"Education Changes Lives "

March 19 six "kinder" aged kids were ready to make the leap into first grade. Also, three Bethany sixth graders were graduated and certified ready to head into the world of high school. Our theme at Betania Christian Academy in Cauayan Isabela this year was "Education Changes Lives". I spoke of two well known Filipinos of whom it could be said "their education changed their lives". One was the CNN hero of the year, Efren Penaflorida. Efren developed the "pushcart classroom" - a push cart loaded with chairs, table, blackboard, pencils and paper that unpacks into a portable classroom wherever uneducated children congregate. It encourages poor kids toward learning instead of their gravitating to gangs. The other famous or ,more accurately, infamous Filipino is Reuben Omar Lavilla. Ruben was the former chemical engineering student who masterminded the blowing up and sinking of a large Filipino ferry in 2004. Education itself does not really changes lives. It is our moral compass (or lack thereof) that is guiding education that determines the worth and purpose of our learning. We encouraged especially the kids' parents to continue to provide a Christian environment for their children's education to be directed in - both at home and at school.

Prayer Requests:

1. I (Steve) was applying for the Billy Graham Scholarship for furloughing Christian workers and was not accepted. This would have covered full tuition at Wheaton Grad school. God is dusting off our plan B (His plan A ). Pray for us that we see His guidance. We will continue with plans to study in the fall.
2. Alberta is on track to take her nursing license renewal April 6. Pray that study times go well in the next two weeks.
3. April 1-7 I (Steve) will accompany 3 Bethany interns to Isabela. In addition, I will speak on Good Friday to a zone of Bethany churches and speak again April 6 at the Bible school graduation. Pray for good exposure for these 3 interns and for me as I prepare to minister God's Word to His church.

Serving Christ with You, Steve & Alberta