Career Day at Sonlight

        Last Friday,  Sonlight's Seventh Grade class had a "career day". Each student spent the first hour of the day working at their new job, whether it was teaching or assisting in a classroom, cooking in the school or mission kitchens, working maintenance, or helping in the office. 

        We had three amazing girls with us in Preschool, two as teachers and one as an assistant. They were so eager to serve and love on the kids, and it amazed me how quickly they picked up on the flow of our classroom. 

        Verlande jumped in right away with the kids and was a great assistant. Her sweet and gentle spirit was perfect for working with Preschool. She was quick to help wherever she saw a need, and encouraged the students to work hard (and at times helped remind them to sit quietly :) ). 

Miss Verlande playing with Alexandra. 

                                       

        After play time was over, Riley led the kids through the first part of the day, starting with prayer. After that, she did roll call, and helped them say (and sing!) the days of the week and months of the year. She did a great job, especially in her communication - speaking clearly and slowly for the kids (which is important in Preschool, as the students' English comprehension is still very limited).

Saying our morning prayer with Miss Riley.

Saying the months of the year. 

 

 After Riley finished, Rose Asline took over to teach the alphabet and our letter of the day. She then helped them go through their worksheet, explaining and working through it with them, and making sure she gave the directions in a way the kids could understand.

Singing the ABC's with Miss Rose Asline.

       Once we had finished our letter writing, Miss Riley came back to teach our number review page. I loved how the entire morning, the girls all worked together, jumping in to help wherever it was need and taking turns with teaching and assisting. They made a great team, and you could tell how much they loved working with the kids.

       It was so encouraging to watch these students, who are the future of Sonlight - and Haiti - display such leadership and maturity at their age, and I'm excited to watch them as they continue grow and be a light in not only their school, but also in their community. 

Miss Rose Asline with Evelyn and Alisha

Miss Riley with Gabrina

Fun in Preschool

    Every once in a while, we have outside recess in Preschool. We bring out the bikes and the little red wagon, sidewalk chalk, and giant bubbles. Other than the occasional skinned knee, it's a blast. 

The giant bubbles are always a hit.

Trying to pop the bubbles before they land.

Woodensonley

Ryan pulling Alexandra and Eva in the wagon.

Alisha drawing with chalk.

"Miss Katie, look at our hands!"

John Kaylenn decided to color his face as well as the pavement.
Oh, preschoolers. :)

Visiting Friends

     Last week, I visited a family that has become very dear to me since I moved here. They live in La Pointe de Palmistes, a small town that's about a ten minute taxi ride from Port-de-Paix. I have made several visits to their home before, as two of their children attend Sonlight. I had Rood Kendy in my First Grade class three years ago (he's now in Fourth Grade), and I sponsor his younger sister Kenderlie, who is in my Second Grade music class this year. I've made several visits to their home before, with other teachers and once with my parents, who are Rood Kendy's sponsors. I went this time with Laura and Catherine, the Second and Fourth Grade teachers at Sonlight.

   I always enjoy seeing the kids at their home, and I especially love getting to talk to their parents. They are so invested in their kids, both academically and spiritually, and you can feel the love in their home. Here are some pictures from the visit.

With my sweet and spunky Kenderlie

Sisters

Rainbows

     This week in Preschool, we've been working on letter R. This letter is a hard one for my kids. It's a little tricky to write, and in Haitian Creole, R is often pronounced like a W, so we have to practice sounding it out many times. At the end of the week, the whole class made rainbows together, which made for good practice in both letters and colors. We also talked about the story of Noah (which we learned about earlier this year), and how the rainbow is a reminder of God's promises.

     It was fun to watch how each of the kids - even the squirrelly ones - worked so quietly, intently placing each colored square exactly where they wanted it.

Evelyn

Eva and Woodensonley

Working hard at the red table.

Kaylenn

Eldine

Sweet smiles.

    And it just so happened that only a few days after we finished our paper rainbows in Preschool, I saw this gorgeous double rainbow on my way to school. Yet another reminder of how just as God kept his promise to Noah, He remains faithful thousands of years and many generations later to these little ones, and to me. 

Three Years

     Three years ago, I moved to Haiti. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but thankfully, God knew exactly what he was doing. I spent the rest of that school year teaching First Grade, and switched to Preschool the next fall. Now, I'm in my third year of teaching Preschool and music. It feels like I just got here, and yet it also feels a bit like I've been here forever. Three years went fast.
     Three years of learning a new language and culture, and falling completely in love with this country and its people. I've been blessed with a wonderful second family and amazing friends, both Haitian and American. I have been -and continue to be- stretched well beyond what I could ever have I believed I was capable of. There are not enough words to describe how much I have learned, grown, and changed since I moved here. God has done amazing things. Anything I have accomplished is solely by the grace of the One who brought me here. I am so incredibly grateful for the past three years. And I look forward to seeing what God will bring in the years to come.

Here are a few of my favorite moments.

Learning the ropes from Mme. Stephen my first week in Haiti.

First Grade 2013

My First Grade class

My first Preschool class, 2013-2014

Exploring Cap Haïtien with friends.

One of many amazing families I have had the
privilege of getting to know.

My second Preschool class, 2014-2015

Getting caught on a tap-tap in the rain isn't so
bad when you have great company.

My Bible study girls - all incredibly beautiful, intelligent, and crazy fun.

Ayiti Cheri. Beloved Haiti.

Valentine Fun

      This past week in Preschool we had lots of fun celebrating Valentine's Day. We made cards for our sponsors in the United States, had heart shaped cookies for snack, and some of our students brought Valentines and candy to share with the class. 

Evelyn making her Valentine cards.

I love that each one is unique - just like the kids that made them!

Eldine decorating the envelope for her sponsor letter.

Sweet Schadrac.

Cookies. Because loading up twenty nine four-year-olds on sugar is a great idea.

What I've Been Up To....

       Second Semester is off to a great start, and it's already going fast! Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks.

We're working hard in Preschool!

Learning the alphabet is more fun when you make it
a game with magnets.

We are so excited that Evelyn has joined our class!

Stickers and a sweet smile.

We learned about Louis Armstrong in the 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th grade music classes.

We also learned about the cello. Best music class to date. :)

Sonlight's basketball team has been playing hard. Win or lose,
it's so much fun to watch the game, and to see all of our students come out to support each other.

My Bible study girls came over for our annual sleepover.

They also made breakfast in the morning. If you've never experienced
Haitian spaghetti and eggs for breakfast, you're missing out.
(Yes, I said spaghetti for breakfast, don't knock it 'til you've tried it.)