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Now that's some spaghetti.

If you have been to a CSC birthday party or a McDonald's in the Philippines, you've probably had Filipino spaghetti.

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I was really surprised when Auntie Pureza and Auntie Elvira showed me the ingredients for Filipino spaghetti. They are so similar to American spaghetti - like tomato paste, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, and ground meat.

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But if you've had Filipino spaghetti you know that there are two main differences to the spaghetti that we eat in other parts of the world.

1 - it's sweeter, and

2 - it has red hot dogs in it.

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Okay, maybe the red hot dogs are just a CSC thing, but regardless, this creamy and semi-sweet spaghetti is definitely a kid favorite and a top birthday party meal request in all the houses at CSC.

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My favorite thing about this day was watching Auntie Pureza make this birthday party spaghetti for what was probably the millionth time in her life. Praise God for her dedication to fill the role as a temporary mother and birthday-spaghetti-maker for the children at CSC - and with a smile on her face.

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Filipino Spaghetti
Recipe from the Cherne house

1 lb. uncooked spaghetti noodles
1 lb. Italian tomato sauce (very smooth)
8 ounces tomato paste
2 tablespoons minced onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons oil
1 lb. ground pork
½ cup minced carrots and red peppers
2 cups diced or thinly sliced hot dogs
1 cup water
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon seasoning mix*
7 ounces evaporated milk
grated cheese for topping

1. Cook the noodles according to package directions. Set aside.
2. Place the garlic, onion, and oil in a large saucepan or skillet. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until soft and fragrant. Add the ground pork and brown the meat until it’s completely cooked.
3. Add the minced vegetables and hot dog pieces and stir to combine. Add the water and allow the mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste to the meat and continue to simmer the mixture for another 10-15 minutes. Add the evaporated milk and salt and stir until incorporated. 
4. Combine the noodles and the sauce in a large pot or mixing bowl. Top with grated cheese. At Cherne they grate a processed cheese similar to Velveeta and let it melt into the top layer of the spaghetti.

*The CSC aunties use a mix called Magic Sarap which basically adds a very salty flavor. If you don't have anything like this, just use salt and pepper to taste.

Note: I wondered what made this taste so much sweeter than the spaghetti that I'm used to, and I honestly couldn't find any ingredients in the recipe that would have necessarily added sweetness (i.e. no added sugar in the recipe). I think that the sauce that they use just tastes sweeter than other varieties and doesn't have so many spices.

CSC Hiring Teachers

Jan. 31, 2013By: Matt Buley

We can't tell you it would be easy, but we can tell you you'd be changing lives...including maybe yours.

Children's Shelter of Cebu is looking to hire two new teachers for our Cebu Children of Hope School, an elementary school, in the 2013-2014 school year. These positions begin in June. Teachers are hired for a one-year contract. They must be licensed and have experience in a school with an English-based curriculum. We have a strong staff of Filipino teachers, but also like to have teachers who have taught in the US as most of our school-aged children are adopted there.

We expect a lot of our teachers, excellence in the classroom and more. You would raise funds prior to going to Cebu for the majority of your salary. You'd take part in activities at the shelter and school beyond school hours. You'd be asked to help host frequent visitors to Cebu. Most importantly, you'd be asked to be part of a loving family to children who have lost theirs.

We offer health insurance and travel, and an experience you'd remember for a lifetime.

Think you might have what it takes? Application instructions follow the position description here.

Three Generations of CSC Lovers!

Jan. 16, 2013By: Paul Healy

227321Back in the '80s, Warren and Marie Hagfors were in Cebu as volunteers with the Evangelical Free Church. While there they got to know the CSC staff and were frequent visitors to the shelter. Warren helped as a computer instructor to the staff. Within a few years, they were back in Cebu, this time as CSC short-term staff. Upon returning to the U.S., Warren served on the CSC Board and Marie cross-stitched over 40 designs for the houses in Cebu.

 

 

DSCN8253Pat Hoeft learned about CSC from Warren and Marie, her parents. She became a loyal CSC supporter and friend to the staff. She is a medical doctor, and the hospital that she works in donated lab equipment to CSC several years ago. She went to Cebu to help get the equipment set up and running. Just this week she went to Cebu to visit her daughter, Lindsay, who is working on the CSC staff as Director of Counseling as a part of our childcare team. Lindsay is a third generation CSC lover from the Hagfors line!  We were recently overjoyed to learn that Lindsay has committed to a third year with CSC in Cebu!

CSC 2012 Highlights

Jan. 15, 2013By: Joel Reasoner

Children's Shelter of Cebu has come through another amazing year with the Lord's guidance.  Fifteen children joined their adoptive families while twenty-nine new children came to CSC in 2012!

Continue to pray for the adopted children, newly admitted children, and all those at the shelter as we enter this new year.  Please pray for the Lord's continued protection and love for all in our care.

 

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Morning Presentation Features Students' Creativity

Jan. 14, 2013By: Paul Healy

At a recent school presentation, Level B students presented art, drama, and dance numbers that showcased their creativity. The dance number was choreographed by Sarah and featured moves and formations that celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection. Eugene narrated an original script for a stick puppet show. "The Monkey and the Squirrel" was the name of Eugene's masterpiece, which talked about respect and cooperation. Epifanio drew a picture of people around the world, all accomplished during the playing of the song, "Imagine." It was a great presentation all around, and showed what our kids can accomplish when their creativity and imagination are encouraged.

Click Here to see photos from the event.

Science Group Looks at Emotional Health

Jan. 14, 2013By: Paul Healy

tammy_venusTammy Vosika's science group has been learning about what it means to be an emotionally healthy person and how that includes having a positive view of oneself and others. She gave the kids an assignment to come up with at least one positive thing about each person in the class. Click here to see what they came up with!