Sep 6, 2012

Shout out to the grandparents!

Grandparents, Shan-ma's, Papa's, Lola's and Lolo's are on my mind today. 

I believe that my grandparents had just as big a part of raising me as their children did. I am thankful for the positive influence they have had on my 25 years!

Here is a shout out to some of the BEST grandparents a girl could have...


Grandpa and Grandma 'A' 



I am privileged to be part of their family! 
Some things I have learned in the last 25 years from my Amaral grandparents:
Grandma was a strong woman and she taught me that woman can do anything! 
Tapioca pudding is not really as delicious as they might say. 
Dessert after dinner is always a must.
Grandpa taught me how to remove splinters.
Grandpa also taught me how to be stern yet fun.
I have learned the importance of keeping to my commitments.
Hard work always pays off.
Big band music is FUN! 
Labor day = delicious food and fun parades. 
Wake up early or you waste away the day.
Love everyone. 




Shan-ma and Papa 





My Linehan family is funny! I am sure blessed to be part their family! 
Papa taught me to laugh.
Shan-ma taught me all about chocolate! 
St.Patricks day is all about how much green you can put on.
Fish and chips with loads of vinegar is always a good idea.
Hard work and commitment are important.
Animal crackers should always be in the house! 
Christmas is spent best with family.
A 'Caidy day' is a good day. hehe.
AFV, wheel of fortune and jeopardy are some great shows.
Hugs and kisses (even when people don't want to be touched) are essential 
Love everyone.  



At 25 years old I am blessed to still have my Grandpa 'A' and my Shan-ma supporting me and loving me as I travel on this journey known as life! They are some of my biggest fans ... encouraging and loving me through every decision.



Thank you Grandpa and Grandma, Shan-ma and Papa for being some pretty great grandparents. You set the bar pretty high for Grambee and Pepere, but so far they are doing just as great as you all. 

How do you teach young teens the dangers of huffing chemicals when the only reason they started huffing in the first place is because of hunger?

Over the last year and a half I have learned quite a bit about this huffing rugby issue with the street children here in Cebu, particularly with the children we work with.

What I do know:
Most of the kids we work with started huffing because they were hungry
Huffing takes away the pains of hunger
Huffing takes the 'edge' off allowing the person to be able to bare the street life i.e. -- begging and sleeping on the streets
Huffing is a way to fit in with peers 
Huffing induces asthma 
Huffing causes sever lung, vocal cord, liver, heart and brain damage
Huffing can kill a person at anytime

What I do not know:
Why the kids continue to huff after their friend died because of it
When it turns from doing it because of hunger pains to doing it out of habit
Why they do it even when they eat 2-3 meals a day plus all the snacks they want 
I do know know what is it like to live in survival mode 

I get discouraged when I see kids we have been working with for over a year huffing and making poor decisions. But then again, I don't know what it's like to be in their position ... to be in survival mode, struggling to live on a daily basis.

My only hope, my only prayer is that these kids would see something more in life worth living for...that they would see Jesus in the people who ministry to them daily. It's my prayer and hope that they would grasp at the opportunities God puts in their path for a healthier more fruitful life.

It is also my prayer that I would handle situations as a servant of Christ, nothing more and nothing less.



Although I get discouraged about the huffing situation... there is much to be encouraged by in this work. 

For one, the kids have learned that they can trust Ronald and I! We have also learned to trust them! Relationship building takes time and after a year I am just now seeing that trust has formed.

Second, teaching children bible stories with practical application is the best! Just a few days ago I was reading the story of the good Samaritan and the kids understood that God wants us to love all people. When I was finished reading one little girl looked at me and said "like you!" I was overjoyed and can not quite put into words my happiness with her statement.

Third, what is not to love about working with kids all the time!? No matter their age, life situation, addictions, etc. they are still kids and they are still a joy to be with.

818 Ministry/Jesan Center is truly blessed to be working with these children.




Aug 20, 2012

Ahh oh.

After only 2 full months at the Jesan Center people in neighboring buildings have complained and want us to move locations.

Sadly, the 'wealthier' people can't seem to understand why we work with the children we work with and would rather the kids be somewhere else as not to bother them. 

