Here's an article that was written about me in September 2009. It was posted in "Chatter" which is a publication of Irving Bible Church.
http://www.chattermag.com/crystal-in-cebu/
Enjoy!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
More Highlights
Some Highlights of my life in the past month...
Current Favorite Fruit: Mangostein
Current Favorite Cebuano Phrase: Pag-sure oi?! (Are you sure?!)
Favorite part of the past weekend: Borrowing a friend's motorbike and cutting my commute in half (there are essentually no rules for motorbikes, you can go around and through traffic and will always end up the first in line at the stoplights)
Most missed thing from the states: Mexican food
Most looking forward to: Jennifer (my wondeful co-worker from Fort Worth) coming to visit in April!
Most awkward moment: Being the candle-lighter in a wedding for someone I didn't know. My co-lighter wouldn't talk to me at first (he was "shy," a cultural phenomenon that occurs with 80% of people I meet), but then, when we starting walking, and for the rest of the ceremony, the 23 year old cousin of the groom wouldn't stop talking! There were seven bridesmaids and 7 flower girls. I've never seen so much pink satin in my life.
Lastest Island Adventure: Apo Island! 10 hour boat + 30 minute bus + waiting for 1 hour + 45 minute small boat= tiny island with no electricity and diving with sea turtles! Totally worth it :)
Current Favorite Fruit: Mangostein
Current Favorite Cebuano Phrase: Pag-sure oi?! (Are you sure?!)
Favorite part of the past weekend: Borrowing a friend's motorbike and cutting my commute in half (there are essentually no rules for motorbikes, you can go around and through traffic and will always end up the first in line at the stoplights)
Most missed thing from the states: Mexican food
Most looking forward to: Jennifer (my wondeful co-worker from Fort Worth) coming to visit in April!
Most awkward moment: Being the candle-lighter in a wedding for someone I didn't know. My co-lighter wouldn't talk to me at first (he was "shy," a cultural phenomenon that occurs with 80% of people I meet), but then, when we starting walking, and for the rest of the ceremony, the 23 year old cousin of the groom wouldn't stop talking! There were seven bridesmaids and 7 flower girls. I've never seen so much pink satin in my life.
Lastest Island Adventure: Apo Island! 10 hour boat + 30 minute bus + waiting for 1 hour + 45 minute small boat= tiny island with no electricity and diving with sea turtles! Totally worth it :)
Saddest moment: When my camera shattered in the bottom of my bag and my MP3 player stopped working :(
Favorite work project: Managing 10 volunteers in the intake for the biggest IJM Cebu operation to date, and teaching Career Counseling to 30+ aftercare partners.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Teach Me
When I give training here to houseparents and social workers, I tell them to hope for problems in the lives and behaviors of their clients. To be fair, problems usually exist in the lives of the clients, so they don't usually have to hope for long. In the lives of our clients, dysfunction has long ruled. In their families, in their relationships, in their coping skills, dysfunction is sometimes all they know (a VERY high percentage of trafficking victims come from abusive family situations). But dysfunction leaves a trail of problems, and in those instances are when TEACHING can be done.
No one likes to hear that the way they are doing things is not the way that they should be done. Change is not fun or comfortable. But when the way a person is acting or coping proves to cause more problems instead of easing those problems, then change is sometimes more appealing. And teaching new ways of coping and acting can be more accepted in those instances.
I have a great friend, who, everytime I talk to her asks, "What has God been teaching you lately?" I have to admit, I don't always think about life in those terms. And, when I know I will get the oppurtunity to talk to her, I cheat and sometimes think about the question before our scheduled phone date.
Sometimes God teaches me through his word. But when I become busy with life, and don't take as much time to contemplate his word, He teaches me in other ways. He teaches me through my successes, and my failures. He teaches me through the words of others. He teaches me through my unfair expectations of myself and Him and others around me. He teaches me through the things I can't control. He teaches through the good and the painful.
I'm so happy I know a God who teaches instead of condemning. He's the best example I have on how to work with clients.
No one likes to hear that the way they are doing things is not the way that they should be done. Change is not fun or comfortable. But when the way a person is acting or coping proves to cause more problems instead of easing those problems, then change is sometimes more appealing. And teaching new ways of coping and acting can be more accepted in those instances.
