Here is the lates update on CSC's Building Project. Haven't heard that the Children's Shelter of Cebu is building a new structure? No problem. Just:
Before we talk about the building, let's talk about the kids 😊.
Do you remember your high school prom? Though it's been many, many ... many years since my high school prom (almost all of the kids at the Shelter weren't even alive when I was in high school), the vague memories I still have of that night primarily revolve around a feeling/sense of transition. Prom is one of those rituals that signals the close of one chapter in life and the start of another. Years of being a teen-ager were coming to an end; graduation, college, young adulthood, and beyond lay just around the corner.
At the end of April, the high schoolers that attend ETCP (the Evangelical Theological College of the Philippines) had their Junior/Senior Prom at Parklane Hotel in Cebu City. For weeks the kids had been abuzz about prom, practicing their dances and talking about the amazing outfits they would wear. When the day finally came, it was the culmination of a lot of planning, preparation, and prayer.
One of the most amazing privileges of serving in Cebu has been the ability to watch these kids grow up; to witness them building their futures and growing in knowledge, wisdom, and understanding (Phil 1:9-11). High school prom was a major road marker in their lives; an Ebenezer stone (1 Sam 7:12) that highlighted past accomplishments and pointed the way forward. Everyday, the kids pour hours into their studies. They expend maximum effort when they play sports or musical instruments with their friends. I am proud to say that their hard work this year has paid off tremendously. Prom means the school year is almost over and graduation is just a month away. Praise be to God that our kids have a bright future ahead of them!
Make no mistake, all of you are a part of building our children's futures through your prayers and support. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!
Speaking of building the future for our older kids, we have some exciting updates about CSC's building project!
We are approaching the completion of the structural portion of the build (i.e. - phase 1) which involves the pouring of all of the concrete for all of the levels, interior and exterior walls, roofing, floors, plumbing, mechanical, etc. As you can see in the pictures below, a large cement truck with a boom pump arm is being used to pump the concrete for the roof beams on the third floor (click on the pictures to enlarge them).
After the structural portion is complete, we move on to architectural (i.e. - phase 2). This includes finishing touches like the installation of floor tiles, fixtures, exterior cladding, paint, etc.
We are approaching the completion of the structural portion of the build (i.e. - phase 1).
If all goes according to schedule, this is what our current timeline looks like:
Completion of Phase 1 (structural): June 2024
Completion of Phase 2 (architectural: January/February 2025
Target Move-in Date: Summer 2025 (between 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school year, which in the Philippines is April, and May)
By the grace of God, we've been hitting our milestones pretty much on time, running only a few weeks behind schedule. We have had no injuries at the construction site, and our kids and staff continue to prepare for the day when we can move our Independent Living Program and Semi-Independent Living Program to the new location. Lord willing, next year, when a new batch of kids reaches Senior High and College, they will have a brand new facility to cater to their needs and prepare them for being launched into a beautiful, sustainable, productive, and God-honoring life as an adult in the Philippines.
Below are pictures of the framing for the lower roof (click pictures to expand).
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Please pray for a big cement pour that is happening this week. Our SOG (slab on grade) pour on one portion of the building (a portion of the office), as well as the pour for the septic tank, is scheduled to happen on Wednesday. Continue to pray for safety and success, and that through it all we can continue to be a powerful witness of the Lord's love, mercy, and grace.
Please also pray for our children, Dietrich and Tessi, who will be flying to Cebu once the school year ends on May 18th! They arrive on May 22nd, and we can't wait to see them again! Our two oldest have been attending college at UNWSP (University of Northwestern, St. Paul). We miss them dearly and ask that you would pray with us for safe travels.
Learn more about the Children's Shelter of Cebu here.
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