At Shiphrah Bahay Paanakan (Birthing Home), we see education as a key element of care that we provide for the pregnant women in our community. We offer a seminar from 9 to 10 A.M on each of our prenatal days (Tuesday,Wednesday, and Thursday). Usually between 30-60 women attend each day. To graduate, one has to attend all 9 of the classes. It is a lot of time and money for the ladies to come. Traveling to the birthing home could cost as much as $1 for a round trip and that is a lot for most of the expentant mothers who come to Shiphrah.

We celebrate the women's faithfullness and sacrifices with a party at the end...Graduation Day. Great fun is had by all in playing games, sharing special numbers and testimonies, and of course food. No party, especially a Filipino party, would be complete without food.

Thank you to those who have donated baby clothes and blankets. We give a gift of a baby layette to each graduating mom.

love,
deborah

Check out our blog:http://www.gustafson-family.blogspot.com

A Note from Pari

Following is an excerpt from an email I just received from Pari two days ago. The word "Nay" is what she calls me (Jeri). It means Mom.

"Yesterday my pastorand I are open my house room with prayer, and now Ihave one student, she is our relative and she comingfrom Tiau ( which is near India)and some girls fromour place also going to learn.Nay now I have ready for all the women who want tocome and give birth inmy house, my husband want togive a name for Mercy birthing home, but for me eventhere is no name that is ok. Nay it look so nice, onebad, one long bench, small desk and beautifulcurtains. I have enough gloves andmedicine,instruments, now only i need is your prayerwhich is nobody will not dead in my house (room).Maybeone day I will take a picture and I will sent you. Ithink it is better rent a house than doing in myhouse, now I feel very happy.Thanks for all the things.God bless you.Love Pari"

The Vikings Have Landed

When we received the email that the Wehus family from Norway would be visiting the Philippines with their three children....all from the little children's home, we were more than thrilled. The eldest, Isak, is a teenager....impossible we thought....it couldn't have been that many years ago.... then Elias almost a teen, and the youngest, Hanna Joy. They are an amazing family, venturing with great gusto up north to Baguio and down south to Bohol, wanting the children to see what a beautiful place the land of their birth is. We've so enjoyed their company these past few weeks as they've popped in and out of Manila on their way through to yet another part of the country.

As Gundersons we have a special bonding to Norway, the land of Dennis' grandparent's birth. Turns out that Terjes' and Dennis' families both come from the same remote mountain valley and we are the most distant of cousins, sharing a common ancestor on Dennis' grandfather's side in the 1500s. Doesn't that beat all?

They are truly special people and very dear to us. What a wonderful blessing to see them again.

In the posted picuture is Deborah, Grandson Auden, and the Wehus family, Asa, Hanna, Isak, Elias, and Terje standing in front of the little children's home. Hanna said, on her first or second visit, she would like to come back and work a tlc home. Wouldn't that be something?

For some great reading and pics check out the blog that Darren and Deborah have created:

(http://www.tlctours.blogspot.com/).

Amber Update

A quick update on Amber. She is gaining weight steadily. From a sorry 0.97 kg when we first got her almost 6 weeks ago, she now weighs in at 1.89 kg. Leny, tlc home Supervisor says the little mite is going through a whole can of Pre-Nan a week! Yea!

Here she is in a familiar pose with Careworker Bing. Eating, always eating. Well, when you start life behind the 8-Ball......