I have a great friend, who, everytime I talk to her asks, "What has God been teaching you lately?" I have to admit, I don't always think about life in those terms. And, when I know I will get the oppurtunity to talk to her, I cheat and sometimes think about the question before our scheduled phone date.
Sometimes God teaches me through his word. But when I become busy with life, and don't take as much time to contemplate his word, He teaches me in other ways. He teaches me through my successes, and my failures. He teaches me through the words of others. He teaches me through my unfair expectations of myself and Him and others around me. He teaches me through the things I can't control. He teaches through the good and the painful.
I'm so happy I know a God who teaches instead of condemning. He's the best example I have on how to work with clients.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Mid-Section
The half way point of my term with IJM has come and gone. Although I expected it to go quickly, it’s a bit surreal to think that in six months I will not longer be here. And for those of you wondering (as I am) what is next… I have no idea :)
The bulk of what I’ve been working on for the past six months has been at one of our partner shelters, My Refuge House. I’ve helped them by revise their policy and procedures and led trainings for the houseparents and social workers there. It’s been great to see them grab a hold of concepts they were never taught before and improve their skills and confidence in the shelter.
In addition, I’ve had the privilege of supervising the IJM social workers in their development of group therapy curriculum and implementation. Can I just say, the social workers in this office are incredible. Hard workers, delightful to be around, and compassionate. I love to come to work every day just to see them!
The final half of my term will look similiar. I will continue to lead the trainings at MRH and invest in the staff there, as well as providing trainings for some of our other partner shelters. I will be again supervising group therapy development and implementation with more social workers. I will be conducting other trainings for the social workers in the office on topics such as counseling techniques and anger de-escalation. And lastly, I will develop a workbook about stress and burnout for partners in the local shelters.
It’s been very exciting to be placed in roles that increase the sustainability of the work already being done here. I’ve been able to invest in IJM staff and partners without stepping into any roles that have caused unnecessary dependence on my temporary position. The need is great, but the work already being done is great also. I love having the privilege of improving what’s already in place. And, to top it off, I’ve learned that I really like teaching!
The bulk of what I’ve been working on for the past six months has been at one of our partner shelters, My Refuge House. I’ve helped them by revise their policy and procedures and led trainings for the houseparents and social workers there. It’s been great to see them grab a hold of concepts they were never taught before and improve their skills and confidence in the shelter.
In addition, I’ve had the privilege of supervising the IJM social workers in their development of group therapy curriculum and implementation. Can I just say, the social workers in this office are incredible. Hard workers, delightful to be around, and compassionate. I love to come to work every day just to see them!
The final half of my term will look similiar. I will continue to lead the trainings at MRH and invest in the staff there, as well as providing trainings for some of our other partner shelters. I will be again supervising group therapy development and implementation with more social workers. I will be conducting other trainings for the social workers in the office on topics such as counseling techniques and anger de-escalation. And lastly, I will develop a workbook about stress and burnout for partners in the local shelters.
It’s been very exciting to be placed in roles that increase the sustainability of the work already being done here. I’ve been able to invest in IJM staff and partners without stepping into any roles that have caused unnecessary dependence on my temporary position. The need is great, but the work already being done is great also. I love having the privilege of improving what’s already in place. And, to top it off, I’ve learned that I really like teaching!
Most of the IJM Social Worker Team, Referred to in the office as "The Angels:"
Monday, January 4, 2010
Christmas Highlights
For those who are interested, here are some of my fondest memories of this last holiday season:
Baking hundreds of Christmas cookies
Drinking Homemade Eggnog!
Sharing hundreds of cookies with some of my favorite kids at our partnering shelters
On my way out of the country for the holidays I saw this warning against trafficking on the departure card:
I had a layover in Manila and saw this very amusing Kiosk in the biggest mall in Asia. It was a foodstand called "Spam Jam." Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like!
I spent the holidays in Hong Kong drinking lots of Chinese tea, seeing the sights(including this "crystal tram"with a plexiglass bottom across the harbor and up Hong Kong Island,
Eating delicious streetfood
,
Accidentally stumbling upon a Christmas Church Service and worshipping (In English!) with people from all over the world,
And freezing even though I was wearing most of my clothes, most of the time!
