Period of adjustment... again

I've now been at Rehoboth for one week. It's been hard to make adjustments to a new place and new people again. I felt like I had finally settled at Rizal, and then I left. Only this time, it was like compound goodbyes and missing people. Because now I miss my friends in Rizal, as well as my family and friends in Australia! I keep feeling like, because of the new place and people there should be another time change. I can't tell you how many times I have looked at my watch and thought, "oh, it's 5:30 which means it's... also 5:30 in Rizal."
But God is good and he has provided with some great friends here also. I have been blessed by the 3 other volunteers who are here; 2 of whom are from the same area of Australia, and the other is from Japan. It was a surprise to discover that the three of us from Australia all live within 40 min drive of each other, and Sarah and I know a number of the same people. (I already knew about some of them, because that is how I heard about Rehoboth. And there was a team from my church who came here a few years ago.) I have enjoyed discussing with the other volunteers our different life experiences, especially with the two ladies in their 60s. Just another way I have experienced God's extensive kingdom!!
I have also enjoyed sspending several hours each day just playing with the children. My first (not counting last Monday) day didn't involve much playing because I was teaching 3 maths classes! Sarah, their teacher, had to go to Manila for the day so I agreed to take the classes. I think it went alright!
I think it was my third day here when I discovered that one of the most helpful things I can do is just play with the kids. They love the attention and it frees up the mamas (the caretakers) to be able to do some of their other jobs. So I spent most of last week back and fourth between the babies home and the children's home (two different sections of the same compound), spending a few hours at each. I think that the toddlers are my favourite age group, but the other 2 volunteers (Sarah has several official roles so she doesn't really count) already spend most of their tune there so I feel like is only fair if I divide my time equally between the babies and the children. And I do enjoy my time with the bigger kids too.
Unfortunately, I will not have many photos to share of my tinge at Rehoboth partly due to policies and partly due to the fact that I can't take photos of myself doing activities. If I had come with a team or another person, or even if I  could duplicate myself, I'm sure I could more photos. Since none of those things exist we will all have to be satisfied with few pictures, and my silly sketches!!
I did, however, take many pictures and videos of the parade and street services at the Hane Festival in Tanay on Saturday. The volunteers, directors, and the 9 elementary school aged kids braved the rain and heat to attend the festival, and it was so much fun. The kids loved it ave did a much better job at standing for 4hrs than I did!
Prayer requests
- thank God that I am settled now and for the friends he has provided
- For energy and good health as I haven't been feeling 100% for the past few weeks. I just need enough to make the most of my time here and get home ib 2 and a half weeks.
- Preparations due the team from Covenant College (the school I graduated from last year) who will be going to CCA in a week.
- guidance in sharing my faith in the opportunities
God has provided.

  clockwise from left:

1. last wed i held one of the babies until he went to sleep. i also played with the toddlers at the ssmr time!
2. while i wsd drawing these our resident bird escaped and came in my room - it took about half an hour to catch! the other lady from aust bought the bird at a pet shop last sun, only 3 days after she arrived
3. last thurs i read books to the kids for more than an hour until my throat hurt. and there is always someone playing with my watch!

  one of the street dances