Staff Blog

I have great news from our founder and Medical Director, Marlys Healy. Little Thomas, who had major surgery on his skull in early February, got the last of his stiches removed! This means no more bandages, too. Whew!

We have watched this boy endure so much since he arrived at CSC. He has found a soft spot in many hearts. I'll never forget watching him leave pre-op on the day of the surgery and trying not to wonder if he would make it. As we tried to work in Cebu that day there were many pauses when one of us would say, "I hope he's doing okay."

The love for Thomas didn't stop in Cebu. It was amazing to hear word of people praying all over the world for him. You will be glad to know Thomas can finally itch his head. Marlys said he looked ecstatic to finally be able to do so! They have him in mittens to make sure he doesn't get overzealous or pull at his nose shunts, but Thomas is doing well. Look at that cute hairdo his bandages were covering. What a guy, our Thomas. Thanks for loving him with us.

In the Philippines the school year is winding down.  It is time for exams and celebrations.  Julieto is in his fourth and final year of high school.  It is traditional to have prom near the end of the school year.  All of Julieto’s class has decided to skip prom.  They are giving all the funds set aside by the school for prom to the Haiyan/Yolanda typhoon victims in Tacloban City on Leyte Island.  The funds were used to buy clothes, food, and materials to build shelters.  Julieto heard of a school in Tacloban City which has to meet in a tent, because the school building was destroyed.

The global outreach for the Haiyan/Yolanda typhoon victims has been astonishing.  It includes Julieto and his classmates opening their hearts to help in a tangible way.  They are more than happy to forgo their prom party to help fellow students on another island. 

Camp was a blast!  The 38 kids had a long list of favorite activities—swimming, good food, beach combing, games, chapel time, and on and on.  They had so much fun they did not want to leave.

The Central Baptist work team, yet again, led a great camp for the kids.  Many new kids have arrived at CSC since the last camp in 2012, so it was a fun new experience for them.

One of the highlights was the baptism on Sunday.  Eleven people, nine kids and two adults, were baptized by Pastor Joel and Pastor Chuck in the ocean on the southern tip of Cebu Island.  It was a wonderful demonstration of faith and a great example for the younger kids.

After the three hour bus ride home, the kids were already sharing their excitement for the next camp—two years from now.

Thank you to the Central team for another wonderful camp to the kids of CSC!

Little Thomas is home! After two weeks of being in the hospital, from the operating room to the ICU to a private room, he was allowed to go home on Tuesday. It was an exciting day for everyone at CSC, especially in the Duterte Home. Our Head Nurse Warlita Manlon said it best in the car on the way home. "We are blessed to have Thomas in our lives." How true. We ask you to continue praying for him as he recovers from the surgery to his skull, and that we would take very good care of him in our nursery.

Central Baptist Church of Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home church of Paul and Marlys Healy and Mitch and Ruth Ohlendorf, has sent a team of 11 members to CSC to visit the ministry, fellowship with the children, staff and workers, and run a three day camp for the older children at the Shelter. This has become an every other year tradition at CSC, and hundreds of kids have enjoyed being a part of these camps over the years. The camp will be held in a Christian camp on the beach in Santander in southern Cebu. The kids will have time in the ocean, hiking, playing games, sleeping in tents, eating good food, doing crafts and learning more about God. Chuck Sorley, the youth pastor at Central, will head up the camp once again. Pastor Joel Lawrence is also with the team. He has been busy speaking to various groups, from CSC staff and workers, to the students of the Baptist Theological College.

Thanks to the team for their willingness to come and serve, and for those who are supporting them through prayer and financial gifts.