Monday meals, bible studies, showers and clothing give away's will unfortunately be postponed until we can find a new location. Tutoring on Wednesday's, Friday's and Saturday's will continue as normal.  

We know that God has a great place picked out for us and we know that the place we have been in for 2 months was also chosen by God. There was a reason we were there and a reason why we will be moving. We would like to find a warehouse or building with a lot of outdoor space so that the kids can run around and play sports. We would also like to find a place that the kids can feel welcomed in and not be shunned and treated like stray animals.  

Please pray with us as we search for a new location. 

Peace.

Jul 24, 2012

Thankful Tuesday.

Today I am thankful for



Monday night Bible studies
The encouragement of Paul in Philippians  
Paul's joy even when he was in chains
Honest friends 
facebook, email and text messaging
A mother who can fully relate to me
A loving GRACIOUS God 


-Caidy 

Jun 30, 2012

Video posted!

check out what 818 Ministry did in 2011! 


We hope you all have a blessed day.

Peace. 

Jun 26, 2012

Got Books?

We are in need to books friends! Specific books. For classes at CBC. 
If you have any of the following books and would like to donate them to 818 Ministry/Cebu Bible College please let us know.

Thank you! 

CAUTION: there are over 100 books on this list, please don't spontaneously combust when reading. ;) 

