and the importance of having a relationship with Jesus. The program was held at the Hope of Glory Worship Ministry Center in Caloocan.
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| Teacher Tina Gellor, Peer Servant for VOHCS, makes the welcome remarks … |
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| ...and Teacher Mel leads the singing of the national anthem. |
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Here and in next six photos, pupils from VOHCS in Laguna read
descriptions of the school beginning with the letters in the acronym VOHCS. The children from Laguna performed this special number to
encourage the VOHCS-Caloocan parents and graduates.
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| The children express thanks to VOH for teaching them to become the persons of value God created them to be. |
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Mrs. Rowena Kakilala, BLESS Philippines director,
speaks words of
encouragement and inspiration. She told the children:
“God has a plan for
each of you and He has a purpose
for your being in this program.” |
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Rowena Kakilala asks children what they want to be when they grow up.
One girl said she wants to become a policewoman.
One boy said he wants to be a soldier.
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Ms. Kakilala challenges parents to know God so that their
children will know God as well. "Everyone has an eternal destiny.
Someone died for you.
You have to make a decision and choose to follow God,"
she said.
She also said that parents should tell
their kids how much they love them
and that loving children includes disciplining them.
"He who spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is careful
to discipline him," she said, quoting Proverbs 13:24.
“We can use the rod in disciplining them but we should explain to
them why we did it and should explain it in love.”
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Maricel delos Santos, one of the parents, speaks of
how God changed her son's life through VOH and BLESS. "When JB comes home from school he teaches his younger siblings songs he learned in school," she said. |
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JB delos Santos is the 11th child in a brood of 14. His mother says:
"He used to be quiet and shy and would
not play with other children. He has learned how to make
friends and has become a happy boy."
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| Here and in next photos, the children receive their certificates from Weng Kakilala. |
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| The children with Teacher Elisa, Teacher Tina, Teacher Catherine and Mrs. Rowena Kakilala. |
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At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked,
“Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven?”
He called a little child to him, and placed the
child among them.
And
he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and
become like
little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
-
Matthew 18:1-3
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Photos and reportage: Michelle Taway
