One of the values that guides CSC is especially important to me. We need to be thankful people. And we need to express that thanks. It starts with hearts of thanksgiving to God, the Giver of all gifts. Even though we may thank Him regularly in personal or family prayers, it is important to be intentional about group times of thanksgiving, like staff or team meetings or through corporate prayers at church or small groups. At CSC we need to unify our thinking around thankfulness, because, without God's provision, our efforts are just not enough.
But we also need to be thankful to those around us. At CSC, we need to continually express our thanks to those who support us financially and through prayers. In many ways, this kind of thankfulness is an organizational lifestyle. Every gift should be acknowledged and in a timely manner. The personal touch is important; we should send personal notes with receipts. We are even working on sending occasional thank you notes from the staff in Cebu, when possible. Every form of thanks is important and beneficial because, without the provision of our friends, the efforts of the staff are just not enough.
Here in Cebu, we are aware of the need to teach thankfulness to our CSC children. Although they have had difficulties in their lives, God has been good to bring them to CSC and to give them a second chance at family. People give sacrificially to help provide for their care. Aunties and staff show them kindness. The food is good and plentiful. Their medical needs are met. They have a great school to attend with loving and talented teachers. And many of them will eventually go to an adoptive family that will open their homes and lives to them. We need to help build a foundation of thankfulness for their lives that will help them understand their debt of gratitude to God, CSC and their adoptive families. I wish you could join our kids for their nightly prayers with their houseparents or a staff member. They almost always remember to thank God for our dear supporters, as they should. The kids know that it takes a lot of money to keep CSC going and to allow them to live in a healthy and comfortable way. And they know where it comes from.
Thank you for visiting our site and for reading this blog. Thanks for your interest in CSC and for the gifts and prayers that you might be willing to offer to help us love and care for these children. Thank you so much!
Tammy Vosika Winds Down
It is with a mixture of sadness and appreciation that we announce that, after eight years of teaching at Children of Hope School and being a member of our Cebu staff, Tammy Vosika will be ending her service with CSC. Tammy has been such an important part of our school and will be very much missed by the students at CHS, as well as the teachers, CSC workers and staff members.
Tammy has taught in Level C at CHS and has handled American Studies for the students who are going to the U.S. for adoption. She has worked with the Foster Friends program and headed up the Day of Hope program for CSC in Cebu.
We are so thankful to God for Tammy, and the way that she has used her talents though our ministry for the past eight years. Many children have been impacted by her.
We look forward to seeing what God has in store for Tammy in the next chapter of her life.
Habitat for Humanity Partnership
We are proud to announce a new partnership between CSC and Habitat for Humanity (HFH). It means new homes for 20 CSC employees!
The partnership is due to the hard work of our own Joel Reasoner, and especially his dad, Dr. Paul Reasoner of Bethel University. Paul has been raising money, and he and Joel have made excellent connections with the leaders of HFH in the Philippines. We are thankful for the eager support of Habitat's leadership. They have joined Paul and Joel to provide a great blessing to the people who care for CSC's precious children.
You might wonder why any CSC employees would need HFH homes. The number one factor is the cost of land in the Philippines. For many Filipinos, that land cost eliminates the ability to own their own home.
Habitat for Humanity has jumped in and provided land and expertise. Paul is hard at work raising funds to build. These great partners are hoping this is just the beginning, and so are we!
Thank you Paul, Joel and Habitat for Humanity. We are proud to be associated with you.
We Now Take Vehicles!
Donating a vehicle has become a popular way for Americans to support their favorite charity. Now CSC can accept these donations...from anywhere in the US! Simply visit our V-Dac Vehicle Donation page to give this unique gift to CSC. We don't have to manage any of the donation process, but the funds from your donation will go to work for our children in Cebu!