"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing."
(1 Corinthians 13:2, NIV)
Make no mistake, your prayers, faith, and love have been moving mountains! Last month I had mentioned a deep concern felt by all of us at CSC; that the partial closure of government offices would make it difficult, if not impossible, for us to process paperwork and manage the cases of our children. Travel restrictions, quarantine protocols, and roadblocks (literally speaking) have hindered our team's ability to submit paperwork and gather needed information. The pandemic has limited the functional capacity of DSWD (the Department of Social Welfare and Development) and ICAB (the Inter-Country Adoption Board), affecting our ability to work with them on receiving referrals of new children and/or advocating for the matching of our current children with prospective adoptive parents.
But we have a talented and proactive team, faithful and diligent supporters (like all of you!), and a God that is always at work, moving us forward in our mission to serve and provide a loving, Christ-centered home for homeless Filipino children. Your prayers are being felt; coupled with your faith and love, your prayers are moving mountains! We can't thank you enough for being a part of what the Lord is doing.
Government offices have been opening with a reduced workforce, and new virtual procedures (utilizing Zoom and Skype) have been developed for us to advocate for our kids before DSWD and ICAB. And, in what can only be described as a miracle, there is now some movement when it comes to international placements, and even international travel, for prospective adoptive parents. At present, the Philippine government is prohibiting foreign nationals from traveling to the islands, with very few exceptions. It is amazing, and an answered prayer, that the national government and ICAB would consider the needs of prospective adoptive families from overseas, adding them to the list of exceptions for travel.
There are still many hurdles to jump. Local matching (that is, matching done with prospective adoptive families within the Philippines) is happening at a fraction of the pace that it was before the pandemic. We also have yet to go through the process of welcoming an international adoptive family and navigate everything that entails (getting them through roadblocks and checkpoints, etc.). Please continue praying with us as we make our plans and preparations, and PRAISE GOD for the doors He has already opened!
Last but not least, please pray for the people of Cebu. Heavy rains have already caused a lot of flooding in and around the city. It is also evident that the pandemic will reverse years of progress that the city, and the country, have made towards reducing extreme poverty. Recent reports show that around 2 million more Filipinos will slide into poverty this year, with estimates stating that 22.4% of the country's population will drop, or remain, below the poverty line. Pray that we can continue sharing the love of Christ in word and in deed through this unique time.
Flooding along Mango (Maxilom) Ave, near Gorordo Ave, in Cebu City on October 13th.
Flooding in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City, on October 23rd.
CSC Hiring Teachers
We can't tell you it would be easy, but we can tell you you'd be changing lives...including maybe yours.
Children's Shelter of Cebu is looking to hire two new teachers for our Cebu Children of Hope School, an elementary school, in the 2013-2014 school year. These positions begin in June. Teachers are hired for a one-year contract. They must be licensed and have experience in a school with an English-based curriculum. We have a strong staff of Filipino teachers, but also like to have teachers who have taught in the US as most of our school-aged children are adopted there.
We expect a lot of our teachers, excellence in the classroom and more. You would raise funds prior to going to Cebu for the majority of your salary. You'd take part in activities at the shelter and school beyond school hours. You'd be asked to help host frequent visitors to Cebu. Most importantly, you'd be asked to be part of a loving family to children who have lost theirs.
We offer health insurance and travel, and an experience you'd remember for a lifetime.
Think you might have what it takes? Application instructions follow the position description here.
Three Generations of CSC Lovers!
Back in the '80s, Warren and Marie Hagfors were in Cebu as volunteers with the Evangelical Free Church. While there they got to know the CSC staff and were frequent visitors to the shelter. Warren helped as a computer instructor to the staff. Within a few years, they were back in Cebu, this time as CSC short-term staff. Upon returning to the U.S., Warren served on the CSC Board and Marie cross-stitched over 40 designs for the houses in Cebu.
Pat Hoeft learned about CSC from Warren and Marie, her parents. She became a loyal CSC supporter and friend to the staff. She is a medical doctor, and the hospital that she works in donated lab equipment to CSC several years ago. She went to Cebu to help get the equipment set up and running. Just this week she went to Cebu to visit her daughter, Lindsay, who is working on the CSC staff as Director of Counseling as a part of our childcare team. Lindsay is a third generation CSC lover from the Hagfors line! We were recently overjoyed to learn that Lindsay has committed to a third year with CSC in Cebu!
CSC 2012 Highlights
Children's Shelter of Cebu has come through another amazing year with the Lord's guidance. Fifteen children joined their adoptive families while twenty-nine new children came to CSC in 2012!
Continue to pray for the adopted children, newly admitted children, and all those at the shelter as we enter this new year. Please pray for the Lord's continued protection and love for all in our care.
Morning Presentation Features Students' Creativity
At a recent school presentation, Level B students presented art, drama, and dance numbers that showcased their creativity. The dance number was choreographed by Sarah and featured moves and formations that celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection. Eugene narrated an original script for a stick puppet show. "The Monkey and the Squirrel" was the name of Eugene's masterpiece, which talked about respect and cooperation. Epifanio drew a picture of people around the world, all accomplished during the playing of the song, "Imagine." It was a great presentation all around, and showed what our kids can accomplish when their creativity and imagination are encouraged.
Science Group Looks at Emotional Health
Tammy Vosika's science group has been learning about what it means to be an emotionally healthy person and how that includes having a positive view of oneself and others. She gave the kids an assignment to come up with at least one positive thing about each person in the class. Click here to see what they came up with!