Staff Blog

This week has barely begun, but already I have had a moment.  What I mean by moment is an experience that hits me wherein I understand why I have been called to serve at CSC and I feel immeasurably blessed to be serving at CSC.

In reality, these moments can be found wherever you look at CSC.  I don't say this to downgrade the significance or value of these moments, rather I say that because I feel like this place is special for that very reason.  Sometimes I think that CSC is in the palm of His hand.

The boy in the picture below is a special little guy.  He and his siblings have been at CSC for a bit over 2 years now.  They were admitted to CSC by police escort because their parents had so severely abused them.  The police were protecting them until other intervention was found.

This little guy is the youngest of the group and as he ages we get to know him a little bit more.  He is delayed in many ways.  He was over 1 year old when he came to CSC but he was not yet walking and didn't for quite some time after.  Socially he is also not on the same level as his peers.  He was not able to self-soothe when he arrived; whenever he was upset he would grab his own hair and pull it so hard.  Similarly, his response to others comforting him has been atypical.

However, recently, this little guy has changed so much.  He is AFFECTIONATE now!  I shout that because he greets me every morning I arrive to the shelter.  He runs over, puts his arms up and lets me hold him.  He really and truly wants it!  I did not believe I would see the day that he sought such attention.  And in the picture below you can see him reaching up to hold my hand. 

That is a BIG moment....

I paused when that happened and I pause again as I look at this picture and I am reminded once again of the good that is done here.

This little boy has so many people fighting for him to succeed---to overcome the pain and suffering he should never have had to experience.  And he is succeeding! 

And there are so many people that love him.  And he knows love now too!

Today as I sit at my computer on this Saturday morning with an extensive list of reports to update, pictures to upload, e-mails to compose and reply to, I feel as though there are invisible straps tethering me to this technological device.  And I don't particularly enjoy the feeling... 

I can't help but wish I was outside on the playground, running, climbing, swinging, riding and just generally hanging with the cool kids we have here.  Of course I would last all of 15 minutes out in the heat and sun before I would long for my air-conditioned office once more!  :)  But still, right now from my office window---outside looks better!

And yet, to some of the kids in the Eicher Home, having to do work on a computer is NOTHING to complain about.  It seems they would be eager to do some of my tasks for me...

I too played "computer" as a kid but somewhere along the way it lost its luster for me!  Seeing this reminded me of those days and it showed me that despite what these children have gone through, they are playing like I once played.  They are safe and healthy and free to do their "work" of being a kid and just leaving the rest to us.  The prayers, time, money and thought that goes into this ministry, from you and many, many, many others, makes this moment of playtime possible.

And its a beautiful thing.  And it comforted me.  And it strengthened me to return to my computer and tackle my to-do list.  I can almost check off: "Write blog."  :)

I will say that working on the computer would probably be a lot more fun though if my mouse were a Lego...

Bless you all for your heart for CSC!

Change is inevitable in life.  Some changes are good---they are pleasant and easy to go along with.  Others are hard to come to terms with--they are a challenge and they sometimes bring pain.  I want to tell you about some recent changes in my life...

Many of you already know that Teacher Tammy's 8 year run at CSC and Children of Hope School has ended.  She has been gone for 2 weeks--and kids and adults alike are mourning the loss. 

Tammy is missed for many reasons: 

Tammy was a good co-worker.  She was helpful, reliable, and thorough.  She was quick to jump in if something technological was going haywire---an asset on days of school programs.  :)  Tammy was true to her word.  She promised the kids that she would take each of them out for something special before she left and SHE DID!  If she had a job or a task assigned to her, you never had to worry about it getting done in an organized and timely fashion!  She was hard-working and did whatever was in front of her---and did so with a smile.   

But Tammy is also a good friend.  She is someone I OFTEN laughed with, went on adventures with, confided in, celebrated holidays with...and the list goes on.  She is a good listener and a Godly woman.  She has become family to me and you can't help but miss family when they are gone!

Tammy, myself and Amy were quite the terrific trio, however, at this time, Amy and I are down to just a dynamic duo....

