Staff Blog

SubscribeRSS FeedEmail Subscribe
Categories

I have been back in the Philippines for all of a week and a half.  I was in MN when Typhoon Yolanda tore its path of devastation through this beautiful, but already struggling country.  I should not even talk about my fears as I watched the huge swirling mass of red, orange, blue and green hover over the Visayas from the comfort of my sister's sturdy home, thousands of miles away from it all.  Those that experienced it are still reeling from the trauma of it all I imagine.  Truth be told, I was afraid.  I feared for the safety of our children, for the staff, my friends and loved ones here.  I was grateful that my family and friends in the US did not have to include me in their prayers for the Philippines, but really I was wishing I was here.  To help.  To make sure.  To comfort.  To do something.

Now I am here and I have some observations to share.  The part of Cebu where the shelter is located, and where my home is, was not ripped apart, flattened or caked in mud like Tacloban or Ormoc were.  I have heard stories of the smell of that mud and my heart goes out to those living in that.  You might not even think that the most devastating storm in all of recorded history came through here if you didn't look closely.  But things are different.  

All of the trees in the front yard of our school were either blown over by the force of the winds or cut down to prevent damage to our buildings.  There is no more shade there for our guard and it admittedly looks lonely.  There are trees that are missing from the front of one of our houses also.  Minor, but different.

There are other things that are different.  

The malls are overflowing with people that are homeless, displaced from the areas most damaged.  There are always a lot of people around, but now, everywhere, all the time---there are just more people.  

And brownouts/blackouts---they are more frequent now.  I have heard that areas are going without power to reserve or provide for the areas without.

Traffic is a lot heavier, jeeps are often incredibly full.  Last night I saw a group of people start running toward a jeep that was slowing down, the urgency to get a ride was very apparent.  

The list of waiting children has grown rapidly as families that were once able to make it on their own have lost homes or family members and can no longer care for their own.  CSC's help is in desperate need.

I share these observations for a few reasons.  The Philippines still need your prayers!  The islands that were decimated are still greatly in need.  CSC has created a Relief Committee and as you have read, there have already been two trips to affected areas and CSC will continue to determine how we can reach out.  The need is far greater than something we can manage, but the grateful smiles and sighs of relief of those we are able to give food or clothing to are all the encouragement we need to continue helping in whatever way we can. 

And though Cebu was not damaged, things in Cebu are different.  I cannot begin to explain or understand why we were spared and others not and the effects from the storm for us are nothing to compared to those who lost everything.  But I share these so that others may know that life is not back to normal for the Philippines.  Prayers are still needed and greatly appreciated.  

I know God is at work in this country.  And I thank Him for His protection over CSC.  Because we were spared, we can help others.

This was a heavier blog than I originally intended when I sat down at my computer.  To end things on a lighter note, this is how I spent my morning!  

media overlay

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.

Medical_

Beauty and Madness

Mar. 24, 2022By: Eric Abellana  ›  Author Bio

They said that time heals. True. However, time alone could not do all the stitches. Most of the children here in CSC have a myriad of wounds to heal from their past. A wound on their knees would only take a week to heal but a wound made when no one helped them to get up would take years, a hundred of CSC outings, and relationships. Some have spent most of their childhood here. And that's a lot of time yet most of them are still haunted by the ghosts of their past— the phantom of neglect, rejection, abandonment, and the monstrous impact of separation from their significant others. Time is not enough.

I've been working with these children for three years and I've witnessed how these ghosts have influenced their behaviors and perspective of their own selves and their lives. Despite these, I've also observed how the love and care provided by the houseparents, aunties (caregivers), and other staff in CSC have greatly lessened the grip of these ghosts in their lives. Because of this, children have retaken the cape of their childhood. Trust has sprouted again and has blossomed into friendship and family. It is truly magical to witness how a child trusts an adult again. A positive and healthy relationship is, for me, the greatest healing the child could have. In counseling, we highly value relationships as this always precedes any counseling techniques. Although it has always been a challenge gaining the children's trust, art has paved the way for us, counselors, to see and hear their stories. It has been a great tool for us to deal with resistant children in counseling. Art allows the child to express himself/herself in ways he/she is most comfortable to. It allows the child to "reflect their inner worlds, depicting various feelings" (Malchiodi, 1998). Art helps the children share their stories to us in a non-threatening way. It allows the child to have full control of their creation. Painting, drawing, music, and photography are the usual art modalities chosen by the boys.

