Finishing up Teaching

It has been quite the experience teaching in Cebu. Not only am I a new teacher, but this is a totally different culture. This is my grade 3 class for music theory. We have worked mainly on rhythm and counting, along with notes, time signatures and ostinato.
This is chapel hour for the kindergarden class. We have been going over the wordless book and the story of salvation.
The children love to do group hugs! (until you almost lose your balance. )
This is my amazing cebuano language teacher Anita Panita. I would have private lessons with her once a week. My cebuano has improved a lot and I was told I have an accent.
Some of my piano students from Naga village. I've had them as students since week one!
The girls dorm at ETCP college. I was invited to lead devotions and then spend the night. However, I did not realize they woke up at 4:30am. ha. It was a good experience though, and I brought American candy too (jellybellys). They loved them!
My grade 4 music theory class. For some of the classes we would work on just listening to the rhythm (and teacher). By the end they usually could clap rhythms in 2/4, 3/4 , and 4/4 time signature.

Counting the Days...

This is my last week teaching, my 2 months are almost up. Please pray for me as I get prepared to go back home. I am really torn about leaving - part of my heart will always be here. I fell in love with Cebu. Already planning my next trip out here.

Oh What Fun!

Well, this weekend I was formally invited to be one of the judges at the ETCP college student talent contest. Quite the experience and honor. I was introduced as the "import." There was everything from dancing, singing, debating, and musical instruments. Then I had a piano solo in front of the entire foreign school students, teachers, and pastors! Ah! I was a little nervous.
It was a relaxing weekend. I went for a walk around Cebu City by myself and experienced more of the culture. Still trying to take everything in. There are some things that really bother me, like people not looking where they are spitting or running you over. However, I love it here and am really sad about leaving soon. I got a ride in the horse and buggy too. (pictured above.)
Here is one of my main transportation's: Jeepney. People pretty much get packed in like sardines. It's quite the experience! Then I also had my first motorcycle ride down the crazy streets of Cebu! :D I was wearing a skirt too - and got us lost.

Man, I'm going to miss these kids! Counting the days now... September 3 is coming up way too fast!

Only 2 weeks Left!

It's hard to believe that I have only two weeks left in Cebu! I love it here, despite all the Filipino cultural experience's I've had. (They have been good and bad.) Defiantly going to leave a part of my heart here when I go. One of the adopting families bought ice cream for all the shelter kids. They were super cute eating it!
I taught all day today at ETCP school. After that I went for a run at the track here. Since my dad signed me up for the Twin Cities marathon I thought I should probably keep up my running in this 80+ degree weather.
Christine was in our Saturday Bible Club. Now she is on her way (with her sister) to Cambridge, MN! Goodbyes are bittersweet. There is nothing like experiencing seeing off kids to their new home. It is something they have always dreamed of! Here is a picture of their new family -

Weekend at CSC

Another fun weekend! I was healthy too - my last day on medz! Rode a jeepney and taxi today, taught piano, got a haircut, and attended the CSC kids presentation! Oh, I was also at a coffee shop today and two random Filipino's invited me to join them at their table to chat. They were super nice though, so no worries. :) Then I had an interesting conversation with a taxi driver about the bible and commandments.

Here are some of the musicians at CSC (Children's Shelter of Cebu). They did a great job. Teacher Francis is their instructor playing piano. A group of kids also did a fun dance to a Hannah Montana song.

Analise won the giant pizza eating contest! Our table was super fun - and full! ;)

These are some of people from a church in Lahug I teach piano lessons to. I have a busy week coming up with many more lessons!

After a long day of teaching I love coming to CSC and play with the children! The other day we played basketball and volleyball for two hours! Super fun, but I didn't think a person could sweat that much!

Telling a missionary story to the kids at ETCP (the school I teach at.) The kids listen intently and groan when I leave them at a cliff hanger ending point.

Something Beautiful~

These are some of my college piano students, Hazel and Maimai.

One of my favorite hymns is "Something Beautiful"

Something beautiful, something good,

All my confusion he understood,

All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife,

But He made something beautiful of my life.

I'm Alive!

Hey, just thought I'd keep everyone posted that I am still alive after living in my room on bedrest for several days. I'm not sure what was more painful - being sick or being on bedrest. :P I survived though and the Guills took good care of me. Continuing to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration (good water only)! It was my first day teaching again in over a week! Really missed the kids. FYI - when it rains, it pours out here!

Sickness

God seems to be testing my body's strength right now...
Last week I was sick in bed for a couple days with the virus/fever going around. I really missed hanging out with the kids and teaching. Now, just when I was about fully recovered, I get what is called "Ameoba". It's a parasite and one of the more extreme sicknesses out here that I was trying to avoid. It is from the water. I am in a lot of pain right now, but there is no really danger except getting dehydrated. I'm getting the full missionary experience. Please keep me in your prayers though so I can get healthy soon!

Kids at the Shelter

I love these kids! It has been awesome to hang out with the kids from the shelter. A lot of them have been sick though and last week I was sick for several days with the virus going around. I drank my Reliv and water though and am still alive! This trip has really given me a heart and passion for children. I have always loved kids, but when you see their happy eyes and smiles it melts your heart. It's like I have all these younger sisters and brothers!

With all the kids there are birthday parties all the time! They have this interesting purple ice cream.

This is Jocelyn :) She is such a sweetheart. We been learning some cool dance moves together.

Look at these precious faces!

I want to bring them all back with me! Or just stay here forever!

"Jesus said, Let the little children come to me - for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these..."

I've been learning a lot about "faith" this year. Walking out and trusting God for the impossible. Children have so much faith, love, and joy! They have been wonderful teachers. :)

Here are some of the creatures that live in my room. (pictures taken from a distance.)

Feeling at Home in Cebu

After being here almost a month, I somewhat adjusted and consider Cebu another home away from homes. "Home is where the heart is," and my heart is here with these children and people. These are some of the girls from the shelter who come over every Saturday for our bible club.
On the weekends, I hang out with some other friends who teach. We went to this neat restaurant where we ordered shrimp and ate with chopsticks. I've been trying a lot of interesting foods lately. Last week I was asked to be a food judge for the 4-6th grade cooking contest at school. Then I was invited to a Filipino potluck. That was quite the experience. They really like serving guests a lot of food. And one of their favorite dishes is called a fruit salad - but it's not what you think it is. hmm..

The beach was awesome! Nothing like getting your vitamin E and salt fill! We played some fun games this last weekend and hung out with the group of Minnesota people here and the kids.

Isn't she just the cutest thing ever!!! This is one of my favorite pictures because it melts my heart! I want to bring all these kids back with me, or adopt someday, or maybe just stay here forever! :) My cebuano lessons are improving as well!
Birthday parties are a big thing! I've been to several already. In this picture I was dancing around the room singing "Shall we Dance"very dramatically. The kids just love you to pieces! I don't think that I will ever get tired of their hugs and smiles. :D
At the school I teach at the children had a dance presentation. It was fun to see all their costumes. Teaching has been going good. It's a lot of work preparing for all the classes I teach, but I am really enjoying it. I love all the kids so much!