After being in Cebu for a little over four months, I have
realized we welcome lots of people. Some people include the many
visitors and supporters of CSC.
Over five years ago, I was
welcomed to CSC in a very different context. I came with the Central
Baptist Church work team. I was embraced by not only the staff members
here, but also the kids. I remember stepping out of that van for the
first time and being rushed by about 50 smiling and laughing children.
Four
months ago, Peter and I were welcomed in a much quieter setting. Joel
greeted us at the airport and we then had a quiet lunch with the staff. After packing up all of our belongings, saying our sweet and
lengthy good-byes to family and friends, and traveling for over 24 hours,
I needed a tranquil welcome. I'm thankful for the low-key greeting we
received.
As I think of the many people I've met since
December who have visited CSC, I can somehow relate to a piece of their
experience. Here they are, for maybe the first time, or the first time
in many years, stepping foot onto the campus, seeing the grounds and the
people and the kids for real, and taking it all in. When I came the
first time, it was all so overwhelming and fun and awe-inspiring. It was
also emotional as I thought about and processed the lives of the kids:
where they lived, what their lives were like before CSC, how hard so
many people work to take care of them, and how they are resilient in
incredible ways. I know visitors and guests don't all experience CSC in
the same way, but I know people leave impacted by what they saw and
experienced. I imagine many leave with a lot to process and
digest. It's enlightening for me to reflect back on my time from a few
years ago and think about where I've been and how I've changed in light
of my experiences.
Soon we will welcome a young lady who
will work with us for about 10 days. It will be exciting to have her
here and hear her perspective on her time and experience at CSC. I hope she,
and other visitors, have a vivid and meaningful understanding of the
work God is doing through so many people and how he is touching so many
lives through this ministry.
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.