Staff Blog

Marlys, Jenny and I just got back from British Columbia, where we had the pleasure to attend the Canadian banquet. We have an organization in Canada that puts on a banquet and auction every Spring to raise money for the ministry of CSC. Led by a faithful board, the Cebu Christian Shelter Community for Children works hard throughout the year to promote CSC and plan their annual event.

The amazing thing about the Canadian organization is that it is entirely volunteer. As such, they can send everything that they raise to Cebu for the kids. This year's event raised about $30,000 for the ministry. I can not begin to describe how hard the board members worked to put on this evening, getting the auction items, displaying the silent auction items, decorating the church, planning the program and handling the seating. What a dedicated group of people expressing their love for the kids in Cebu through hard work and dedication.

We had such a great time attending and participating in the event, meeting with the board and fellowshiping with friends in the area. A highlight was seeing two former residents with their families.

Harry and Marlene Schmidt, who built our residences in Cebu back in 1992, were at the event, and it was such a pleasure to be able to thank them, once again, for the impact they had on our ministry. The Schmidt Family Foundation has partnered with children's ministries around the world, bringing hope to thousands of children.

Thanks you CCSCC, for your hard work and for sharing our burden for homeless children in the Philippines. What a great event you put on! Again.              

Life is full of trade-offs.We enjoy some things at the expense of others. That is really true for our CSC staff. And Marlys and I are feeling it in a big way. This  is a great time of year, and we are enjoying spending lots of time with our family. But Christmas is an especially fun time of year at CSC in Cebu. We have lots of fun activities for the children and it is so great to spend Christmas with the CSC family. We will miss that greatly this year. Its a trade-off.  Another is the weather. We miss the tropical warmth of Cebu but like the changes of seasons and the snow that Minnesota offers. We like being involved in the promotion of the ministry and fund raising efforts that support the ministry, but miss the daily work on the Cebu side.

Although the past 35 years of ministry have had a good share of difficulties, and we have missed out on a lot with our families, we wouldn't trade them for anything.  We have had exciting lives directing CSC, and we have been blessed greatly seeing God's hand in the ministry. We have met so many terrific people, and had a chance to invest in the lives of hundreds of kids.  We thank him regularly for giving us the opportunity to serve Him in Cebu!

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at my home church, Central Baptist. I spoke about Zebedee, the father of James and John. The title of my sermon was "Stay in the Boat." I took a look at the life of Zebedee as he saw his boys leave the boat to go and follow Jesus. Zebedee's calling was to stay in the boat, to not get in  the way of his boys' leaving, and, almost certainly, to keep working hard to be able to support their calling to follow Jesus.

While some have been called to leave their homes and go to Cebu to serve. Others have answered the call to remain in North America, in their communities, families and places of employment. The financial and prayer support of the missionaries who went to the Philippines has been crucially important to success of the ministry in the lives of the children that God has brought to us.

Praise God for the Zebedees who have blessed CSC over the years, who put the food, medicine, clothing and books in the hands of our staff to brighten the lives of homeless children in Cebu.

Marlys, Jenny and I are in MN for one year. When I see people for the first time (on this stay) they will invariably ask,
"When do you go back?" Sometimes before saying "hi" or asking how I'm doing, they will inquire as to our return date. I think the reason is that we have been living in Cebu for so long that people just imagine us being there. And for some, we are their link to the Philippines and CSC. Seeing us in Minnestoa seems out of place.

Sometimes I do feel out of place in the U.S. In getting situated here we have so much learning to do about technology: phones, internet, new forms of information and communication. It hit us the other night when some of our former CSC residents came over for a visit. They had to show us how our new phones worked. It was a little embarassing, but when we reflected on it we thought it was pretty  cool. Kids we helped to rescue from poverty and homelessness several years ago are now our  mentors for life in the States!

You gave me time when no one gave me the time of day,
You looked deep inside while the rest of the world looked away,
You smiled at me when there were just frowns everywhere,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.

Chorus:
That's why I call You Saviour ..... that's why I call You Friend,
You touched my heart ..... You touched my soul,
And helped me start all over again,
That's why I love You, Jesus ..... that's why I'll always care,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.

You gave me laughter after I cried all my tears,
You heard my dreams while the rest of the world closed it's ears,
I looked in Your eyes, and I found the tenderness there,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.

Chorus:
That's why I call You Saviour ..... that's why I call You Friend,
You touched my heart ..... You touched my soul,
And helped me start all over again.
That's why I love You, Jesus ..... that's why I'll always care,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.

Arlene stood up in church today and sang this song. She sang beautifully. The song, You Gave Me Love, is especially meaningful for Arleen's life. She came to CSC as a five year-old orphan whose mom had just died. She is blind, and had nobody to take care of her. But as the song says, God, through CSC,touched her heart and her soul, and gave her love when society simply wasn't able to provide her with anything. In many ways, she didn't have a prayer.

As she stood up there singing I thought of the blessing that she has been to so many people over the years, using her musical talents to inspire, convict and bless.

Please pray for Arleen as she is waiting for a job as a music teacher. She has recently graduated from college and is very much hoping to get a job soon. Thanks for all who have supported her over the years through gifts and prayers.