And since Christmas is not yet over here (there are still decorations everywhere and Christmas music blaring) I will take this last opportunity to wish you are very Merry Holiday Season!
Baking hundreds of Christmas cookies
Drinking Homemade Eggnog!
Sharing hundreds of cookies with some of my favorite kids at our partnering shelters
On my way out of the country for the holidays I saw this warning against trafficking on the departure card:
I had a layover in Manila and saw this very amusing Kiosk in the biggest mall in Asia. It was a foodstand called "Spam Jam." Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like!I spent the holidays in Hong Kong drinking lots of Chinese tea, seeing the sights(including this "crystal tram"with a plexiglass bottom across the harbor and up Hong Kong Island,
Eating delicious streetfood
,
Accidentally stumbling upon a Christmas Church Service and worshipping (In English!) with people from all over the world,
And freezing even though I was wearing most of my clothes, most of the time!
And since Christmas is not yet over here (there are still decorations everywhere and Christmas music blaring) I will take this last opportunity to wish you are very Merry Holiday Season!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
image
This image goes along with the article I wrote. This is one of our social workers, Stella, one of the DSWD social workers, Edna and one of the clients giving her testimony the morning after being rescued.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Real Life
Hello Everyone!
I've written a story about an bar raid that took place a few weeks ago. It is being featured on the IJM Institute blog. Check it out at the link below if you get a chance!
http://www.ijminstitute.org/index.php/site/comments/rescue_operation_in_cebu_philippines/
Christmas and the holidays are fast approaching. Filipinos love Christmas and everything that goes along with it. For instance, there are nativity scenes and other ornaments made out of reclyed objects placed all over town (which surprisingly, look quite festive) as well as songs such as Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" and "Away in a Manger" artistically mixed together (yes, it is just as awful as it sounds!)
My five month mark is also coming up soon (Seriously? Where did the time go?) And honestly, Cebu is starting to feel very much like real life. When you travel to a new or different culture, there are times when it feels like it could be just a game, or just a phase, like you keep waiting to wake up and go back to real life. But I've settled in quite nicely and Cebu does feels like real life. I still love Filipinos, mangoes and hot weather. I still hate sitting in really bad traffic, being shouted at by strangers and seeing naked babies who live on the streets. But, overall, it's just become part of life. Life in the Philippines. And overall, I'm loving it.
The work is good. I've implemented some training programs to various staff and partners and been able to see those trainings be used effectively, which is both exciting and encouraging! I've even been able to interview some clients using my limited Cebuano skills (which are, sadly, still limited). And every day our office staff meet together and pray for the court cases and investigations and police trainings and victims in aftercare and outreach in the community that happen every day around me. And it's exciting and encouraging to be part of such a magnificent team.
My only wish for Christmas... Eggnog Chai. But that might have to wait until next year, because although there are Starbucks here, there is a severe shortage of Eggnog in the country! :)
Merry Christmas Everyone!
I've written a story about an bar raid that took place a few weeks ago. It is being featured on the IJM Institute blog. Check it out at the link below if you get a chance!
http://www.ijminstitute.org/index.php/site/comments/rescue_operation_in_cebu_philippines/
Christmas and the holidays are fast approaching. Filipinos love Christmas and everything that goes along with it. For instance, there are nativity scenes and other ornaments made out of reclyed objects placed all over town (which surprisingly, look quite festive) as well as songs such as Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" and "Away in a Manger" artistically mixed together (yes, it is just as awful as it sounds!)
My five month mark is also coming up soon (Seriously? Where did the time go?) And honestly, Cebu is starting to feel very much like real life. When you travel to a new or different culture, there are times when it feels like it could be just a game, or just a phase, like you keep waiting to wake up and go back to real life. But I've settled in quite nicely and Cebu does feels like real life. I still love Filipinos, mangoes and hot weather. I still hate sitting in really bad traffic, being shouted at by strangers and seeing naked babies who live on the streets. But, overall, it's just become part of life. Life in the Philippines. And overall, I'm loving it.
The work is good. I've implemented some training programs to various staff and partners and been able to see those trainings be used effectively, which is both exciting and encouraging! I've even been able to interview some clients using my limited Cebuano skills (which are, sadly, still limited). And every day our office staff meet together and pray for the court cases and investigations and police trainings and victims in aftercare and outreach in the community that happen every day around me. And it's exciting and encouraging to be part of such a magnificent team.
