Staff Blog

Sometimes there are things going on in Cebu that make our team there feel too far away from me in the US. It could be a difficult decision, a weighty situation with a child or an important event in the life of one of our team members. Leading an organization in which most of the team and the work are regularly 9,000 miles away has its challenges...but this unusual arrangment has taught me over and over again the powerful role of prayer.

There have been times I've said, "I wish there was more I could do than pray." It's a statement that feels a little strange, but I know why it slips out of my mouth. I'd like to be there to lift a load, hold a hand or make the decision in the moment, but there's only so much I can do from the other side of the International Date Line. At some point, I have to leave things in the capable hands of our Cebu leaders.

I feel the same way when I'm in Cebu and something comes up with my family back home. At some point, there's only so much I can offer via email, Skype or text and I need to leave things in the capable hands of my wife.

It's a disarming feeling on either side of the ocean. I want to be able to take charge and make things better. It's a little delusion I live with...control. Ever struggled with that?

Thanks be to God it is his hands that ultimately hold CSC. He has breathed life into this place, and he offers us the opportunity to breathe a prayer into the day, situation and children he has given us. Feel free to breathe those prayers any time you think of us!

Oh, and if you'd like to pray more intentionaly for CSC we'd love to have you join our FrontLine prayer team. You can sign up here:)

There are different departments at CSC:  Child Care, Counseling, Office, Medical, School, Therapy, and Maintenance.

Some of the departments do not interact with the kids on a daily basis.  They are either dealing with paperwork or fixing a broken light bulb.  Their work is as important as an auntie cooking a meal for the kids.  The children are blessed no matter what a person’s job is because they are surrounded with gifted individuals who provide care to them in so many ways.

When you think of a physical therapist, an engineer and a housefather, it might seem like an odd mixture for a team, but not at CSC.  Odd is beautiful.  Recently, these three joined together to help one of the toddlers.  The toddler is developmentally delayed and he receives more care than others because of his needs. 

We do not always have the correct or needed equipment around the shelter, so we make do or figure out a way to make what we need and we try to do that well.  With lots of brainstorming between the physical therapist, the engineer and the housefather, they were able to create a piece of equipment that allows the toddler to cruise around the playground.

The little guy’s smile was priceless!  People watching were teary-eyed.  The proud team was also beaming with smiles.  One kid’s success is everyone’s success.  Whether you are fixing a light bulb, making a meal or just visiting CSC, the impact you have on a kid’s life is priceless.     

Marlys, Jenny and I just got back from British Columbia, where we had the pleasure to attend the Canadian banquet. We have an organization in Canada that puts on a banquet and auction every Spring to raise money for the ministry of CSC. Led by a faithful board, the Cebu Christian Shelter Community for Children works hard throughout the year to promote CSC and plan their annual event.

The amazing thing about the Canadian organization is that it is entirely volunteer. As such, they can send everything that they raise to Cebu for the kids. This year's event raised about $30,000 for the ministry. I can not begin to describe how hard the board members worked to put on this evening, getting the auction items, displaying the silent auction items, decorating the church, planning the program and handling the seating. What a dedicated group of people expressing their love for the kids in Cebu through hard work and dedication.

We had such a great time attending and participating in the event, meeting with the board and fellowshiping with friends in the area. A highlight was seeing two former residents with their families.

Harry and Marlene Schmidt, who built our residences in Cebu back in 1992, were at the event, and it was such a pleasure to be able to thank them, once again, for the impact they had on our ministry. The Schmidt Family Foundation has partnered with children's ministries around the world, bringing hope to thousands of children.

