Staff Blog
For most people, getting on a plane to Cebu City, Philippines is a glamorous occasion. It’s exciting to see a place on your itinerary that many people have never heard of…a place that’s exotic, tropical and far away.
Mitch and Ruth Ohlendorf are on their way to Cebu as I write, but I doubt glamorous is a word they’d use to describe their departure. Their year of home assignment in Minnesota, USA has come to an end. They packed up their lives (again), left two beloved sons behind at college and returned to a ministry that moves quickly and requires incredible flexibility, diligence and commitment.
Mitch and Ruth leaving Minnesota is another sacrifice in a long list of sacrifices they’ve made for the homeless children of Cebu. They’re not jet setting off to see a far-off world for a couple weeks. They’re returning to their call. They are the hands and feet of so many who care about orphans. Mitch is our Cebu Executive Director and Ruth is Outreach Director.
Here's a glimpse into their call to CSC via a short interview:
How did it first hit you, "I want to work for CSC?"
Mitch: When I was in Cebu the first summer on a short-term mission trip. I was in a group of seven that wasn’t working for the shelter, but we were based there with social time at the shelter. I knew that first summer, at least by the end, that God was calling me to this work. I didn’t have a moment where I fell to my knees or saw a blinding light. It was a progression that happened as a result of the whole experience.
Ruth: I grew up not wanting to work with “snotty kids!” But then I saw these big Americans working with and hugging the most malnourished in our community. Here are these handsome men and beautiful women coming to our country and doing this hard work. This changed my attitude towards the children, and I couldn’t help falling in love with them. You could see the physical difference in the children after they came to the shelter.
Looking back at this point, what are some highlights of your time at CSC?
Mitch: Certainly the development of our facilities. It’s a highlight to work hard with those who made it possible through giving. Of course, it’s thrilling when very large sibling groups or children with special needs are placed for adoption. Those children who had equal opportunity at CSC, but less of a chance at adoption due to various circumstances. Being part of that process. Any day spent doing things with the kids is a highlight for me.
Ruth: Looking back the first heartbreak I had was when a girl named Arlie left for adoption. When I started working full time at CSC she was one of the kids who would go around with me in the village. When she left I could hear her calling to me and that was really sad, and I really missed her. When Arlie returned to Cebu a few years ago that was so exciting. Since she left in 1983 I didn’t know if I’d ever see her again. When we said goodbye back then we never knew if we’d see a child again. Now, kids come back, but that wasn’t always a given. Being able to see them and knowing how they are now is a highlight.
When was a time it really struck you you’d changed a child's life?
Mitch: Any time that I do the matching work for a child. It’s a very burdensome, weighty time knowing I have the responsibility of choosing a family for a child--a family for the rest of their lives. It also hits us when we see children at home after they’re adopted. Seeing the ways they’ve been blessed and even challenges they’ve gone through, seeing them continue in the Christian values that they learned while at CSC, especially as they start their own families. It’s important to see the cycle of abuse, crisis and trauma being broken. Sometimes you see what the kids have come from and wonder how they can break out of that, but many have. A boy named Mark having a hole in his heart and seeing him rescued from that and having the life he has now. A girl like Anna. She would be dead if CSC hadn’t stepped in. She and her sister both had sepsis, she survived but her sister didn’t. Everything we do each day, whether major like placing children for adoption, or spending 5 minutes giving special attention is changing their lives.
Ruth: Roselyn and Julieto, two of our Teen Home residents. I encouraged Roselyn to think about going back to school after it became clear she had just settled on being a beautician. She want back to high school and now she’s in college and almost graduating. Julieto saw this and wanted to do the same thing. Roselyn became an example and now Julieto is graduating from high school. We have outreach kids (children who were returned to their birth family) who have graduated from college. With CSC’s help, they’re able to make this happen.
What does it mean to you to be called?
Mitch: To do what you would not otherwise want or feel equipped to do. I think if you didn’t feel called you wouldn’t be in the ministry as long as we have. There are many encouraging things, but there are also many discouraging and difficult things. Being called is about persevering.
Ruth: Hard to see kids make the same mistakes others have made. Instead of learning, they repeat them. But if you’re not there for them, they don’t have any other family. You are their family. I think that’s what calling is really about at CSC.
