Staff Blog
I would like
say thank you, not only that Children of Hope School has given me a remarkable
honor, but also for the weeks of fear and
anxiety that I have endured at the thought of this big responsibility.
The sleepless nights finally convinced me that I can be a speaker once in my
lifetime. Since I had been here for five
years as a school teacher, it is a great advantage because I can
think that this is a simple reunion.
I have finally set my heart and mind about what I am going to talk about today. To the graduates, particularly Eugene, Epifanio, Analiza, and Wilmar, today is a day of celebration and thanksgiving. You have all worked hard to make it to this day. It has been a long journey and you have reached this far.
The staff, the teachers and therapists in the school, the house parents, and the uncles and aunties in the shelter, were all there and have witnessed when you started practicing on holding a pencil, when you were singing loudly the ABC song, when you were learning to write the letters of the alphabet, when you were trying to read the words with care, and when you were tirelessly counting the numbers from 1 to 100 until you have grown up and have improved your abilities like writing your stories and autobiography, performing an experiment in science, solving problems in math, and showcasing your talent in theater, music and arts, and even sports! Above all these, you have grown up with a personal relationship with the Lord. It’s been a long journey to have finished your elementary years in school, to have developed skills and values, and to grow up rich in spirit. Congratulations, graduates!
Going back to my own elementary commencement, just like you sitting in the front row, my heart was filled with thanksgiving. At 12 years old, I had already been planning on becoming a teacher and had dreamed of landing a job because, primarily, I wanted to elevate my family's situation. My parents were poor and , thus, I am poor. Then, when I was in the 5th grade, my father passed away. But I am blessed that my family stayed strong and had faith in the Lord. Since then, every day is a miracle. Although I am very much acquainted with the hardships in life, I did not use being poor as an excuse not to finish my education. As a matter of fact, with the support of my family, teachers and friends, I had all the motivation to work harder, to do well in my studies, and to give the best version of myself. I am very determined to learn more and even willing to run an extra mile for education.
In the midst of the challenges and hardships in life, I was successful in my academic journey. So, after college, I looked for a job. In June 2009, I was accepted here in Children of Hope School as a shadow teacher of Wilmar and an I.I. instructor for the kids in the afternoon. After a year, I was promoted to a regular teaching job and was assigned in Level B2. Some of you here were once my students then.
So why am I telling you all of this? That day on my elementary graduation, I was young like you, but was very determined to reach my dreams. And now with the blessings of the Lord, I have made some of them come true, like being a teacher and to have done the things that I love to do. Therefore, I want you to be reminded of not giving up on your dreams and to have faith that you will reach your goals. More than that, I am humbled that I was a part of this ministry and learned that life is more meaningful when it is shared with a cause. My five year stay in this school was one of the memorable times in my life and it was way greater than what I have dreamed of.
To the graduates, be grateful to the people that have supported you along the way. The CSC staff and supporters, the childcare staff which includes the uncles and aunties in the shelter, the medical staff, the teachers and therapists in school, and the maintenance staff, they were the set of people who DARED to choose you, serving and molding you to become what you are right now. They are the set of people who CARED not about your past, but on where you’re heading in the future. They are the set of people who SHARED their time, effort, love, and prayers so you won’t be left behind. They dared, cared, and shared because you are special. So dear graduates, we need you to make the most of the wonderful opportunities that have been given to you.
You may not remember everything I’ve said today, but my message to you is that: Do not give up on your dreams and make them all come true. My hope is that you will have the passion, the courage, the faith, and the sense of responsibility it takes so that you’ll be successful in high school and in the next years of your education. Again, congratulations and God bless you graduates. Thank you very much.
Thomas is Home!!
Little Thomas is home! After two weeks of being in the hospital, from the operating room to the ICU to a private room, he was allowed to go home on Tuesday. It was an exciting day for everyone at CSC, especially in the Duterte Home. Our Head Nurse Warlita Manlon said it best in the car on the way home. "We are blessed to have Thomas in our lives." How true. We ask you to continue praying for him as he recovers from the surgery to his skull, and that we would take very good care of him in our nursery.
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A little miracle
Sometimes I am called upon to step in and help diffuse a situation happening in a classroom. Yesterday that happened again. A student who was bothering his classmates needed some help. This was someone who had had trouble complying with rules and expressing frustration appropriately when he arrived at the shelter. He was having trouble again yesterday.
