Into the Woods

So, you ask? What about the musical you were supposedly playing in? Well, April 20th-22nd it was performed in the gym of Faith Academy! This was a huge project that is only done every other year at Faith. Two years ago they performed Oliver and this year it was Into the Woods., There are so many extremely talented kids at Faith! It was incredible to see them at work!

I was hesitant at first to play bass clarinet in this because the last (and only) time I played this instrument I was in the 7th grade. Though it has the same fingerings as "regular" clarinet, I wasn't sure how i would handle it. Summing it up... it was a wonderful experience! I loved getting to know some of the students, and enjoyed the challenge of learning the music and performing it!

THINK before you speak!

In 3A about two weeks ago we presented chapel for the elementary school. We spoke about the fact that we should THINK before we speak! (is it Truthful?, is it Helpful?, is it Impolite?, is it Necessary?, is it Kind?) Students memorized verses having to do with these thoughts and also presented fun skits to help demonstrate. They worked really hard and did an AWESOME job!
















The same week that we presented chapel, all of the elementary students had to endure standardized testing! This was SO much hard work, that we had to celebrate when it was over. First we rejoiced in our classroom! then....
















...we rejoiced with snowcones in the Nepa Hut! We all ended up with colored tongues, whether it stayed pink, or changed to blue! Aaaahhh! How relaxing!

Team Update: Tokyo Christian University

Situation: During WWII, the Philippines was occupied by Japan, who maintained a tight control over the Filipino people. Since then, relationships between Japanese and Filipinos have softened considerably, and Japan has started many public projects to aid the Philippines. However, in some of the more remote areas of the Philippines (where many of the battles were fought), there is still much to be learned between the two cultures.

Opportunity: In order to encourage understanding between these two cultures, a team from the Tokyo Christian University was invited by two remote Philippine schools to come into the classrooms to teach about the Japanese culture. I was able to help organize some of the logistics for this team, but I really enjoyed introducing them to one of the translators that helped to finish the scriptures in the area where they visited. Our hope is that some of these Japanese college students will catch a vision to have a greater impact on the World.

"Before, we used to be enemies, but now, we are brothers." - A Leader of the Tokyo Christian University Team

Everyday life...

Over the past 2 weeks, what have we been up to, you may ask? Well, for me, over here at Faith Academy, my students have been working really hard. This week is standardized testing! Some of them LOVE it and some of them HATE it! I think I was one of the students in school that loved it just because it was out of normal routine.

The highlight of our week though will not be these tests! My students have been preparing to present chapel this week on Friday morning. Each class is given the opportunity to be in charge of our weekly chapel, and this week is our turn! My kids have really taken ownership and are doing a fantastic job. Our theme is controlling our tongue. The kids have memorized many lines for the three skits and several songs we will sing. It is fun!

The rest of my time has been taken up by school stuff and with rehearsals for the school musical "Into the Woods." I am playing bass clarinet (a BIG challenge) and it is a time consuming task! I think the reward will pay off when the performances arrive in a couple of weeks. It has been pretty humbling to realize how many musical terms I have forgotten... it is often that I turn to one of the girls beside me and ask "how do I play this?" or "what does this mean?"

Well, just thought you all may like to know of the "everyday" life that is happening with me!