Alland, Kurt—Synopsis of the Four Gospels English edition
Anderson, Lynn—They Smell Like Sheep vol. 2
Arnold, Bill and Choi, John—A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax
Bakke, Jeannette—Holy Invitations
Barth, Karl—Evangelical Theology: An Introduction
Birch, Bruce—Let Justice Roll Down
Blenkinsopp, Joseph—A History of Prophecy in Israel
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich—Life Together
Brueggemann, Walter—Praying the Psalms second edition
Brueggemann, Walter—The Prophetic Imagination second edition
Chittister, Joan—Wisdom Distilled From the Daily
Clapp, Rodney—A Peculiar People
Collins, Michael and Price, Matthew—The Story of Christianity 2000 Years of Faith
Cowan, Douglas and Bromley, David—Cults and New Religions
Enns, Peter—Inspiration and Incarnation
Fant, Clyde, Musser, Donald and Reddish, Mitchell—An Introduction to the Bible
Fleer, David and Bland, Dave—Preaching Mark’s Unsettling Messiah
Fleer, David and Bland, Dave—Preaching the Sermon on the Mount
Fleer, David and Siburt, Charles—Good Shepherds
Fleer, David and Siburt, Charles—Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Foster, Blowers, Dunnavant, and Williams—The Encyclopedia of the Stone-Campbell Movement
Fretheim, Terence—The Pentateuch
Frost, Michael and Hirsch, Alan—The Shaping of Things to Come
Gaustad, Edwin and Schmidt, Leigh—The Religious History of America
Goldingay, John—Old Testament Theology
Goodspeed, Edgar—The Apocrypha
Graves, Mike—The Sermon as Symphony
Green, Joel—New Testament Theology: The Theology of the Gospel of Luke
Grenz, Stanley and Bell, Roy—Betrayal of Trust
Grenz, Stanley and Olson, Roger—20th Century Theology
Grenz, Stanley—Theology for the Community of God
Grenz, Stanley—Created for Community
Guenther, Margaret—Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction
Hays, Richard—The Moral Vision of the New Testament
Hicks, John Mark—Anchors for the Soul
Hicks, John Mark—Come to the Table
Hicks, John Mark and Valentine, Bobby—Kingdom Come
Hicks, John Mark and Taylor, Greg—Down in the River to Pray
Highfield, Ron—Great is the Lord: Theology for the Praise of God
Hipps, Shane—The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture
Hoerth, Alfred—Archaeology and the Old Testament
Holladay, William—A Concise Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament
Holloway, Gary and Foster, Douglas—Renewing God’s People: A Concise History of Churches of Christ
Holloway, Gary and Lavender, Earl—Living God’s Love
Holt, Bradley—Thirsty for God
House, Paul—Old Testament Survey
Jervell, Jacob—New Testament Theology: The Theology of the Acts of the Apostles
Johnson, Luke Timothy—Scripture and Discernment: Decision Making in the Church
Johnson, Luke Timothy—The Writings of the New Testament
Karkkainen, Veli-Matti—One With God: Salvation as Deification and Justification
Kelly, Matthew—Rediscover Catholicism
Kessler, Martin and Deurloo, Karel—A Commentary on Genesis
Kraybill, Donald—The Upside-Down Kingdom
Kysar, Robert—John, the Maverick Gospel
Ladd, George Eldon—A Theology of the New Testament
Laniak, Timothy—Shepherds After My Own Heart
Leman, Kevin and Pentak, William—The Way of the Shepherd
Lewis, C.S.—Mere Christianity
Lewis, C.S.—The Screwtape Letters
Lewis, C.S.—The Great Divorce
Lyle, Dorsett—The Essential C.S. Lewis
Long, Thomas—The Witness of Preaching
Love, Mark, Foster, Douglas, and Harris, Randall—Seeking a Lasting City
Machiavelli, Niccolo—The Prince
Malesic, Jonathan—Secret Faith in the Public Square
Mays, James—Preaching and Teaching the Psalms
McClendon, James Jr.—Ethics: Systematic Theology
McKim, Donald—Theological Turning Points
McKnight, Scot—A Community Called Atonement
McLaren, Brian—Finding Faith
McLaren, Brian—The Secret Message of Jesus
McNeal, Reggie—Missional Renaisance
Metzger, Bruce—Breaking the Code
Miles, Margaret—The Word Made Flesh: A History of Christian Thought
Miller, Calvin—The Singer Trilogy
Molloy, Michael—Experiencing the World’s Religion
Morris, Danny and Olsen, Charles—Discerning God’s Will Together
Nouwen, Henry—In the Name of Jesus
Peterson, Eugene—Answering God
Peterson, R. D.—A Concise History of Christianity 2nd edition
Practico, Gary and Van Pelt, Miles—Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Grammar
Practico, Gary and Van Pelt, Miles—Basics of Biblical Hebrew: Workbook
Roberts, Mark—Can We Trust the Gospels?
Sarna, Nahum—Understanding Genesis
Senior, Donald—The Gospel of Matthew
Shelly, Rubel and York, John—The Jesus Community
Smith, James K. A.—Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism?
Stein, Robert—Studying the Synoptic Gospels
Stone, Bryan—Evangelism After Christendom
Stringfellow, William—An Ethic for Christians and Other Aliens in a Strange Land
Strobel, Lee—The Case for Christ
Strobel, Lee—The Case for Creator
Strobel, Lee—The Case for Faith
Taylor, Barbara Brown—The Preaching Life
Taylor, Barbara Brown—Leaving Church
Tannehill, Robert—The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts vol. 2
Tenney, Merrill—New Testament Survey
Thompson, James—Pastoral Ministry According to Paul
Thompson, Marjorie—Soul Feast
Towner, Sibley--Genesis
Trenchard, Warren—Complete Vocabulary Guide to Greek New Testament
Trull, Joe and Carter, James—Ministerial Ethics
Turabian, Kate—A Manual for Writer of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations sixth edition
VanGemeren, Willem—Interpreting the Prophetic Word
Van Voorst, Robert—Readings in Christianity
Van Voorst, Robert—Anthology of World Scriptures
Voelz, James—Fundamental Greek Grammar second edition
Volf, Miroslav—Exclusion and Embrace
Wallace, Daniel—Greek Grammar: Beyond the Basics
Willimon, William—Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry
Wright, Christopher—The Mission of God
Wright, N. T.—The New Testament and the People of God
Wright, N. T.—Surprised By Hope
Yancey, Philip—Disappointment With God
Yoder, John—The Politics of Jesus
United Bible Societies -- The greek new testament fourth revised edition

May 30, 2012

Children of God

There is a fun song in Cebuano that goes like this (translated into English):

You are a child of God
I am a child of God
We are children of God 

The chorus doesn't make sense in english ... but as you might gather its intent is to celebrate being a child of God
Chrous:
Dance dance a little,
Wave your hands
Shake your hips
Turn around a little 


I love hearing the kids sing and giggle as they sing this song and point to each other. 
Its a gentle reminder that we are all children of God... no matter your age, how long you have been a follower, your "status" in church, etc. We are all children of God, seen as the same through the eyes of our merciful Creator.