My only wish for Christmas... Eggnog Chai. But that might have to wait until next year, because although there are Starbucks here, there is a severe shortage of Eggnog in the country! :)
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Birthday Weekend
I turned 28 last Saturday, and I claimed the entire weekend as my birthday (mostly because I had to work on Saturday, but, let's be honest, I probably would have claimed the whole thing even if I wouldn't have had to work!) It was a very random, eventful weekend and I
hope you enjoy the highlights...
First the biggest bouquet of flowers arrived at my office (which is not listed and I've never given the address to anyone!) compliments of my beautiful friend Sarah Pahl in Dallas (who is obviously going to be an amazing lawyer, because she's got great investigative skills!)
I had originally planned to celebrate my birthday on Friday
night, because two of my really good friends were going out of town the next day, but a brothel raid was scheduled for that night, so my plans were up in the air for awhile. I was scheduled for the morning shift, so we went ahead with the celebration... My wonderful friend Isa drove us up to an Italian restaurant, on top of the mountainside overlooking the city and I had an amazing dinner with Lynn, Angela, Isa, Amy, and Sarah (whose flowers got their own seat of
honor).
The next day I worked from 7am-3pm. I met with clients who were taken out
of the brothel the night before for intake interviews and affidavit taking with the lawyers. My boss surprised me and bought the best cake I have tasted this side of the pacific! The staff there sang to me... and then I attempted to "cut" the cake (it was more of a butcher) with the straight end of a plastic fork.
That evening was a "Walk against Trafficking" and a free concert put on by MTV Exit (End Exploitation and Trafficking) with three great Filipino bands. It was a great concert though... The next pic is some of my co-workers showing up to support the effort. (Even those who didn't particularly enjoy the music still came to support! :) )
The next day, Sunday, I went to Happy Horizons Children's Ranch to celebrate with some of my favorite kids in all the world (although many of them I can't actually call "kids" anymore). After orienting Amy and Matt to the joys of the public bus, we spent the afternoon eating cake and ice cream and playing games.
Thanks everyone for making me feel so loved this weekend!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Crime and Celebration
A baptism, a raid, a stolen wallet, and a sermon. The highlights of my weekend. The events that made this weekend very long, but one of the most exciting and memorable of my stay here in Cebu thus far.
My Refuge House, one of the aftercare facilities here that I am working very closely with, currently has 5 girls living in their care. One of the girls is getting ready to be transferred to a longer term shelter. However, because of the impact of the staff at My Refuge, and all she has learned there, she wanted to be baptized before she left. So the shelter pushed the baptism forward, and opened it up to any of the girls who wished to make a commitment. Amazingly, all five of them decided to participate! It was a great testimony of who God is, and although the girls still have alot to learn, their desire to allow the Lord to assist them through those trials is very exciting!
If you would like to see pictures and other comments about this event or this shelter you can check out the Interim Director's blog at http://russmegumikids.blogspot.com/
That baptism was Saturday afternoon. On Saturday evening, on my way to the office, I stopped by the drug store to pick up some meds. As I was leaving, I felt someone move my bag. Usually when I feel someone touch my bag, It's nothing, just me being paranoid, so I shook my backpack a little, picked up my speed a bit, and climbed into a taxi. And when I got in I noticed my wallet was gone.
Needless to say, I was more than a little upset. I came into the office and called my credit card company to cancel my card and moped around for a little while (mostly just mad at myself for not reacting when I felt my bag move... and not wearing my backpack on the front instead of the back). My co-workers were great, one offered to take me to the police station to report it (although, honestly, I'm sure it wouldn't do any good). Most shocking to me though, was when two Filipino co-workers handed me money because "we know what it's like to not have any cash." I was encouraged beyond my ability to express.
That night I participated in my first raid of a bar. It was incredible to watch my co-workers in action and see how they rose up to the challenges, not just that evening, but also in the days that followed as they worked with the girls. I'm amazed and excited to be part of such a great team!
