I was giving a tour the other day to some visitors. I have done it hundreds of times over the years. Sometimes it is fun, other times not so much. It kind of depends on the people who are visiting and their interest level. Most people who come to see us are really into CSC and want to see the facilities and hear stories about how we got started and how we ended up with the great facilities that we now have in Cebu.
During the most recent tour I was telling about the miraculous ways that God provided for our buildings. I told about how we got the land to build on in the first place. I related how our school was built and how Harry Schmidt came through for our homes. I started to sound like a broken record. This was our need; this is how God provided it. Different people, the same basic story. We had been renting for years and needed some good buildings on land that we owned. God provided it. We needed a place where our children could get a quality education. God gave us a school. We needed additional housing and an infirmary. God gave it to us. We needed playground equipment and some gazebos for the kids to play in during rainy times or very hot days. One of our supporters gave the money for it. Medical equipment, computers for the school, vehicles, surgery for little Thomas, hospital beds for Jacob and Ginda? He came through. Everything we have is the result of gifts from people who God uses. We have dedicated staff and workers, but without the gifts of our supporters, all that commitment wouldn't amount to much. You dear people put the food, the medicine, the books, the baby formula, the Smart board, the toys, the clothes, shoes, diapers, cribs, beds, into our hands and into our homes so we can provide a great place for 90 children to live.
So I guess that giving an honest tour of CSC means that the tour guide will sound like a broken record. It is unavoidable at CSC, where everything comes from God.
Workers' Christmas Party
Check out these pictures from our workers' Christmas party on December 1. It was a great night of fun, gifts, prizes and recognition of the great contributions of our workers.
Trust His Heart
God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart
-From a song called "Trust His Heart" by Babbie Mason
The view out of my classroom window on a recent rainy day.
Human as we are, we have lots of worries in life. As we worry, some questions come up in our minds. What will my future be like? Will I be able to sustain the needs of my family? What kind of life will my children have? How do I meet the needs of my students, especially those who are struggling? How will I deal with the difficult situations I will be facing in the future? Do the things that I strive to do matter? Am I making a difference in my workplace? Am I on the right track? Is this the will of God for me? I don't understand God's plan for me, what should I do?
Upon worrying and doubting, we sometimes forget that there's someone up there who is bigger than our worries. When our mind is clouded with worries instead of trusting the One who is sovereign over everything, we see the uncertainties. May the message of the song above encourage both you and me to put our full trust in Him who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient amidst uncertainties.
May we hold onto His promise and command from Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV that says, "
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
40 Years of Hope and Blessings at CSC
CSC will celebrate 40 years of ministry in Cebu City in June of 2019. Our friends and supporters are warmly invited to attend the festivities in Cebu on June 28 and 29. Everyone is invited to see historical videos, pictures and accounts from the past 40 years here on this website and on our Facebook page.
This is from Christmas 2007:
One Great Afternoon at CCHS!
The United Nations Day celebration is one of the exciting activities at CCHS. It is always fun and informative. Children and teachers look forward to this event every year.
The day before the event, all the teachers put in great effort to prepare lots of things for the kids. Everyone stayed late that night just to make their country booth really captivating. There was the sharing of minds on what to display and how to arrange things in the booth.
The celebration started with the singing of the Philippine national anthem at the shelter followed by a parade heading to school. After the parade the children visited the the different countries: Belgium, Norway, Italy, and the Netherlands. Each group was given twenty-five minutes to stay at each booth and learn about the country. There was important information shared by the teachers, crafts to do, and food to eat.
After the country tour was the jeopardy game. Questions were asked to each group to test how well they remembered the things that were shared earlier. It was really fun to hear the students help each other think of the correct answers.
The event ended with a surprise thank you program for the teachers prepared by Teacher Eunice. It was indeed one great afternoon at CCHS!
Habitat Turnover
Habitat Turnover 60 homes for our workers were turned over to the homeowners on October 2 7 in an emotional ceremony in Talisay, Cebu. After many delays this project was completed and our workers will soon be moving into their new homes. All of these workers will be owning a home for the first time, a dreams that would have gone unfulfilled if not for Habitat for Humanity and Paul Reasoner, who led the fundraising.