Staff Blog
"Writing is a process in which we discover what lives in us. The writing itself reveals to us what is alive in us. The deepest satisfaction of writing is precisely that it opens up new spaces within us of which we were not aware before we started to write. To write is to embark on a journey whose final destination we do not know. Thus, writing requires a real act of trust. We have to say to ourselves: "I do not yet know what I carry in my heart, but I trust that it will emerge as I write." Writing is like giving away the few loaves and fishes one has, trusting that they will multiply in the giving. Once we dare to "give away" on paper the few thoughts that come to us, we start discovering how much is hidden underneath these thoughts and gradually come in touch with our own riches."
"Oh that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll..."
JOB 19:23 (NIV)
https://henrinouwen.org/meditation/writing-reveals-what-is-alive-in-us/
I don't write for the CSC blog all that often, but I thought it was interesting that the above devotion came to my email inbox just a little over a week ago. It makes me think that what I write down is a deeper expression of not only what is in my mind, but what is in my heart. I'm grateful for those who choose to read our updates and trust that you will find a nugget somewhere in all this to apply to your own lives.
Another school year has begun at CSC at our Cebu Children of Hope School. I received some pictures over the last couple of weeks that seem like priceless classics to commemorate the beginning of our school year. Much like last year, our school is adapting to new spaces where our kids learn in order to keep them safe and sheltered from the effects of the pandemic. Our actual school building is still being used as a quarantine facility for teachers and other employees who are rotating in an out of the shelter.
["My Hopes and Dreams": Don't you just want to know what he's writing for his hopes and dreams?]
[If you are able, Zoom in on the computer screen. Can't you just imagine what these kids are saying they're looking forward to at the beginning of the school year?]
Jesus' words from Matthew chapter 7 are at the heart of why we do what we do. Jesus says, "'Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.'" We believe that God has far greater gifts to give to us and our CSC kids, and we will do our best to continue to give all that we have for their care, including their education.
The pandemic continues to rage on in Cebu with daily cases at all-time highs, even compared to last year. We had hoped to pull back on our restrictions, but that won't be able to occur until more of our employees have been vaccinated. The vaccines are coming to Cebu, but they are slow in coming with only a few doses available to our employees each week. Please continue to pray with us for good health and safety.
Grace and Peace,
Kirby Stoll
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 the amazing work we get to do at CSC and that your relationship with the Lord will be strengthened. Learn more about CSC at https://cebushelter.org.
UFO's and Graduates
It is summer time at CSC. That means it is hot, really hot, too hot. But, the heat does not seem to deter the boys from making and flying kites, at any given moment there are numerous kite activities going on; making them, attempting to fly them, flying them, untangling the ones that get tangled together, trying to get them out of the trees and making sure we all see how high their kite is flying! There has to be some genetic code in all red blooded Filipino boys....April and May are for kites.
Today was GRADUATION day for five of our Preschool kids and three graduating from elementary into High School. It was a fun day for the Graduates!
We are now legally on our summer break - pray for a fun and safe time for each of our kids, and for our sanity! Having almost 90 kids on vacation in one place....oh my.
Enjoy the photos...
Pray along with us for comfort, healing and peace for our friends and loved ones in Boston.
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Molding minds
Yesterday at Children of Hope School, we proudly celebrated the graduation of three teenagers, who will go on to high school next year, and five pre-schoolers who will advance to pre-K. It was a special day for sure. The three oldest graduates have faced a lot challenges and have accomplished much in their years at our school. One of the graduates gave a speech. I thought he might discuss all of the academic challenges he had faced. While he mentioned those briefly, the larger message he shared was that of gratitude. He was thankful for his teachers and all of the time they had invested in him. He was thankful to the staff for their encouragement. He was thankful to his house parents for their guidance and leadership. He was appreciative of the support from the Aunties and Uncles in his life. And he was even thankful for challenges as he was so proud of what he had learned from them.
Waiting in anticipation...
The proud graduates!
I was impressed with his words and touched by his message. CSC is often described as a place of refuge for the kids that come here. Many have left violent homes, chaotic living situations or have had no home to speak of. We are proud to be able to offer our kids the basic things: food, shelter, clothing, a safe place to rest their head. But we are blessed to be able to give our kids even more. We have a beautiful school and a talented body of teachers who are willing to meet the individual needs of our kids. Our teachers go the extra mile every day and our kids benefit greatly from their tireless effort.
Our talented teachers!
Praise the Lord for how he has blessed CSC! Thanks be to God for how He brought each of these teachers to our school---for we are surely better for it! :)
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Kite Flying Season!
Continuing on with the theme of kites! Recently, I spent an afternoon hanging out with the kids at the shelter. Almost immediately, Jhaycob ran up to me with a tangled-up pile of string. He wanted me to untangle it so he could use it to fly his kite. I began looking around the yard and it was incredible how many kids were playing with kites. Some were making them, and others were busy untangling strings. Some of the kids were the "holders" and others were the "runners". Toddlers dragged plastic bags across the yard, and the older kids and houseparents had huge, fancy kites flying high in the sky! Some of the kites even had writing on them: "Fly CSC", "Cherne WOW", and "WOW CSC"! Enjoy a video of some of the different activities that were going on that day!
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Last Day of Preschool!
Everybody gets to join in on the kite fun at CSC. Friday was the preschooler's last full day of school. Uncle Marcel came into their class and taught them all how to make kites! They were so proud to each have on of their own! Enjoy the pictures of the kids making and attempting to fly their kites!
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Prayers
Whenever we're on duty, we help with putting the kids to bed. One of the things I love about putting the kids to bed is sharing bedtime prayers with them. The children are so surrounded by strong people of faith here at CSC - their house parents, staff, teachers, aunties, and counselors. Their prayers reflect what they've seen and heard modeled for them. They are thoughtful, sincere, and even eloquent.
Last night when we were on duty, there were prayers for lots of different things. Here are a few of my favorites:
- giving thanks for CSC
- giving thanks for the aunties and house parents
- giving thanks for hot dogs
- asking for a mommy and daddy
- asking for strength and wisdom on upcoming on final tests
- asking for healing for kids in "iso"
And the most touching prayer of all was a heartfelt request from one of the 12-year old girls in the house. She asked God to please comfort a family whose oldest sibling had recently turned 18 and could no longer be adopted. This was particularly moving to me because those siblings that she was praying for don't even live in her house at CSC. In that moment I realized what a supportive place CSC is - that all the kids and house parents and staff are praying across houses, across siblings, across ages, for God's presence in each of their lives. What a cool thing to be a part of.
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