Eight years ago today I arrived in the Philippines to begin my work at CSC. It's amazing how it seems like such a short and long time ago at the same time! I can still remember that trip so clearly, but yet it seems as if I've always been with CSC.
Recently I did a count, and, if my count is correct, 241 kids have been a part of CSC during my eight years here. Some for just a short while and others for the entire time I've been here. What a blessing it has been for me to have each of them as a part of my life!
Now my time at CSC is ending. In three short weeks, I'll be moving back to Minnesota. While I'm excited to see what God has in store for my future, I'm going to miss everyone at CSC so much! My goal this summer was to spend time with all of our 7-year-old and above kids outside of the shelter. I made a list and very slowly I've been working my way through it. Often, when the kids see me, they ask, "Is it my turn?!" It's been so much fun to hang out with them! Here are some pictures of our outings!
1. Lunch at McDonald's
2. Lunch at Jollibee! This guy was so excited to "eat outside" that he hopped, danced, and cartwheeled his way across the yard as he yelled, "Yeah!!! Jollibee!!!" I love his enthusiasm!
3. Glow-in-the-Dark Mini-golfing!
4. Nail Polish & Cupcakes Party! I took all of the 7, 8, and 9-year-old girls to my house. For those who wanted, I let them try to put the nail polish on themselves. Let's just say it was a bit messy, but so much fun! (I had to do a few fixes. The girls would come up and ask me to "erase" the messed up nail polish!) Then we headed out to a cupcake store. The blackforest cupcakes were the most popular choice...I think the cherry on top had something to do with it!
5. Dinner at Davinci's Pizza!
6. A Narnia Party! We have a sibling group at CSC that has 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Several months ago, they made the connection that they were the same as the family in the Chronicles of Narnia movie. We decided that someday we would have a "Narnia Party". This last week, we finally got around to it! The kids all created props for their characters (swords, shields, crowns, bow & arrows, etc.) and I was Mrs. Beaver. We watched "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and acted out different parts of the movie! The evening was filled with laughter and fun!
Hands that Serve
We have about 76 child care workers who do day-to-day stuff at the shelter. Most of you who have been to CSC might be aware of this. But for everyone else’s information, we have laundry washers, cooks, cleaners and, of course, the rest of the Aunties—as we call them—who watch over the children at the shelter.
Most of them don’t have a college degree, some never got the chance to finish grade school; but they take pride and joy in working at CSC. They teach the kids household chores, sometimes you see them in the playground playing with the kids and often times, they teach the little ones how to pray. They treat the kids at the shelter like their own.
For some of the aunties, being an educator is a gift. Singing nursery rhymes, dancing and learning how to count are some of their tasks that just come out naturally. Below is a short video of two aunties and some toddlers reading the story of Jonah and the Big Fish.
Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness in providing CSC with very willing hands. Please pray for all of our workers at the shelter as they continue caring for and teaching the kids.
Stacks of Books
The Reading Challenge is finishing up tomorrow! The children have been reading, a lot. Many of them leave school will a stack of books in their hands. The total number of pages read is staggering. Keep reading!
Sore Eyes
Sore eyes has hit CSC! As this blog is being written, seven babies and toddlers and one school age child have sore eyes. Sore eyes is very common in the Philippines. In the US, it is called pink eye. It affects all ages and usually spreads from one eye to the other very quickly. One’s eyes become swollen, turn pink, and are very itchy and painful. It can be miserable for anyone who has it, especially the babies and toddlers. Please pray for all the kids who currently have sore eyes and that it would not spread to others throughout the houses.
Friendships
Everybody needs friends.
For our CSC children, making a new friend is often the most important part of their adjusting to life at the Shelter.
Someone to run with……. Play with…..talk to…….laugh .……study .…..eat… and pray with.
CSC friends teach new kids the ropes, are partners in mischief and sources of understanding, comfort and encouragement. And not only that, they are a lot of fun to hang out with.
Our children come from backgrounds of poverty, neglect and loss. Who better to understand them than a friend who has experienced the same things before coming to live at CSC.
The memories of these friendships could last for a lifetime.
Mabuhay ang Wikang Filipino!
Last Friday, August 28, was a happy day for everyone at CCHS. It was the Buwan ng Wika Celebration, an all-day event focusing on Filipino language. All the students as well as the teachers really had fun.
The Filipino games played in the morning gave every student a chance to participate and every team showed good teamwork. The older kids helped the preschoolers even by carrying the little kids to get the tasks accomplished. It was an amazing sight to see all members of each team working as one.
The afternoon activity was short, but sweet. All the students’ presentations were really great! Each presentation displayed the children’s and teachers’ great efforts.
Mabuhay ang Wikang Filipino!