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I spent a few days last week in Manila hanging out with some pretty neat kiddos. We spent most of our trip waiting for the next thing to happen. The primary reason was to process some of their paperwork, but for them it was the trip they could never imagine.

The adventure started on a Sunday afternoon as three kids, another social worker, a few houseparents and I left from CSC and journeyed to the airport. We made it through security and check-in just fine, found some seats and proceeded to wait…and wait…and wait some more as our flight was delayed.

I felt really bad for the kiddos as they expressed a great deal of eagerness and enthusiasm to fly on an airplane for the first time, and instead they were met with some sort of cruel form of delay gratification. However, once we were on board and headed up, I was met with some smiles, nervous glances and many questions.

It was really fun to be a part of this journey with them, even though it was a bit challenging to answer some of their questions. We talked about when they needed to wear their seat belts, what causes the plane to shake in the air, how the pilot knew where to go, what landing on the ground would feel like, and many more things. The added challenge to this was that their primary language is Cebuano…mine…not so much. So I had to be a little creative with my answers and think of ways to describe things in basic English for them to understand. I would say I mainly succeeded with this, but felt extremely grateful when on the airplane ride home, a nice Cebuano-speaking woman helped me out.

Anyway, it was pretty memorable to go through this really new thing with this sibling group and to see the airplane ride and the hotel stay through their eyes. It was humbling to think about the privilege I’ve had to travel many places and to not even need to think twice about turbulence, runways, hotel beds, taxi rides or passports. Coming from a life of poverty really doesn’t allow one to think about what a hotel would be like. The kids’ minds were blown when they saw 2 televisions in the one hotel room and all of the pillows on one bed. They really were living the life of luxury. And I think they enjoyed the airplane ride home a little bit more than the ride to Manila as they knew more of what to expect, and as that flight back was in the daylight where they could see the city, and the water surrounding the various islands. We all (yes, I left with 3 children and returned with the same number!) were a bit exhausted on the drive back to CSC, but they have enjoyed telling their friends about the journey and the many things they saw. And I returned grateful for having the opportunity to venture with them…and to have another adult with me!

A Special Friend

Jan. 27, 2016By: Jinkee Reasoner

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. 

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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!

Sportsfest 2016

Jan. 24, 2016By: Amy Pacada

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! IMG_1634The TorchIMG_1638Getting Ready

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Sack RaceIMG_1667HurdlesIMG_8943The Aqua Blue TeamIMG_8944The Green TeamIMG_8945The Royal Blue TeamIMG_8946The Gray Team

Yesterday and today

Jan. 22, 2016By: Paul Healy

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.

Playing with Dominoes in Science Class

Jan. 20, 2016By: Amanda Kliora

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!

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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. 

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New Preschoolers

 

new_sibling_groupNew Elementary students