Staff Blog

Hapit na Christmas

This is the phrase going around CSC right now.  The word is out that Christmas will soon be here.  The kids are busy writing their Foster Friend letters, practicing for the school, and church Christmas play and program. They are all talking among each other about what they hope Santa will bring them this year.

The workers at CSC are getting in their last few days of vacation for the year to make sure they have time to spend with their families this holiday season. The teachers are busy in school with classes and Christmas program practice.

Many of the staff and CSC employees are busy starting to think about and prepare for the upcoming Christmas activities. I thought I would share with you what we all participate in here at CSC.  The workers party is on December 5.  This is a fun evening for all of our CSC workers with each department sharing a song or dance, a meal together, prizes and an encouraging message.

The following Saturday we will be having the CSC Outreach Party. This is a day for former CSC kids to come back to CSC and enjoy a meal together, games, a message from God’s word and a Christmas gift.  We look forward each year to seeing some of our former kids who have gone back to live with their birth families.

The kids will be performing the Little Drummer Boy for their school Christmas program this year. They are already busy working on the music and their lines.

The Progressive Dinner is an evening when the kids get to eat at each of the Missionary Staff houses. A different course is had at each house along with part of the Christmas story being shared.  At the end of the evening we all meet back up at the shelter for cinnamon rolls shaped into a Christmas tree.

On Christmas Eve Santa always seems to find his way to CSC and deliver a gift for each of the kids.  The kids look forward to this evening for weeks and weeks.  After they open their gifts they get to stay up late and watch fireworks and have a special snack at midnight.

Christmas Day we have a formal meal of ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit and sugar cookies outside with all of the kids.  After the meal, the adults share the Christmas story with the children including a live manger scene.  It is always a joy to share the story of Christ’s birth with each of the kids at CSC.

We have a lot of fun at CSC during Christmas time.  It is our prayer that amidst all the fun and busy times the kids would experience in a deeper way what Christ's birth means for each of them.  Pray that each of us would be able to explain that clearly through our words and actions this Christmas season!

It is easy to get caught up in all of the Christmas excitement.  Let us all remember to be thankful for all the blessings God has given us as we celebrate Thanksgiving next week.  Giving thanks for God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Remembering to thank Him for sending His Son.  The reason we celebrate Christmas! 

Houseparents get a night off each week to relax and take a breather from the past week.  Most missionary staff fill in for a shift on a rotating basis to help out and hang out with the kids when the houseparents are gone.  At the end of the night, after reading a book or two to the kids, we spend time in prayer.  Often there is at least one or two kids who want to pray.  Prayer is the way each home closes their night, whether or not the houseparents are home.  Some kids are well versed in the tradition, others are still skeptical, but all children are present and know that this is what we do. 

This past week I was on duty in Eicher home as Dondon and Ivy had a night off.  Just before the smaller boys were going to bed, I was praying with them and when I ended and was sending them to their rooms, one boy spoke up...

"Auntie Megan, he wants to pray," he says pointing at a three-year old.

"Oh, ok. Sure!" I respond.  I encourage this boy to go ahead and this is what we hear....

"Dear Lord....Thank you, Lord...Lord, Lord...Thank you, God.  Amen."

Hugs are given and boys are climbing in bed.  As I leave for the night, I can't help but think of the faith of a child and the way God is changing lives at CSC.  He has aunties, uncles, and friends guiding him and leading him to God.  He knows how to close his eyes, fold his hands, and call on the name of the Lord.  I'm grateful, that even at a young age, the children at CSC are learning from their caregivers and peers what it means to follow God with their hearts and lives, and that they're learning the importance of prayer!

Last weekend we celebrated Ginda's 29th birthday in the Duterte home.  Ginda was thrilled to have so many wonderful friends at her party to celebrate with her. Some friends of CSC from Cebu also came and provided a lechon baboy for the evening. 
Ginda made a grand entrance in a beautiful blue dress and purple bag. The house was decorated with blue and purple tablecloths and balloons to match.  It was definitely Ginda's night!  She knew it and could not stop smiling!  Everyone could sense Ginda's excitement!
Birthday parties are a lot of fun at CSC. A big thank you to all of our friends and supporters who helped make Ginda's party and so many other birthday parties at CSC so special for the CSC kids!

“No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.”

            At first I was unsure and nervous about how to establish a teacher-student relationship with this sweet little girl.  I had noticed she sometimes got upset when a lesson was hard for her.  But with proper encouragement, motivation, and guidance, she now seems to have developed a readiness to face the challenges of our lessons.

            It started off one day in Math when she called to me, “Teacher, ale.”(which means please come over here).  I was puzzled about what she wanted.  She whispered to me and said, “Can you sit beside me?”  This gesture helped me realize she was having a hard time with the lesson.

            As the days have passed, this has become our routine.  When she needs me, she just calls my name and nods her head.  Calling my name and nodding her head is our sign language and we both understand.

            Recently one day during our Math class, I tried to sit beside her without having received the sign.  She resisted and said, “No teacher, I know this.” I learned that day to wait for her signal.

            Establishing a teacher-student relationship is very significant.  It is how we as teachers establish trust and boost a student’s confidence.  Perhaps, we are not only a teacher, but also a friend.

We are halfway through the year at the Children of Hope School!  This past week marked the end of second quarter. Students were diligently reviewing and preparing for their quarterly exams at the end of the week.  Teachers were busy writing tests and helping their students review content they had learned over second quarter.

The idea of taking quarterly exams can be stressful for some students.  Still, they persevere.  Below is a picture of a student finishing her science test.  The test was challenging for her, but instead of giving up, she took the time to review each question carefully. She asked questions when she needed clarification. This student has come a long way since the beginning of the school year.  She is learning to be patient with herself when she doesn’t understand the material.  She is learning to ask for help.  When she finally came to the last question on the test, she looked at me and exclaimed, “Oh! Teacher! I know this one!”  Ending her test with confidence was the best way for her to end second quarter.

This school year seemed to fly by so quickly! I can hardly believe how far we have come since June!  Please continue to pray for teachers and students as we begin the second half of the school year.