Paint_2Paint_-3d5de

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo_2

Photo

 

 

 

The pictures above are just some of the ways to utilize art in helping children become aware of the ghosts of their past. Some, especially the older ones, have slowly faced their past in a more positive and hopeful way. I am hoping that the time they spend here in CSC would help them see the collateral beauty in pain.

They said that time heals. True. It is true but time is not enough to do all the stitches. Instead, time allows our crushed spirit to get up; to acknowledge pain and becomes familiar to it; to understand that our pain has an ending; to have relationships blossom; to ignite a new dream; to see that all along God has been stirring the wheel. And time helps the children to better understand that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28, NKJV).

Love in Any Language

Mar. 12, 2022By: Jinkee Reasoner

Most of us, if not all, have been taught by our parents or guardians to say "I Love You." Though we might not know what that means at a very young age, as it's hard to fathom what love is when you're three years old. But over time, with experience, we understand what it means.

Our homes at CSC are not only a place of refuge for the children we serve but also a place of love.

Most of our caregivers have been working with us for more than a decade. And in that time, some of them have formed a special bond with the children they care for. Likewise, our children have found a safe place with their caregivers. They have learned what it feels to be valued and loved.

One particular 6-year-old boy recently knew that his Auntie (his caregiver) lost her husband years ago. That meant his Auntie no longer had her loved one with her. And because he loved his Auntie, he offered to be her husband. For sure the little boy is unaware of what it meant. But for him, it was an innocent and genuine act of love. The scenario was cute and funny, but it tugged the hearts of our caregivers.

The children at CSC come with different stories and different abilities but we love them all the same. And that speaks heavily to the children as they also see sameness and no difference in one another.

A new child joining the CSC family is welcomed with so much love. The same way a child is hugged with so much love by his friends before he leaves and joins his forever family. Love remains even after a child leaves the shelter. It remains no matter how near or far the distance is. Love continues in the heart of a resident as he spreads his wings into the community and in the heart of a child as he starts forever with a family. Still love continues in the hearts of parents who welcomed a new member of the family.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13 NIV "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres...And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Rey_Michael_2021.11.-13e3e43742

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_3938-21b39

DSC09245

 

 

 

 

CCHS Update

Jan. 31, 2022By: Cris Tabra (principal)

We're back!

CCHS is back on track. After the "storms" that made us clasp our hands and bend our knees in prayers, the Lord has been gracious and faithful to His children.

Our water pump was replaced with a new one so we can have flowing water in all of our faucets. Thanks to Uncle Jerry and his men who made this possible.

Our supplier of drinking water also delivered in the afternoon. This same day we quarantined twenty-three workers at CCHS.

Our power from the grid was reconnected. We had been using our generator in the evenings for lights, fans, and charging our laptops and cellphones.

And soon, our internet will be restored. We are finally back to teaching children at the shelter. We praise the Lord for preserving our lives and sustaining us through the "storms".

With this journey we are grateful for those who prayed for us and to those who supported us in many ways. You made a lot of things possible on this side of the globe. You have allowed us to make a difference in the lives of the children in the shelter.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (English Standard Version)
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Praise the Lord!

Typhoon Clean-Up

Jan. 25, 2022By: Jerry Salgo  ›  Author Bio

The first thing that we repaired after the typhoon was power lines so we could use generators. Then we worked to fix the broken main pipe that supplied water to both Cherne home and Eicher home, including the wash house. Next was the power lines that will receive VECO power. The clearing was not so hard because we were able to use a small chainsaw for the smaller branches and trunks. But for the big ones like the one that falls to Cherne home we need to hire someone with a big chainsaw and knows how to do it so as not to add additional damage to the building. One of the challenges is, it's hard to find one because they are occupied in their neighborhood itself. With scarcity of materials, prices become more expensive. Another challenge was communication. It was very hard to contact people to get materials with no internet and electricity without the generators. Drinking water was another problem but we are thankful to God CSC has its own deep well and gensets.

We will continue to repair the shelter and support our friends and family through this time. All glory and honor to God because he is the source of all those strength, wisdom, resources and dedicated supporters to continue the work of the CSC ministry.

received_95999837826-53572IMG_20211217_151546-7ccf2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_20211218_115505-8ca9e

IMG_20211221_143755-16e2d

IMG_20220105_111847-cb12c