Staff Blog

It is no secret that there was an earthquake in the Philippines on Tuesday.  There has been a lot of information shared over facebook, some of it an hour by hour update on our experience.  Many people have spoken about the fear, the pain and the sadness they, or others they know, experienced.

I did not comment much about it then, but would like to say more now.

It is a very unnerving feeling to have every surface you are touching rumble and move beneath and around you. There is nothing to grab onto, there is nothing that can steady you.  Also, the power shut off at the exact time the quaking began, so there is that shock to the senses.  And then there is the noise.  There is the rumble of the movement of the earth, some have described it like if a construction site were right outside your home.  Then there is the noise of your fragile possessions crashing to the ground and breaking or the stones of your house falling from above.  Scary.  And it seems to go on for so long.  Maybe because from the moment the shaking starts to when it stops you are unceasingly praying for it to end.  And then after the shaking stops, you begin to hear the shouts and cries of the people and the dogs.  In my neighborhood, the dogs had much to say.

You are really shaky yourself and you feel kind of weak, it takes a while to get your bearings.  I had heard from Sandy---she, Marlys and Jenny were okay.  I tried to reach Mitch, but there was no answer.  I then went outside to check on some of my neighbors---everyone in my compound was safe, Shari and Marcel too, which was wonderful!

I returned home to some disarray and with the strong desire to get up to the shelter.  My television had fallen from its stand and laid in pieces, a vase had met a similar demise.  I left them as is, moved any other breakable items to a safer place and headed out, unsure what state I would find things in as I drove.

People were everywhere in the streets, there was an accident at the base of the road the shelter is on, so people and vehicles filled the space.  I actually saw one of our house fathers there on his motorcycle.  He couldn't hear my shouting over the din of everything else.  I found out later that his wife, one of our house mothers, was out shopping with some of our older girls when the earthquake happened and he was going to locate them.  Terrifying.

I made it up the road easily and quickly.  The construction site next to our land even seemed to have made it through the quake alright.  I honked once outside our gate, the door opened and I pulled into safety.  I immediately saw Mitch's van and saw him walking around---all of us were safe and accounted for.

I was anxious to see how all of the kids were doing, so my heart was racing, but there was also just an overwhelming peace.  I could see the kids outside on the grounds, gathered together, many of them crying.  They ran and hugged me tightly.  I didn't have enough body to go around.  I moved around through the groups, checking them, checking for injuries, checking for tears, checking that they were okay.  All of our house parents were also safe and accounted for.  The house mother and the three girls who had been shopping during the quake had made it back safely---the girls were crying and one of them had lost her slippers in the panic---but they were back!

I stood in the middle of the yard and looked around and the buildings, the windows, the plants, the ground---everything looked as it had the day before---seemingly untouched by the 7.2 magnitude quake that had struck 20 minutes earlier.  Praise the Lord!

I have said this many times in my 2+ years at CSC, but since I first stepped foot inside the gate I have felt God's hand on this land, on this ministry, on these kids, on these workers, on us.  He always provides, He always protects, He always sustains.

The aftershocks continued the rest of the day, some feeling almost as strong as the earthquake, though they lasted less time.  We kept the kids outside for the morning until everything could be checked, but they napped inside in the afternoon.  For quite some time that day, every time an aftershock was felt the kids would run to the middle of the playground.

We had no power, so the generator ran all day, a noisy machine, but something we were grateful for.  We lost water for a period of time in the afternoon as the continuous running of the generator overwhelmed the water pump.  But that problem was solved quickly once it was understood.  The nurseries were moved to the living rooms in the homes and all of the children slept downstairs for that night.  The aftershocks continued through the night, the next day and the next and I am pretty sure I have felt some yet this morning.  

While it remains a bit unnerving and you feel somewhat on edge---yesterday when I heard a loud rumbling noise, I looked for the nearest sturdy object to dive under should the shaking start, and it was really just a low-flying plane---there is no need to fear.  God is good, ALL THE TIME!  All the time, GOD IS GOOD!

Every Monday is P.E. day.  I like P.E. day beacuse I get to see the kids more.  In the mornings the kids have their core classes, those that focus on reading and writing, etc.  But on Monday afternoons, they have P.E. down at the shelter. 

All of the kids walk down to the shelter from the school at 11:30.  They eat lunch, some wash dishes, the rest play, study, or read until 12:30.  Those who do not have P.E. first, walk back up to school.  The remaining group eagerly awaits the arrival of their P.E. teacher.  From 12:30-3:30, the different grade levels practice a sport, hone new skills and most importanly, PLAY!  The current sport: SOCCER!  As you can see from the pictures below, the kids have a lot of fun!

And some of our kids' athletic abilities surprise us all!  Check out these skills!

Last week was Conferences at the Children of Hope School.  So on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 12:30-4:30, our hardworking teachers presented on their students to the staff and house parents.

