Staff Blog

The kids like games, sports, activities and visitors.  Right before school started, a visitor shared his love of basketball with the kids.

Every morning for a week, the driveway was full of bouncing balls and kids learning new skills in basketball.  Dribbling, passing, shooting, and rebounding were the focus, of course.

Basketball is not a new game at all in the Philippines, but all kids need to start learning at some point.  This past week was the time for some of the CSC kids to learn a bit.

Some terms that are used in basketball vary from one side of the Pacific Ocean to the other.  In the US, a made shot which hits only the net, not touching the rim or backboard, is called a “swish.”  In the Philippines, that shot is called “ringless.”

Different cultures’ coming together always opens doors to learning new things, from new terms to different approaches to a game.

Check out the video of the basketball fun.

Today was fun at the shelter.  Twin babies arrived!

The little boy and girl were born at Glory Reborn maternity clinic.  So many loving hands and hearts have already cradled these precious children in their few short days.  CSC is excited to continue the loving care which Glory Reborn started.

As the twins came in the gates of CSC, aunties from all the houses were buzzing, “Are those the new twin babies?”  Hundreds of babies have received loving care at CSC and still the arrival of two more babies is an exciting event.

The little twins are settling into the Eicher nursery.  The other toddlers are peeking into their crib.  In the evening, the older children in Cherne home crowded around a camera to see a picture of the two new children.

The love and care for the new twins will come from everyone—toddlers to adults.

The Filipino flags were flying from each house.  The jello and maha was in the shape of the same flag.  CSC celebrated Filipino Independence Day on Thursday.

It was a fun evening full of food and laughter.  The kids kept going back for more hot dogs, jello and maha, and chips.  Even though the stuffed themselves, they still found room for ice cream.

Each home gave a patriotic presentation.   Eicher home presented a speech.  Cherne sang a patriotic song.  Duterte reenacted the history of Filipino Independence Day.

When I got up in the morning, out the window was an interesting site.  A rainbow was hanging low over Banawa, Cebu City.  The arch that usually spans the sky was down among the people.  I walked toward the next room, again looking out the window.  Now I noticed something amazing.  The end of the rainbow was resting over the shelter.  Well, there are many buildings, homes, and business in that line of sight, but naturally I noticed the shelter situated just beyond the orange and yellow cranes.

God has the shelter in His hand.  He holds so much in his hand.  New children arrived at the shelter just last week, finding a safe place.  Children who were sick have regained their strength.  Children who were burdened not so long ago with responsibility beyond their years are laughing and playing on the shelter’s playground.

The shelter is a special place because God is holding it in the palm of His hand.

Summer is a fun change of pace for the children at CSC.  They get to take a break from homework and play all day.  Well, there are still chores to do, so it is not all play.

Each summer, some of the children get to participate in an activity.  The children ten years old and above got to pick between soccer, baking, and music lessons this summer.  Eight children jumped at the chance to play soccer, which has become one of the favorite games at the shelter in recent months.  The children join other kids at the city sports complex to learn from a local coach.  Three children took the opportunity to learn how to bake with Teacher Jam.  They have already made chocolate chip cookies and  a carrot cake for Uncle Mitch’s birthday party.  Music lessons attracted thirteen children to sign up.  They are learning a variety of instruments from Teacher Ricky.  He is teaching most of the children two different instruments. Two instruments is big for one summer.

The soccer coach just extended class for another week and the soccer players cheered.  Now, all three classes will end at the end of May.  The children’s excitement it fun to see.  There are good smells coming for the kitchen, sweet sounds from the music room, and improved soccer skills on the playground.