NEWS FROM CEBU
Grace’s Amazing Journey
Her heart was pounding as she got into the car and fastened her seat belt. Her breathing became more rapid. The fluttering feeling in her stomach wouldn’t stop.
For nearly 30 years, she had wondered how she would feel meeting her birth mother. Now she knew: anxious, tense, and queasy.
Would she spend the entire three-hour car ride from Children’s Shelter of Cebu to her native barangay, or village, feeling like this? Then, like a gentle hand had been placed on her, Grace Harer began to calm. Unclenching now, the former CSC resident began to drink in the scenery as city streets and tall buildings eventually gave way to winding roads and lush hills.
“I focused on being in the moment,’’ recalls Grace.
“My surroundings became more important the closer we got as I tried to memorize the path that would lead me to the answers I had been looking for.’’
Grace’s visit earlier this year to CSC was the second in the last
‘’Our identity is not made of blood but love…’’
-Grace Harer, former CSC resident
10 years. This time, she wanted her husband, Reid, to see where
Grace during her visit to Cebu
she was born and lived for the first years of her life. The trip was also special because CSC staff had helped arrange Grace to meet her birth family.
As she stepped out of the car, Grace came face to face with her birth mother. Grace
remembers that “it was like looking into a mirror. To meet a stranger and yet know there is a deeper connection that time and distance couldn’t sever was surreal,’’ says Grace.
The two embraced, and Grace was led into the company of jubilant family members, including aunties, cousins, and other relatives and friends. The family, along with two CSC staff who went along on the visit to support Grace and interpret conversations, shared a large meal of pork and rice, lumpia, and other Filipino dishes during the “emotional’’ three-hour visit.
Continued on page 4
From the Desk of KIRBY STOLL
PRESIDENT PRAISE REPORTS
One of my greatest joys is hearing from our former residents and families who have adopted children from CSC. I treasure receiving updates on their lives—whether by phone call, email, handwritten note, or a conversation over coffee. It is an honor and privilege rejoicing with them in their triumphs and joining in prayer with them in their trials.
• We are grateful for the community partnerships in Cebu, including a local university that will offer additional learning opportunities for our high school students and young adults, and two businesses that are hiring our young adults for summer work. We pray that these opportunities will nurture their growth and allow them to be positive witnesses in the community.
I hope you enjoy reading about Grace, adopted from CSC as a toddler. You will learn how she has used her experience to strengthen her faith and open her heart to others. You will also find out why Fred
He destined us for adoption as His children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 1:5
and Carla Habel still support CSC nearly 30 years after adopting their daughter, Rachel.
I am grateful for the hundreds of families that have adopted children from CSC and amazed at how God prompted them to open their hearts and homes. I am also humbled by His deep love for our former residents as they journey down some difficult paths at times.
My prayer is that these stories cause you to reflect, as I have, on how connected each of us is. Not only are we all part of the growing CSC family, but more importantly, we have been adopted by God and are now a part of His family. There’s no better story than that!
Serving Him,
Kirby Stoll President/CEO
• We thank God for the support of over 40 churches across the country that pray for and financially support CSC, and we are excited to welcome two new churches soon. We are blessed by the invitations to share about God’s work at CSC, which allows us to strengthen our connections with these communities.
• On April 26, we will dedicate Hope House, our independent living home for young adults, marking a significant milestone. We praise God for the staff, local contractors, and generous supporters who made the purchase, construction, and furnishing of the new residence possible.
PRAYER REQUESTS
• Please pray for families who have chosen adoption, as they face both blessings and challenges in caring for children from different cultural and biological backgrounds. Pray especially for adopted children as they navigate the difficulties of adolescence and adulthood, and for CSC's adoptive families and former residents.
• The transition of nearly 20 CSC young adults to the new Hope for Youth Transitional Home is underway, marking an exciting change for them and their caregivers. Please pray for smooth transitions, strong relationships, and guidance for their futures.
• With school in Cebu ending in April, we ask for prayers for the educators at Cebu Children of Hope School to enjoy a restful break, and for the children and staff to have a summer filled with fun. Please also pray for the young adults with summer jobs as they find purpose and growth.
• Lastly, pray for wisdom and discernment for CSC's board and leadership as they plan for the next chapter of the ministry.
FThe Habel Family
COMPLETING the CIRCLE
“She didn’t have much hair,’’ recalls the mother wistfully, suddenly transported back to those minutes when she ran her fingertips over her toddler daughter’s features for the first time.
with CSC “outstanding’’. “CSC staff are extremely knowledgeable about the (adoption) process and go out of their way to create a smooth transition for the families and the children,’’ says Carla.
red and Carla Habel talk about the life-altering days when they traveled to the Philippines to meet their daughter Rachel at Children’s Shelter of Cebu … like it was yesterday.
They warmly recall feeling immediately welcome as they drove into CSC, waved in by smiling staff, and saw the message, “Welcome Habels’’ on the chalkboard. Fred recollects with a chuckle feeling like a kid again at the children’s ice cream party. Carla poignantly describes the moment Rachel was placed lovingly in her arms.