The upside of change:

We recently admitted a new child.  She was afraid of the change, of me, of our counselor and our social worker.  She was hesitant, quiet and reserved.  And who wouldn't be?  She knew something big was happening in her life but she had no idea what it meant.

But oh to see her now!  How happy and animated and secure and playful she is!  She is grateful for the life-changing experience she has had and WE are so happy to have her with us where she is safe and provided for.

God is the god of everything in our life and everything happens for His purpose and good.  And that includes changes.  I am happy for Tammy and all that God has in store for her back in MN.  I miss her, but am grateful for her continued friendship---thank goodness for Skype!  :) I am also happy about our new arrival and for her safety and health and the fact that she FINALLY gets to be a kid.

Please join with me in praying for Tammy as she transitions back to living in the US and for our newest one and all of those that will come through our doors in the future. because no matter your age or the type of change you are facing, its always easier with God.

Tammy Vosika is closing out her time at Children of Hope School after teaching here for eight years.  Tammy started at CCHS in June of 2005, but her relationship with CSC started a long time before that.  She had visited CSC a number of times and her family adopted four brothers in the late 90s, so she had deep connections before even starting her teaching time in Cebu.  Now she is leaving, heading back to Minnesota to start a new chapter in her life.  Wow! Will she be missed!

Tammy has touched hundreds of kids' lives throughout her time here (she counted about 250 kids have passed through the doors during the time she has worked in Cebu), but Tammy has made the biggest impression on the older kids.  Tammy taught in level C (grades 4-6), so she had the kids as they studied the harder stuff at the elementary level and as they headed into their teenage years.  She taught American Studies to the kids after they were matched with their forever families, contributing to the kids' transitions to their new country.  Tammy became known as the cool science teacher.  Truth be told, Tammy was terrified to teach science at first, but she grew to really enjoy it and she helped develop the curriculum for our school. 

Tammy is a fun person and she loves games, so she often has been the one to encourage the school staff or kids to try a new game.  Tammy's gentle spirit has been an encouragement to her fellow teachers.  Her pure love for the children has been evident each day.  Thank you, Tammy.  God's peace to you as you go...

Eight years ago today I arrived in the Philippines to begin my work at CSC.  It's amazing how it seems like such a short and long time ago at the same time!  I can still remember that trip so clearly, but yet it seems as if I've always been with CSC.   

Recently I did a count, and, if my count is correct, 241 kids have been a part of CSC during my eight years here.  Some for just a short while and others for the entire time I've been here.  What a blessing it has been for me to have each of them as a part of my life!  

Now my time at CSC is ending.  In three short weeks, I'll be moving back to Minnesota.  While I'm excited to see what God has in store for my future, I'm going to miss everyone at CSC so much!  My goal this summer was to spend time with all of our 7-year-old and above kids outside of the shelter.  I made a list and very slowly I've been working my way through it.  Often, when the kids see me, they ask, "Is it my turn?!"  It's been so much fun to hang out with them!  Here are some pictures of our outings!

1.  Lunch at McDonald's

2. Lunch at Jollibee!  This guy was so excited to "eat outside" that he hopped, danced, and cartwheeled his way across the yard as he yelled, "Yeah!!! Jollibee!!!"  I love his enthusiasm!

3. Glow-in-the-Dark Mini-golfing!

4. Nail Polish & Cupcakes Party!  I took all of the 7, 8, and 9-year-old girls to my house.  For those who wanted, I let them try to put the nail polish on themselves.  Let's just say it was a bit messy, but so much fun!  (I had to do a few fixes.  The girls would come up and ask me to "erase" the messed up nail polish!)  Then we headed out to a cupcake store.  The blackforest cupcakes were the most popular choice...I think the cherry on top had something to do with it!  

5.  Dinner at Davinci's Pizza!

6.  A Narnia Party!  We have a sibling group at CSC that has 2 brothers and 2 sisters.  Several months ago, they made the connection that they were the same as the family in the Chronicles of Narnia movie.  We decided that someday we would have a "Narnia Party".  This last week, we finally got around to it!  The kids all created props for their characters (swords, shields, crowns, bow & arrows, etc.) and I was Mrs. Beaver.  We watched "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and acted out different parts of the movie!  The evening was filled with laughter and fun!