Playing for the Children

-- an Australian fundraising concert to benefit Rehoboth Children's Home

On September 21, 2007 an awesome event was held at Springwood Baptist Church in the Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney. This concert was the brainstorm of a couple of Aussies to raise awareness and much needed funds for Rehoboth.

We were also excited to hear one of the sponsors Ron and Donna Nauta's son Jake and his mate Daniel were going to make a guest performance on the evening. The band is called Playjerise (www.playjerise.com). Very cool guys and wonderful music. We just loved them. At long last Tony and our boys have found music they both like.

Also featuring was a guy called Phil Davidson (www.phildavidson.net). Phil was an awesome performer and true entertainer who got the crowd going and involved. (We just couldn't stop laughing at some songs). Phil is also a schoolteacher and taught the Playjerise boys a few years ago at their local school.

Some of the best energy was when the two acts got together to form a trio with some impromptu songs.

Tony, Rhondda and Hannah and took a flight from Brisbane to Sydney to attend the event. When Hannah and Lea saw each other again there were lots of excited squealing and hugs. I just love these moments as the girls have formed such a wonderful bond, which will be with them forever. Knowing they started their lives off together and now are able to have a very special friendship for life.

Donna made the incredible trek 4 hours on a bus, 1 hour in an aircraft then another hours drive, from country Victoria to see her boys, including making it a surprise visit for Jake! As Donna was from "around these parts" it was fun to go to the shops with her - where she chatted to old friends like she had never left.

Elisa Bowe came especially from Melbourne to help host the event, and what a girl she is! Elise is truly a gift from God and her heart is just never ending. Elisa spoke on the evening and shared a short DVD with us. Because Elisa speaks from the heart she was able to influence many more willing people wanting to help out on the mission trips. So Rehoboth will be seeing some very excited and enthusiastic youths (14 +) over there to help out on the next stage of the building project. We also gained two new people wanting to become sponsors of the children at Rehoboth.

There was also some very touching video clips of the Philippines to compliment the DVD Elisa presented which would have had a profound effect on those who were not aware of poverty and its effect.

The Springwood Baptist Church gave very generously of their facilities and many volunteers. The Church Youth group and kids from the local Christian School also volunteered their time. The Kids who collected ticket sales, made coffee and served supper as well as the wonderful sound engineer Bruce Wheatley and Church Treasurer John Cochrane helped make it a bumper night, raising around AU$2,700 -- over half a months operating expenses for the orphanage.

We were also fortunate to be joined by Joel and Jackie Douma and their children from Sydney who have been long time supporters of Rehoboth.

The day after the concert was some really special time together for the Children and Adults alike hanging around the Walters house and exploring their local town of Springwood in the Blue Mountains ... They are good hosts.

The week after the Concert our family attended the "Philippine Adoptive Families of Queensland" Camp with 25 other familles. I mention this for a reason; someone said to me after that: - " Gosh you go to a lot of adoption functions - Is it expected?" I didn't answer because I was surprised. My answer to Rhondda later was " No! They're Family!" and our Rehoboth Family is truly unique.

We are now seeing other families from other Homes starting to connect in the same way. We hope our extended families in Europe and North America develop similar bonds.

Thank you soooo much to the guys who made this possible Phil, Jake and George. Bless You!

-- Rhondda & Tony Dunne, October 2007