Camping with the ladies

All ladies camping weekend on the beach... "Together as One, sisterhood in Christ" was our theme for all girls camping this past weekend. We studied about being ONE BODY, each of us a different part. We competed in teams for some games related to the theme, and the girls took a deep look at which "part" they are, and how each different part/person is needed to fulfill Christ's mission. Each team made a craft from natural things they could find to show the theme. 1st place went to team 1 for our lamp, made of different leaves and sticks, but it was more beautiful when the light shined thru the different type and colors of leaves, put together. Our last night ended with a dance off, even the 2 grandmothers got out on the floor!, and we enjoyed being in company of all women. The girls would say, "even though the mosquitoes were biting, it was hard to sleep, and even though the rain came down all night, we had a great time together as one... when can we go again?!?!"

the best week of summer...??

sports fest at CH is arguably the best week of each summer. We divide into 4 teams, staff, neighbors, and kids, and compete all week long, with the purpose of bringing unity in campus. You have never heard our girls be so proud of our boys until you witness a ch sports fest basketball game!

Congratulations Laurice!

This past Saturday Laurice graduated from her one year "Caregiver" course. Laurice is such a caring and kind person, her title as certified caregiver is only fitting! I can remember many instances when Laurice will be at the side of her sick friend, offering to help them in any way, or walking along hand in hand with her houseparent's grandchild. Please join us in prayer for Laurice's successful transition to independent life outside of CH.

Last night we had a combined celebration for Laurice to acknowledge her graduation, and also her recent employment. A couple from the city was waiting in campus when she arrived home from her graduation. They hired her that day as a caregiver to their 1 year old son, beginning this week! The Lord has truly blessed this young woman for her commitment to him and her compassionate spirit.

Pictured with Laurice here is her brother Christian. Chris is another grad this year, from his first course in a technical school for hotel and restaurant management. Congrats Chris. Chris has a plan to take the next certification for HRM through a scholarship from his school.

Short term mission

Summer here at CH was off to a great start with a visiting group from Adventure Christian Church this past week. This was Brandon’s 2nd time here at CH, and this time he brought 3 incredible women back with him, Denise, Carrie, and Carolyn.

The 4 of them had quite a week of getting to know the kids and participating in our programs. They helped our kids in their jail ministry, street feeding, kids prison outreach, and Badjao outreach, as well as led the kids in some devotions and just plain had fun!! What a great team, and a great week all the kids and staff had getting to know them. Highlights include- graduation party in the 16 ft pool!; eating the smelliest fruit ever; seeing first hand the poverty of a third world; handing food to the hungry; rockin out with the kids to some new Christian songs; some kids learning a new instrument; popcorn fight!; street kids rapping and break dancing; fresh coconut and a great view after a long hike; pig skin and fish eyes… for lunch!; waking up to kids praising the Lord; becoming part of one very big family!

The kids are so aware of how God is using people and churches in the US to provide for them and send them to school. Each and every day here the kids pray for the sponsors and supporters of CH. Having a team come who represent those people that the kids pray for is incredibly meaningful. Thanks “aunties and uncle” Brandon, Denise, Carrie, and Carolyn!

“When you call on Jesus, all things are possible”

more grads!!!

Shown here is Marlou, who is a college grad as of 2 days ago, and former street kid, with our campus director, Ruel. Congrats Marlou!! Marlou plans to use his automotive mechanical skills at a respected repair shop in the city. Please pray for Marlou as he begins his transition outside of CH, as a skilled, degree holding, disciple!

Also shown here are pics from todays elementary graduation:
Last week Gerald asked if I would march with him in his graduation. Since that day, he has updated me multiple times a day with news and reminders about graduation, ect. He was so proud and very excited for elementary school graduation day! Well today the day finally arrived. He came into the guest house ready to go a few hours before the ceremony looking very handsome (the school is about a 5 minute walk from campus)!!! Upon arrival at the school I put on Gerald's corsage and garlands. He smiled and promptly took his seat. On time and ready to go Gerald waited patiently for the ceremony to begin on "filipino time", instead of 9 am, 9:40 am! As we stood in line for the processional march holding hands, Gerland was suddenly quiet, and nerves seemed to take the place of his smile. He was thoroughly checking everything out, and getting ready to walk across stage. When in the middle of the stage we are supposed to stop and face the crowd and bow. Since i already know gerlad, i knew that our walk would be quick, and his bow even quicker, so i prepared to make it fast! as we approached the center, gerald did a half bow, barely stopping for me to take my place and also bow! It was so funny! All that excitment, just to get it over with so fast! HEHEHE.

