Rehoboth Reunion in Australia
-- Donna Nauta, April 2007
The sound of happy children's laughter filled the air at the caravan park. Three delightful little children came together to be reunited for the first time since leaving their first home…"Rehoboth Children's Home" in the Philippines. These children have been with their "forever families" in Australia now for over a year and the families have kept in contact via email and individual visits. The families have travelled from different states in Australia, from Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia for this reunion. This reunion however is so very different. Not only are the children reuniting with each other but they also have the joy of reuniting with their "Mama Fe" who cared for them, along with other wonderful carers, in their early years at Rehoboth.
Fe Canlas was able to come to Australia along with Jan and Craig Druckenmiller to visit some states and promote the work of Rehoboth in several Christian communities across the country. From talking with them all it has been a time of real blessing to them and to all who have heard their presentation. Their itinerary included Sydney and Melbourne and after the reunion they went on to Perth to spend time with Bob and Barbara Morriss, who originally had the vision and mission of Rehoboth on their hearts so long ago. Whilst in Perth there was another presentation as well as a reunion with Shakirah and her new family. Steve, Sharron and Ethan Linton-Davis have returned from the Philippines with Shakirah only recently.
Anglesea is a beautiful little seaside town at the start of the Great Ocean Rd in Victoria and this was the venue for this Rehoboth Reunion weekend. The reunion began on Friday evening with much excitement as Lea, Hannah (Jelly-Rose) and Imanuele (Joel) met each other and then Fe, Craig and Jan. There were many hugs and smiles and it didn't take long for the 3 children to get into the serious business of playing together. As well as the adoptive families (Scott and Maggie Walters, Bob and Voula Concengco and Tony and Rhondda Dunne) and their children including Tony and Rhondda's older 2 boys, Paul and Michael, Elisa was there and Ron and I…making a total of 18 in our group. Elisa Bowe is connected to Rehoboth through many mission trips over the years and is planning more this year, taking groups of students to assist in various ways in the work of Rehoboth. Ron and I were privileged to join this group as sponsors of one of the children at Rehoboth. We are also hoping and praying that in God's time our family will receive a sibling group of children through adoption from the Philippines. This past weekend gave us a wonderful opportunity of observing how the children have settled so well into their new forever families and their adopted country. They have not forgotten their Filipino heritage however, and I saw how each of the families have encouraged their children in this way, using Filipino words and phrases and singing "Happy Birthday" to Jan and Ron in their native language.
The past few days gave each of us glimpses into each other's countries and cultures. We enjoyed the presentation from Craig and Jan and in turn we were able to share some "Aussie culture" and gifts with our 3 overseas guests. We pray they will all have treasured memories of their time "down under". We had many times of celebrations and thanks and were able to celebrate Fe's graduation from her studies as a social worker. She was presented with a graduation bear which we all signed and the children contributed with hand prints on her certificate. 
The weekend was not all formalities however and we needed to show our guests the beautiful parts of God's creation here. Elisa took them on a drive to a waterfall not far and on the Sunday we drove all along the Great Ocean Rd stopping often to admire the beauty. A stop at Kennet River proved an unexpected surprise as we found lots of koalas dozing in the trees above us and the most beautiful parrots and rosellas who were so tame. The children were delighted with the animals and the playground. At the end of our drive we found the majestic 12 Apostles rock formation so once again the cameras were all out.
All too soon it was time for some of us to leave and head homewards. The families with children from Rehoboth stayed on a further few days and I am sure that time would have been a blessing while Fe, Jan and Craig travelled on to Perth Western Australia. Over these days new and lasting friendships have been made between us. As we drove home I reflected on these past few days feeling grateful to God who has, in His infinite wisdom allowed these precious little ones to have families of their own. It was so good to see how happy, healthy and well adjusted these children are. This is because of the wonderful care for them both during their early years at Rehoboth Children's Home and now with their loving families. The Lord has greatly blessed the first Home these children were in together. Our prayer is for Rehoboth, for the children who are there now, for the children still to come and for the staff who care for these precious little ones. We pray too for the plans for the extensions at Rehoboth. May our God be praised in all things!
This article has been contributed by Donna Nauta, a reunion attendee and child sponsor at Rehoboth.