After leaving the classroom, I had him cool down while sitting in a chair near me. After a few minutes we talked. He said he was angry and why. He told me what he had done to his classmates to tell them he was angry. We figured out what he should have done differently to tell his classmates he wanted them to stop. He said he’d try that next time. In the world of counseling and school, it was textbook stuff for learning social skills.
As we walked back to his classroom, I marveled at how much he has learned about how to express himself in positive ways when he is frustrated or angry. I thought of the people (counselors, house parents and teachers) who have coached him and modeled this for him.
As we entered the classroom together, he apologized to his classmates and sat down in his seat. Class continued.
A little miracle in the midst of a busy day.
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Centralites Are Here
Central Baptist Church of Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home church of Paul and Marlys Healy and Mitch and Ruth Ohlendorf, has sent a team of 11 members to CSC to visit the ministry, fellowship with the children, staff and workers, and run a three day camp for the older children at the Shelter. This has become an every other year tradition at CSC, and hundreds of kids have enjoyed being a part of these camps over the years. The camp will be held in a Christian camp on the beach in Santander in southern Cebu. The kids will have time in the ocean, hiking, playing games, sleeping in tents, eating good food, doing crafts and learning more about God. Chuck Sorley, the youth pastor at Central, will head up the camp once again. Pastor Joel Lawrence is also with the team. He has been busy speaking to various groups, from CSC staff and workers, to the students of the Baptist Theological College.
Thanks to the team for their willingness to come and serve, and for those who are supporting them through prayer and financial gifts.
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A meaningful morning
I can't help but feel closer to God after visiting Thomas at the hospital. Thomas was sleeping; he had had his dressing changed earlier and had cried a bit, so he might have tired himself out. I chatted with the Auntie, getting a quick update on how he was doing. There has been some drainage from the surgical site over the last couple of days, so there is a potential for infection! :(
I prayed over him and held his hand, but thought I should let him rest, so soon left. As I was leaving the hospital, I could not help but think on how Thomas is such a testament to God's provision. We have had several meetings, even since before admitting him, about Thomas, his needs and our ideas about how we could meet them. We prayed a lot about these concerns and sought guidance, but inevitably, just had to surrender them to God. And we have seen God provide time and time again. The financial assistance has come through, but even more than that, our plans for how to respond to the problems or possibilities we feared would occur were not even necessary.
God is good.
Sleepy at the moment, but still such a trooper!
His toys, the books he likes to "read," tissue and a Bible---the essentials!
Here he is, receiving excellent care from his Auntie. We are blessed at CSC to have such caring childcare workers!
All the time, God is good. And we have seen His goodness in Thomas' life so many times already and countless times over the life of CSC.
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Monday Update: Thomas Leaves ICU Behind.
MONDAY UPDATE: Thomas leaves ICU. No more fever. He loves books and the aunties love reading to him.
SATURDAY UPDATE: Thomas had his dressing changed today. He has staples from ear to ear. The doctor checked the surgical site and said that it looks good, with no sign of infection. Thomas was very alert and responsive today, and he made lots of eye contact with his caregivers. Matt Buley, CSC President, who is in Cebu at this time, had a chance to visit Thomas in the ICU and see his progress in recovery. Matt and Marlys brought along a radio and cd player so he could listen to music which he loves.
FRIDAY: Little Thomas continues his fight,making good progress after his serious surger
y on Tuesday. He is still in the Intensive Care Unit at Cebu Doctors' hospital. Yesterday his face was very puffy and he was more uncomfortable than he had been on Wednesday. But today his swelling has subsided. He still has a low grade fever (100.7) which is normal after his kind of surgery. The doctors told us that they will be taking the dressing off tomorrow. As of today, our child care worker who is with him in the ICU is allowed to hold him, which he very much appreciates. It is possible that Thomas will be able to 
go out of ICU tomorrow to a regular room.
Thanks for your prayers for our darling boy! A couple weeks ago, as the surgery was being discussed among specialists in Cebu, his doctor mentioned that he is a little battler, so we all need to battle for him to. Thanks for helping the battle through prayer.
We are so excited and thankful that some CSC friends who have followed Thomas on-line, have responded with financial gifts.
Praise God that, of the estimated costs of $25,000 for the surgery and recovery, $8,000 has already been provided!
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