Staff Blog
How can people be so heartless?
How can people be so cruel?
Easy to be hard, easy to be cold
How can people have no feelings?
How can they ignore their friends?
Easy to be proud, easy to say no.
Songwriters: Ragni, Gerome / Rado, James / Mac Dermot, Galt
The words of this song from the late 60s were brought to mind recently when a 12 year-old boy was referred to us. His story reveals the heartlessness and cruelty of people, and the ways that some children have to suffer at their hands. We'll call this boy Roberto and his younger brother, Michael.
Roberto and Michael were brought to an orphanage in Cebu City when they were babies. The orphanage, which was connected to a Protestant church, was not a good place. When the boys were older they were abused. Punishment was severe, sometimes cruel. The lady who was in charge of the place was the one dealing out the beatings. Luckily, the place was closed down and the children were parceled out to other child caring institutions. CSC got three girls from that place, but we did not have room for boys at the time, so Roberto and his brother, then nine and 10, went to live at a home for children on a neighboring island. Shortly after there arrival there, one of the boys threatened Roberto. (The home catered to older kids, and their residents included some who had lived on the streets and were used to fighting and intimidation.) On the second night they were there, Roberto decided to run away. Michael was afraid to go out into the dark night, but Roberto was able to find a young boy, just five years old, to go with him. The gate was always left open so they had no trouble getting away.
Roberto only knew one place to go, back to the church where he had lived. He didn't know that it was 18 miles from where they were starting out. And they had to cross a long bridge that led to Cebu island. But he knew he wanted to leave that place, so off they went into the night.
It took two days and nights to get to the church. They slept
along the road, wherever they could find a spot that looked safe. On the second
morning Roberto woke up and discovered that his little companion was gone.
Without a trace. All he could do was keep going. When he finally got to the
church he found that it was closed up. The gate was locked. One of the former
orphanage workers said that he could be their family's houseboy, but that didn't
last for long. One day that family packed up and left, and Roberto had no place
to go.
Out of desperation, he found a big piece of cardboard which
became his bed for the 
next months. He slept just outside the locked gate of
the former church/orphanage. He would look for food wherever
he could find it, in garbage cans or occasional handouts from neighbors. Other
times he would steal food to feed his hungry stomach, which enraged people in
the community. He was often beaten by neighborhood boys. One family took pity
on him and would stop the boys from beating him, and would give him food. Life
was hard for Roberto. No place to live. Nobody to take him in. He missed his
brother and worried about the boy who had disappeared along the way. How can
people be so heartless? How can they be so cruel?
One of the compassionate neighbors knew about CSC and informed us about the situation of Roberto. We get lots of referrals and can not respond immediately to all of them. Eventually our social worker and counselor went to visit Roberto and hear his story. They were overwhelmed by the things that had happened to him. In the next few days we made contact with the place where Michael was staying and arranged a meeting with their social worker. Two of our social workers, Chris and our new Social Worker Director, Klaris, and our counselor, Eldie, made the trip to the neighboring island to discuss the boys' case. Michael was relieved to hear that Roberto was okay. He hadn't heard anything about him for a year and a half. Both boys wanted to be reunited and it was determined that this should happen the next day at CSC.
The reunion was so sweet for the boys. They were more than a
little amazed at the facilities of CSC and the course of events that had
brought them back together. After more counseling and some medical
tests, and a talk with a representative of the place where Michael was living,
our staff made the decision to admit Michael and Roberto. The boys would no
longer be separated and Roberto's days of homelessness would end. It was an
exciting day for all of us. They boys needed to go back to their respective
places, get the few things they owned, and say goodbye before becoming official
CSC kids. But first we brought them to Jollibee, a fast food restaurant near
CSC. It was so much fun to watch the boys eat and laugh. It must have seemed a
little surreal to them to be together at that place with a group of adults who
were concerned about them and wanted them to be together in a nice and safe place.
Roberto was not able to finish his chicken and we were surprised when he asked
if he could have a bag for "take-home."
