You are on page 1of 4

.

M a r c h - A p r i l 2 0 13 V olume 1, Issue 2

The Blessed
A GCCS Partnership Newsletter to ZCS

The Annex Project


Praise God for a new project this year! With the partnership of Zeeland Christian School and Holland Christian High School, GCCS vision of rebuilding the old Annex building is now starting to unfold into a concrete plan. Old and Frail The annex building of GCCS is located at the back part of the school property and has been existing for more than 20 years already. It was once sold to compensate the fund for building the first two floors of the GCCS 15 years ago and was bought back 6 years ago to be used as additional rooms for elementary students. But due to the building being old and frail, with ceilings that leak and floors that are cracked, plus buildings high absorption to the suns heat, the building is not longer conducive for the students and teachers to use it. ZCS Fundraising and Holland Christian High School We praise God for yet again, the generous hearts of our dear friends from Zeeland Christian School who have been exerting their efforts to raise funds for GCCS to totally rebuild the annex building! We also praise God for Holland Christian High School in partnering with ZCS and GCCS in raising funds for this project. What a blessed union it is!

Moving-up Ceremony 2013

to be continued on pg. 3

Thirty-seven grade 6 students graduated from Grace Community Christian School, March 24, this year. The moment was bittersweet as the students already have finished a phase of their lives as elementary students but at the same time their time in GCCS has finally ended. Sponsored We will miss everyone most especially the teachers, said ZIna Yari Canonoy, one out of the 15 Zeeland Christian sponsored students who graduated this year. They acted as our second mothers, and I dont think Ill ever have teachers like them in my next school, followed by Faye Alcantara, who was sponsored by ZCS 6th graders since her early years in GCCS. Our sponsors have been one of my inspirations, said Faye when asked how thankful she is for the ZCS Sponsorship. Both said that it is one of the reasons that they want to do well
-to be continued on pg. 2

Thank you! The 6th grade GCCS graduates all lined up to express their gratitude to their Alma matter all throughout their elementary years.

Page 2 of 4

The Blessed

Collage Corner
ZCS Our dear partners from across the globe

A Journey to Our Mission visiting our dear friends from ZCS


Cold Climate, Warm Fellowship Coming from a country that is always 90 degrees, Ptr. Leo and Elma Ordiales, Carmela Mercene and I were surely not prepared enough to brace the cold Michigan weather! The freezing weather compensated with a warm welcome that we havent experienced from anyone, ever. Greetings, laughs, hugs, were exchanged between our team and the ZCS Staff and the whole student body. The ZCS Community For a couple of weeks that we visited, the whole ZCS community made us feel that we are a part of their family. We visited and observed each of the classroom through which we have learned a lot about how awesome the ZCS teachers have been exerting their efforts to really make their class learn. We have observed the relationship between the teachers and the students, and through that we have seen how Christ is placed above all else in ZCS. A lot of things that we want to put in a bag to bring back home to the Philippines! Love from the Sponsored Students to ZCS and back It has been wonderful to really get to know the classes, teachers and staff that have supported 82 students from the Philippines. I was blessed to sent the sponsored kids in the Philippines love to all of them and let them know how GCCS and each of the kids appreciate their prayers, love and support. Zeeland Christian School and Holland Christian High School A chapel in Holland Christian High School was initiated by the ZCS team that went to the Philippines last year, who are now studying in the said high school. The said team, with us Ptr. Leo, Elma and I with Bill Vandyk and Janelle Sievert of ZCS, a chapel to challenge HCHS to raise funds for the Philippines was done on March 25, 2013. Bill Vandyks opening remarks, Mariah
-to be continued on pg. 4

The Blessed A Tribute to the Treasurer


Think of someone who is dependable, committed, and trustworthy. Think of someone who was the first name that the people in GCCS and Grace From Heaven Christian Fellowship would call with regards to financial matter. Somebody who was frugal, but generous - I think of GCCS secretary and treasurer, Juliete Julie Sobriaga. Julie was a dedicated worker of GCCS for more than a decade. She gave her energy, commitment, and dedication to GCCS and GFHCF. She was truly an asset that youll rarely find. The love of Jesus Christ shone through Julies life and everyone around her had seen it. She was a loving wife to Yoy (GCCS 4th grade teacher) and a devoted mother to Aaron (12 y/o) and Aldrin(7 y/o). She was also a good friend to so many. In her career as a church and school secretary/treasurer, she worked with passion and integrity taking her career not only as a job but her lifes commitment, both to the church and to the school. Julie was called home by our Savior on April 19, 2013. Julie, who was greatly used by the Lord and had affected the lives of so many, will be greatly missed. Our hearts are deeply saddened yet we rejoice because Julies pain is over and she is now enjoying the presence of our Creator. As it said in Psalm 116: 15, Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. No guilt in life, no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life first cry till final breath Jesus commands my destiny! No power of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns, or calls me home Here in the power of Christ, Ill stand!
-In Christ Alone, Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Page 3 of 4

