Staff Blog
A good friend of mine, Howard Plucar, missionary, pastor, blogger and devotional writer, who has lived much of the past decade in Japan and the Philippines, remembered something from his high school football days when thinking about the difficulties faced by hundreds of thousands of Filipinos these days:
"Back about 45 years ago when I was playing high school football, there was a rule against “piling-on” a player who had already been tackled and was down on the ground." 
I can also remember a guy who used to play football at the college where I attended. He as known as "Spike," and I can remember some classic late hits that resulted in "Piling On" penalties for our team. Well after the whistle he would race to downed ball carrier and jump on him with his helmet leading the way. 15 yard penalty. But, as Howard Plucar notes, "it seems there is no such rule for life because life has a way of' 'piling-on' when we’re already down and discouraged. The people in The Philippines whose lives have been devastated, first by an earthquake and now by the monster typhoon, surely must feel as though life is “piling-on” when they are already down. Even in our personal lives, we go through periods when we wonder, “what’s next?”, as we go from crisis-to-crisis ourselves, or walk and pray with family and friends who are getting piled-on by life. ...... We pray…”Your Kingdom come; your will be done on earth…”, clinging tenaciously to Jesus while working toward rightness in every way possible (especially toward those who are being “piled-on”) in anticipation of complete rightness being established at the return of the King."
We have been told to expect another storm in the coming days. It isn't supposed to pack the wind power of Yolanda, but will bring lots of rain. And it could develop into a stronger typhoon. Piling on! Lord, I pray that you would calm this storm, right out in the ocean, as it moves towards our part of the country. The people of Leyte and other battered islands just can't handle any more destruction.
It's More Fun at CCHS!
When I first came to CCHS, it was for my interview with the principal and the consultant. I was so nervous because it was my first time to be interviewed. I prayed and tried to be optimistic no matter what happened. My prayer was granted.
I am now part of the CCHS faculty. The people at CCHS are so great because they make me feel comfortable. I have learned a lot of new things from them. I am so thankful that I have been able to meet happy people. Everything happens for a reason.
The students are so energetic. Each child has his own unique personality and skills. Every afternoon the kids bring flowers they have picked for the teachers. How sweet these students are! Every time the school has a special event, they are excited for the games, activities and especially the snacks. They participate and enjoy the activity. It’s More Fun at CCHS!
-Rhasie Gantuangco, Instructional Assistant
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Thomas is One!
Thomas is one amazing young boy. He is one resilient and persevering boy. He is one happy and upbeat boy. And now he is one year old!
Thomas has been through more in his life than most people, and he just turned one. He has had several surgeries and spent lots of time in the hospital in his first year of life. Through it all he keeps his spirits high. Even when in the hospital feeling bad, it is rare that he is in a bad mood.
Over the past couple months he has been healing up after a major surgery. Now that he is healthier, the child care workers can give him more freedom to satisfy his inquisitive mind. He is loving it!
He really likes books. He looks at them so intently that some of the child care workers joke that he already knows how to read. Recently, he has started to learn how to walk.
Many, many, many people have prayed continually for him and his recovery and development. So celebrate with us as Thomas turns one. It is great day!
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Cool Babies
One baby’s smile is extremely contagious. Multiply that by 17, that is the current number little cute babies at the shelter.
My wife and I are expecting our first child in the next few weeks. In the past months I have been spending more time with the babies at the shelter.
Each little one is cool in their own ways. One little girl loves playing “peek-o-boo.” A little boy shouts out my name when he sees me. Another girl has a squeal of excitement that goes along with a huge smile. A little boy will talk to me when he wants to, not necessarily when I want to talk to him. And another girl has been calling me “Auntie Joel” for a long time and last week she actually greeted me as “Uncle Joel.”
Just trying to take a picture of five little ones can be a great moment. Smiles, silliness, seriousness, and shyness can all fill one picture.
God has created each child to shine on their own. It is a pleasure and honor to get to know each child at the shelter.
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Full Cup of Water
Hi, I’m Michelle. It’s a blessing for me to be a part of Cebu Children of Hope School. This is my second year working as an instructional assistant in the school ministry and I’m glad I am working here.
I’m Wilmar’s Math teacher. Part of our studies in Math have been about spatial concepts like full and empty (just sort of a review), and for him to understand more about it. For a recent lesson, I prepared one empty cup and one full cup of water. (We had done this before and Wilmar drank the water!) I pointed to the cup without water as I said to Wilmar, “This cup is empty.” Then I pointed to the other cup full of water and said, “This cup is full of water.” I was expecting Wilmar to drink the water, but to my surprise, he didn’t. This young man has matured a lot.
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A Blessing to Us
Today new three new kids came to CSC. It is another great day! Of course these siblings are apprehensive at first, but are quickly warming up to the caring people that surround them.
Uncle Don Don is the house father of Eicher home where the new siblings will live. Yesterday he shared with the child care workers, "We have three new kids coming tomorrow!"
Auntie Amy quickly bombarded him with questions. "There are new kids Uncle? How old are they? Will there be kids in the nursery?"
Auntie Helen put it well, "Well, if we still have extra room, let them keep coming. Everybody is welcome!”
Uncle Don Don summed it up, "Of course! These new kids are a blessing to us."
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