Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

yesterday had an interesting experience.  I drive the kids home after school...the smaller kids and some bigger kids and family/staff who live distances away from school.  Well, as we are making the rounds, the kids begin this chant thing.  Nancy Hibbard, another missionary working here this year had come with me for the ride (and the air conditioning)  and we were trying to figure out what they were doing.  after awhile we figured it out...they were clapping and cheering for each kid as we came to their stop and when they got out of the back of the truck.  It was just really amazing to hear and be around.   We have several small kids, 3 years old and in preschool.  They were just so happy to hear their names and that people were cheering for them.   We also have an older girl, about 10 I believe, who is mentally handicapped.  She is new this year and talks very little if at all, but she smiles and really enjoys being in the preschool and making pictures and the other activities, participating as she can.  When it came to her stop, she was just absolutely overjoyed, as I looked thru the back and thru the rear view mirror, the kids were cheering her name and clapping for her.  I will go out on a limb and state this is very likely the first time she has ever had anyone really do anything close to this for her, and she was so happy.   Her mother came out to get her from the bus and was overjoyed as well.   All the parents were smiling and happy to see their kids have that kind of support from the other kids. there were many smiles that afternoon on the ride home for the kids....and a few more after they were all dropped off.  It really touched my heart that they did this, and to see the reaction from the kids and parents, I think many hearts were touched.   Today I got a chance to go over to the preschool building to gather some information.   The handicapped girl, Kristi, was there and I just gave her a hug and told her that Jesus lover her, and she smiled and voiced a response.   Just one syllable, couldnt' understand it, but she responded.  For me, it was the high point of the day.  Gary was gone to Port to pick up a visitor so I didn't have the truck to take the kids home today again....we'll see on Monday if it becomes a habit to cheer for each other.  I hope it does.   For some kids here, there is little encouragement if any from family.  Life can be so hard that , well, parents just don't have it to give.   It is a pretty cool thing to hear them cheer for each other.   A good day in Haiti.   

Bondye benis ou

Dan