When they got to the place where Roberto had been staying, he ran to one of the houses near the church, the place where one of the people who had protected him from the cruel boys lived. This was the first person who had shown concern for him, maybe in his whole life. Roberto wanted to give this guy the leftover chicken from Jollibee! It was one of the most touching things that we have known about in our many years of working with kids. A few acts of kindness had made a huge difference in Roberto's life and he wanted to say "thank you" in the only way he knew how.
Later that day the boys were
officially admitted, and spent the night in the infirmary while 
we waited for
their lab results. The next morning they moved into the Cherne Home, where
house parents Tarex and Pureza and the children welcomed them. It was the
biggest day in their lives, so far. And there are many big days ahead. They
will be making a lot of new friends and will soon be enrolled in our Children
of Hope School. They won't be apart. They won't be hungry. If they are sick
they will be provided with the best medical care available in the Philippines.
If they are sad they'll be comforted. And they will get the chance to learn
about a loving Heavenly Father and a friend and Savior who will never abandon
them.
Yes, its easy to be heartless. Easy to be cruel. But its also easy to be kind. Easy to be a needed friend. Kids need a friend. Thanks to all who make it possible for us to say yes to kids like these two and the many others who need the love and care of our Shelter.
Christmas Wish List
Like every kid, the kids at CSC have their Christmas wish lists. Each year, the kids receive their gifts on Christmas Eve. Imagine a room full of kids with huge smiles, giggles, laughter, anticipation, and eagerness waiting for their gifts.
So, how do we, the appointed present shoppers, have the kids share their requests without making it too obvious we are the ones buying and wrapping their gifts?
For the little ones, the conversation might go something like:
“Hey, I talked to Santa last night and he asked me what you want for Christmas.”
OR
For those who want shoes: “Can you trace your feet for me so we can see if they are the same size?”
OR
“What do you want for Christmas? I could tell Santa for you.”
For the ones who know THE TRUTH, the question is pretty straight forward:
“So, what do you want for Christmas?”
Like kids everywhere, our kids have no trouble telling us what they want. Even though we can’t always accommodate their requests, it’s fun for them to dream and imagine. They have lists in their heads. One little girl specifically told me that she does not want perfume because she already smells good. Others get influenced by what other kids want. And some want things a bit more difficult to fulfill like a horse!
The day after some of the kids had told what they want for Christmas, they asked me if I had already given their lists to Santa. My response was, “I will email it to him tonight.” One kid then said in surprise, “Email?! Really?!” I did email their lists, just not to Santa, but to the specific person who is in charge of getting their gifts.
Thank you for helping CSC in every way. You make it all possible for us to give the best care for the kids even at Christmas!
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Books are the Source of Knowledge
Books are the source of knowledge and one of the fundamental tools in imparting knowledge to learners. This is how I define books and I experienced a memorable and significant lifetime event that I will treasure forever.
Level B Group 2 students were preparing to share their learning during the morning meeting, so they decided to present a poem titled, “If You’re Not From the Prairie”. Everyone was able to memorize the poem and they presented it in the front of everybody. This poem left a strong impression of all of the students, especially the Level B1 Group 1 students.
Later on in the afternoon, I opened the door to the classroom for my last class. This is the toughest class each day. When I walked in, I was surprised and puzzled. Everyone was holding their reading books, but this was science class! All at once, the students started reading in a loud voice, “Teacher Lyrah, if you’re not from the prairie, you don’t know the sun! If you’re not from the prairie, you don’t know me!”
This group of kids have just started using this particular reading text and are on the first unit in the book. The prairie poem is in the last unit of the book, so is challenging for the kids to read and understand. But somehow they had been inspired by the poem when it was presented during the morning meeting. They wanted to share their excitement.
I smiled and praised them for reading the poem. One student said,” Teacher Lyrah, we have your book! Remember? If you’re not from the prairie, you don’t know the sun.”
I encouraged them to continue to read and learn from their reading. There are a lot of moral stories that they can learn from the book.
I learned something that day. Kids have many talents and thoughts. We, as teachers and adults, should look for and encourage the children to grow, knowing they have innate and hidden talents. And the children are just starting to bloom.