It is so nice to be able to learn how each child is doing in their class, what their strengths are, what their favorite subjects are, what they like to write about or talk about most.  Our kids are funny!  And creative!  And inspiring!  It was a great time to hear from each teacher how we can encourage, support and praise our kids for the unique skills, talents and challenges they have.

What also stood out to me so vividly is the dedication with which our teachers approach their class and the unique students they have in it.  We are blessed to have small class sizes at our school and most children are working at the level that best fits them.  When children come to us they have had little to no schooling, certainly none of which was at all consistent.  The gaps are significant.  Our teachers make countless accomodations and modifications so that each of the children in their class is being challenged, but not overwhelmed.  It is no small feat.

Check out some of their work below.  I am sure you will find the short stories entertaining and the letters heart-warming!

Think of a wonderful thought

Any merry little thought
Think of Christmas, think of snow
Think of sleigh bells
Off you go like reindeer in the sky
You can fly! You can fly!
You can fly!

Think of the happiest things
It's the same as having wings
Take the path that moonbeams make
If the moon is still awake
You'll see him wink his eye
You can fly, you can fly!
You can fly!

Up you go with a heigh and ho
To the stars beyond the blue
There's a Never Land waiting for you
Where all your happy dreams come true
Every dream that you dream will come true

When there's a smile in your heart
There's no better time to start
Think of all the joy you'll find
When you leave the world behind
And bid your cares goodbye
You can fly, you can fly!
You can fly, you can fly!
You can fly!

I captured that picture above, and as I pushed the button of my camera, this song was running through my head.  It is one of the songs from the Disney movie, Peter Pan.  It is a classic, from pre-Pixar days.  For those of you unfamiliar with the plot, it is about a boy from the magical land of Never Land.  It is a story of fantasy, magic and imagination.

I remember watching that movie as a child and when that song came on, I felt excitement and joy---like anything was possible!  Peter Pan was able to fly!  With just a little bit of pixie dust after all.

As I watched that boy running across the yard with that plastic bag as if it were a parachute, or a plane or a spaceship, I felt like he felt the same thing.  And I was so happy and grateful that he could feel that.  Despite where he had come from before arriving at CSC, he was feeling like a kid, a carefree, fun-loving, free to imagine kid.  He didn't have to worry about begging for food or tend to an ailing family member.

All too often our kids have had to grow up much sooner than they should have.  And not to say that CSC is like Never Land, but it is not unheard of to see kids regress a little once they come.  When they realize they are no longer responsible for the health and wellness of their siblings or for finding food for their family, they play more and sometimes as if they were younger.

Growing up is a process that can't be avoided; however, it's nice to know that being a kid isn't that far out of reach...

On Monday of this week, a new business venture was begun at CSC!  The Level C1 kids are trying their hand at a food business to learn about math, economics, supply and demand and who among their teachers and aunties has a sweet tooth or an unhealthy need for soft drinks!  :)

For the next 12 school days, each day during the snack time break they will sell their handmade goodies (and handpurchased drinks); something different will be offered each day.  The first day was a red hotdog in a soft bakery bun---they also provided ketchup for those who prefer a more dressed up dog.  I had forgotten to visit the school during snack time, but I needn't have fretted as the group came to my office with their food, their bank, complete with tissues and ketchup if I needed!  Such service!  They also excitedly told me that they have Coke Light; however when I asked for one I was told that I could visit their school for that one.  :)  But really, how can you turn them down?!  And T. Glenda is a smart cookie to encourage them to make their business a mobile one!  :)

Yesterday's snack was arroz caldo, a warm soupy rice dish.  Again, the girls found me in my office.  They were, however, sold out of arroz caldo, but were wondering if I would like a drink.  They had decided to also make their drinks a part of their mobile sales---I rewarded their business savvy with my purchase of a Coke Light.

Today was gulaman; a gelatinous dessert.  It is the consistency of jello but today's was made with coconut milk instead of water.  I bought one for 3 pesos and a Coke Light to wash it down, 25 pesos for that, so my delicious snack was 28 pesos in all.  That is about 50 cents---a steal!

I have heard rumors that Monday is pancake day!  I am SUPER excited for Monday.

At the end of this project, they will calculate their earnings, split them amongst them and will go shopping together.  I have already asked some of them what they think they will buy, so far the unanimous decision has been: JUNK FOOD!  Go figure.  ;)  

  Today's snack

Future business ladies:

 They are learning early and are quite persuasive already! :)

I love how EXCITED these girls are about school and learning and I LOVE how they brighten up my day when they come to my office in the morning!

Oh and the face masks are so they practice proper food handling and hygiene; there is no end to the benefits of this project!

Also, did I mention that Monday is pancake day?  I am looking forward to Monday...

:)