Staff Blog
The calendar tells us that this is the week of Christmas, the "most wonderful time of the year" as the song goes. This year, though, something feels a bit off. We are still shy of twelve months of complete disruption from the pandemic that has hit our globe, which means that we can all remember what it was like last year at this time. Some would call that time last year "normal" compared to what we are experiencing today. We had no idea what was about to hit us. Unprecedented is a word that is used a lot these days, though I admit that I try to shy away from that word altogether. I sometimes find it hard to believe that we are nearing the end of 2020, when it feels like the time from March until now has been like a never-ending cycle of reliving the same day over and over again, or some variation thereof.
There are some things about this Christmas season, however, regardless of the pandemic, that make me wonder what month it is. For one, there is no snow on the ground. Maybe it's going to be a brown Christmas. Though the temperatures are cold enough to flood the rink up the street from our house, the quality of ice is still debatable, as my children would say. The temperature has been unseasonably warm for Minnesota. We had a 40-degree day recently. Mind you, as the years go by, I rather enjoy warmer weather and shorter winters. But let's put all that aside for now. What I really want to do right now is have us center our thoughts on the things that never change.
Morning, Evening, Repeat
I began my job as president of CSC this past August. Already four months have gone by and with it so many full and fulfilling days of work for this amazing ministry. I love my job! It seems, though, that with each passing year, and as I get older, the days get shorter. Why is that? Just so you know, it is not just me and it is not just you. There is a lot of science behind why "time speeds up" as you age. While we all know that there are still 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week, it can seem that the weeks and months just "fly" by. I've heard that the more years you live, the less one year (or one day) is as a total of all the years you have lived. Makes sense to me.
A Cambridge University study from March 2019 posits that perception and physics have a lot to do with why we feel time is speeding up. The study explains that "clock time" is not the same as the time perceived by the human mind. "The 'mind time' is a sequence of images, i.e. reflections of nature that are fed by stimuli from sensory organs" (Bejan, 2019). It goes on to talk about the difference in those who are well rested versus those who are overtired. We are much more likely to watch time pass us by when we are tired and worn. Conversely, the person who is at rest is likely to experience a slowness of time and may feel more at peace. I have to admit that I have more times of time moving quickly than times at rest.
So what can we do to remedy this state of being? Try reading Psalm 63, as follows. Take some time to really "drink" these words in. Use this and other Psalms, even other scriptures, to get your mind and soul in a position of rest in order to slow down your processing time.
Psalm 63
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
1 You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced. (The Holy Bible, NIV)
Childlike Curiosity for Cebu
Part of what motivates and drives me is a curiosity to discover new things, or new ways of doing old things. Just last night I was looking at maps of Cebu, Philippines and some of the neighboring islands. I was imagining the property that is Children's Shelter of Cebu, the three residences, the infirmary, Children of Hope School. I imagined seeing the children and staff outside, walking the grounds, playing, sitting, and also those who were inside the buildings. I imagined myself in that setting as well, soaking in the heat and humidity like I had done when I was in Cebu last, many years ago. I just can't wait to hop a plane and go over there again.
Part of the curiosity I have has to do with my vision for the future, especially as it relates to CSC. I am mindful of a Christ-centered ministry that has been around for nearly 42 years and am also aware of my own place in the ministry, as a former board member and now as president. I feel a stirring and calling from God that He has more for us to do in Cebu, much more. 2021 is just around the corner and I am so excited for what next year will bring. I am grateful for a leadership team in Cebu who are so capable of doing what is required of them in order to provide the best care possible for all of the children. I am grateful for all those who partner with CSC to make it possible for this care to happen, both financially and through prayer.
God's Faithfulness
Lamentations 3:22-23 are two verses that most of us could sing or hum the tune to.
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. (The Holy Bible, ESV)
When I think about faithfulness, I often think about who is the one being faithful and what they character qualities are. On a human level, I understand quickly that our ability to be faithful and unfaithful can change in a matter of seconds. That is because we are a flawed humanity full of faults. God on the other hand is the only one who can be consistently faithful, and He promises His faithfulness each and every day. Even in the hardest of days (or years, like 2020), His faithfulness can be seen everywhere. I should say that those who know God and who choose to seek Him can see His faithfulness everywhere. God remains the same, never changing. As Hebrews 13:8 says of God's only son, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (The Holy Bible, ESV).
