The Importance of Support For First-time Homeschoolers

In my previous post, which was about 2 weeks ago, I lamented about the seeming lack of understanding and support for our decision to homeschool preschool Tim who will be turning 4 in October. Since then, a lot of things have happened, and I can only say that I am further convicted to homeschool Tim, at least during the preschool years (hubby and I are still discerning on what happens beyond preschool).

Three significant things happened that further emphasized the need to promote the cause of homeschooling among other less-informed people, and also stressed the importance of support for first-time homeschoolers, like ourselves, who could easily have given up on our decision to homeschool.

First, I was able to chat with two homeschooling mommies, Michelle and Josette. I have never met Michelle in person but chatting with her was like chatting with a friend from long ago. She gave some very inspiring and informative input about HSing, and I am really grateful that we met online. As for Josette, she was one of my "mentors" when I was a campus youth leader, and later on a mission volunteer for our Catholic community. She and her family moved to the US a long time ago and we had lost touch but thanks to Facebook, we got reconnected and started sharing homeschooling and mommy stories. It was truly divine intervention! Indeed, chatting with these two mommies made me feel less "alone" in this homeschooling journey! Thank You Lord!

Second, hubby and I were able to talk to our leaders in the community about our past mission, our current situation and hopes for the future, including our homeschooling plans. It was wonderful to know that our elders support us 100% in our decision and promised to pray for us and our plans. God is sooo good!

Third, we were also finally able to pay a visit to the Catholic Filipino Academy (CFA). This is a homeschool founded by none other than renowned Catholic lay preacher and evangelist Bo Sanchez. We were able to purchase a DVD of the Orientation they usually give to parents, and were assured by the person in charge that we are on the right track with Tim so far, and were in fact, recommended to start the formal Kindergarten curriculum for Tim next year. She even let me browse through the materials they had, and to my pride and joy, it seems that Tim is a bit advanced in some areas, based on their curriculum. Praise GOD for mission and the opportunities it gave me to spend time with Tim and teach him through our play sessions!

In all these, I can only say that God is slowly setting the path for our homeschooling journey. Although we have informally started homepreschooling Tim, it is good to know that there are others like us, journeying the same path. It is good to know that we are not alone. First, we have our Lord, who is guiding us every step of the way (except when we're stubborn and refuse to listen!). Then, we have family (my parents are totally supportive of our homepreschooling!) and friends, especially from community, who support us and pray for us. Yes, there are still people who think we're depriving Tim of a good education by not letting "real" teachers teach him, but at least now, I have less doubts and fears about doing this.

I am so blessed! We are so blessed! In fact, you could say we are TRULY RICH! Thank You Jesus!

P.S. By the way, I have a new blog: www.trulyrichmom.com. I haven't decided whether to keep this blog separately dedicated to our homeschooling journey, or just combine all posts at trulyrichmom. In the meantime, if you're following this blog, do take the time to visit me at trulyrichmom and follow me there too, just in case! :) Thanks! Godbless us all!

Challenges of Homeschooling In Our Homeland, the Philippines

It has been a week since we arrived in the Philippines. I haven't been able to blog much (or go online much for that matter) as we've been staying at my in-laws' place since we've arrived and have only been using Smart Bro prepaid for our internet connection. It is kind of slow (ironically, our broadband connection in Dili was much better!) and so I found it kind of a hassle to blog. Also, I don't know why but it seems that when we're at my in-laws' place, I tend to crash earlier (usually when we put the kids to sleep) and sleep on until morning. (Usually when I fall asleep earlier in the evening, I wake up in the wee small hours of the morning, and then do some work or blog or FB). Perhaps it's the adjustment to life in Manila. Ironically here we do a lot of commuting (we had not just one but TWO mission vehicles in Timor!) and maybe that's why I am more tired at the end of the day. Especially since we bring the two kiddies along with us most everywhere we go. Well, I hope my body adjusts soon.

Speaking of adjusting, sleep routines and commuting and lack of internet time aren't the only things our family and I have been adapting to. I have been very vocal about our desire to homeschool our children, particularly Tim, our eldest who is turning 4 in October. this is partly why this blog was born actually. However, after only one week in the Philippines, this desire, no, CONVICTION, has already met with a lot of questions and semi-negative comments from people (who probably mean well but may not be totally informed about what homeschooling entails and results in). These include members of our own families and community and friends who of course are mostly concerned with the children's socialization / forming friendships with other kids. Personally, I don't blame these people for being concerned, but do feel a bit put off when they insist that regular schooling is THE only way to go. I for one firmly believe that each family and each child is unique, and homeschooling may be the call for some families (like ours) and regular schooling for others.

