college kids home on break

Last night we had a meeting with staff and our 15 college students who are home on sem break. The meeting covered some discussion about education and the what people mean when they say "future". The kids gave their insight to a bank advertisement which says "no degree, no future". the answers varied among them, but all the kids understood this to be partly true, depending on how we define future. their ideas were turning as we sat around and challenged the meaning of a widely used saying. One student said, "you can look at this logically and say that our worth is based on our financial success and ability to provide for a family, or we can look about it spiritually and find our worth in God, as we remember the necessity of education to live well in this country."

We want our kids to succeed in school and become productive well equipped professionals who are sharing Christ and making disciples within their given fields and lives. Number one is the spiritual life and faith, and then part of that same person is an educated, successful part of the working force of the Philippines. So the staff and kids had a while to dialog about this concept of thinking that education is our measurement of worth.

Then, we oriented them to the in house leadership training they will have during sem break. Each college student will join a staff member to be mentored for a week as they learn that given job. Then the second week, the student will function as that staff member at CH.

The students were very excited as they elected each other to certain positions and then met with that staff member. The least likely of the students was chosen for the position of campus director, so we are all intrigued to see him run our staff meeting and discipleship next week! This morning the first voice I heard was one of our top students, he was on time and ready for work in the finance department with Ely!

I will update on how our week progresses with our college leaders!

after weekly marketing...

its time to clean the chickens to stick them in the freezer for the week! HAHA!! our food is really fresh here sometimes.

Installation of Lynn Ragsdale

Last month Ken, Angelica, and Lynn made a trip to the Philippines for the installation of Lynn as the new CH president. During the ceremonies, they also did the official installation of the new director of the south campus, Ruel Billiones, and the Philippine CH president (former director of the south campus), Leticia Gumbao. I think these pictures really speak for themselves, and show the meaningful service held in campus. The last picture shows Ruel Billiones, Leticia Gumbao, Edie Garcia (director of the north campus, now CCH), Lynn Ragsdale, Ken Oosting, and Angelica Oosting.

a day in the life

A frequent question of supporters is what is a normal day like for a CH kid...

A day in the life of A CH Kid

It’s Wednesday, today is a Muslim holiday in the Philippines, marking the end of Ramadan. The kids have the day off from school. The morning is not rushed like a normal school day. As always though, they wake up with songs of praise and a short daily devotion with their cottage. Those assigned will help prepare breakfast and then eat as a family (about 10 kids and a house mother and father). This morning they will do gardening in campus, catch up on some laundry or household chores, and of course relax and play. Some of the kids could be seen getting some extra sleep, some in the basketball court, many in small groups talking and laughing, learning guitar, playing with the dog, or getting a head start on their letters to their sponsor with the social worker, Jane or in for a routine health assessment with me. A holiday like this is a nice break for them because normally it’s off to school by 6:30 am and then out at 4:30pm. Once home they have study time, dinner, and nightly campus devotions. On Saturdays we have our outreach activities to the street kids, jail, Badjao, and local community. Sunday is a day of rest for all here as we attend church together, enjoy an afternoon nap and a movie, and then enjoy each others company inside of campus. The kids are active in the church, many times they are the emcee, Sunday school leader, praise team, or sharing a testimony or special number. The kids also have a rotation for leading devotions inside of campus.

Tonight we will have Wednesday fellowship in the church, then the kids will prepare for their day tomorrow, back in school.

The kids have their own responsibilities as part of the family here at CH. Their chores rotate through cleaning the floors, cleaning the bathroom, cooking, and washing dishes. Depending on their age, they do most of their own laundry. The kids are mentored on how to do these things, and they are also given ample time to play and be kids. This week some kids are practicing for native street dancing to perform with their classmates during town fiesta!

fire safety

Last week the local fire department visited to teach the kids about fire safety. I thought this video was cute, one of our kids putting out a "kitchen fire". hehe

Post from Shane

Hi friends! This post is about Shane, to give an update on her life and her health. I asked her a few questions just conversation style and then we compiled her thoughts to share with you. Shane is now 9 months post-op from her extensive limb sparing surgery to remove her cancer of the bone (a stage 2a osteo sarcoma on her femur.) After her surgery and recovery, she went through 5 cycles of chemotherapy, and is currently still in physical therapy. Today, Shane is walking with almost no assistance, she is stronger in her faith, and cancer free. Despite the large physical scars and some physical limitations that Shane has today, her life and attitude show a strong confidant woman, whose life has been changed as the result of hard times. Here’s what Shane had to say when I asked her about her life:

