I had the chance to meet some wonderful people today. Luke was headed over to play soccer with some kids and he let me come along so we hopped on a moto and rode a few minutes south to Bon Samaritan Orphanage. The first thing that catches your eye when you pull in the gate is the huge pink and white home, complete with tower and parapet (mmhmm).  We headed up the second floor to say hi to Ann, who’s spent the last 16 years serving in Haiti. For more of her story and the work being done through Bon Samaritan visit: http://bonsamaritan.org/home While Luke un-broke the ball pump I took a walk with Ann down to the public beach. It was so fun to even briefly hear her story. When we got back soccer was well underway in the spacious yard. Bon Samaritan mostly takes in handicap children and watching them laugh, smile, and play soccer as hard as anyone was so amazing. These kids, who are affected by everything from clubfeet to amputation, have a place where they are at home and comfortable and normal. It made me so happy to watch them enjoy life for all it was worth playing a game of soccer that didn’t seem to have any rules. I even got to practice the tiny bit of Creole I’ve learned. Such a refreshing end to my week.

-       Today in class each student got a job to do at the end of the day. One of my most precious moments today was seeing everyone jump in to help with jobs they didn’t have to do.

-       Since discovering that good behavior = stars and a jar full of stars = movie day my class has become almost too enthusiastic about returning to their desks and sitting down. They will stop activities I have them working on to clean up and rust back to their desks, yelling at their classmate to hurry up and get seated. It’s cute but maybe I need to be clearer that I am not, in fact, done teaching them something.  

-       The hug-pile: where there are two or three hugging Miss Elise EVERYONE should be hugging Miss Elise! It’s very precious until people start getting knocked over.  I have little satellites. They orbit farther and farther and then they all come speeding back to me. Vardy and Daryl wait to be the last ones and then get a running start and see how man people they can jump over to throw their arms around my neck.  I will never be short on hugs.

-       Hearing “I forgive you” from a seven-year-old gives me so much hope. We’ve had to say, “I’m sorry” quite a few times recently and to hear children accept an apology and move on is so powerful. Poverty breeds unhealthy, selfish relationships and in an impoverished country selfishness becomes the norm. To see a new, young generation learning to forgive and restore friendship is so amazing!