I find it so reassuring that God is the one thing that never changes. And even more than that, the Bible tells us that He was present before everything was formed. He is the beginning AND the end. Psalm 90:2 says, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God" (The Holy Bible, ESV). He will be there to guide CSC through whatever the next year brings.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we praise you for all the many blessings of this year. Thank you for your faithfulness. Remind us of the importance to slow down and to rest in you, and draw us to your Holy Word for that rest. Help us remember that you are the same yesterday and today and forever. Please show us the way to go in 2021 and may everything we do be done in a way that brings you glory. In the name of Jesus, the Christ, Amen.
P.S.
It is my honor to be able to write periodically for our CSC blog. It is my hope that these words and the words from all those who share from time to time will draw you in to a deeper walk with the Lord and help you see things from different points of view. While we hope to tell you more about Children's Shelter of Cebu, we also want to share a bit about those who do the work.
Sources:
Bejan, A. (2019, March 18). Why the days seem shorter as we get older. Retrieved from:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-review/article/why-the-days-seem-shorter-as-we-get- older/2CB8EC9B0B30537230C7442B826E42F1
The Holy Bible. New International Version. Retrieved from:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+63&version=NIV
The Holy Bible. English Standard Version. Retrieved from:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lamentations%203%3A22-23&version=ESV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A8&version=ESV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+90%3A2&version=ESV
An Evening in the Home
After a day of learning in school and fun on the playground, the kids settle down for an evening inside the houses.
Suppertime is a busy time, with lots of kids around the tables refueling for the next day. After the kids join the “clean plate club” by finishing all the food on their plates—even the vegetables, it is time to help clean up. Some kids are assigned to sweep the floor, wipe the tables, and wash the dirty dishes.
Homework comes next. The kids spread out around the house. The dinner table is transformed into a big desk. A few aunties take over as tutors. Some kids like to do their homework in their room. Some kids grab a chair and sit around the coffee table downstairs. The school Reading Challenge has taken over homework time.
August has become “Reading Challenge” month. For several years, the kids have an added incentive to discover the great books on the shelves in the library. The kids actually do not have a problem taking advantage of the library throughout the year, but it is fun to create excitement for reading. Each level has a reading goal appropriate for their abilities. At the end of the month, totals will be tallied and winners will be announced.
After homework is done for the evening, it is time to play. The preschoolers actually get to play most of the evening since they have less homework. Crosswords, building blocks, animals, and much more fill the rest of the evening.
Finally it is time to put everything away and go to sleep, to be ready for the next day.
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Wishing away the years
I overheard a conversation the other day while waiting for a friend to arrive to lunch. Near my table two guys, apparent former coworkers, bumped into each other.
It was odd. After exchanging greetings the one asked, "so, how long you got?" Hopefully my face didn't betray that I was eavesdropping, because I was confused enough by the question to let on. Were these guys prison inmates? It sounded like he was asking, "how long are you in for?"
It turns out he basically was. Both men were nearing retirement, and the crux of their conversation had to do with how much longer they had to work. They were counting down the years until they could quit.
I hope I don't ever have a job in which I wish away years of my life because of it. In college I had one that caused me to wish away days, and that was bad enough. On my way to work in the morning I'd look at the other side of the highway and daydream I could press fast-forward and automatically be on the other side heading home. It wasn't a very uplifting commute.
I'm not sure what line of work those guys in the restaurant were in, but I'd bet they weren't missionaries. I know several missionaries. They have really hard jobs--and there are certainly days they wish would end. They work tons of hours, live far from family, have to learn a culture and are constantly putting others ahead of themselves. But, wow, do they live lives of purpose.
Are you wondering what you're going to do with your life? There are many good jobs out there, and many paths to take. Don't forget that missions is a valid one...including at the Children's Shelter of Cebu. We will have needs for teachers, administrators, coordinators and practitioners to work alongside our Filipino leaders in the coming years. I can promise it would be a challenge, and a career full of purpose.
If you think you might have what it takes to be a missionary, shoot me a line at cscusa@cscshelter.org. I'd love to chat with you.
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Workers Working Hard
It takes 75 child care workers to give the hands-on daily care to the children. Diapers need to be changed, babies need to be held, meals need to be cooked, the homes need to be cleaned, children need to be read to, loads and loads of laundry need to be washed, and of course the playground is a very busy place after school.
Twenty-two workers have flexible schedules to fill in for other workers who are absent and to give one-on-one care for sick children and new children.
