My tasks at CSC cover a wide range and are always changing.  I update pictures and news items on the website (www.cscshelter.org).  I help the kids write letters to supporters (Foster Friend program).  I teach physical education to the Children of Hope School (CCHS). 

There are other things which come up throughout a day.  With 75 children in CSC's care, rarely a day goes by without something coming up.  From a medical standout, there are sick children nearly all the time and someone has to drive them to see the doctor.  These kind of trips are done by the person who is the closest and is able to take the time.  So sometimes that is me. 

Breaking up the monotony of the daily routine has to be dealt with at times.  I usually do not come up with the ideas for special events, but I am more than willing to participate.  Uncle Paul Healy and I challenged the kids to a reading contest for the first quarter of the school year.  Their reward for winning (which they did) was to throw Uncle Paul in a pool and have me ride a carabao (water buffalo).  Last week was Thanksgiving in the US and the US staff helped put on a little program at CCHS to show the kids what Thanksgiving is about.  I played the role of a pilgrim in a short reenactment of the first Thanksgiving.  Experience is not a requirement for these type of things. 

Throughout each day I am an authority figure to the kids as well as a mentor and hopefully a friend.  The list of tasks that I need to do continues to morph and that is fine.  At CSC, we are here for the children.  Next year my duties may be completely different.

Joselito asked the other day, "Uncle Joel, are you an astronaut?"  I answered, "No, I am missionary."