Staff Blog

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

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.

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.

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

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!