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Hapit na Christmas
Hapit na Christmas
This is the phrase going around CSC right now. The word is out that Christmas will soon be here. The kids are busy writing their Foster Friend letters, practicing for the school, and church Christmas play and program. They are all talking among each other about what they hope Santa will bring them this year.
The workers at CSC are getting in their last few days of vacation for the year to make sure they have time to spend with their families this holiday season. The teachers are busy in school with classes and Christmas program practice.
Many of the staff and CSC employees are busy starting to think about and prepare for the upcoming Christmas activities. I thought I would share with you what we all participate in here at CSC. The workers party is on December 5. This is a fun evening for all of our CSC workers with each department sharing a song or dance, a meal together, prizes and an encouraging message.
The following Saturday we will be having the CSC Outreach Party. This is a day for former CSC kids to come back to CSC and enjoy a meal together, games, a message from God’s word and a Christmas gift. We look forward each year to seeing some of our former kids who have gone back to live with their birth families.
The kids will be performing the Little Drummer Boy for their school Christmas program this year. They are already busy working on the music and their lines.
The Progressive Dinner is an evening when the kids get to eat at each of the Missionary Staff houses. A different course is had at each house along with part of the Christmas story being shared. At the end of the evening we all meet back up at the shelter for cinnamon rolls shaped into a Christmas tree.
On Christmas Eve Santa always seems to find his way to CSC and deliver a gift for each of the kids. The kids look forward to this evening for weeks and weeks. After they open their gifts they get to stay up late and watch fireworks and have a special snack at midnight.
Christmas Day we have a formal meal of ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit and sugar cookies outside with all of the kids. After the meal, the adults share the Christmas story with the children including a live manger scene. It is always a joy to share the story of Christ’s birth with each of the kids at CSC.
We have a lot of fun at CSC during Christmas time. It is our prayer that amidst all the fun and busy times the kids would experience in a deeper way what Christ's birth means for each of them. Pray that each of us would be able to explain that clearly through our words and actions this Christmas season!
It is easy to get caught up in all of the Christmas excitement. Let us all remember to be thankful for all the blessings God has given us as we celebrate Thanksgiving next week. Giving thanks for God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Remembering to thank Him for sending His Son. The reason we celebrate Christmas!
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Prayers
Houseparents get a night off each week to relax and take a breather from the past week. Most missionary staff fill in for a shift on a rotating basis to help out and hang out with the kids when the houseparents are gone. At the end of the night, after reading a book or two to the kids, we spend time in prayer. Often there is at least one or two kids who want to pray. Prayer is the way each home closes their night, whether or not the houseparents are home. Some kids are well versed in the tradition, others are still skeptical, but all children are present and know that this is what we do.
This past week I was on duty in Eicher home as Dondon and Ivy had a night off. Just before the smaller boys were going to bed, I was praying with them and when I ended and was sending them to their rooms, one boy spoke up...
"Auntie Megan, he wants to pray," he says pointing at a three-year old.
"Oh, ok. Sure!" I respond. I encourage this boy to go ahead and this is what we hear....
"Dear Lord....Thank you, Lord...Lord, Lord...Thank you, God. Amen."
Hugs are given and boys are climbing in bed. As I leave for the night, I can't help but think of the faith of a child and the way God is changing lives at CSC. He has aunties, uncles, and friends guiding him and leading him to God. He knows how to close his eyes, fold his hands, and call on the name of the Lord. I'm grateful, that even at a young age, the children at CSC are learning from their caregivers and peers what it means to follow God with their hearts and lives, and that they're learning the importance of prayer!
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A Nice Evening for Ginda
Last weekend we celebrated Ginda's 29th birthday in the Duterte home. Ginda was thrilled to have so many wonderful friends at her party to celebrate with her. Some friends of CSC from Cebu also came and provided a lechon baboy for the evening.
Ginda made a grand entrance in a beautiful blue dress and purple bag. The house was decorated with blue and purple tablecloths and balloons to match. It was definitely Ginda's night! She knew it and could not stop smiling! Everyone could sense Ginda's excitement!
Birthday parties are a lot of fun at CSC. A big thank you to all of our friends and supporters who helped make Ginda's party and so many other birthday parties at CSC so special for the CSC kids!
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