“Despite of everything that had happen to me, the wonder miracles of God works over in my life. That’s why I am still standing here before you, and I am with you in order to have strong faith with our lord Jesus Christ. It’s really different for me now, because before I didn’t even think the value of life, or what is important in it. When I have this cancer, its like I realized that my life is important. Before, I didn’t even think what will happen tomorrow, what will be my future, I didn’t think that every single day that it’s important. Now I realize that my life is valuable, and the important things in life are my brothers. I feel like my two younger brothers are my strength and a reason for me to still be living now, and we are not so close, but we are strong together and now know we can defeat something like this that our mother could not beat with her own cancer before. I want to thank those people who are praying for me, for my health. Even I am here (in Mindanao, not in Manila at Manila Bible Seminary), taking a new study in Medical Transcription, God still has a plan. Sometimes before I sleep I always think and pray if I will go back to Bible seminary, I always pray to God that His will be done, then I heard the news that I will soon go back and finish my last year at seminary! God is still using others as instrument in my life, to show me a bigger purpose.” - Shane 10/5/08

Summer sessions with kuya (big brother)

I like this video because it portrays more about our ministry than what meets the eye. This little clip show one of our college students teaching a class to the younger kids during the summer. This student was able to attend a national leadership convention here in the Philippines, and then relayed what he learned to the others. But, overall this video shows the relationships between our kids at CH. It shows the responsibility they learn by having so many siblings, and how we can use that to an advantage to help them grow. The kids are very responsive to their older brothers and sisters and the older siblings take joy in their role on campus. This is also part of the discipleship model that our kids are actively sharing their knowledge, life, faith, and testimonies to others.

The setting is in the lower blue cottage, in what we use as the library. Behind them you can see the medical isolation room, the clinic, and then the far right door is the office of the director, Ruel. (just a glimpse into our place)

Thank you sponsors and supporters!

here at CH

I anticipated life in the Philippines to be the way it was when I left here a few months ago... and it is... I am just not adjusted to it like I was when i left a few months ago!!! the mosquitos, heat, bumpy road, internet cafes, languages, and upset stomachs are some of the things i forgot that i did not miss here!! haha. just re-adjusting...

aside from that life is great. i am happy to be back with the staff and kids and be doing nursing again! i will be attempting a video post this week. the kids are so inspiring and you need to see for yourself!!

as for the violence, ramadan is over and we are cautiously awaiting the next move. i am in touch with the US embassy head of security and also other contacts with up to date info.

almost time...

my 30+ hours of travel is quickly approaching! Whoo, am I excited for that! haha, but really I am excited to get back there. I will soon be posting new pictures and videos of the kids once I am back in the Philippines. stay tuned...

What I do...

Recently I have had many high school and college students ask me about what exactly I do, so I decided to post a brief summary of my nursing duties in the Philippines. Some questions have been: "what life is like for you as a nurse on the mission field?, what kinds of duties do you perform each day? How many kids do you see? In what ways did God direct you to this mission? What are the most common things you deal with on a day to day basis?"

"My nurse to patient ratio is about 1: i have no idea"

Nursing duties start immediately with our kids. These include general health assessments, nursing diagnoses, blood testing, vaccinations, medication administration, caring for the ill, completing health records, primary prevention, and secondary treatment of health problems. Basically that equals a live in “school nurse”. Day to day that means asthma, fevers, mumps, lice, allergic reactions, countless cuts and scrapes, broken bones, nutrition plans, education, dental visits, purchasing of supplies, and doctors visits when necessary. After these immediate duties I will take on the more complex cases, one example being Hepatitis B. We happen to have 16 people with Hepa B, in which cases I keep up with their routine monitoring, medications, physical health, education, and refer them for psychological care when needed. This is more like case management/nurse educator. For special cases such as deformities or cancer I take on the role of patient advocate as well as guardian as I make a treatment plan and find the right doctors. This is where socializing skills come in to make connections and friends within the medical community in the Philippines. I journey with each special needs patient through hospital stays to home treatments providing home care and bedside nursing. I am sometimes a psych nurse as I deal closely with kids with psychological issues because they are sensitive to medication dosages and early recognition of signs and symptoms of relapse or break down. In between this I get to plan fun things such as a campus nutrition day, CPR course, or mini health fair. I LOVE community health nursing, within our community CH helps our neighbors or those in need, this can be done through emotional support, hospital visitations, home visits, financial aid for procedures or medications, or follow up. It is surprising how many people are not educated on their illness and how many neglect to see a doctor when they should. I encourage them to get treatment, and we help where we can. Many times, merely cleaning and changing a dressing on a wound can save a life or a limb, or little things like providing nutritious food can aid in the recovery of the ill. And lastly comes the all important medical liaison part of my job, where I communicate our needs, situations, and information, which is only possible by accurately researching the needs in the Philippines among our kids, community, and street kids, as well as keeping up in the new medical research related to those needs.