I was proud to march Gerald, and even prouder to see our 6 elementary grads walk across that stage. They have already done something which some do not acheive here in the Philippines, and what many would not have expected these kids to do considering their lives before CH. 4 of the six are orphans from the north, 1 street kid from the north, and they all learned a new language as they completed their elementary. the other 2 came from very poor families and on the streets here in Mindanao. These 2 guys are many years older than their classmates, yet they still pushed through and worked hard to accomplish the, at one time, unexpected!

Congrats Diana, Nerina, Gerald, Frederico, Ryan, and Rich!!!

congrats to our 11 high school grads!

This past wednesday i had the priviledge to attend and even escort at the graduation of our highschoolers. Delilah and Rico both honored me with their loyalty award (given to parents by the child to signify putting your child all the way through at the same school) So, this picture is for my mother and my aunt, who sponsor delilah and rico, and whom i got to represent on this special day.

way to go grads. we look forward to the coming weeks where we will celebrate another 6 elementary grads and 5 college grads!!

CPR at CH

Thursday nights with the girls

Here at CH we have devotions twice daily. Each morning the kids wake up and have morning devotions with their cottage, family style. In he evenings we join together as a campus, one big family, and sing. the staff and kids alternate leading a devotion.
Thursday night is girls night in the guest house, where I lead the girls in a not so conventional way (at least by rural Filipino standard) to grow in Christ as they also learn to love and respect each other. These pictures are from an exercise this last week on encouraging and praying for one another. I thought they were cute, so enjoy!! This week we are working on short dramas as a way of learning about great frienships in the Bible.

It's still rainy season?!?!

Happy Valentines video!

Time to study up!

Check out Jake and the other kids during this past Saturday's Math Tutor time. We have some volunteer teachers that spend time with the kids in math on Saturday mornings in campus. In addition to this, the older kids are helping the younger kids study in the evenings. Promoting a scholastic plus a homey atmosphere with so many kids is sometimes a challenge, therefore we are giving specific hours to study time in campus.

the power of a kind hand...

here are some more pictures from the relief work that I posted about last time. I wanted to share an addition cause I think it is a pretty cool twist to the average relief work story. The community we served in is named Sinaloc, it had more than 400 evacuees due to the recent flooding. 33 houses were totally damaged or taken by the sea. 10 additional houses were partially damaged. God had a great plan when He choose this to be our location though… we could have gone many places on this day and provided spiritual nourishment, food, and medical care… but as we later found out, our testimony to Sinaloc would mean more than we could have thought. This community has recently had a very bad experience with a foreign church abruptly moving in and scaring them into God, as they built a fancy house next to their small shacks. The families feel used as the foreigner takes pictures of their children, but never lends a hand to them during hard times or attempts to form relationships. The people of Sinaloc were pretty turned off to Christians by the time we arrived. But, by God’s grace, we were able to show the love of Christ to these people in need, and they were able to see the glory of God through our efforts.

Relief projects

One week of non stop rain! Yes, I know it's crazy cold there right now in the states... but it was also cold here this past week as the sun disappeared and all we saw was the gray and rain! I think it was actually in the 70's! But, although i enjoyed putting on a jacket and an occasional long sleeve, the rain caused much tragedy this past week as flooding washed many peoples homes away.
Since CH is in the mountain we were blessed to just be inconvenienced by loss of power and some big ol mud puddles. We thank God for His protection to us. And, since are blessed here we were able to extend immediate help to many whose homes were lost. In nearby towns there were evacuation centers filled with 400 to even more than 2,000 people. We spent the day in one evacuation center cooking and serving food, getting to know the people, ministering to them, and providing medical help. Please pray for these families who were already struggling to make it day to day, and have now lost their homes and come down with many illnesses due to the living conditions, weather, and lack of clean water!