Staff Blog
A dear man left this world on Sunday. It was Father's Day.
Dr. Gerald Healy, who most people lovingly called "Big Jer" was the father of Paul Healy, our Field Director and co-founder. But to CSC, Big Jer was a lot more than that. He had the back of CSC in the States in so many ways while the ministry began and then flourished in the Philippines. He was a board member, a fundraiser and an incredible advocate.
I'll never forget the first time I saw Jer. It was one of my early introductions to CSC and happened just before joining the staff. Jer was emceeing the annual banquet--a role he filled for decades. My wife, Theresa, and I attended the banquet and sat in the last row of tables like all the other late RSVP'ers. We were touched by the stories of life change and amazed when they announced how many people had visited Cebu and seemingly half the room stood up, but what stood out more than anything was how funny the emcee was. He was knee-slapping funny. I even turned to Theresa at one point and said, "This guy is awesome!"
Years later, and having gotten to know Jer on a personal level, I can tell you the description fit. Jer was awesome. His kindness and wit were extraordinary. In all the times I saw Jer, I can't remember one in which I didn't leave it feeling encouraged, entertained and better than I was before it. What a class act and generous spirit.
One time, Jer and I were sitting at lunch at a golf course. We hadn't played that day, but Jer had the day before. He was telling me about the foursome he played in, and how he and a friend of his had been paired up with a couple of young guys. I remember Jer telling me these guys had it together. They were smart, funny and impressive. It was also evident they weren't Christians. Jer paused at that point and said, "Matt, these guys would make great Christians." Jer wanted them to know what he knew. He wanted them to have the hope of Jesus Christ. He could imagine them in the church, and he had tried to be a light to them that day.
I think of that interaction now and smile. The guy I was sitting across the table from made a great Christian himself. We could use hundreds more like him in our churches, but there was only one Big Jer. He was loved in his family, in the halls of Bethel college and in sanctuaries and fellowship halls across Minnesota. And, he was sure loved at CSC.
A Special Friend
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.
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!
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Sportsfest 2016
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! 
The Torch
Getting Ready
Hula Hoop
Sack Race
Hurdles
The Aqua Blue Team
The Green Team
The Royal Blue Team
The Gray Team
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Yesterday and today
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.
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Playing with Dominoes in Science Class
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.
New Preschoolers
New Elementary students
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