When I return to the Philippines, (hopefully next month) I will be looking into outreach in a few new ways. We are thankful for the assistance of FAME, who provide us with supplies, which enables us to bring in more people for help and someday soon hold a medical mission in our campus. We are also planning on a group of American doctors to come out next summer and help in a local hospital. I will also get the CH kids involved in some health care education outreach with a local tribal group to teach them about cleanliness, hygiene, and birth control. And, CH will soon be able to help facilitate surgeries to children with cleft lip & cleft palate, who would otherwise have no means to get to the free surgeon or fill out the paperwork needed for the surgery.

So, that’s basically the gist of my day to day nursing duties. As you can see, it spans the spectrum of the many areas of nursing. But, many ask what it’s like to be a missionary nurse, because being a missionary nurse is more than doing nursing in another country, otherwise we could just forget the missions part. For me, I am lucky because I work with a mission who is taking street kids and bringing them in, to form them into productive, educated, Christian disciples. So, I get to participate in and add to the many discipleship activities that go on at CH. And, I have the opportunity at things such as leading Bible studies, being active on committees for different areas of CH, being part of the team to lead and mentor the kids, and even allows me to preach when I feel called!

I hope this helps with any question you may have. I tried to make it inclusive, without being exhausting! Of course, every place, every mission, and every person will be so completely different.

Stateside for a little longer

Turns out I will be staying in the states for a bit longer.

Please contact me if you would like to know more about Christians' Haven!

"Should I pack this shirt?"...

My trip back to the Philippines is quickly approaching and as I pack and prepare mentally and physically I must wonder if I'll really be on that plane in a few days. Violence is close to home due to attacks by the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front), which calls for a dangerous situation to go into. Plans are being pushed through to go back, but could change any minute. Please pray for safety for those traveling and also our kids and staff who are too close for comfort to more possible attacks. Thanks.

CH kids on the "GO"

My favorite thing about the unique ministry of Christians' Haven is how our kids come to us to be rescued and taken care of, and as we do that we quickly turn them around to serve others at the same time. A street kid can come to us, and within the week he or she is the one handing the food out to kids still on the street. This is part of the discipleship process here at CH, imitating the way Jesus took His disciples on the go to help others. Our kids have ownership of their own ministry to these less fortunate kids, and the CH kids are the ones to pack & prepare the food, then give the food along with a message and praise. How cool are they?!? "Go and make disciples"...

Relaying the stories...

This June I returned to the states from over a year straight in the Philippines. Reverse culture shock hit me hard. I literally started to cry in the isles of Target because I wondered what in the world we (Americans) do with all this STUFF! I love cute and cool and new and high tech stuff as much as the next person, but the shock of the abundance overwhelmed me. I could not buy a sandwich without thinking about how much food that money could have bought in the Philippines. I spent $10 to see a movie! What?! Many peoples’ lack of care for what is happening around the world was bothersome, especially when that is what I could not stop thinking about it. I felt the pain and injustice in the world more so when I was here in the States because my thoughts were so absorbed in where I had just come from! People warned me about this, and I wanted so badly to just be normal when I got back to the states. The first two weeks back were a whirlwind of adjusting and catching up with people. People asked me some great questions and got me thinking about how to tell my story, but with each question came so many things I wanted to share. Where do I even begin when I haven’t had any communication or more than emails with so many people?! The past year I have just lived and grown accustomed to my life and job in the Philippines. I hadn’t analyzed it or tried particularly hard to relay my experiences to others. It was life, day to day there did not seem so extraordinary at the time. And, in a way I sort of gave up because I knew so many things would just live inside me. Now here I am, trying to put all of that together. No amount of time with any friend or CH supporter is enough to cover all the amazing things that CH stands for and is actually doing over there. The individual stories of our kids and cool day to day things that God does need to be shared… so if you’re interested in a closer look at these things please add me to your favorites and stop in here to read!!