Staff Blog
For quite some time, I tried finding ways to see someone who left Children’s Shelter of Cebu’s custody in 2007. He was ten years old when he and his older sister left CSC. It was everybody’s understanding, according to the agreement between CSC and the mother, that they would all live in the province. It was not until a while later that we heard they came back to the city. The sister was taken care of by the mother. The boy, once again, lived in the same place he had lived before he had come to CSC. It was hard knowing he would again be left on his own.
I tried following up on him through his mother and older sister. I asked many times to meet with him at the office. For years, his mother did not have nice things to say about him. The older sister, who was (and still is) under their mother’s care, seemed not to know how he was doing either. She would only say she did not know what he was up to, or she did not know how he was doing. She knew, though, that he was still living in the house near the market. It’s not that she did not care for him, she just did not want to do anything to displease her mother.
I tried for years to get him to come to the yearly outreach Christmas party. I even resorted to withholding his Christmas gift one year so he would come and get it at the office. He did not come. One year, when he was enrolled in grade four at a nearby school, I got him to come see me because I would not give him shoes if he were not the one to come get them. So, I brought him to the store and got him the shoes and socks. I even brought him back to the place he called home. That was the last time I saw him.
It has been quite some time. I thought I lost that young boy. But, God answered prayers. Early this year, I heard of a place that caters to out-of-school youth that want to better themselves. I talked, sent text messages, and visited some of CSC’s former kids whom I thought would benefit from the program. And I sent a message and talked to this boy’s mother, too. She told me she would tell him about this opportunity. And praise God, she did! I was very happy and thankful when he came to see me at the office to talk about the program and what it would mean for him.
I also could not believe it was him when he introduced himself. The negative reports from the mother had colored my perception of him. How could a drug-abusing kid look so clean cut and well-mannered as this young man seemed to be? But I was glad he finally came back. After all these years, he finally came back!
Now, this seventeen-year-old young man has been in training since the second week of May. And as part of his training, he is working part time (and earning a half-day’s wage) through the social enterprise project of the organization. He is also enrolled in the GED-like alternative school. He hopes to pass the exams to either graduate from high school or to get into the high school level. He only has a grade four education. His main goal is to become a Filipino Marine. He wants to serve his country and at the same time, help his family while doing it.
John Henry still has a long way to go. Please pray with us for him.
Thank you, Lord, for this little miracle and answered prayers.
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
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Staff Reflections |
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.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | General News |
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.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Staff Reflections |
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
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | General News |
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!
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
