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Its easy to keep traditions going when circumstances remain the same. But during a pandemic its a lot harder. Such is the case with the Christmas traditions at CSC. In a normal year we would have lots of different activities for the kids. We have been having a school musical program for as many years as we've had a school.  We have had Junel's Box, a program for our kids to give from their own allowance money to help out a poor family in the community with food and hygiene items, for about 20 years. We have a progressive dinner, gift giving with Santa, a fancy Christmas dinner and a manger scene with live manger animals.  This year, although it is not possible to hold all these activities, I am so happy to see that our staff in Cebu is trying hard to present as many of these as possible for our kids. Hard as it is to maintain a feeling or normalcy during these days, they are showing creative minds and loving hearts towards them. I am so proud of our staff for all they do and have done throughout the quarantine. Not only have they kept our kids and themselves from getting the virus, they have worked tirelessly to offer educational, recreational and social activities that have kept moralle high within the CSC compound. 

I am far away from CSC these days, and it is especially hard at Christmas time. I have always said that there is no better place to be in the whole world than CSC at Christmas. This can be attested to by many folks who went to Cebu to visit us in December and celebrated our Saviour's birth with us.  They were all recruited to help with the cookie baking, gift wrapping and story telling. Some were asked to play Santa or one of his helpers.  I remember one year we had a visiting couple who were Asians and we recruited them to be Mary and Joseph in our pageant only to find out later that they were Buddhists. One year the live manger scene created some issues when one of the sheep went berserk and wrapped his rope around one of the shepherds (Uncle Patrick's) legs while bleeting to high heaven. All of these contributed to the fun of Christmas at CSC.

How i mjiss it, the kids and the whole CSC family in Cebu.  Thanks to all who support his ministry.  You are putting tools in the hands of our very capable, hard working and creative staff under the excellent leadership of Field Director Roberto Atienza.  God bless you and CSC.

Making Banana Que!

Mar. 28, 2013By: Lindsay Ostrom

One of the things the kids love to do is cook! Here are a few pictures (taken by the kids!) from our recent cooking adventure with the Group 3 EPP class. Thank you Auntie Puriza and Auntie Jenalyn for all your help making this yummy snack! :)

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A Few Favorite Pictures from the Week

Mar. 24, 2013By: Tammy Vosika

This preschooler came to school sporting a hair style just like his older brother's!  

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I'm not sure what was happening with this next photo, but I found him lining up to go home for lunch wearing a swimming cap and goggles.  I still have no idea why, but it was a fun photo!

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This little boy is our newest addition to CSC.  It took a while for me to get a smile out of him, but he's starting to warm up to me now!!  I love this picture!

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Just a few of the darlings you can find on our playground!!

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And just a really cute moment, I caught on video!  God is so good!!

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Individualized Instruction

Mar. 21, 2013By: Lindsay Ostrom

Individualized Instruction (aka I.I.) is a really cool thing that happens at CCHS. Kids who are identified by their teachers as needing extra support will get subject-specific instruction in a one-on-one setting during the afternoon. I am currently the I.I. reading teacher for a handful of kids, and here's what a typical day looks like with the students that I work with.

Reading...

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Thinking...

Writing....

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And being awesome!

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Thanks for checking in on what's happening here!

On-site at CSC

Mar. 21, 2013By: Jill Grasley

My recent trip to Cebu was wonderful, aside from a little sickness and a run-in with some "stink fruit".  If you have not tried "stink fruit" before, don't.  It really does taste like it smells- awful. 

I have known about CSC and worked with the organization for years, but I feel truly blessed to be a part of it as a new staff member. As I walked on the CSC grounds, I kept thinking about how excited I was to connect with what is happening in this little section of Cebu. 

One thing I'm already proud of is how seriously we take the spiritual development of our children. One evening during my trip, I was welcomed into the Eicher home to join in on evening devotions. House father DonDon had already started, so I tried to sneak in the back and blend in. It didn't work very well, as I temporarily disrupted the discussion when the kids started waving and saying "hi Auntie Jill!" DonDon, however, quickly got the devotion time back on track. He was leading the children through a lesson about temptation and doubt. He shared that God has a plan for all of their lives and he talked about the need to trust God with the future. All of the children were really engaged and responded by answering the questions with confidence and by reciting scripture. As I sat there and listened, it struck me how much the staff at CSC care for these kids. They strive to meet all of their physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs. Perhaps that is why you see so many smiling faces. 

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Shenanigans...

Mar. 20, 2013By: Lindsay Hoeft

Truthfully, our kids are pretty special.  Yes, you may consider me a biased informant, but I dare you to come here and spend the afternoon playing with any number of them and not draw the same conclusion! 

We have some of the sweetest kids I have ever met.  They are helpful, considerate, creative, athletic and energetic. 

We also have some of the silliest kids I have ever met!!!  I decided to highlight that side of our kids for you this week...  Enjoy!

 

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That face...

 

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They are off to save the world!  Watch out.... ;)

 

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Such an impish smile!   

 

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His name is pretty much Mischief----with a capital M! 

 

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 PEEK!

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FYI, He was winding up for an overhand throw---I found that out after the picture was taken!  ;)

 

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Yes, he really is wearing the face of a pig!!!

 

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Silly sisters!

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And this one needs no caption...

 

Thanks for reading and caring about our silly, but precious children!

God Bless!