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.
New School Year, New Normal
This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 (English Standard Version)
Praise the Lord for the first week of school. It is an exciting week for the CCHS family. Teachers and students were waiting for this day to come. We believe God ordained this day to mark a fresh beginning. Here we are opening our new school year while transitioning to our new normal. Upon entering the school we have to wear our face masks, step on our new foot bath, have our temperatures taken then sanitize our hands. Students enter and exit their classroom following the arrows.
We have a new clinic at CCHS! Over the summer we set up our clinic. We are thankful for the efforts done by the team who made this clinic possible. From facilities who built this room initially during lockdown for quarantined employees to our medical staff and the office staff that helped us placed medical equipment and supplies. As mandated by the Department of Education, students, teaching and other personnel are strictly prohibited from eating together while facing one another. Eating shall be done in a manner where all individuals face in one direction and do not talk while their masks are off. CCHS made changes on the setting up the snack room this school year to follow that instruction.
Here are some of the students' comments on being back at CCHS:
Maribel – CCHS is great! I like to borrow books in the library, eat with my classmates in the snack room, and to be with my teachers.
Mias – I am happy to be back at CCHS. I want to learn new things from all the subjects. I like to be with my teacher in the classroom because our classroom is Awesome!
Ryan – I am happy to learn new things and meet teacher Merce. I am excited to be in the library too.
John Mark – I am happy to be at CCHS. I enjoy learning new things. I am excited to be with teacher Alfie, play during Physical Education and play musical instrument.
Ford – I am happy at CCHS because I can write my name, draw a horse, answer in our workbook, eat snack, and drink water. Our classroom has toys and tools and I like it.
As a school, we are looking forward to meaningful and fruitful days ahead. We would like to encourage you to journey with us for school year 2022-2023.
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Profession with Purpose
I am an instructional assistant, in which my primary job is to assist the preschool teacher
in handling his class. Here at CCHS, I organize the learning materials, preparing supplies for the lesson plan and straightening up the classroom, helping the preschool teacher in managing the class and supporting him in planning and presenting lessons. To be one is such a great privilege. With those devoirs, I am also given a wonderful and special task – handling 7 adorable and endearing toddlers (ages 2-3). I've been teaching these little ones since November 2021 up until now.
I've wanted to be a teacher ever since I can remember. For 4 years, I was a teacher to more or less 25 pupils (ages 9-10) in a 4 th grade class at my previous workplace. So, this is my first time to teach toddlers. I love my job and learn more each day. I've read many books about handling toddlers and how to teach these young ones I am passionate about what I do and my day would not be complete if I would miss seeing them and not able to spend time with them even just for a couple of minutes. Their smiles are precious and I love the fact that having them is as sweet as a honeycomb.
Whenever I teach toddlers, I just feel the moment and enjoy every second with them. I love to teach when I am enjoying. I do my best just to make them feel comfortable while they are learning. We all know that these babies love to play and explore a lot of things, even though they cannot communicate well using words. As a teacher, I consider every single minute with them like having a family time which must be filled with genuine laughter and lots of exciting and fun-filled activities.
To be a teacher to these kids is not easy. It is not just simply a responsibility by profession. It is a dream of anyone who is seeking for a joy through shaping young minds and hearts. Yes, toddlers sometimes are not easy to handle with. To be more specific, whenever one of them gets into tantrum, it is not easy to handle him/her especially during class discussions. Good thing, in CSC, we have childcare workers to assist and help deal with these situations. For the child to not disturb the class, they can pull him/her out, of course, with proper and gentle assistance to make sure the kid is still under monitored and well-taken care of. When the child gets better, he/she can join the class again.
There is beauty in teaching. I may face different phases of difficulty about it, but God's strength is enough. His wisdom enables me to do my responsibilities and His love teaches me to see the real beauty in it. And if God has given me the greatest gift a person could ever have, "Salvation through Christ," I can say that He has a purpose for me with this job that I have right now. He had impressed my heart with a desire to love kids and to shape the lives of these adorable young ones. I praise the Lord for giving me this wonderful favor of being a teacher – serving for His glory, His kingdom and for Him alone.
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All In God's Timing
I was anticipating a trip to Cebu this week to meet with Roberto, our Field Director, and other leaders, to see the ministry of CSC firsthand and to see the kids and their bright smiling faces. God had other plans. The day of our departure we received word that COVID had once again reared its ugly head. It is not clear yet how many positive cases are at the shelter, but it's best to not travel and to allow for "all hands on deck" to minister to the needs of all who need care. Prayers are appreciated for our CSC leaders, employees and children.
God's Timing Is Perfect
This got me thinking about "God's timing" and how His ways are often not mine. But it's hard to understand, right? Had we gotten word just 8 hours later we would have been in the air heading to Cebu, landing and not knowing the situation that would have been unfolding before our eyes. I am very thankful to have found out BEFORE we began our trip.
We will never know—this side of eternity—why some things happen and why other things don't. Truth is, my heart has been breaking over the last 48 hours for those families who have experienced such great loss recently. It seems natural to ask the "why" questions when tragedies impact children and families, especially. This is true whether in the U.S. or Cebu. Yet, I believe that God does have a plan for each of us, even in the midst of the hurt and pain we all experience. Trust in God, He knows what He's doing. And rejoice! He give peace that goes beyond our understanding.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:4-7
It Is Well With My Soul
In closing, let me share a song that's been at the core of my thoughts, the familiar hymn It Is Well With My Soul. This hymn was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873 upon enduring great personal tragedy and incredible family loss. Even in the midst of great sorrow, he and his wife were able to look to God and His timing to say that whether in times of peace or in times of great sorrow, He tells us to declare, it is well with my soul.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Grace and Peace,
Kirby Stoll
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The Classroom Routine
Teaching younger children is a great challenge. I need more patience in dealing with different behavior and preferences of my students. By God's grace, I am happy facing it every day. One of the things that I really treasure this year is having a classroom routine.
It has become my secret recipe in maintaining a friendly and a fruitful day in class. When I adapted Responsive classroom it allows me to create a more functional routine and it gives me confidence in managing my class effectively. It also provides students more opportunities to choose to be a responsible learner. I learn to consider students' expectations not just giving my expectations to them.
To make classroom routine effective, I need to be consistent with the set expectations. There are challenging days and inspiring days too. And I thank the Lord for both. As a teacher I need to stick to my plans and know that each passing day brings new learning and each new day gives new hope and a new beginning.
"If you have a good habit, time becomes your ally. All you need is patience."
– James Clear
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A Change of Scenery
Prior to Covid, one of the things that children at CSC looked forward to was an appointment off campus. Older kids loved going to the dentist and getting an ice cream treat after. Younger kids were excited just riding in vehicles and seeing all the cars and motorcycles. These have not been an option since the shelter has been on lockdown. Medical consultations have been completed online, lab tests are done in the infirmary, and even eye check-ups are done at the shelter now.
There were a few exceptions, including for this five-year-old boy, who left campus recently for a hearing test. On the way, he looked through the window of the vehicle with a sparkle in his eye! It was as if everything was new to him. He pointed and described every truck and car, as well as the people and animals on the road.
This boy was so sickly prior to the pandemic, and he spent a lot of time at clinics to see a pediatrician or pulmonologist. And there he was now, just going for a routine hearing test. The CSC lockdown has somehow kept him healthy, away from all the dust that caused his frequent asthma attacks. But it has also limited his exposure to the environment outside the CSC walls. Through it all, he was one happy kid, having to spend a few hours outdoors.
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