Staff Blog

Summer is a fun change of pace for the children at CSC.  They get to take a break from homework and play all day.  Well, there are still chores to do, so it is not all play.

Each summer, some of the children get to participate in an activity.  The children ten years old and above got to pick between soccer, baking, and music lessons this summer.  Eight children jumped at the chance to play soccer, which has become one of the favorite games at the shelter in recent months.  The children join other kids at the city sports complex to learn from a local coach.  Three children took the opportunity to learn how to bake with Teacher Jam.  They have already made chocolate chip cookies and  a carrot cake for Uncle Mitch’s birthday party.  Music lessons attracted thirteen children to sign up.  They are learning a variety of instruments from Teacher Ricky.  He is teaching most of the children two different instruments. Two instruments is big for one summer.

The soccer coach just extended class for another week and the soccer players cheered.  Now, all three classes will end at the end of May.  The children’s excitement it fun to see.  There are good smells coming for the kitchen, sweet sounds from the music room, and improved soccer skills on the playground.

God is in control of each of our lives.  He has a recipe for our lives.  Since each of us is a different creation, we require different ingredients in different amounts to produce the end product, us.

There are many people and things which God uses to influence each of our lives.  Some are big things that influence us in big ways.  Some are small things that influence us in big ways.  And some influence us in small ways which will change our course in life drastically.  We need to take time to remember the people and things that God has used in our lives to make us into the people we are today. 

Recently, several former CSC residents shared the ways in which God has worked in their lives.  It is wonderful to hear from the children about God’s recipe for their lives, helping them grow into the young people they are today.

What is God’s recipe for your life?

Recently, Jacob and Ginda had the privilege to receive new wheelchairs. Their old rides were getting worn out. Thankfully, God is Able International Foundation Inc. took notice of this need and helped us get two wheelchairs for them. Over the years, Jacob and Ginda have been very fortunate in terms of having their needs met. They have received wheelchairs from different people and organizations.

CSC has a few old wheelchairs that past and present kids have outgrown. One of the goals of the Therapy Department at CSC is to get our young adults with special needs engaged in the community. The idea of involving Jacob and Ginda in an outreach event came up, and donating wheelchairs seemed like a perfect event.

The Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) was the recipient of four wheelchairs that Jacob and Ginda gave. STAC is located in Lapu-Lapu City (Mactan Island). The center is under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). They offer services such as physical, occupational and speech therapy to kids 14 years old and below who are residents of  Lapu Lapy City. They also provide seminars and counseling to the parents of the children under their care.

Jorine, was one of the recipients. Together with her brother and sister, they waited for us to arrive. Jorine, 10, is in 4^th grade. She has a congenital abnormality in her spine. She is currently wearing orthoses and is using crutches to help her walk and get to the places where she wants to go. Upon trying one of the wheelchairs, she immediately started driving it around and even wanted to try it up and down the ramp. It was wonderful to see her excitement. Now that she has a wheelchair, it will be easier for her to move about from one classroom to another.

Help does not end when you are done helping. It loops like a circle that keeps on going around and around. People we help today will sooner or later end up helping others, as well.

The banquet was great, and the $118,000 that was given was a big encouragement to our staff here in Cebu. The banquet is kind of like a pit stop in a NASCAR race. We pull in for a time, get refreshed and rejuvinated, and then we go back to work.

Thomas was part of that work. On the day of the banquet he went to Manila with one of our nurses and a child care worker. We had been hoping and praying that he could get his nose stents taken out. For the past months since his surgery he has had to endure those stents, which made it impossible for him to be on the floor, where he would have otherwise been able to play and start to move around. He had to be held all the time he was awake, or closely watched in his stroller, so he would not disturb the stents. He had to wear gloves on his hands, which meant he couldn't grasp things or play with toys.

The doctor in Manila ordered an endoscopy, to see if there had been sufficient healing of the posterior nares. It turned out that there had! On Monday the stents were removed and on Tuesday evening he headed back home to CSC.

We have seen changes in Tom! He is smiling more, and loves having his mittens off. He can play with toys and loves to swing them around. He just seems overjoyed with his newfound freedom. And we join in that joy because Tom will have a more normal life now. The stents were very important for his healing, but they are not missed one little bit. Especially by Tom.

Thanks for your continued prayers and concern for this brave little boy. We're already spending that banquet offering money!!

We watched the Banquet early on Sunday morning here in Cebu. We had planned to Skype, but that wasn't possible so we went with Face Time. That provided a good visual connection but we had almost no sound. So we tried to read lips and anticipate what people would be saying. It was fun but a little frustrating. Anyway, here is what we saw. We will rely on others who were actually there to provide a full report.

We saw hundreds of friends of CSC, gathered together to celebrate 35 years of ministry in Cebu. And the celebration was grand, with a giant cake, a video featuring the CSC kids and staff dancing and partying, and special gifts for Table 35. We saw a cool looking jazz group that appeared to be playing well.

We saw a brand new emcee (Jared Gustafson) who was entusiastic, and whose love for CSC was evident. And he kept things moving along; the program was over by 8:30!

We saw a huge cake and a fun looking birthday celebration.

We saw our former resident, Erna, standing up so beautiful and confident as she told her story, and helped everyone see CSC through her eyes when she came to live with us.

We saw other speakers delivering what appeared to be heart-felt messages about the ministry.

We saw our people respond, once again, to the offering challenge, giving more than $118,000 for the children in Cebu. (Thanks to the slide that was projected with the offering total!)

We saw people we know and those we don't yet know. We saw and felt God's presense in the room, and we are all grateful to God for bringing all these great people together to celebrate what is happening here in Cebu.

Thanks to all who attended and those who gave so generously.