All Things New, tagalog premier

Last night I was delighted to come home and see Jonjie back from his 2 day business trip to Manila. Jonjie is one of the pioneer CH kids, from the streets of Iligan. He is now in his third year of study at Manila Bible Seminary. When the movie about Christians’ Haven, All Things New, was made, Jonjie’s story was the inspiration for the lead character. This past Monday Jonjie and Ruel attended the premier of All Things New, Tagalog version. When Jonjie returned home he was so excited to share stories of his experience at the premier, where he got to speak to a large audience of pastors from Manila. He goes on to tell me how the room was silent during his part, as the people were intrigued by what he had to say, then afterwards how many cameras, spotlights, and reporters came up to him calling him Sir and asking him many questions. His face last night as he was telling me about it all was indescribable. His excitement, his smile, and how he portrayed how unbelievable this whole thng is. Jonjie was absolutely overwhelmed with his experience at the premier, and kept repeating “hay! Pambihira!”, which roughly translates to ‘impossible!, wow!, or marvelous!”. Jonjie shared that one interview question was “what is it like for you now when you see a street kid?”. His response was, “When I see a street kid now I am reminded of my life on the streets, and I look at that kid and pray that when they look at me, they are looking at a mirror into what their future can be.” I love that. I love Jonjie’s ability to feel for the kids on the street, see the transformation of his own life, and then hope that same thing for current street kids.

We told Jonjie that this is the beginning. And he said, “the beginning of what!?”. We have high hopes that the movie will do well here, and judging from the premier, Jonjie can be involved with the promotions of the movie while he is in school in Manila.

If you are interested in seeing the English version of All Things New, please contact our office at office@christianshaven.com

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!