Today is a day that has significance for only a few people. May 4 was the day in 1979 when three young Minnesotans stepped off the plane in Cebu City, to a blast of incredibly hot air on perhaps the hottest day of that year, to begin their plan of starting a ministry for homeless children. There was nobody to welcome us, no brass band or flower leis. But it was an exciting day for Kathy, Marlys and me. We had been thinking, dreaming and praying for this day. May 4, 1979.
Or was it May 5? Sometimes we debate that. We are at the age now where we sometimes get a little fuzzy on details. It was one of those two days, I'm almost certain. I guess it doesn't matter. I've never been a slave to details. There we were, three young people without much in the way of experience or training about how to live in a tropical country, how to fix up a house or, more significantly, how to take care of children. I've got a feeling that there were a few people back home and here in Cebu who thought that we were destined for failure. In fact, I know its true because some of those folks have admitted it to me. I guess I can't really blame them. But we had one thing going for us. We were convinced that God had called us to go to Cebu and that, having done that, He would be with us. Through thick and thin.
There has been some thin over the last 34 years, but its mostly been thick. The excitement of stepping out in faith as we climbed down those airplane steps is still there for our staff. Much has changed in terms of facilities, staff, the number of children we care for, and the size of our annual budget. (Our first year we got by on about $6,000!) But mostly its the same. We get up in the morning, we do the work of taking care of children who do not have families, and we go to bed again. There is no drudgery in this work, and it is as fun and exciting as it was when we took in our first child in 1979.
May 4th or 5th or whatever day it was doesn't seem to matter much in terms of the big picture, and the challenges we face today in caring for 90 children in Banawa Hills. But it will always be important to those of us old timers who stepped out of that plane and into a life that has meant so much to us and to many other people, including almost 900 children.
Thanks to all who have had a part in it!
The Day After Christmas At CSC
Enjoy some smiles as the kids use their new Christmas gifts!
4 Stars! (We do it right.)
We just got a letter in the mail from Charity Navigator, and we are celebrating. Charity Navigator's assessment of our integrity in finances, transparency and governance has led to a 4-star rating for the fourth year in a row! Just 9% of nonprofits can say the same.
We only do this work because people support us, and we are proud to use your money in a way that both honors God, and meets with the approval of places like Charity Navigator. Here's to four stars four times!
Wrapping Gifts
Have you guys wrapped your Christmas presents yet? Already stocked those stockings? If you haven’t, it is still two days before Christmas so you still have time.
Right now, there are 84 kids at CSC which includes our Teen Home residents. That means, we wrapped 84 gifts and stocked 84 stockings. Whew! Honestly, it is a lot of work! And I have not even mentioned shopping for these gifts yet. But when you see the beaming faces of the kids when opening their presents, it is worth all the work.
I know you are all eager to see new pictures of cute little faces at CSC—whether at Facebook or in the website. But, for this blog, let me show you cute ADULT faces. Here is a glimpse of the behind the scene of the Christmas wrapping party—we call it a party just because!
Thank you all for your generosity this past year and continued generosity even for the next year. You may not be here with us during Christmas, but know that you are one of the reasons why we see cute little beaming faces at CSC everyday! Merry Christmas!
Homework
Homework can be such a drag....even for the kids at CSC. And can I please get a refresher on genotypes? I mean really, who needs that in social work? I recently was asked, "Auntie Megan, do you know how to do this one?" A worksheet gets shoved in my face and I'm staring at a grid of four boxes with a few capitalized "A's" and a few lowercase "a's." Umm...no. I barely made it with a passing grade when I had to learn that years ago!
One
night recently, when I was on duty, multiplication was a prominent feature in the homework department. I was helping
one girl who was struggling with 2-digit multiplication. I actually
don't think she was having that difficult of a time, but was
more annoyed that she had makeup work due to missing class the day
before. So 2x the homework (see what I did there?) in one evening. But
together we worked through it...even after about 30 minutes of her
splayed out on the floor, crying, pushing herself and her chair outside,
or hiding under the table. Perseverance friends. When it was bedtime,
I had to convince her to stop, put the assignment away, and that she
would need to finish in the morning since she wasted time whining about
her homework. I think this was just a ploy to try staying up later.
The
next time I was in that house as bantay? Division here we are! This
was much easier and definitely faster. Other kids occasionally have it
easy and don't have homework. They tend to spend their evening hanging
out, reading, or playing games. Most of the kids are pretty good about
focusing, but there are still bouts of distraction and avoidance. Gotta
take the good with the bad and just try to make the most of it! So
here's to brushing up on my math skills and renewing my ability to find
patience and negotiate!
Christmas Fun at CSC.
Nothing in the world is as much fun as Christmas at CSC. Thanks to all who help make this possible. Your gifts put smiles on many faces.