Staff Blog
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2021!
I hope you had a meaningful Christmas filled with opportunities to pause and reflect on the many blessings in your life. It already seems that Christmas and the weeks of Advent are a distant memory. Don't get me wrong, I was there, present for all of it, and had amazing times with our family of eight that included giving and receiving gifts, eating lots of delicious food, playing games, watching some of our favorite holiday classics and taking part in a very special tradition: attending the candlelit Christmas Eve service at our church, this year live-streamed on YouTube.
It is good for us to take a break and reflect on the past, especially at a time like this, the beginning of a new year. It is good for our health and an essential component for anyone who wants to make the most of their lives. I would argue that many of us do not spend nearly enough time reflecting on the past. The importance of doing so will help us immensely. I think we have all heard the quote that says, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." History repeating itself has long been seen as a negative, though I'm certain we could all find elements of history that are worth repeating.
Let this be an encouragement to you to set aside some time right at the start of this year to give thanks for the many blessings God has brought our way and also take time to reflect on the trials we faced as well and remember that even in those times, God was still faithful.
Be careful, though, that your looking back does not become a distraction or pitfall for what lies ahead. We all know that looking in the rearview mirror will take our eyes off the road and distract us from what lied ahead. Rather than looking back and getting stuck in the past, remember that God has a better plan for us. Philippians 3:13-14 says, "...But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." God is calling us forward—He has much for us to do!
God's Goodness to CSC in 2020
I joined the CSC staff this past August. More than half the year was already complete. The global pandemic was making a resurgence. In the Philippines, our children and staff had been on lockdown for five months already. There was hope that by the end of September things would "open up" and people would be able to resume some normalcy in their lives. That didn't happen and the lockdown continued. The most amazing news to share in and through all of this was that not one of our residents or staff contracted the virus. And, as an added blessing, regular illnesses were nearly nonexistent as well, and for that we are thankful to God.
As we passed Thanksgiving and were heading for the Christmas holiday season, we knew so much about this year's celebration would need to change. Plans were being made for how Christmas celebrations would take place in the context of all the new rules and regulations. Of course, here I was in the U.S. as a long-distance observer. Technology has become such as blessing for us this year, and I was able to attend nearly all the Christmas celebrations and staff meetings by Zoom. With the time difference, though, that meant me staying up until 1AM or waking at 3AM and 4AM to participate.
There's not much that could match my excitement for my first CSC Christmas as an employee of this amazing ministry. Suffice it to say, however, the children at the shelter were quite a bit more excited to see Santa arrive by cart to distribute all the wrapped gifts to each and every child. Beyond the gifts, there was singing, sharing the Christmas story or Jesus' birth and a feast that left my mouth watering.
Here stateside, we also had an amazing Christmas celebration as we were so honored to receive all the gifts from our faithful supporters who care so much to see this ministry for homeless Filipino children continue. We were literally shaking our heads at the generous and heartfelt response of all those who identify with the Mission and Ministry of CSC and cheerfully support.
Looking Forward: Opportunities in 2021
Reflecting on the past year has me thinking about CSC's mission statement. I asked our CSC board members last September which parts of the mission statement they identified with or appreciated most. As you might imagine, there were a variety of answers. Several of the board members have been on the board for a long time, while others are relatively new to the board, one member joining in June or 2020. I understand and resonate with their perspective. It makes sense to me that they would have different answers or perspectives. God has made us all unique, after all, and He draws us to different things based on how He made us.
What keeps me focused in my role as president of this ministry is the beginning part of our mission statement that says, "We exist to glorify God...." For 42 years this is ultimately what CSC has been about. Everything we do is dependent on that beginning part of our mission statement. Our glorifying God is the lens by which all other things aspects of this statement and the work of the ministry are viewed. And as we continue to glorify Him, He continues to show us just how much He cares for us all—children and staff—and provides for our every need.
One of the things our Field Director, Roberto, and I discuss on our weekly Zoom calls is the progress being made to admit new children to the shelter. CSC is set apart from other shelters or orphanages by our aspect on placement services and adoption. There are other places right there in Cebu City that provide care for homeless children, but their focus is primarily on long-term residential care. As children are placed through adoption, opportunities for new children to be a part of the CSC family present themselves. Our staff in Cebu are working diligently on both placements and new admissions, but the pandemic and government restrictions have made this effort challenging in 2020. It is our hope that 2021 will see more children being welcomed into the loving arms of CSC and that more children will be place for adoption. Please pray with us to that end.
Prayer
Dear Lord, as we begin a new year, let us not become overwhelmed and anxious about the unknown and what the new year will bring our way. Help us to remember that you will never leave us or forsake us and that you want nothing more than to give your children the best gifts possible. Help us to remember—to reflect on the past—in a way that honors you and gives thanks for all you've done for us. Let us consider first and most what you would want us to do in the months ahead, to see where you are already at work, and then join you in what you have already planned for us to do. 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. Learn more about CSC at https://cebushelter.org.
Sources:
The Holy Bible. English Standard Version. Retrieved from:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A13-14&version=ESV
The Human Memory. (2020, November 25). Long-Term Memory. Retrieved from:
https://human-memory.net/long-term-memory/
Yocco, Victor S. (2018, January 5). Dwelling On The Past: The Importance Of Self Reflection (Part 2). Retrieved from:
https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/01/importance-self-reflection-part-2/
Teachers Learning
Teachers put in years of hard work learning in college to prepare themselves to step into the classroom to teach. There are many attributes which can characterize a good teacher—knowledge, preparation, enthusiasm, connecting with the students, patience, and on and on.
