Today was a busy, but wonderful day. We got up early and brought all our bags and
teaching supplies to be packed into the van for the drive to Haiti. We took over 150 children’s pictures at
Ebenezer School in record time, with everyone doing their part. Since we didn’t
have the opportunity to see Ebenezer classes last week, we were thrilled to
have the opportunity to observe the opening ceremony then be able to quickly
visit the preschool and elementary classes.
Ruth and the kitchen staff served us a filling Dominican breakfast for
the long journey and we left around 9:30AM.
Crossing the border into Haiti was an unforgettable
experience! To compound the activity, Monday is market day and so many
retailers were there with bulk goods to sell.
There didn’t seem to be any order to this process and so many vehicles
were trying to squeeze into such a small area at the same time. Herve and the
Haitian School Board calmly led us through the chaotic experience and we
continued into Haiti.
We arrived about 2 pm at the Mission Center and quickly
dropped off our luggage, gathered teaching materials and headed to the
Teachers’ Academy to begin the first day of lessons. Ellionaire introduced us and the teachers sang
a song to welcome us. The room was beautifully decorated with ribbons, balloons
and flowers. Instead of keeping the
group together this year, we divided into two smaller groups of about 30 each.
Bev taught a lesson on how to incorporate music and movement into their classrooms
while Sharon taught a lesson on mathematics using the place value manipulatives
and rulers that will be left at the schools. Nicole and Sherry reviewed Piaget’s concepts
on learning and demonstrated parachute activities. The students at the teacher school loved
trying out all these activities. The
parachutes and balls will also be left at the schools and Judy gave a lesson
about the basics of public speaking.
Afterward, we came back for a delicious spaghetti dinner and
organized tomorrow’s (Tuesday’s) plans. Tracy led devotions from Matthew 14
when Jesus walked on water. Tonight we will fall asleep with the background of
the waves of the Caribbean Sea against the shore. Ah, a slice of heaven here on earth.