Several children have left for adoption in the past several months. With vacant space in the homes, CSC has been admitting new children. When they first arrive, the new children need to be kept separate from the other children until cleared by the doctors to join their new home. These children are not left alone, of course. A child care worker is always with them.
The one-on-one care is a blessing for the children. From the moment new children enter the shelter, love is given directly and specifically to them. In some cases this is a new experience for the children.
These are some of the child care workers who give loving care to new children from the moment the children enter the shelter.
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38 years ago....
this guy was born!
I don't know that story, at least not all the details. But I know it was August 8, 1976. And that it was a special day. God brought Joemar into this world, knowing full well the kind of blessing he would be to so very many people. Fast forward several years to July 15, 1985, when Joemar was admitted to CSC. The details of those in between years are also not all known, but I can guarantee that he saw things or exerienced things we wish he never had. He was probably scared at times, maybe even hurt and he undoubtedly went without. That is, of course, why he came to CSC.
It is easy to forget that Joemar has a story that precedes CSC. He is so at home here. He belongs here and it just would not be the same without him. It is also easy to forget that he ever knew pain or heartache because he is just so joyful. He loves life with a contagious fervor. I cannot help but smile when he greets me at my vehicle each morning, saying, "Ning, Sy" (Good morning, Lindsay). He then holds out his arm to take my computer bag for me. He then walks with me to my office, carrying my bag the whole way until he puts it next to my desk. He immediately begins sweeping the floor and sharing with me whatever news he has. Some of it I can put together, other bits only he really knows what he is saying. Either way, I like having him there.
The excitement Joemar had for his birthday was palpable. His house mother informed me that he had woken up before 4am---too excited to sleep anymore. In the several weeks preceding his birthday, he had talked to me every day about the cake for his birthday. He knew I was the one that got the cakes and ice cream for each party. But the flavor he wanted changed every day! We finally decided on ube and he stuck to that. But the day before his birthday, he had mentioned that he was going to have 3 cakes and he held up 3 fingers. Now, Joemar does not always get his numbers right, but I had to laugh anyways because he was still indicating that he wanted more than 1 cake. :)
Unbeknownst to him, there would be 2 cakes for his day. One cake (ube) would be for him and his guests at his birthday, but there as another cake that was brought to him while he was working. Joemar works at McDonald's every day. He loves it and they love him. The employees at McDonald's are so happy to see him and love having him there. Even if we take Joemar to a McDonald's at a different location, he inevitably has friends there. This cake was a birthday cake and a "Thank you, McDonald's cake," for all that they do for him.
Auntie Sandy, (or Sausy) as he calls her, and I had surprised him there at the end of his shift. He was happiest when he had visitors! But he still felt pressed to do his job, he left for a bit to clear off some tables and he was worried that the second level of the restaurant needed his attention! After the picture taking, he started to leave with us but the other workers called out that he had forgotten his food. They sent him home with a chicken and spaghtetti meal, some Coke and a McFlurry. He was beaming!
It was a day of celebrations culminating into the big party at his house. He could not wait. If you talk to Joemar, within 5 minutes or so, Superman will usually enter the conversation. Joemar LOVES anything Superman ("Perman" usually followed by the flying arm movement)! There were going to be Superman gifts and he was so excited! But there were also Superman decorations!
Joemar was also looking forward to having Uncle Sio and Uncle Eldie attend his birthday party. He often assists Uncle Sio or watches what he is working on as Uncle Sio is always doing interesting projects around the grounds.
Uncle Eldie is one of our counselors and Joemar makes a point to visit his office during the day also, to share news with him.
Last but not least, was the gift opening! Superman everything and he couldn't be happier!
What a joy to celebrate Joemar's birthday with him! And what a privilege to get to know him and be a part of his life. He is such a precious gift from God and he has blessed CSC in countless ways over the past (almost) 30 years he has lived here.
Thanks for all of your facebook messages for him on his special day and thanks for all of the prayers prayed and the stories shared about Joemar!
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Order to Eating
Most kids need encouragement to eat their vegetables. Some kids are always leaving the food they like less on their plate until last. Other kids just eat everything in front of them.
At a school activity I sat next to a boy who eating the last bit of his snack. I asked which one of the four snacks he liked the best. He said the one he was eating. He explained he liked to eat the least tasty thing first and work his way to the best. He ranks the parts of his meals and decides on an order in which to eat each part.
I smiled and nodded. I knew exactly what he was talking about. I do the exact same thing. Call us crazy, but that is how we like to eat.
It is fun to see how kids think. I wonder what I will learn about one of the kids today?
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