Staff Blog

Kurume Christ Church, hence KCC, is a church in the city of Higashi Kurume in the greater Tokyo area in Japan.  KCC is significant for a number of reasons, but one reason is that it is the only church in Asia that supports CSC on an on-going basis.  Kurume Christ Church became aware of CSC many years ago through the friendship of Paul and Shari Reasoner and Taizo and Kimiko Morimoto.  Taizo is the pastor of Kurume Christ Church.  Pastor Morimoto wanted his church members to broaden their experience of helping people in need, so he suggested a team of people go to Cebu to see the shelter.  Since that initial trip, a number of people who attend KCC have visited and volunteered at the shelter.  A nurse came to help the nurses at the shelter,  t-shirts were given to all of the workers and children at the shelter, a high school student volunteered in the medical department to enhance her pursuit of a career in medicine, and the church sponsors CSC children through the Foster Friends program.   So KCC has been creative in its involvment with CSC. 

Next week the Reasoner clan in Cebu (Joel, Jinkee, Ethan, Shari and Paul) is heading up to Japan to visit friends, family, Morimotos, and KCC.  It will be great to update and thank the church people in person for their continued support of the shelter.  

We are back in Cebu safe and sound. It has been a joy to see the kids and staff and re-learn how to navigate here. Lots of changes, but the ministry remains the same. Thanks to all who prayed for us and gave encouragement during our extended furlough.

“How does my hair look? Does it look cool?” As I turn around, I see hair standing straight up, styled with gel, and filled will many different colors. Underneath it all, there is a young boy’s smile staring up at me.  Many of the boys at the shelter enjoy styling their hair (sometimes even more than the girls do!).  It has been fun to see all the “cool” hairstyles at the shelter.  Even more than the hairstyles, the smiles on each face are priceless.  Enjoy these pictures of some of the coolest hairstyles here at CSC!

Coloring and styling each other's hair

Purple hair!

That hair stands up so tall!

Look at those orange streaks!

The school days after Sports Fest have been filled with preparation for third quarter tests.  Teachers are busy preparing for the exams and pupils are busy studying their previous lessons.

During one review session, one pupil told me, “Teacher, I am so excited to know who will get the highest score on our exams in all the subjects and, hopefully, it will be me.”

I smiled and told her, “Oh, that’s good. Maybe you will get the highest score or maybe one of your classmates will get the highest score.  All of you have a great chance of getting the highest score if you listen to the teachers during the review and study hard.”

This conversation happened in Level A-1 (kindergarten). The Level A-1 pupils are very amazing.  We call them “the dream class.”  These eight little girls follow instructions, listen attentively, and they are adorable.  It’s stress-free teaching.  They’ll do a great job on their quarter tests! 

You guys all know Wilmar.  You see him playing basketball, riding a bike, holding a toy lion, crocodile or a dinosaur or you see him just sitting and singing a song or two.  Wilmar receives a lot of support at the school and shelter. 

At school, Wilmar has three different teachers and one physical therapist.  Yup, we make sure these kids get what they need.  So yeah, Wilmar has teachers supporting him, but what about a friend?  Who plays with him at the shelter?  Who helps him line up? Who holds his hand during school programs? 

Well, there is one special friend and classmate who assists Wilmar in all of these.  This girl sang a duet with Wilmar in the last music recital.  She holds Wilmar’s hand when going up and down to the stage; she walks with him to the next class and works on classroom activities with him.  Even her classmates know who Wilmar should sit with.  And she is very happy to do all of this.  No complaints. 

This girl is also close to the rest of the special needs kids/adults in her house.  She sees them as equal.  She has a big heart for them.  Now, that’s one special friend!