CCS February 2018 Newsletter

“God will make wonders.” These words of faith by CCS teacher, Joy Panes, inspire her classroom students and her Musicians of Tomorrow (27 CCS violinists, Grades 3-10).

Recently our students had an unimaginable opportunity to see these words displayed in the life of accomplished concert pianist Kim Kyeongmin, who has cerebral palsy.

Mr. Kim (shown here) performed for CCS with the Jeju Feel Youth Orchestra, a renowned orchestra from Jeju Island, South Korea.

Mr. Kim tells the students not to think in their minds that something is too difficult, because nothing is too hard for God. For six years he prayed for God to loosen his stiffened fingers and give him the desire of his heart to play piano for God’s glory. His performance of “Hope,” a song which he composed, inspired our students to have hope in God despite limitations, said Ms. Panes.

As Ms. Panes spoke about the impact on our Musicians of Tomorrow, amidst the laughter and calls of students leaving their classrooms, the sound of violinists practicing filled the air. She said that every day, even at break time, students are pulling out their violins to practice.

A group of the musicians gathered around to share their thoughts about the concert. With eyes lit up, they said that the music touched their hearts, even bringing tears, because they would like to play like that someday. They named off the instruments they had seen and heard: violin, cello, viola, oboe, clarinet, flute, trumpet, drums. The cello and piano were favorites, motivating students to sign up for piano, along with violin lessons this summer.

Ms. Panes shares with her students the importance of giving back to God: “You are receiving a free education from CCS—freely give back to God. Keep learning. Use your talents—not to showcase yourself—but to declare God’s greatness in your life. We believe God will make wonders at CCS.”

The Jeju Feel Youth Orchestra from Korea was performing at CCS neighbor Faith Academy when they were invited by Kids International Ministries missionary Dewey Bland to perform at CCS (shown here).

Musicians of Tomorrow students show the heart symbol with their fingers, expressing their thanks for the three violins donated to CCS.