Dependable, Trustworthy, Committed three best words to describe our dear Julie.

The Sobriaga Family (From L-R) Julie, Aldrin, Yoy and Aaron. Yoy is a GCCS 4th grade teacher. Yoy also went to ZCS 4 years ago.

The Annex Project


continued from pg. 1
This project is now in the process of getting its permits from the government and we look forward to start digging to make new and stronger foundations and also start rebuilding soon! Looking forward The new building will be used as additional classrooms for GCCS. Lord willing, we are also envisioning someday in the future to raise the roof additional classrooms for the high school department! Greater things are yet to come!

Prayer Corner
Please pray for the whole GCCS family most especially the Sobriaga family as they cope with their loss. Please pray for GCCS transition regarding Julies job. Help us pray for the right person that God will use to be the next GCCS secretary. Please pray for GCCS enrollment as it is currently going on. Please pray for strength to the GCCS Staff as they work together for the enrollment process. Please also pray that GCCS will have a good turnout regarding the number of enrollees this coming school year

A Journey to Our Mission


Nelesen, Alexi Zastrow, Emily Slenk and Kenedy Schoonvelds encouragement on stage, with Ptr. Leos challenging words, and yours truly we praise God for how strongly He had used each and everyone who participated in the chapel! We also acknowledged the students of HCHS who also went to the Philippines before for standing with us on stage to challenge the HCHS student body to raise funds for the Philippines. All glory goes to the Lord as the challenging chapel received positive feedback HCHS has decided to partner with us and ZCS in raising funds to rebuild the annex building! Our heartfelt thanks to HCHS for their generosity and to ZCS for introducing us to HCHS. We cannot thank you enough! Blessed to be a blessing! We were really overwhelmed not only with the warmth of the ZCS community but also with their huge hearts to serve the Lord through supporting GCCS in prayers and in financial support. Our eyes have seen one of the ways that a class

continued from pg. 2


raises funds for the Philippines 5th graders all busy collecting their change, counting them all and putting them in a coin wrapper to be sent to the Philippines. We have seen each of the sponsored kids posted in the walls and rooms of ZCS. We have seen how much the kids love their sponsored students and how much they pray for them. It is ALL overwhelming! It is overwhelming to witness personally how much ZCS loves each of us and the whole GCCS too. Hearts full of gratitude...and love On behalf of Ptr. Leo and Elma Ordiales, Carmela Mercene and the rest of the GCCS Community, we would like to extend our deepest Salamat to our dear friends in ZCS. Maraming, maraming salamat! Mahal namin kayo (Thank you very, very much! We love you! We are one in the name of the Lord, We are one in the spirit, we are one in our love And because I have known you My life will never be quite the same May your spirit live through me -Merisha Ordiales

Moving-up Ceremony

continued from pg. 1

in school. We think of them often, said Zina Yari. Christian Gohil (sponsored by the Schafer family) and Natalie Obina (sponsored by the Timmer Family) have been awarded as the class top achievers. Zina Yari (sponsored by the Klompmaker Family) was awared with Best in Music and Kenneth Turbolencia (sponsored by the Hillbrand Family) was awarded with Best in Sports. Them, along with Faye and 10 other sponsored students plus the other 22 grade 6 students will be moving forward to high school. We wish them well and pray that the Christian values that have been taught to them by GCCS will be carried out as they move on with another phase of their lives.

Smile! Zina Yari and her mom smiles, as they celebrate Zina Yaris accomplishment

Nervous-excited as Faye (2nd from the right) and her classmates are being presented as GCCS gradutes.

We think of them often. Zina Yari Canonoy

We have a website! www.facebook.com/gccsphilippines www.vimeo.com/gccsphilippines/videos

You might also like