Staff Blog
In this season marked by gift giving and receiving, I've been reflecting about a significant gift that I received earlier this year. In July, I travelled to the Philippines and had the opportunity to spend 6 days visiting CSC.
While I've had connections to CSC for almost 15 years, this was my first actual trip there – not for lack of desire to have made the trip earlier, but working within the realities of parenting and being an at-home mom with our 4 young kids. Being there was, of course, amazing, and a true gift. The life-giving ministry that takes place there came alive for me in a whole new way. I don't want to lose that deepened sense of connectedness that I brought back to Minnesota with me, and as part of that desire to hold onto connection I recently revisited some of the journaling that I'd done during my week at CSC. I'd like to share a few excerpts from my journal with you – in hopes that you also will feel a rekindled sense of connectedness to the truly life-altering work that takes place every day, hour by hour and minute by minute at CSC.
From our first day at the shelter – Wednesday, July 19th
It is emotional to be here with the kids! To see little babies who don't belong to anyone-yet here belong to everyone, sweet toddlers who remind me of Berit (our 2 year old daughter) who have already lost someone for a lifetime, preschoolers coming close or slipping in a hand to be held who don't know what it's like to be someone's child, busy elementary schoolers curiously and boldly saying hello – their life stories already so complicated, and tall, growing-up pre-teens who act like they are at camp, yet don't have family to return home to. I've gotten lots of tears welling up in my eyes – for the kids, when seeing Paul being tender and familiar with kids of all ages, and in thinking about life and all of its complexity. So thankful to be here, and so aware that life can be hard.
From Thursday, July 20th
I've seen lots of poverty today while driving, especially on the city tour with Marlys. It's so surreal to drive by it and then to be done with it, while it is remains someone's total life and story. I like to imagine that all of the kids I see who are way too close to the moving cars in the street have a parent close by, or that they are just going for a walk, but I know that isn't true. Especially aware today of CSC as a SHELTER.
From Tuesday, July 25th
CSC is impressive. The physical campus, the stories behind the campus coming to be, the contrast for the kids between what was and what is – as well as new potential for what might be, the many aunties and uncles, the holistic set up that addresses so many important parts of each child's experience, the team of leaders that is both forward thinking and evaluative... and of course the kids themselves. I'm struck today by the RESILIENCY of the kids. Each child here carries with them a heavy, heart-breaking story, but they keep going.
While on the airplane as I journeyed home, as part of my processing of the days at CSC, I made two lists in my journal. One of the lists was titled "Hard Things", and the other was titled "Joyful Things". I'll share a few of the items that were part of each list.
Hard Things – Hearing kids who had been matched for adoption talk about where they would be going when they joined their new families (Australia, Tennessee, Italy), knowing that other kids listening had no adoption plan. Seeing endearing, funny, smart and talented older kids who don't have much time left until their adoption window closes – knowing that their amazing personalities could never be captured on paper and that their age would likely be what would speak loudest to potential adoptive families. Wondering if the CSC kids were wondering if I was "sizing them up" and considering the possibility of adding them to our family, and even choosing what to say about themselves based on that. Thinking about how quickly childhood passes, and "biding time" while waiting for a family. Hearing babies cry and seeing toddlers sitting in highchairs... even when being carefully tended to by aunties, as Paul would say, "It's not the same as being in a family."
Joyful Things – Bright smiles and sparkling brown eyes. Hearing the house parents lead the kids in devotions before breakfast and after dinner. Listening to the kids sing songs of worship – the sound of their voices floating out from the homes and through the campus. Seeing the kids smartly dressed in their matching school uniforms and getting to walk with them up the hill to school. Visiting Jacob and Ginda's rooms, specially created for them, and seeing how CSC is absolutely committed to them as valued family members. Getting to pray a prayer of thanks and blessing with the overnight workers one night as they started their shift. Being surrounded by a group of 11, 12 and 13 year old girls who just wanted to hang out and talk. Genuinely feeling that there are capable, thoughtful leaders in place. Seeing the employees call out, hug and playfully tease the kids. Sensing real openness from the staff to work together for the children.
Those are some excerpts from my CSC experience. It was truly such a gift to be able to spend those 6 days in July immersed in the daily life of CSC. I'm grateful in a deeper, broader way for this ministry as I'm reminded of both hard and joyful parts of CSC. As a CSC board member, I am especially thankful for the community that supports CSC. To know that children's lives are being changed each day is truly amazing and inspiring, and I'm so thankful for all of you who make that possible!
Books! Books! Books!
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Dr. Seuss
Kind, generous people send all sorts of needed things to the shelter and school. Earlier in the summer a couple of boxes arrived with an assortment of clothes, toiletries, shoes, toys, books and more. BOOKS! We’re always happy to get books at school. We were curious as to who sent the books since we had not been expecting lots of books. We were told that, once again, a wonderful friend who is a media specialist in a school had “secretly” given the books.
