Staff Blog

A dear man left this world on Sunday. It was Father's Day.

Dr. Gerald Healy, who most people lovingly called "Big Jer" was the father of Paul Healy, our Field Director and co-founder. But to CSC, Big Jer was a lot more than that. He had the back of CSC in the States in so many ways while the ministry began and then flourished in the Philippines. He was a board member, a fundraiser and an incredible advocate.

I'll never forget the first time I saw Jer. It was one of my early introductions to CSC and happened just before joining the staff. Jer was emceeing the annual banquet--a role he filled for decades. My wife, Theresa, and I attended the banquet and sat in the last row of tables like all the other late RSVP'ers. We were touched by the stories of life change and amazed when they announced how many people had visited Cebu and seemingly half the room stood up, but what stood out more than anything was how funny the emcee was. He was knee-slapping funny. I even turned to Theresa at one point and said, "This guy is awesome!"

Years later, and having gotten to know Jer on a personal level, I can tell you the description fit. Jer was awesome. His kindness and wit were extraordinary. In all the times I saw Jer, I can't remember one in which I didn't leave it feeling encouraged, entertained and better than I was before it. What a class act and generous spirit.

One time, Jer and I were sitting at lunch at a golf course. We hadn't played that day, but Jer had the day before. He was telling me about the foursome he played in, and how he and a friend of his had been paired up with a couple of young guys. I remember Jer telling me these guys had it together. They were smart, funny and impressive. It was also evident they weren't Christians. Jer paused at that point and said, "Matt, these guys would make great Christians." Jer wanted them to know what he knew. He wanted them to have the hope of Jesus Christ. He could imagine them in the church, and he had tried to be a light to them that day.

I think of that interaction now and smile. The guy I was sitting across the table from made a great Christian himself. We could use hundreds more like him in our churches, but there was only one Big Jer. He was loved in his family, in the halls of Bethel college and in sanctuaries and fellowship halls across Minnesota. And, he was sure loved at CSC.

Gerald Healy Obituary

Recently we bid farewell to Amy, Marcel and Emily Pacada, who left for the U.S. The party included great food, a slide show and words of love and appreciation and love from staff, co-workers at the school and some of the kids. And, of course, they were serenaded with our traditional farewell song, "God Will Take Care of You."  Amy was  a teacher in our Children of Hope School since it began 18 years ago. Marcel joined the CSC team a few years ago in the HR department. They will be missed. We wish them well as they locate in North Dakota and start a new chapter in their lives. Thanks, Pacadas, for what you have contributed to CSC. God bless you.

Last week the Cebu Children of Hope School students participated in a Art Exhibit at school. They had been working on different art projects throughout the school year in art class. Teacher Jimmer their  art teacher decided to display and sell their work in an exhibit. The evening started off with a ribbon cutting and the opening of the exhibit. People enjoyed looking at the art, visiting with one another and enjoying snacks and refreshments.The kids were proud to display their artwork for all to see.  For the Opening of the exhibit, uncle Paul cutting the ribbon. Teacher Cris, Teacher Jimmer and  uncle Mitch holding the ribbon.  

Dear Wilmar,

Today, you will be marching as a graduate of Cebu Children of Hope School. Congratulations! What an accomplishment! I also congratulate all your teachers, past and present, for all of this would not be possible without their unconditional teaching hearts.

I also want to congratulate your house parents, Auntie Lourdes and Uncle Patrick, and the rest of the aunties at the shelter who have been a great help in your growth. A special thanks to Auntie Teoping for her amazing love; I know she will always have a special place in your heart. A game of basketball and badminton would not be the same without her.

Let me take you back nine years ago when we first met. You were such a cute peanut. You were very eager to learn, be at school and at therapy. It was never a pain working with you because you made it fun and interesting for me. Remember our games of basketball in the therapy room using the back of the ceiling fan as a basketball hoop? (Of course we used a beach ball and a not a regular ball because we didn’t want to get in trouble!)  And dips in the Jacuzzi in the therapy room—why we never turned the air conditioner off is still a mystery to me! You always kept me on my toes. I was “Tin-Tin” to you then, years later I was “Checher Jinks” and then finally became “Teacher Jinkee;” one of the many examples of the progress you have made.

You have always been a performer. Not a day passes by when we do not hear you sing. I am still in awe of how easily you pick up a song after hearing it only once. You have always shared your silly antics at parties and programs at school and the shelter. I will never forget your dance moves. And you never fail to make us laugh.

You have made good friends over the years. Friends who are also classmates, helpers and buddies. Although they sometimes complain about the “noise” you make, there is always a hand holding and guiding you in school activities and programs. That to me is an amazing bond of friendship.

As you march today, let every step you take up to the stage be a representation of your progress and growth, your teachers and therapists, your aunties and uncles, and the staff and friends who have supported you all these years.

I might not be able to hold back my tears—which by the way is very hard to do while writing this—but know that I am very proud of you. I, together with the rest of the people at CSC, will be here to support you in the next stage of your life.

Remember what our friend Dory said? Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim, swim.

Your Friend,

Teacher Jinkee

A little toddler boy goes walking down the hallway during the school day pushing a cart.  It looks cute and some people pause to watch.  If you didn't know the back story, you wouldn't really think twice about it except that he seems a bit young to be at school.  Maybe you'd wonder why he is pushing the cart or why he is wearing ankle weights.  Otherwise, it wouldn't seem all that significant. 

Back up a couple of years.  This little guy had some significant troubles when learning how to walk, so the therapists started physical therapy to help strengthen his legs. The therapists kept working with the little guy and he started to make small gains.  Then, when he had enough strength and coordination to stand and walk with assistance, they had the idea of making a suspension harness.  What a cool contraption!  And the little guy got really good at walking and even running in that thing. 

Now the next step to becoming stronger and more coordinated while walking needed a new kind of aid, something like a walker that old people use sometimes.  So a cart was made just the right size and weight to be able to move around, but still provide some support.  To make the exercise even more beneficial, ankle weights were added to the mix. 

So that's the cute, excited toddler with the blue cart and weights on his legs walking around school each day.  It's taken a lot of hard work and ingenuity, but it's been worth it.  Look at him go!