One of the things that homeschooling detractors don't realize is that homeschooled kids have so many options and opportunites for socialization. Even here in the Philippines! One of the homeschooling mom's blogs I've read actually describe her kid's "after-school" activities with Kids Ahoy, which is something that hubby and I plan to explore with Tim, if God-willing, we can afford it! The good thing is, Tim is eligible for CFA's homeschooling program only when he turns 4 and a half, which leaves us about 10 months to prepare financially, emotionally, logistically, and of course, spiritually for homeschooling.

Since we are at present fulltime lay missionaries (or in our community's terms, fulltime pastoral workers or FTPWs) dependent on monthly missionary allowances (or salaries in other words), we are currently exploring alternative means of earning extra income to meet the needs of our growing family. Needless to say we believe that God will provide, and this He does every day without fail! Indeed we are truly rich and blessed! I know that God will also provide for Tim's and Rysse's education, in His own time and way. Blessed be His name!

I also know that there will be more challenges, questions, detractors, negative comments ahead of us as we continue to explore, discern, re-discern and decide on how far we will go on this homeschooling journey. But I am not discouraged. I WILL NOT BE. Because I know that God is with us. And I also know that negative comments, questions, doubts and challenges to homeschooling usually come about due to a lack of deeper knowledge, understanding and acceptance of homeschooling. And so today I say, bring it on! Whatever happens, God will lead us and empower us, in ALL aspects of our lives! Yehey! May God be praised!

Lessons From Our Timorese Family

Earlier (or should I say yesterday) our community had a despedida (farewell) party in honor of our missionary family. It was supposed to be a surprise but we already knew about it since hubby was the one who suggested it to our co-missionary, Karen, in the first place. Of course, we didn't let on that we knew so as not to spoil it for the others, who came prepared with food galore and well-wishes and farewell gifts.

Needless to say, it was an afternoon that left me with swollen eyes and an overflowing heart. I couldn't help but let the tears flow when our brothers and sisters started saying their messages, especially our young mission volunteers and fulltime workers. They are the FUTURE of the community here, and in effect contribute to the future of the Church as well.

It was especially tear-jerking because most of the farewell messages were meant not just for hubby and I, but especially for our two children, who were both born here on mission in Timor Leste. Our community members here call them "their children," "their younger brother and sister" and yesterday's despedida was a testimony to God's amazing love, that unites us all as one family, no matter what race, color, language or nationality. What a beautiful lesson for us all.

 We were also dressed up in traditional Timorese "tais", beautifully hand-woven with love by our lovely CFC women from Ermera. Even the kids had their own "tais".

 

 

I was crying so much when they started putting on the "tais." And also when they were giving their gifts for the kids. Our Timorese brethren here are much less fortunate than our own families back home, yet I could see the richness of their hearts as they bestowed their gifts and well-wishes upon our family. It taught me to be ever more grateful for what God has blessed us with, and firmed up my resolve to teach our kids to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord in the service of others.

Another lesson learned (or rather re-learned) is that being in community, one has the blessing of a positive, faith-filled support environment. And not just for yourself, but for your kids as well! What greater way for your child to develop his socialization skills than exposing him to community activities. Hubby and I were amazed just now because Tim was happily playing with his Timorese friends, despite him speaking only English and them speaking Tetun. Indeed, the language of play and laughter knows no boundaries!


But probably the most important lesson learned here was this: One should never limit the ways and means that our great God has to show us and affirm us that He alone has the BEST plans for us, He alone knows what we need and desire, and above all things, HE ALONE IS ENOUGH! Maromak deit to'o ona mai ami! God is enough for us! Obrigadu barak ba ami nia familia tomak iha Timor Leste! Thank you so much to our family in Timor Leste! We love you and will miss you dearly!

Here are more pics from our despedida. :) After all the well-wishes and giving of gifts, we were asked to give our own messages, and then were prayed over by the entire community. A cake-cutting and wine-pouring ceremony preceded the fellowship, the food was brought ala "potluck" by CFC from the different parishes. We were so blessed to have Fr. Alan and Fr. Ferdie, two very Charismatic and supportive priests with us all throughout the day (they had been there since the morning for the Vocations Forum and Closing Mass of the Singles for Christ conference).

Ba ami nia maun-alin doben sira iha Timor Leste - Ami nia mensajem ba ita boot sira husi Saun Paulo nia surat ba Sarani sira iha Efeso 5:29-30:  
²⁹Ema ida la hirus nia isin lolon, maibe nia fo han no tau matan ba nia nudar Kristu tau matan ba Kreda. ³⁰Ita hotu Kristu nia isin lolon nia liman ain. ³¹ 
 No moos: 
 ¹⁹Koalia ba malu ho liafuan salmu nian, ho knananuk no dadolin santu nian, hodi hananu knananuk no salmu ba Na’i, hodi hahi Nia iha imi nia laran. ²⁰Iha Na’i Jesus Kristu nia naran, fo agradese ba Aman Maromak tamba buat hotu. ²¹Haraik an ba malu ba tamba imi hamtauk Kristu. (Efeso 5: 19-21)