What would you tell a young person who is interested in a career in missions?
Mitch: It’s a chance, along with many challenges, to live a life filled with incredible blessing and reward and joy. You’ll have done something that’s changed a lot of lives.
Ruth: You’ve heard the phrase you receive more than you give. CSC is very much that place. You can never give more than you receive. There are times you don’t feel good, and going to the shelter makes your day. The kids are excited to see you. They just make you smile.
Well, Mitch and Ruth Ohlendorf make us smile. We are thankful they followed God to his work for them at CSC.
An Evening in the Home
After a day of learning in school and fun on the playground, the kids settle down for an evening inside the houses.
Suppertime is a busy time, with lots of kids around the tables refueling for the next day. After the kids join the “clean plate club” by finishing all the food on their plates—even the vegetables, it is time to help clean up. Some kids are assigned to sweep the floor, wipe the tables, and wash the dirty dishes.
Homework comes next. The kids spread out around the house. The dinner table is transformed into a big desk. A few aunties take over as tutors. Some kids like to do their homework in their room. Some kids grab a chair and sit around the coffee table downstairs. The school Reading Challenge has taken over homework time.
August has become “Reading Challenge” month. For several years, the kids have an added incentive to discover the great books on the shelves in the library. The kids actually do not have a problem taking advantage of the library throughout the year, but it is fun to create excitement for reading. Each level has a reading goal appropriate for their abilities. At the end of the month, totals will be tallied and winners will be announced.
After homework is done for the evening, it is time to play. The preschoolers actually get to play most of the evening since they have less homework. Crosswords, building blocks, animals, and much more fill the rest of the evening.
Finally it is time to put everything away and go to sleep, to be ready for the next day.
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Wishing away the years
I overheard a conversation the other day while waiting for a friend to arrive to lunch. Near my table two guys, apparent former coworkers, bumped into each other.
It was odd. After exchanging greetings the one asked, "so, how long you got?" Hopefully my face didn't betray that I was eavesdropping, because I was confused enough by the question to let on. Were these guys prison inmates? It sounded like he was asking, "how long are you in for?"
It turns out he basically was. Both men were nearing retirement, and the crux of their conversation had to do with how much longer they had to work. They were counting down the years until they could quit.
I hope I don't ever have a job in which I wish away years of my life because of it. In college I had one that caused me to wish away days, and that was bad enough. On my way to work in the morning I'd look at the other side of the highway and daydream I could press fast-forward and automatically be on the other side heading home. It wasn't a very uplifting commute.
I'm not sure what line of work those guys in the restaurant were in, but I'd bet they weren't missionaries. I know several missionaries. They have really hard jobs--and there are certainly days they wish would end. They work tons of hours, live far from family, have to learn a culture and are constantly putting others ahead of themselves. But, wow, do they live lives of purpose.
Are you wondering what you're going to do with your life? There are many good jobs out there, and many paths to take. Don't forget that missions is a valid one...including at the Children's Shelter of Cebu. We will have needs for teachers, administrators, coordinators and practitioners to work alongside our Filipino leaders in the coming years. I can promise it would be a challenge, and a career full of purpose.
If you think you might have what it takes to be a missionary, shoot me a line at cscusa@cscshelter.org. I'd love to chat with you.
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Workers Working Hard
It takes 75 child care workers to give the hands-on daily care to the children. Diapers need to be changed, babies need to be held, meals need to be cooked, the homes need to be cleaned, children need to be read to, loads and loads of laundry need to be washed, and of course the playground is a very busy place after school.
Twenty-two workers have flexible schedules to fill in for other workers who are absent and to give one-on-one care for sick children and new children.
Several children have left for adoption in the past several months. With vacant space in the homes, CSC has been admitting new children. When they first arrive, the new children need to be kept separate from the other children until cleared by the doctors to join their new home. These children are not left alone, of course. A child care worker is always with them.
The one-on-one care is a blessing for the children. From the moment new children enter the shelter, love is given directly and specifically to them. In some cases this is a new experience for the children.
These are some of the child care workers who give loving care to new children from the moment the children enter the shelter.
