Staff Blog
(names removed for privacy)
As adults, we typically abhor traffic. A commute that takes 3 or 4-times longer than usual would be exhausting, leaving us on the verge of tears or on the verge of calling it quits. There are, however, those rare occasions when traffic jams can be one of the most amazing, uplifting, and life-altering experiences.
Not long ago, I walked into the Eicher home as [John] and [Jane] were preparing their packed lunches. I closed my rain-soaked umbrella, set it by the door, and made my way towards the kitchen where they worked diligently and with purpose. In an hour, they would be leaving for their second day of school.
"Uncle Roberto, you won't believe what happened yesterday," yelled [Jane].
"Yeah, it took us almost two hours to get home," added [John]. "It was amazing!"
Initially, I was confused by their statements. Yesterday was their first day at the University of Cebu. In fact, I had gone to the Eicher Home specifically to ask them about it. How were their teachers? How was the campus? How was the commute? Judging by their words, their first day of school was awful, and yet they seemed overjoyed and anxious to get back.
"What happened? Tell me about it," I asked.
They proceeded to tell me that the rain wreaked havoc on the roads; not a single vehicle was moving when they started their commute home. On top of that, all the Jeepneys were full, but even if they could get onto one it would likely be stuck in the bumper-to-bumper traffic from downtown to Banawa. They told me that they, along with the other CSC residents that attend UC (7 in total) decided to start walking together towards home while keeping an eye out for open seats on a jeepney. They eventually made their way to One Pavilion in Guadalupe when they called a house father to come pick them up and bring them the rest of the way.
I was in shock, but they were overjoyed. As they were sharing their story, it became clear that the source of their excitement was rooted in a deep sense of accomplishment. In their minds and in their hearts, they had finally done it. They had been taught and trusted by their houseparents and all of us at CSC to commute to school on their own, and they were able to accomplish the task on their first try, on their very first day, and in the face of difficult circumstances. In that moment, they had taken a big step towards independence and adulthood. Plus, they were able to experience something that, in many ways, is quintessentially Cebuano and quintessentially Filipino; something that they had heard every adult, every laborer, every taxi and jeepney driver, every Auntie and Uncle at CSC complain about. They were able to experience traffic, and like responsible adults, they didn't give up. They found a way to make it home, finish their schoolwork, and prepare themselves to do it all over again.
As I bid them farewell and opened my umbrella, I couldn't help but wonder what new and amazing things their second day of school would bring.
Visitors and Volunteers
One thing I've been able to witness this year is how often visitors are able to use their skills and abilities to help give back to CSC. So many times people don't just visit CSC, they also volunteer at CSC.
Here are some photos from the past year of family and friends that have visited and volunteered at CSC.
1. Gordie, one of CSC's board members, recently came to see CSC in action. This is a picture of when he led a Bible study for the older boys and girls at CSC about having a positive self image.
2. My family visited CSC in February. My mom taught the kids origami and led a workshop for the teachers. My dad did a pottery demonstration and then led an art activity where the kids made clay fish (or sharks or piranhas).
3. When Lindsay's family came to visit her dad, Allen (or Dr. Mork, in this picture), helped out by seeing some of the kids that were sick.
4. Our friend Angie recently came to visit Lindsay and I. She's an elementary school teacher back in Minnesota. She volunteered to help the preschoolers who had a lesson on clowns. She jumped right in. I love this pictures!
What an honor it is to have such incredible people visit and volunteer at CSC!
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A True Calling
Last week I had a friend visiting here in Cebu. Marlys Healy, the co-founder of CSC, took us on her standard "city tour" so my friend could experience Cebu a little bit more. It doesn't matter how many times I've been on that city tour with Marlys - I love driving around and seeing this city through the perspective of CSC.
There was one moment that will always stick with me from this particular city tour. Marlys stopped outside of a building to tell us a story of some kids who had come to CSC from that side of town, and she was mid-story when she happened to turn around and see these three kids on the other side of the car. Immediately she stopped telling the story and brought our attention to the kids sleeping on the concrete.
What will always stick with me from this moment seeing her get big tears in her eyes looking at these three through the car window. We all just sat there for a minute taking in this sobering reality. She even had to stop telling her story for a minute, which, if you know Marlys, is pretty significant. :) But what is so astounding about this is that Marlys has lived in Cebu and worked with kids in these very difficult situations for 35 years. And the fact that she still feels so much compassion that it moves her to tears after so many years is simply incredible.
I praise the Lord for Marlys and her true calling and deeply compassionate heart for ministering to children in need.
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Fried chicken & festivities!
We had some visitors here recently. An adoptive family had returned to show their son where he came from so many years ago. Those visitors are such a blessing! Our childcare workers are always touched to see the children they once fed and bathed return happy and healthy and grown. This family went above and beyond, however. Their son decided that he wanted to celebrate his birthday with all of the kids at CSC. He and his family arranged to have the Jollibee birthday brigade come with balloons, food (SO much food!), games and prizes! Check out how much fun was had!
THE FEAST!!!! There was fried chicken, spaghetti, Yum burgers, peach mango pie and Coke!
THE GAMES!
This game was particularly hilarious to watch. The kids started in a circle and then had to be the quickest to get into groupings of various sizes! There was plenty of scrambling and frantic behaviors! Other games involved singing a song, being the first to bring up a requested object (I gave my phone, a hair clip and a 1 peso coin for the cause) or saying "Jollibee," holding out the "bee" for the longest amount of time. Let's just say some of our kids can hold a lot of air inside their little bodies! ;)
Eagerly awaiting the arrival of THE Jollibee!
EXCITED SMILES ABOUND!!
And he's HERE!!!!!!
You would never know these two are archrivals---Joemar with his McDonald's hat! :)
Cool dudes!
Clearly my camera was one of many, but you get the idea!!! :)
Thanks to all visitors everywhere! Your presence here is a blessing to the kids, to our workers and to the staff.
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Happy Resurrection Day!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" -1 Peter 1:3
There have many different activities at CSC over the last few days to remember and celebrate Jesus' resurrection! He is RISEN! Praise the Lord!
On Wednesday, we had an Easter program at school! We sang praise songs to the Lord, watched several performances, and played some games related to Easter and Jesus' resurrection. It ended with announcing the winner's of the coloring contest! Here are the winners!
On Sunday, many of our kids performed in the morning church service. Below is a picture of them up on stage. It was hard to get a good picture because they were so far away. Almost all of the kids in white are our kids!
After the church service, each of the houses had their own Easter egg hunt. The kids had so much fun searching through the bushes and around the yard for the eggs! Here are a few of my favorite pictures from that event!
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Carts, Carts, Carts
Carts are a popular and useful means of transporting cargo in the Philippines. In Cebu City they are used for hauling just about anything, from fruits, vegetables and meat, to hardware, wood and household items. Some families live on their carts. Carts can be seen on streets and sidewalks - everywhere that people need to transport goods at a reasonable price. Of course, the toddler cart at CSC transports the most precious cargo!
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