Staff Blog

Life is a continuous journey of transitions and new beginnings. In these moments of change, although they may seem uncomfortable, we gain experience and have the opportunity to grow, adapt, and shape our destinies. It is true and inevitable, especially in the lives of young adults—a whirlwind of change and growth.

The journey of our residents from childhood to becoming young adults is filled with exciting opportunities and daunting challenges. In their case, this also means aging out of legal adoption options and transitioning into an independent living program. Although one door was closed and not warranted for them, God remained faithful and true, as they were not forsaken but only redirected to another path dedicated to exploring the art of navigating life's many shifts with resilience and positivity.

This year, seven (7) residents celebrated a new milestone and will eventually transition to our new home for older residents. It is with mixed emotions as they embark on a journey together, where they will delve into the complexities of transitions—from moving to a new home and sharing bedrooms and closets soon, following a new set of rules and guidelines, practicing autonomy and decision-making, embarking on new relationships, or simply seeking personal growth. This transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency can be demanding and dire for any young adult. Understandably, leaving the comfort and security provided by their previous homes to face uncertainties and independence may not be easily adjusted. However, despite the unknowns, there are still sparks of excitement and hope as they look forward to learning and experiencing more while navigating these transformative moments toward adulthood.

In Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), the Lord said, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.", we hold that God is in control during these times in our residents' lives. He has already meticulously and thoughtfully mapped out the course of our children's lives. Whilst the residents faithfully wait for His plan to unfold and discover their purpose in life, we aim and pray to be their steadfast companion, offering insights, guidance, and inspiration to help them embrace life's continuous metamorphosis with grace and open arms, harnessing the potential within each new beginning.

Together, let us continually pray for all of these young adults and be with them as they embark on a path toward greater self-discovery and personal transformation with faith and courage and emerge stronger and wiser on the other side. The journey is just the beginning, and may the possibilities be as limitless as their potential.

The journey through life transitions is made easier when we know we are not alone.

Before Typhoon Rai (called Odette in the Philippines) made its landfall in Cebu, City, preparations such as cutting the big branches of the trees and safely piling them in the front yard were already made to minimize risks and hazards in the facility. The residents and houseparents prepared the plastic drums to store water, secured the appliances and furniture in the living room, and ensured the safety of Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home for the upcoming Typhoon.

On December 16th, 2021, Typhoon Odette made landfall in Cebu, City. The staff and residents evacuated for safety and emergency purposes as the wind rose and the typhoon became stronger. The residents felt scared and nervous, as it was the strongest typhoon they have experienced so far. Nonetheless, everyone was calmly praying and reminding one another of the presence and goodness of God despite the calamity. By 11:00 PM, the typhoon had already slightly weakened.

Typhoon Odette left a lot of places devastated with broken homes, downed trees, and loss of electricity, signal, and water supply for days. Fortunately, Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home had a generator that provided the ability to pump water and electricity for light and charging. Some of the trees in Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home also tumbled down, and the debris, iron sheets, and woods were scattered inside the facility. There are also minimal damages in the ceiling of the living room, the roof in the washroom, and broken flower pots. The door separating the facility and CSC Office was also destroyed by the typhoon. The Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home residents took 3-4 days to clean and clear the storm debris. No staff or resident was hurt or injured during the typhoon.

The Typhoon also caused stress and anxiety to the Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home houseparents and residents, especially worrying about the safety and security of their families, relatives, and friends. Consequently, Stress Debriefing Activity was conducted for Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home residents to reduce their stress and help them recover from the overwhelming situation. Through this activity, they recognized their feelings, worries, and stress from the typhoon. The residents also shared their coping mechanisms when dealing with difficult situations. Some of the coping strategies mentioned were reading the Bible, making arts and fictional stories, meditation, watching television, listening to radio/ music, cleaning, planting, and more. Furthermore, the activity ended with breathing exercises to calm and relax their body and mind. Currently, the Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home and the residents are now back to their normal daily activities.

It seems that there is just one crisis after another and we have heard of the desires of the residents to be finally free or "unstuck". In the midst of recovery from the Typhoon and Covid-19 pandemic, the Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home Program continues to look forward to helping its residents take steps to build their future.
Please pray with us as we think of strategies that are safe, yet relevant and meet the needs of the residents who desire to look forward to the day that they can be reintegrated back into the community.

The front yard of Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home facility, during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette
Residents help clear the tree branches and other storm debris in the front yard and parking area.

Resident helped remove the branches of the tree on the facility's roof.

Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home Living Area after Typhoon Odette

The current condition of the washroom after Typhoon Odette.

Stress Debriefing Activity to Teen/Young Adult Transitional Home residents on December 21, 2021.