That was almost 30 years ago. Today, the couple has stayed closely connected with CSC, supporting the shelter with their prayers and financial donations*. They say it’s their way of honoring God's blessings on their lives.
“It’s not us; it’s God,’’ says Fred. “We give to CSC because we believe wholeheartedly in their mission and because we have experienced firsthand the joy that comes from that mission.
We also greatly appreciate their transparency and accountability as it relates to their finances.’’
Rachel, 30, has an older brother, Jonathan, who was adopted from an orphanage in Manila. The Habels call their experience
When Rachel was about three years old, doctors discovered that she had special needs. The Habels say that today Rachel has an apartment of her own near the family home and enjoys working at her job in a cafeteria at a local university. They say she loves life and keeps the family laughing with her keen sense of humor.
“God brought her into our life, and she has brought joy to ours,’’ says Fred.
Carla meeting Rachel
*Like many CSC supporters, the Habels prefer not to have attention called to their financial giving, which they see as a blessing to be able to do so. The couple agreed to share their story at the urging of this writer in hopes of encouraging others to give.
Rachel
Grace & her husband visiting CSC
“I tried to soak in every detail and every minute we had together,’’ she says. On the ride back to the shelter, Grace reflected on her experience and felt blessed by knowing that she is loved by two families.
“The visit expanded my perspective on life and healed areas that I didn’t know existed,’’ she says. “I realized, that I can feel love and kinship for the family I grew up with but I can also feel love and kinship with family who share my DNA.’’
Grace says she is grateful to have grown up in the Colorado mountains with days filled with
family and fun. Her parents, Brian and Lisa Skaggs, have been her “pillar of strength’’ throughout her life. The couple led Grace and her three siblings (two of whom were adopted from other orphanages) in their faith and instilled Christian values in the children.
“I watched my parents put their complete trust in God,’’ says Grace. “They passed that faith onto me.’’
The children were encouraged to explore interests and were treated to “extravagantly themed birthdays,’’ Grace recalls with a smile.
She showed talent in music, which created opportunities to travel to England, France, Germany, and Italy. She also developed a love for art. During college at Bethel University in Minnesota, Grace created a series of paintings that she named, “Chosen, not Forsaken,’’ a title that expresses her feelings about her adoption.
Grace understands that people have different perspectives on
FLAGS FOLLOW UP
Abig THANK YOU to all of you who responded to our need for replacement flags for our international display on the CSC campus in Cebu! Members of CSC’s U.S. office brought the flags to the shelter when they visited in April.
Supporters generously purchased the flags after they saw our Facebook post with the request and a link to our Amazon wish list. The new gifted flags replaced the tattered and torn ones that fly proudly on our campus.
adoption. She sees herself as being “chosen’’ to be a blessing and a gift to her parents from God.
She believes that she is now called to bless and encourage others. Employed at a women’s substance recovery center, Grace hopes to one day work in Art Therapy, a method of trauma recovery through artistic expression.
“I hope that I can use my experience of being adopted to show others that our identity is not made of blood but love, relationships, experiences, and a mindset to keep going,’’ she says.
Grace says that while she is glad that she met her birth family, she knows that not all adoptees want to take that journey. Her advice to others? “Whether you take this step or not, you are perfect just as you are. No outcome can change who you are. Because at the end of it all, you were chosen." ▪
These flags represent the many countries in which former CSC children, who were adopted, now live. ▪
The
exterior & interior have come a long way!
HOPE HOUSE Update
Children’s Shelter of Cebu had rented the aging structure from an elderly widow for more than 20 years. Year after year, CSC paid rent to be able to provide housing for our growing number of young adults.
After much prayer, the Lord opened up the opportunity and availed the resources for us to purchase the land, excavate the space, and construct a new building. In
April 2025 , we celebrate the opening of Hope House with a dedication ceremony as we give all glory to God!
This new independent living space is now home to nearly 20 CSC young adults. The building can accommodate up
HOW DO I GIVE?
The building has been fully funded! Give now to help purchase furnishings.
independent living skills as they prepare for life after CSC.
By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge its rooms are filled with all pleasant and precious things. Proverbs 24:3-4
to 28 residents and includes a living space, dining hall, multipurpose room, staff quarters, and administrative offices.
Filled with natural light and painted in neutral tones, the building offers an open, airy feel, creating soothing spaces in which to rest, eat, study, and socialize. The clean, modern design creates a calm and uncluttered environment in which residents can practice
Thank you to all of our donors who answered God's call to support this project.
As we prepare these young people to go out and become contributing members of society and disciples of Jesus Christ, know that YOU, our supporters, have changed countless lives—for generations to come. Stay plugged in to CSC as we explore new ways to meet the changing needs of the children that God has placed in our care. ▪
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
MARK & JERLEY LEOP
Mark Leop had spent his career working jobs that left him empty at the end of the day. He worked hard but never seemed to make a difference. He prayed to God for a change.