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38 years ago....
this guy was born!
I don't know that story, at least not all the details. But I know it was August 8, 1976. And that it was a special day. God brought Joemar into this world, knowing full well the kind of blessing he would be to so very many people. Fast forward several years to July 15, 1985, when Joemar was admitted to CSC. The details of those in between years are also not all known, but I can guarantee that he saw things or exerienced things we wish he never had. He was probably scared at times, maybe even hurt and he undoubtedly went without. That is, of course, why he came to CSC.
It is easy to forget that Joemar has a story that precedes CSC. He is so at home here. He belongs here and it just would not be the same without him. It is also easy to forget that he ever knew pain or heartache because he is just so joyful. He loves life with a contagious fervor. I cannot help but smile when he greets me at my vehicle each morning, saying, "Ning, Sy" (Good morning, Lindsay). He then holds out his arm to take my computer bag for me. He then walks with me to my office, carrying my bag the whole way until he puts it next to my desk. He immediately begins sweeping the floor and sharing with me whatever news he has. Some of it I can put together, other bits only he really knows what he is saying. Either way, I like having him there.
The excitement Joemar had for his birthday was palpable. His house mother informed me that he had woken up before 4am---too excited to sleep anymore. In the several weeks preceding his birthday, he had talked to me every day about the cake for his birthday. He knew I was the one that got the cakes and ice cream for each party. But the flavor he wanted changed every day! We finally decided on ube and he stuck to that. But the day before his birthday, he had mentioned that he was going to have 3 cakes and he held up 3 fingers. Now, Joemar does not always get his numbers right, but I had to laugh anyways because he was still indicating that he wanted more than 1 cake. :)
Unbeknownst to him, there would be 2 cakes for his day. One cake (ube) would be for him and his guests at his birthday, but there as another cake that was brought to him while he was working. Joemar works at McDonald's every day. He loves it and they love him. The employees at McDonald's are so happy to see him and love having him there. Even if we take Joemar to a McDonald's at a different location, he inevitably has friends there. This cake was a birthday cake and a "Thank you, McDonald's cake," for all that they do for him.
Auntie Sandy, (or Sausy) as he calls her, and I had surprised him there at the end of his shift. He was happiest when he had visitors! But he still felt pressed to do his job, he left for a bit to clear off some tables and he was worried that the second level of the restaurant needed his attention! After the picture taking, he started to leave with us but the other workers called out that he had forgotten his food. They sent him home with a chicken and spaghtetti meal, some Coke and a McFlurry. He was beaming!
It was a day of celebrations culminating into the big party at his house. He could not wait. If you talk to Joemar, within 5 minutes or so, Superman will usually enter the conversation. Joemar LOVES anything Superman ("Perman" usually followed by the flying arm movement)! There were going to be Superman gifts and he was so excited! But there were also Superman decorations!
Joemar was also looking forward to having Uncle Sio and Uncle Eldie attend his birthday party. He often assists Uncle Sio or watches what he is working on as Uncle Sio is always doing interesting projects around the grounds.
Uncle Eldie is one of our counselors and Joemar makes a point to visit his office during the day also, to share news with him.
Last but not least, was the gift opening! Superman everything and he couldn't be happier!
What a joy to celebrate Joemar's birthday with him! And what a privilege to get to know him and be a part of his life. He is such a precious gift from God and he has blessed CSC in countless ways over the past (almost) 30 years he has lived here.
Thanks for all of your facebook messages for him on his special day and thanks for all of the prayers prayed and the stories shared about Joemar!
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Order to Eating
Most kids need encouragement to eat their vegetables. Some kids are always leaving the food they like less on their plate until last. Other kids just eat everything in front of them.
At a school activity I sat next to a boy who eating the last bit of his snack. I asked which one of the four snacks he liked the best. He said the one he was eating. He explained he liked to eat the least tasty thing first and work his way to the best. He ranks the parts of his meals and decides on an order in which to eat each part.
I smiled and nodded. I knew exactly what he was talking about. I do the exact same thing. Call us crazy, but that is how we like to eat.
It is fun to see how kids think. I wonder what I will learn about one of the kids today?
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