Staff Blog
Something I saw the other day touched me and has stayed with me ever since. I was driving down a busy road, a road I often travel down. I was looking straight ahead, intently focused on my final destination. I don’t usually look around on that road as it is quite familiar to me, and while driving---let’s just say that there is way too much going on to do that without dire consequences! There was a lot of traffic so I had to come to a stop.
I looked around then. To my right was an open space where once there had been trees and dilapidated storefronts. There was a new strip of concrete, about 4 feet wide probably and about 25 feet long. I think it will someday be connected with the road I was driving on---the eventual plan is to expand that road---however, for the time being it was set back about 6 feet from the road.
On that skinny strip of concrete, there were about 7 kids, boys and girls, ranging in age from 4 to 12 probably. They were playing a game, a game that looked to me to be a combination of baseball and kickball. There were no marked bases---the kids just seemed to know. And they did not have a bat---they alternately used their arms or legs and they used wadded up paper for their ball. There were not enough kids to have teams really, but they were definitely playing hard and having fun.
I watched all of that in a matter of a few seconds before traffic began to move again. I had a mix of reactions to that scene. I was impressed by their creativity and their energy. I was saddened by the small and ill-equipped “playground” they were using. I was aware that there were no adults around and that very small children were playing dangerously near a very busy road. I was happy to see the smiles on their faces and the excitement they had for their play!
Then I thought of our kids. They played like this before they came to CSC---for many, it was in even worse conditions. Sometimes they talk about it---games they played, kids they played with or that they didn’t really play because they were begging or helping their family members earn money for food. And then I thought of how they play now and where they play now. They have grass to run in or to crash into when they are still too unstable to maneuver around on Rollerblades! They have swings and slides and bikes and scooters. And helmets! They have jump ropes and soccer goal posts. They have adults to sit next to, hold on to or talk with.
Visitors have often described CSC as an oasis, a haven. When the green gate opens and you enter the facility, what you see is very different from the dirt, and chaos of the busy, city streets of Cebu. The streets our kids are all too familiar with---the streets that were their playground, their workplace and their home.
Thanks for caring about CSC. Thanks for giving to this organization. Thanks for making this oasis an everyday reality for our kids. They have a safe place to live and play because of you! God Bless you!
Wheelchairs of Hope
Two weeks ago, my family (Joel, Ethan, Shari, Paul) and I had the great opportunity to visit friends and relatives in Japan. Joel, Shari and I spoke at Kurume Christ Church (previously described by Shari in her blog) about CSC and their foster friends. We also had the chance to visit Wheelchairs of Hope.
Wheelchairs of Hope is a non-profit organization in Japan that refurbishes and distributes used wheelchairs donated by companies, individuals and other organizations. Their main beneficiaries are the countries around Asia. As of February 9, 2016, they have given away 2,000+ wheelchairs all over Asia including the Philippines.
In 2009, through the
connections of friends in Japan, Wheelchairs of Hope donated a wheelchair to
CSC. Since then, we have been in their
minds as a wheelchair recipient. Whenever
they ship wheelchairs to the Philippines, Wheelchairs of Hope never fails to
contact us and ask if we need a wheelchair or two. It was a wonderful surprise to see a picture
of John Ray, who received a wheelchair from them, at their warehouse. Even though it was 7 years ago, they kept John
Ray’s picture in a frame, never forgetting the little time they shared with him. One of the people who came to CSC in 2009 still
remembered John Ray and asked how he is doing.
I like visiting and hearing stories about other organizations and foundations that have a heart like Children’s Shelter of Cebu; at the same time, sharing our story with them. God uses different people from different walks of life to serve His people and glorify His name. Having visited Wheelchairs of Hope made me proud of the work we are doing at CSC and humble at the same time.
“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”—2 Timothy 2:20-21 NIV
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The Campers are Ready!
There has been an excitement going around CSC for the past few weeks. Every other year in February a work team from Minnesota comes and does a camp with the older kids at CSC. They get to ride a bus and travel to camp. Once at camp it is four days of fun, fun, fun! The kids get to hear from Gods word, swim, sing, play silly games, eat good food, have camp fires, hang out with really cool people, and so much more. It is definitely an experience the kids never forget!
Camp is approaching this week but the kids have had their bags packed for awhile already. Those who have been to camp before have shared with their new friends at CSC all about it. Our work team arrived within the last few days and everyone is ready!
A big thank you to our work team for coming and giving our kids such a special experiences! Please keep our kids and work team in your prayers as they are off at camp this coming week and weekend.
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Tale of Two Offices
As you may know, my wife and I have been serving in Cebu on
a short term basis. We were there for about 13 months. We returned to MN at the
end of December because of an urgent health concern in a close family member
and will be ending our time with CSC in March. While the circumstances which brought
us home have been discouraging we’ve been blessed by how flexible CSC has been
with allowing us to continue to serve. 
Going to the office in Minnesota has been a slight adjustment. Instead of seeing Mitch each morning, we see Matt. At lunch time, we don’t hear Cebuano, we only hear English. In Cebu I was relieved to get to the office and sit in air conditioning, now I see snow outside and keep inching my chair towards the sunlight.
Strangely though, it’s the similarities that have been more striking. The people who come in and out of both offices are talking about what’s new with the kids. The walls are covered with pictures of the same smiling faces. Even the work is the same; it’s true that many of the tasks are different, but that great momentum God gives us to bring glory to His name while serving these children, it remains unchanged.
What an amazing thing that God has done; bringing so many people with so many different stories together to share in the work He has in store for us.
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Annual Physical Check-up for All CSC Workers
Yesterday the CSC workers all had their annual physical checkup. A big truck pulled up into the driveway at CSC and the workers came throughout the day to have blood work, chest x-rays and a physical checkup. The needles were not well liked by the workers but they were grateful to know more about their health.
Aunties waiting for their turn.
Blood pressure check
The least favorite. Blood extraction
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A Dip in the pool for reading
As I do research for my book on the history of CSC I find stuff that can't go in a written volume but is part of the story of CSC. I can mention it in the book but I can't put in the video that shows it. Here is one such incident, when the kids ganged up on me because they won the Reading Challenge. This was around 2006. Fun times at Children of Hope School. At my expense!
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