Staff Blog

SubscribeRSS FeedEmail Subscribe
Categories

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 DSC07517947b6e964achildren. 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!

It's More Fun at CCHS!

Aug. 5, 2014By: Featured Guest

When I first came to CCHS, it was for my interview with the principal and the consultant. I was so nervous because it was my first time to be interviewed. I prayed and tried to be optimistic no matter what happened. My prayer was granted.

I am now part of the CCHS faculty. The people at CCHS are so great because they make me feel comfortable. I have learned a lot of new things from them. I am so thankful that I have been able to meet happy people. Everything happens for a reason.

Rhasies_blog

The students are so energetic. Each child has his own unique personality and skills. Every afternoon the kids bring flowers they have picked for the teachers. How sweet these students are! Every time the school has a special event, they are excited for the games, activities and especially the snacks. They participate and enjoy the activity.  It’s More Fun at CCHS!

Rhasies_blog_2

Rhasies_blog_3

-Rhasie Gantuangco, Instructional Assistant

Thomas is One!

Aug. 3, 2014By: Joel Reasoner

Thomas is one amazing young boy.  He is one resilient and persevering boy.  He is one happy and upbeat boy.  And now he is one year old!

Thomas has been through more in his life than most people, and he just turned one.  He has had several surgeries and spent lots of time in the hospital in his first year of life.  Through it all he keeps his spirits high.  Even when in the hospital feeling bad, it is rare that he is in a bad mood.

Over the past couple months he has been healing up after a major surgery.  Now that he is healthier, the child care workers can give him more freedom to satisfy his inquisitive mind.  He is loving it!

He really likes books.  He looks at them so intently that some of the child care workers joke that he already knows how to read.  Recently, he has started to learn how to walk.

Many, many, many people have prayed continually for him and his recovery and development.  So celebrate with us as Thomas turns one.  It is great day!

Cool Babies

Aug. 1, 2014By: Joel Reasoner

One baby’s smile is extremely contagious.  Multiply that by 17, that is the current number little cute babies at the shelter.

My wife and I are expecting our first child in the next few weeks.  In the past months I have been spending more time with the babies at the shelter.

Each little one is cool in their own ways.  One little girl loves playing “peek-o-boo.”  A little boy shouts out my name when he sees me.  Another girl has a squeal of excitement that goes along with a huge smile.  A little boy will talk to me when he wants to, not necessarily when I want to talk to him.  And another girl has been calling me “Auntie Joel” for a long time and last week she actually greeted me as “Uncle Joel.”

Just trying to take a picture of five little ones can be a great moment.  Smiles, silliness, seriousness, and shyness can all fill one picture.

God has created each child to shine on their own.  It is a pleasure and honor to get to know each child at the shelter. 

cool_babies

Full Cup of Water

Hi, I’m Michelle.  It’s a blessing for me to be a part of Cebu Children of Hope School.  This is my second year working as an instructional assistant in the school ministry and I’m glad I am working here.

I’m Wilmar’s Math teacher.  Part of our studies in Math have been about spatial concepts like full and empty (just sort of a review), and for him to understand more about it.  For a recent lesson, I prepared one empty cup and one full cup of water.  (We had done this before and Wilmar drank the water!)  I pointed to the cup without water as I said to Wilmar, “This cup is empty.”   Then I pointed to the other cup full of water and said, “This cup is full of water.”  I was expecting Wilmar to drink the water, but to my surprise, he didn’t.  This young man has matured a lot.

2014.7.25d0a4800970

glasses

A Blessing to Us

Jul. 24, 2014By: Joel Reasoner

Today new three new kids came to CSC.  It is another great day!  Of course these siblings are apprehensive at first, but are quickly warming up to the caring people that surround them.

Uncle Don Don is the house father of Eicher home where the new siblings will live.  Yesterday he shared with the child care workers, "We have three new kids coming tomorrow!"

Auntie Amy quickly bombarded him with questions.   "There are new kids Uncle?  How old are they?  Will there be kids in the nursery?"

Auntie Helen put it well, "Well, if we still have extra room, let them keep coming. Everybody is welcome!”

Uncle Don Don summed it up, "Of course!  These new kids are a blessing to us."

New_sibling_group