News Flash

 

Working for a social institution that addresses the needs and defends the rights of streetchildren, Christ for Asia staff were all attentive to the half-day seminar entitled “Review on Child Protection, Child Abuse & other Forms of Child Sexual Exploitation: A Call for Action.” The resource speaker was Welfare Specialist of World Vision particularly on Commercial and Sexual Exploitation of Children, Ma Joyce A. Flora, RSW.

 

According to the latest statistics and watch list of the world’s most organized crimes, human trafficking, especially of women and young girls is third in the list after drugs on top and guns following second. It is dejecting to know about such fact. And it is even more disheartening to know of the communities apathetic towards the issue where such crimes against women and the young are apparent.

 

The seminar intended to raise awareness and advocacy against child trafficking and human exploitation. Such practices are abominable before the sight of God and demoralizing in the sight of society. As Edmund Burke once said, “All it takes for evil to prevail in this world is for enough good men to do nothing. Thus, there is a call recognized for the community especially Christians and CFA as a social institution to uphold justice and righteousness.

 

Two years has passed since the first annual reunion of CFA. While the Rauch family was here in Cebu, one afternoon was scheduled for the Reunion of former Nehemiah clients from the very beginning Nehemiah homes was established. Invitations were sent out early then.

 

Familiar faces appeared in the compound of CFA bringing smiles, many laughter and memories of the times passed shared in the humble homes of Nehemiah Center.  They told of their experiences while being sheltered in the Nehemiah Homes.

 

Testimonies of how these former children lived their lives were heard. Some already had a family of their own. Some are having jobs. One former boy named Joseph is now married and working in an electric company testified of how staying here in the boys home not only provided him with basic needs but helped him find his meaning in life with Jesus. Ever since he gave his life to Jesus he determined to better his life and also make the Lord the center of his life and his family. Hearing testimony after testimony of how these children find light and direction in life was indeed encouraging. Even more rewarding to see they initiated a prayer for the staff who have ushered them through the years.

 

On the other hand, there are also few former children who didn’t quite make some good decisions are as of now jobless and are troubled. It is still a fact that most of what we have and who we are by-products of our decisions. Once again, the CFA Founder Harald Rauch and CFA Family welcomed everyone-whoever children became part of the family, and reminded them once again that there is no failure, no sin or no delay that would be difficult for the Lord Jesus to take and make right. This reminder is known and well-lived by Christ for Asia in its service to street children as it claimed all labors in the Lord shall never be in vain.

 

Succeeding the Summer Camp and the efforts of the Discipleship for the children and youth here in CFA, 42 children signified to profess their faith and follow Jesus in water of baptism.

 

On one morning in a beach, the said children decided to leave their past behind and lead the life of a Christian, a follower of Christ. They were immersed and emerged from the water as the symbol of dying with Christ and resurrecting again to a new life founded in faith through the son Jesus who gave himself up a sacrifice for the sin of humanity, died on the cross and yet resurrected back into life.

 

Coming out from the water, the baptized children were welcomed into the family of believers in Christ. Many were teary-eyed as their state their testimony of surrendering their lives in Christ, deciding to publicly testify their faith in the Savior and Lord Jesus.

 

 

The moment was historic for the Christ for Asia family as it gathered at the vacant lot they have to so-called “Promise Land” for the ground breaking ceremony of the soon to rise Nehemiah Boys Home Building.

 

The CFA President Vincent Ozaraga, CFA Founder Harald Rauch and one member of the CFA board Helen Coromina initiated the groundbreaking act. There were prayers lifted up to the heavens as balloons were flown to the sky.

 

The CFA family had a remarkable time of commemorating the past years from the humble beginnings of CFA up to the organization it is now. Those times when the Nehemiah Home for the boys and the girls is yet being rented were brought back in mind to trace through the faithfulness of God providing each step of the way the needs of the street children and former street children which CFA is serving. Many lives had been taken care of ever since. Many young wounded souls were being treated and given a chance to start anew and follow direction in life.

 

Until now, CFA desires to expand and better its service to the young lives on the street by providing a three-phase building that will become a boys home to about 52 former street children.