We scored the white tap-tap today, which meant we could sit
on benches along the wall rather than in comfortable coach seats. That was actually awesome, because we got to
face each other and talk (and practice our “surfing” in the middle.) Armed with bubbles, dry-erase boards, and a
bible story craft, we headed to a home for special needs children. They greeted
us with excited smiles and LOVED the bubbles. The dry-erase boards and markers
were a hit as well. Some of us got marker manicures, and the CUTEST little girl
brushed Walter’s hair with her toothbrush J. Walter read a bible story while Valorie gave
an animated Creole translation, and then the kids created a colorful craft.
Some boys happily played soccer – really inspiring to see so much joy at this
special home.
Afterward, we were off to the school for the deaf. It’s a boarding school with a good-sized
enrollment. We brought the markers &
boards as well as traditional paper & markers, which were a big help in
communicating. A new basketball also
drew a crowd – but the Haitian sun got the best of our crew pretty quickly. The kids loved writing their names and our
names, showing off stunts and finally arm wrestling against our young men. And
our youngest team member had a good-sized fan club – he handled that like a
champ.
Tonight’s dinner was at Fleri Bakery & Restaurant in
Grace Village (which we visited yesterday), where we enjoyed Haitian-inspired
appetizers and the world’s greatest pizza and a mean game of Jumbo Jenga &
bags.
After team time and word-of-the-day, Jean, the Healing Haiti
Director, gave salsa lessons. Our team
won. And we know salsa isn’t supposed to
be a competition – but still.