The ability to learn is one of the attributes that can benefit any teacher. There are new curriculums, methods, approaches, and theories. And every year there are new students.
All students are different. Some are similar in the ways they learn and how fast they understand and absorb knowledge. Others have a different pace and others need alternate explanations. A teacher’s ability to learn the best learning style, process, and pace for each student in the class is instrumental in helping the student understand the lesson.
The Children of Hope School teachers are impressive. There is a range of learning styles represented in the student body and the teachers have been working hard at understanding each student.
Here is one example. Wilmar is an active teenager who is still learning the sounds of each letter. His focus is easily broken and he sometimes has a hard time sitting still. However, he is enthusiastic about most things and is great at memorizing melodies and lyrics of songs. His confidence in front of a group of people has helped the adults around Wilmar to realize his learning capabilities and potential.
Wilmar’s class needed to put on a presentation for Buwan ng Wika, just like all the other classes. They chose to do a dance. Wilmar has trouble following set choreography and usually makes up his own moves. How does a teacher handle a student who struggles to follow set steps of dance, but is great in musical settings? Watch to see Teacher Alfie’s solution to help Wilmar’s class put on a good presentation with the participation of all students.
From big performances to basic classroom instructions, the teachers of Children of Hope School are meeting the students each and every day, learning how to guide them.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
Group 1 Girls
Individualized Instruction (II) at CCHS is an intervention that helps students improve their academic skills, especially in reading. But teaching II with Group 1 has been a bit different since it is a group of lively little girls rather than a one-on-one session. They practice their beginning reading skills by reviewing their story selections and high frequency words. After that they choose a book from the classroom mini-library and I read it to them. The girls take turns choosing the book for the day. Recently one of the girls chose the book Why? by Miriam Frost. This book is full of “why” questions, so it’s perfect for building reading comprehension skills.
The conversation while reading the book with
the girls went something like this:
Question: Why is the snow cold and not warm?
Answer: Because it’s ice.
Question: Why do we fall down but not up?
Answer: Because we slide.
Question: Why do bats sleep upside down but not right side up?
Answer: Because the bats don’t have hands to hold. That’s why he sleeps that way.
Question: Why do we stand on our feet but not on our hands?
Answer: Alangan! matumba manta if mag tindog sa atong kamot. (English translation: We will fall down if we use our hands.) This was said in a tone of voice implying, oh come on teacher, you know the answer!
The girls are very cute! My prayer is that they will continue to love and value books as they grow up.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
"BER" Months and Kid Volunteers
“Ber” Months and Kid Volunteers
September, October, November and December are known in the Philippines as the “Ber” months for obvious reasons. When these months arrive, Filipinos begin to get excited. These months herald the arrival of a celebration that most Filipinos love, and that is Christmas. Christmas music is played at times as early as the first few weeks of September.
Like most Filipinos, the children at the shelter are starting to think about Christmas. The kids who had experienced the month-long celebration at the shelter already told the new kids the fun things that happened last year. Some have already asked when the progressive dinner will be and some have started to wonder and ask what Santa will do for fun on Christmas eve.
One fun thing that happens at the shelter during December is the party for outreach kids. This year it will happen on Saturday, December 12. Two or three of the older kids usually help with the party by being on the registration table. When that is done, they help the other older kids by helping give away candies and other sweets while games are going on. Then they help distribute the snacks when it is time for that. Then when it is time for gifts and give-aways to be given, they also assist Santa with the distribution.
Julieto bagging give-aways.
Registration table
Girls having fun after helping the outreach party.
It is fun to see the kids helping other kids in need. And it is always fun when they volunteer themselves to help when help is needed.
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Shelter News |
Roles!
Workers at CSC have different roles. Some are childcare leaders, teachers, nurses, house parents, therapists, cooks, guards, and so on. Sometimes though, we go beyond our roles.
Uncle Ondoy is a house father at our Teen Home, but every now and then you see him sewing costumes for the kids’ school presentations.
Marwin is a Physical Therapist. Once in a while he dresses up like he’s Irish and serves Irish food. Therapists work between the shelter and school and they help in some school programs—like United Nations Day.
Roselyn is one of our adult residents at the Teen Home. She is now working at our school as a teaching assistant. Roselyn is also good with braille. She helps Arleen—also one of our adult residents—with transcribing words into braille.
Uncle Edwin is one of our trusted drivers. He knows which roads to take to cut distances. Sometimes you see him being silly on the playground with a toddler.
Everyone knows Joemar. He works at two branches of McDonald’s. Joemar also assists the janitors at school. But beyond that, he is a kind and loving friend to Ginda and Jacob.
And that is how we rock our roles at CSC!
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | Shelter News |
United Nations Day
Friday was an exciting day at Cebu Children of Hope School! The kids got to travel to Russia, Spain, Albania, Ireland, and England. They presented their passport and had to answer questions in order to enter each country. Once admitted into the country they learned about their culture, famous attractions, did an art activity and sampled a food from that country.
In the afternoon two representatives
from each country dressed in their countries native attire. They were asked to
give a greeting from their country and answer questions in front of the
audience. Select students performed dances from some of the various countries.
At the end of the day the representatives from Russia were crowned Mister and
Miss United Nations 2015. 
| Show Comments | | | Leave a Comment | | | Category: | School News |