The kids noticed the books up high on a shelf right away when they came for library and asked if they could check them out. Since the books needed to be entered into the library system and the usual person who does that work was on maternity leave, the kids have had to wait a bit to check out the new books. Well, the books are ready now! Thank you for giving these beautiful books. We are so blessed to have tons and tons of books.
“There is more treasure in BOOKS than in all the PIRATES’ LOOT on Treasure Island.” Walt Disney
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
Saying Goodbye
Hellos and goodbyes are rather routine at CSC. We welcome new kids into our homes, and then serve them in a variety of ways including teaching, playing, sitting, poking at bugs, listening, hugging, healing, caring, and many other things. Eventually, we have to stop and say farewell to these kids. This is one of those bittersweet pieces of serving at CSC. I don't like saying goodbye because these are kids I've grown to know and love. And yet, I am grateful to know God has answered prayers by providing a family, in his perfect timing and way. Sometimes it takes a lot longer than we would hope or expect, but God does a lot in the lives of the kids and families during this time. It's a season of preparation and patience.
But here we are, reaching a time soon when we will say farewell to a sibling group of 3, after years of waiting. These are the same kids I took to Manila back in January. I've also had the opportunity to facilitate their Skype phone calls with their adoptive family, and teach them American Studies. As a result, I've gotten to know them well. In the midst of it all, I know that God has ordained them to continue on their way to the next chapter of their lives. I've been able to witness growth and change in the lives of these 3 young kids and I know they will be a blessing to their adoptive parents and the community where they will live. While they will certainly be missed around CSC, I know they will be loved and cared for by capable and loving parents. I have been able to witness the bond the children have with their adoptive family over Skype and I am eager to see them fit together as a family, in the unique ways God has prepared for them. So while the goodbye may be challenging in the short term, the long term trust and knowledge that God has prepared them for a new life in a different country is what brings comfort and excitement. I know God will continue to work in this family and use both the parents and the children to bring honor and glory to himself.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Staff Reflections |
Hanging out on the Basketball Court
Most of my day is spent working in the office doing HR
responsibilities. At the end of the day I look forward to going to the
shelter and hanging out with the kids. One of my favorite things to play with them is basketball. Basketball is popular at CSC and you can always find someone playing on the
basketball court. I enjoy getting to know the kids through shooting
baskets, playing one on one, or a team game. Basketball is always fun at CSC. It’s a great way to end my day!
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Staff Reflections |
A Solution
Teacher Cris’ class was working on ordering numbers in math class recently. She had taken her students through the steps of comparing two three-digit numbers to figure out which one was the least and which one was the greatest. They had worked on the skill together using many different number pairs.
Then when it came to independent practice, things got a bit
more confusing. Right away one student
piped up and said, “The numbers are different!”
Teacher Cris reassured the student that the process was the same even if
the numbers had changed. She said, “Look
at the numbers in the hundreds place value and see if they are the same or
different.” And so on.
When Teacher Cris looked up next, the same student was clutching his paper to his chest, walking around the room and singing the worship song 10,000 Reasons:
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I’ll worship His holy name.
He went back to his seat and continued to work on his math as he sang. Teacher Cris was humbled by her student’s response to his problem. What a sweet reminder to call on God when we need help.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
Continuing the Commitment
The past week was a little intense for our inspirational speaker. If you remember, last year Jacob had his launching as an inspirational speaker at Cebu Children of Hope School. He then spoke at one of the local colleges. After a long rest of not giving speeches, Jacob got booked at two different schools last week; Baptist Theological College (BTC) and Southwestern University’s (SWU) Physical and Occupational Therapy Department.
The 3rd and 4th year students and teachers of BTC lingered around after the short program. They told Jacob how blessed they were hearing his testimony. It was an awesome experience not only for Jacob but for Ginda, Joemar and Wilmar who attended the program as well.
Wilmar was asked to give a
sample of his singing voice. Without any hesitation, he stood up, grabbed the
microphone and sang “One Way.” It was amazing to see him singing with so much
confidence. Ginda and Joemar, on the
other hand, were surrounded by students and teachers talking and asking them
questions.
The 4th and 5th year students at SWU also had a lot of good questions to ask. They were interested to know what kind of physical therapy exercises Jacob receives. Some were also interested to hear more about CSC itself. Others recognized Joemar as a server at a fast food chain. Wilmar graciously sang “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen.
The therapy department at CSC continues
to do its best to pursue this endeavor—exposing our special needs kids to the
community and in turn teaching the community through this effort. Keep us in your prayers as we look for new
avenues for these special needs young adults.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Shelter News |