One day in 2011, Mark walked into a church in Cebu. When he walked out he was on a path of ‘change’ that he could never have imagined.
He met a young woman in the church that day who was to become the love of his life, Jerley Salgo, who introduced him to Children’s Shelter of Cebu.
The two would begin a life in ministry that would allow them to deepen their faith and share it with others.
This year the couple rejoices in the birth of their first child, celebrates their fourth wedding anniversary, and continues to delight in the work of caring for the children at CSC. Their deep faith in God and their contribution to CSC inspires coworkers, strengthens the ministry, and enriches the lives of children who call the shelter home.
“Mark and JK’s (Jerley’s) family life and service at CSC exemplify the love of Christ in so many powerful ways,’’ says
CSC Executive
Director Roberto Atienza. As CSC’s Facilities Director, Mark says he wants his work in managing and operating the shelter’s buildings, equipment, and vehicles to make a cumulative impact that brings a sense of safety and security to the children who live there.
“I want to make sure that the physical environment that we maintain and improve would reflect the warmth and love that (the children) deserve…’’
Mark Leop, CSC Facilities Director
“I want the children to realize that they are loved by God so deeply through the works that we do for them,’’ says Mark. “I work to make sure that the physical environment that we maintain and improve will reflect the warmth and love they deserve and that their spirits would be uplifted by that.’’
Jerley, whose father is Jerry Salgo, who served as CSC’s Facilities Director and is now Operations Director for nearly 28 years, says her dad’s work ethic inspires her. While she enjoys working alongside her husband and father, she says
that the family sets and adheres to clear home/work boundaries, keeping their private family and shared work lives separate.
She sees her work as Home Life Associate as a “privilege." Her job is to manage schedules of the home care workers and support the Home Life Director, Jinkee Reasoner, in making sure that residents have the supplies they need to thrive.
The highlight of her work days is talking, laughing, playing, and praying with the children. Her work, she says, is an act of love.
“Through my efforts, I hope one day when they look back at CSC, they’ll remember all the wonderful things they got to experience living in the shelter,’’ says Jerley. “Despite their circumstances, I hope that they felt love, security, provided for, and most importantly, heard without any discrimination.’’
Jerley herself has happy childhood memories of CSC when she visited her father at work. Knowing that their daughter, Eliana Zahari, born February 25 , will grow up spending time on the beautiful campus and with the loving, Christ-centered staff members, is pleasing to Mark and Jerley.
The couple says that being partners in life and coworkers at CSC can be challenging at times; the result has been a blessing, a harmony, a contentment they could not have known was possible that day at the church in Cebu.
“I want us to grow together in our faith in Christ so that we can teach Eliana about Jesus so she, too, can be a beacon of hope to the future generation," says Jerley. ▪
From the Desk of ROBERTO ATIENZA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
"Pasya” - decision/choice (Tagalog)
The work we do at CSC involves countless decisions. Some are easy; others, not so.
There are the regular decisions that are as constant and consistent as the sunrise. Home Life, with the help of a local nutritionist, select the monthly menus for the homes. Day after day, week after week, meals are planned and dishes are chosen so that our children remain healthy. House parents, of course, add their own flair to the daily meals and snacks. While sticking to the nutritionist’s guidelines, their choices ensure that they are serving up food they know the kids will love.
Each
Deeper choices with equally deep consequences are also part of serving at CSC. When a new child is referred to the Shelter, we choose which of CSC’s four homes to place them in with utmost care and consideration. We (home life, social workers, our Program Director, and I) make this decision based on the dynamics in each home; the personalities,
2 Corinthians 9:7
relationships, and bonds that have already been formed. We think and pray about which of the homes are best suited to be the family for the newly arrived child while we wait, pray, and work for the next step that God has planned for them.
Choices are constantly being made; decisions that are big and small. Which high school should we send this child to next year? Should I wear running shoes today and play basketball
with the teens or just sit at the picnic tables and watch? Which contractor should we choose to work on the exterior of the new building? What agencies should I visit next week to maintain our local partnerships? What pair of shoes does this kid want as a gift this year?
But one decision is easy. It is the one that CSC has made from the very beginning and one that it will always make for as long as it exists. And that decision is to love every single child that God brings to our gates. It is not a love given reluctantly or out of compulsion. It is love shared out of the overflow of our hearts. Thank you for helping us to share love!
Roberto Atienza Executive Director
P.O. Box 247
Cambridge, MN 55008
Phone: 651.493.1551
Email: usoffice@cebushelter.org www.cebushelter.org
NEWS FROM CEBU
Spring 2025 | Volume 47 | Issue 1
NEWS FROM CEBU is published three times annually by Children’s Shelter of Cebu, a nonprofit, Christian organization dedicated to providing for the needs of homeless children in Cebu, Philippines.
Cebu Address: Box 178, Cebu City 6000 Philippines
Cebu Children’s Shelter Society of Canada: P.O. Box 141 Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z5