I left the scene early, arriving home around 5am because I had to travel out to the province for a speaking engagement at "Happy Church." This is the church that is part of "Happy Horizons Children's Ranch" where I lived and worked the last time I was here. I was pretty tired, but, again, the Filipinos there made it every bit worth the venture! The pastor, Ricky, went out and bought some "Lechon" (roasted pig-- the traditional party food) because they remembered that my birthday was in a few weeks. And I sat with the family most of the afternoon and rested before coming back to the city. And, of course, seeing the kids there never ceases to make my day joyful. It's a long trip to get out there, and I never want to go, but everytime I arrive, I never want to leave, and I'm always so happy I made the trip.
It was a memorable weekend in so many ways. And my favorite part, as always, are the amazing Filipinos I have the privilege of counting as friends!
My Refuge House, one of the aftercare facilities here that I am working very closely with, currently has 5 girls living in their care. One of the girls is getting ready to be transferred to a longer term shelter. However, because of the impact of the staff at My Refuge, and all she has learned there, she wanted to be baptized before she left. So the shelter pushed the baptism forward, and opened it up to any of the girls who wished to make a commitment. Amazingly, all five of them decided to participate! It was a great testimony of who God is, and although the girls still have alot to learn, their desire to allow the Lord to assist them through those trials is very exciting!
If you would like to see pictures and other comments about this event or this shelter you can check out the Interim Director's blog at http://russmegumikids.blogspot.com/
That baptism was Saturday afternoon. On Saturday evening, on my way to the office, I stopped by the drug store to pick up some meds. As I was leaving, I felt someone move my bag. Usually when I feel someone touch my bag, It's nothing, just me being paranoid, so I shook my backpack a little, picked up my speed a bit, and climbed into a taxi. And when I got in I noticed my wallet was gone.
Needless to say, I was more than a little upset. I came into the office and called my credit card company to cancel my card and moped around for a little while (mostly just mad at myself for not reacting when I felt my bag move... and not wearing my backpack on the front instead of the back). My co-workers were great, one offered to take me to the police station to report it (although, honestly, I'm sure it wouldn't do any good). Most shocking to me though, was when two Filipino co-workers handed me money because "we know what it's like to not have any cash." I was encouraged beyond my ability to express.
That night I participated in my first raid of a bar. It was incredible to watch my co-workers in action and see how they rose up to the challenges, not just that evening, but also in the days that followed as they worked with the girls. I'm amazed and excited to be part of such a great team!
I left the scene early, arriving home around 5am because I had to travel out to the province for a speaking engagement at "Happy Church." This is the church that is part of "Happy Horizons Children's Ranch" where I lived and worked the last time I was here. I was pretty tired, but, again, the Filipinos there made it every bit worth the venture! The pastor, Ricky, went out and bought some "Lechon" (roasted pig-- the traditional party food) because they remembered that my birthday was in a few weeks. And I sat with the family most of the afternoon and rested before coming back to the city. And, of course, seeing the kids there never ceases to make my day joyful. It's a long trip to get out there, and I never want to go, but everytime I arrive, I never want to leave, and I'm always so happy I made the trip.
It was a memorable weekend in so many ways. And my favorite part, as always, are the amazing Filipinos I have the privilege of counting as friends!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Victory!
The IJM office in Manila had a major victory last week!
Read about it here:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20090930-227672/1st-public-exec-guilty-of-human-trafficking
or here:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/09/30/09/court-convicts-cop-life-human-trafficking
or here:
http://www.balitapinoy.net/philippine_crime_news.html
or here:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/cop-sentenced-trafficking
or here:
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/3059-manila-court-metes-police-officer-life-sentence-for-human-trafficking
or here!
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=509973&publicationSubCategoryId=93
All the articles say basically the same thing... but the publicity is amazing!
Thanks everyone for your support in this work! Please continue to pray for the ongoing cases in this office and others around the world.
Yay for Victories!!!
Read about it here:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20090930-227672/1st-public-exec-guilty-of-human-trafficking
or here:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/pinoy-migration/09/30/09/court-convicts-cop-life-human-trafficking
or here:
http://www.balitapinoy.net/philippine_crime_news.html
or here:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/cop-sentenced-trafficking
or here:
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/nation/3059-manila-court-metes-police-officer-life-sentence-for-human-trafficking
or here!
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=509973&publicationSubCategoryId=93
All the articles say basically the same thing... but the publicity is amazing!
Thanks everyone for your support in this work! Please continue to pray for the ongoing cases in this office and others around the world.
Yay for Victories!!!
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