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Two weeks ago I started teaching private music lessons. Right now I have 9 students, 3 piano and 6 voice. I am teaching lessons every day after school (about two students per day). This is something that I was thinking about doing before I moved to Cebu, and now have finally started! I am mostly teaching teenagers, though I have two younger students. 

So far is has been a complete joy to teach lessons! Music has always been a big part of my life, and I love to share that with others. I started taking piano lessons when I was in second grade, and continued lessons until I was a sophomore in High school. I started taking voice lessons when I was a sophomore in high school, and participated in many choral activities, including all-state choir and college choir. 

It is very encouraging to teach the kids at CSC. All of my students have a genuine desire to learn. Each week they come to lessons prepared, and full of enthusiasm. In the states, I noticed that practicing is something students often fail to do, but not my students! I was surprised to see my students asking me for copies of their music, and coming up to me throughout the week telling me  how they are practicing. Their attitudes are completely amazing! They are also very talented!

Right now the voice students are working on a vocal compositon from a broadway musical. Some of their pieces include: I could have danced all night, Climb every mountain, My favorite things, and  Consider yourself. The kids all enjoy their songs, and have been learning a lot about pronunciation in singing (how it differs from our normal speaking voice), pitch matching, breath support and musical style. Piano students have been learning through the book series Piano Adventures. One of my stuends is in the primer level, and two are in level 1. The three piano students are very quick learners, and listen well to instruction. Though there are not pianos or keyboards in each of the homes, the piano students take time out of their own free time to go up to the school and practice. 

Dedicated is the best word I can use to describe my musically gifted students. Though we are only in our third week of lessons, every moment has been enjoyable and full of ah-ha moments. I feel so blessed to be able to teach these wonderful children!

Workers' Christmas Party

Dec. 10, 2018By: Paul Healy

Workers' Christmas Party

Check out these pictures from our workers' Christmas party on December 1. It was a great night of fun, gifts, prizes and recognition of the great contributions of our workers. 

Trust His Heart

Dec. 6, 2018By: Michelle Obiedo

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart

-From a song called "Trust His Heart" by Babbie Mason

received_1048665545295049The view out of my classroom window on a recent rainy day.

     Human as we are, we have lots of worries in life. As we worry, some questions come up in our minds. What will my future be like? Will I be able to sustain the needs of my family? What kind of life will my children have? How do I meet the needs of my students, especially those who are struggling? How will I deal with the difficult situations I will be facing in the future? Do the things that I strive to do matter? Am I making a difference in my workplace? Am I on the right track? Is this the will of God for me? I don't understand God's plan for me, what should I do?

     Upon worrying and doubting, we sometimes forget that there's someone up there who is bigger than our worries. When our mind is clouded with worries instead of trusting the One who is sovereign over everything, we see the uncertainties. May the message of the song above encourage both you and me to put our full trust in Him who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient amidst uncertainties.

     May we hold onto His promise and command from Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV that says, "
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

40 Years of Hope and Blessings at CSC

Nov. 13, 2018By: Paul Healy

40yearanniv2-ac19cCSC will celebrate 40 years of ministry in Cebu City in June of 2019. Our friends and supporters are warmly invited to attend the festivities in Cebu on June 28 and 29. Everyone is invited to see historical videos, pictures and accounts from the past 40 years here on this website and on our Facebook page.

This is from Christmas 2007:

https://cebushelter.org/?bXwxODY=

One Great Afternoon at CCHS!

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     The United Nations Day celebration is one of the exciting activities at CCHS. It is always fun and informative. Children and teachers look forward to this event every year.
     The day before the event, all the teachers put in great effort to prepare lots of things for the kids. Everyone stayed late that night just to make their country booth really captivating. There was the sharing of minds on what to display and how to arrange things in the booth.

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     The celebration started with the singing of the Philippine national anthem at the shelter followed by a parade heading to school. After the parade the children visited the the different countries: Belgium, Norway, Italy, and the Netherlands. Each group was given twenty-five minutes to stay at each booth and learn about the country. There was important information shared by the teachers, crafts to do, and food to eat.
     After the country tour was the jeopardy game. Questions were asked to each group to test how well they remembered the things that were shared earlier. It was really fun to hear the students help each other think of the correct answers.

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     The event ended with a surprise thank you program for the teachers prepared by Teacher Eunice. It was indeed one great afternoon at CCHS!

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Habitat Turnover

Oct. 29, 2018By: Paul Healy

Habitat Turnover  60 homes for our workers were turned over to the homeowners on October 2 7 in an emotional ceremony in Talisay, Cebu. After many delays this project was completed and our workers will soon be moving into their new homes. All of these workers will be owning a home for the first time, a dreams that would have gone unfulfilled if not for Habitat for Humanity and Paul Reasoner, who led the fundraising. media overlay