Staff Blog
this guy was born!
I don't know that story, at least not all the details. But I know it was August 8, 1976. And that it was a special day. God brought Joemar into this world, knowing full well the kind of blessing he would be to so very many people. Fast forward several years to July 15, 1985, when Joemar was admitted to CSC. The details of those in between years are also not all known, but I can guarantee that he saw things or exerienced things we wish he never had. He was probably scared at times, maybe even hurt and he undoubtedly went without. That is, of course, why he came to CSC.
It is easy to forget that Joemar has a story that precedes CSC. He is so at home here. He belongs here and it just would not be the same without him. It is also easy to forget that he ever knew pain or heartache because he is just so joyful. He loves life with a contagious fervor. I cannot help but smile when he greets me at my vehicle each morning, saying, "Ning, Sy" (Good morning, Lindsay). He then holds out his arm to take my computer bag for me. He then walks with me to my office, carrying my bag the whole way until he puts it next to my desk. He immediately begins sweeping the floor and sharing with me whatever news he has. Some of it I can put together, other bits only he really knows what he is saying. Either way, I like having him there.
The excitement Joemar had for his birthday was palpable. His house mother informed me that he had woken up before 4am---too excited to sleep anymore. In the several weeks preceding his birthday, he had talked to me every day about the cake for his birthday. He knew I was the one that got the cakes and ice cream for each party. But the flavor he wanted changed every day! We finally decided on ube and he stuck to that. But the day before his birthday, he had mentioned that he was going to have 3 cakes and he held up 3 fingers. Now, Joemar does not always get his numbers right, but I had to laugh anyways because he was still indicating that he wanted more than 1 cake. :)
Unbeknownst to him, there would be 2 cakes for his day. One cake (ube) would be for him and his guests at his birthday, but there as another cake that was brought to him while he was working. Joemar works at McDonald's every day. He loves it and they love him. The employees at McDonald's are so happy to see him and love having him there. Even if we take Joemar to a McDonald's at a different location, he inevitably has friends there. This cake was a birthday cake and a "Thank you, McDonald's cake," for all that they do for him.
Auntie Sandy, (or Sausy) as he calls her, and I had surprised him there at the end of his shift. He was happiest when he had visitors! But he still felt pressed to do his job, he left for a bit to clear off some tables and he was worried that the second level of the restaurant needed his attention! After the picture taking, he started to leave with us but the other workers called out that he had forgotten his food. They sent him home with a chicken and spaghtetti meal, some Coke and a McFlurry. He was beaming!
It was a day of celebrations culminating into the big party at his house. He could not wait. If you talk to Joemar, within 5 minutes or so, Superman will usually enter the conversation. Joemar LOVES anything Superman ("Perman" usually followed by the flying arm movement)! There were going to be Superman gifts and he was so excited! But there were also Superman decorations!
Joemar was also looking forward to having Uncle Sio and Uncle Eldie attend his birthday party. He often assists Uncle Sio or watches what he is working on as Uncle Sio is always doing interesting projects around the grounds.
Uncle Eldie is one of our counselors and Joemar makes a point to visit his office during the day also, to share news with him.
Last but not least, was the gift opening! Superman everything and he couldn't be happier!
What a joy to celebrate Joemar's birthday with him! And what a privilege to get to know him and be a part of his life. He is such a precious gift from God and he has blessed CSC in countless ways over the past (almost) 30 years he has lived here.
Thanks for all of your facebook messages for him on his special day and thanks for all of the prayers prayed and the stories shared about Joemar!
A Special Friend
You guys all know Wilmar. You see him playing basketball, riding a bike, holding a toy lion, crocodile or a dinosaur or you see him just sitting and singing a song or two. Wilmar receives a lot of support at the school and shelter.
At school, Wilmar has three different teachers and one physical therapist. Yup, we make sure these kids get what they need. So yeah, Wilmar has teachers supporting him, but what about a friend? Who plays with him at the shelter? Who helps him line up? Who holds his hand during school programs?
Well, there is one special friend and classmate who assists Wilmar in all of these. This girl sang a duet with Wilmar in the last music recital. She holds Wilmar’s hand when going up and down to the stage; she walks with him to the next class and works on classroom activities with him. Even her classmates know who Wilmar should sit with. And she is very happy to do all of this. No complaints.
This girl is also close to the rest of the special needs kids/adults in her house. She sees them as equal. She has a big heart for them. Now, that’s one special friend!
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
Sportsfest 2016
Sportsfest 2016 is officially over. A great day of fun, athleticism, and sportsmanship was had by all! The day started off with a parade,cheers from each team, reciting of the sportsmanship pledge and the lighting of the torch. Then the games began!
Enjoy some fun photos of the day! 
The Torch
Getting Ready
Hula Hoop
Sack Race
Hurdles
The Aqua Blue Team
The Green Team
The Royal Blue Team
The Gray Team
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
Yesterday and today
I have been finishing up my book on the history of CSC. It has been a great experience to look back on the earlier years of the ministry and see how many times God has seen us through difficulties and helped us meet challenges. We have faced financial hardships, political uncertainties, sickness, natural disasters, death and a fire. And one year we faced all of these. Except the fire.
1990 was quite a year for CSC. Our board had approved a budget that was significantly more than the previous year. But income was down significantly and our reserves were being depleted. What's more, CSC's Executive Director had to resign for health reasons. There were lots of political uncertainties in the country. Many of our children were sick and one, little Sonny Boy, died after a 72 hour battle in the ICU. Three of our staff were on furlough during the year, leaving us short-handed in Cebu. And, in November we got hit by super typhoon Ruping which cause lots of damage in Cebu, though nothing major at CSC. We were inconvenienced by power outage and lack of sufficient water.
Not a great year. But one where we learned a lot about God's sustaining power, his heart, and our ability, with his help, to withstand lots of challenges. We also learned a lot about CSC's supporters, and how they rally around us during difficult times. People stepped up, pitched in with the fund raising, gave sacrificially, prayed for us and help pull us through 1990. And every year since.
Some of you have been around CSC since 1990. If so, thanks for then and for now. If you were a part of our stupendous December giving rally in 2015, or have been praying for CSC or our family, BIG thanks. We have needed you so much. We take on the challenges of today and in the future because of what you have meant to us in the past. Bless you all.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | General News |
Playing with Dominoes in Science Class
If you walked by our science class on any given day, it might resemble play time. In fact, we are having so much fun, things are falling over fast! One of the science classes recently finished a unit on speed. They learned how distance, time, and speed are related. To further illustrate this relationship, they had the opportunity to play with dominoes. The class was divided into two teams. The teams had to line up 25 dominoes that were equally spaced in such a way that their dominoes would fall faster than the other team. This led to a lot of discussion about concepts related to speed, and we had fun in the process!
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment |
A Wonderful Surprise!
Happy New Year!
God is GREAT! He has been so faithful to Cebu Children of Hope School during the past year. His protection and provision were so evident in the lives of each one of us at school. A number of kids were given forever families and are now starting new chapters in their lives in new families, homes, and schools.
This year already God has given us a wonderful surprise at school. Seven lovable students joined classes after the Christmas break, three preschoolers and four elementary students. Their coming has made the school merrier because each one of them is a bundle of joy. They are gifts from God that enrich everyone’s lives at school.
New Preschoolers
New Elementary students
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