Thanks you CCSCC, for your hard work and for sharing our burden for homeless children in the Philippines. What a great event you put on! Again.              

prog·ress

part of speech: noun

pronunciation: ˈpräɡres/

 1.     Forward or onward movement toward a destination.

 2.     The advance or development toward a better, more complete, or more modern condition

part of speech: verb

pronunciation: prəˈɡres/

1.     To move forward or onward in space or time.

2.     To advance or develop toward a better, more complete, or more modern state.

It is almost summer where you are, so bare with me on this journey through Webster's pages and this highly intellectual post!  ;)  Progress, the noun, is a thing most of us look for to determine the success or failure of an effort.  It a measure of change, advancement, improvement---pounds lost, degrees earned, etc., toward a goal.  It is something we want to see. 

Progress, the verb, is the effort.  It is the actual forward motion.  It encompasses the sweat and tears involved in bettering oneself, finishing a degree, running another mile.  Or as it says above, becoming more complete.  It is a process requiring hard work.

Sometimes progress, the noun, is hard to chart or to see.  The work is there, but it seems there is little to show for it.  Thankfully, at CSC, this is not true.

Below you will see only a smidgen of the countless proofs of progress at CSC, in a series of before and after pictures.  Children arrive to CSC usually in a bad state.  They are often not healthy.  They stay in our Infirmary for as long as it takes to rid their bodies of lice, worms or other illnesses.  The evidence of physical progression alone is cause for rejoicing in God's goodness to improve the lives of CSC's children.  However, their progress is much more than physical.

If you look at many of the faces in the before pictures, their is understandable fear and uncertainty registering there.  Strangers are visiting them and talking about taking them from their home.  Of course it is for their betterment, their progress, their health, but that is hard to fully communicate in such emotional times.  But look at the faces in the after pictures.  There is peace, happiness, and excitement.  

Some synonyms for progress: make headway, get better, gain ground, improve, advance, develop, and make strides.  For our youngest residents, they literally learn to walk and then run while in our care.  Now that's progress!

Some other synonyms for progress: thrive, prosper, blossom, and flourish.  

And that is what kids do at CSC.  There are many hands working tirelessly for the advancement of these precious children.  From nurses, teachers, therapists, social workers, counselors, houseparents, guards, missionary staff and childcare workers.  Their effort contributes to the progress of the children.  I don't want to leave out the effort put forth by our children though, because that is very real too.  They take the risk to trust, and follow our instruction and learn to be a kid again.  And finally, the investments made by you donors is effort, it's forward motion.  Your effort can also be seen in the smiling faces above.  

To me, this is what progress looks like.

After being in Cebu for a little over four months, I have realized we welcome lots of people. Some people include the many visitors and supporters of CSC.

Over five years ago, I was welcomed to CSC in a very different context. I came with the Central Baptist Church work team. I was embraced by not only the staff members here, but also the kids. I remember stepping out of that van for the first time and being rushed by about 50 smiling and laughing children.

Four months ago, Peter and I were welcomed in a much quieter setting. Joel greeted us at the airport and we then had a quiet lunch with the staff. After packing up all of our belongings, saying our sweet and lengthy good-byes to family and friends, and traveling for over 24 hours, I needed a tranquil welcome. I'm thankful for the low-key greeting we received.

As I think of the many people I've met since December who have visited CSC, I can somehow relate to a piece of their experience. Here they are, for maybe the first time, or the first time in many years, stepping foot onto the campus, seeing the grounds and the people and the kids for real, and taking it all in. When I came the first time, it was all so overwhelming and fun and awe-inspiring. It was also emotional as I thought about and processed the lives of the kids: where they lived, what their lives were like before CSC, how hard so many people work to take care of them, and how they are resilient in incredible ways. I know visitors and guests don't all experience CSC in the same way, but I know people leave impacted by what they saw and experienced. I imagine many leave with a lot to process and digest. It's enlightening for me to reflect back on my time from a few years ago and think about where I've been and how I've changed in light of my experiences.

Soon we will welcome a young lady who will work with us for about 10 days. It will be exciting to have her here and hear her perspective on her time and experience  at CSC. I hope she, and other visitors, have a vivid and meaningful understanding of the work God is doing through so many people and how he is touching so many lives through this ministry.