Party time!

We could hear their screams of delight even before the bus came into view. Hearing their cries and seeing the bus with faces and hands pressed to the windows made it impossible not to feel excited about the day to come! The typical pleasantries "Hola! Como esta?" "Bien" were repeated over and over as 90 kids, backpacks in tow, filed off the bus, many of them stopping for hugs or high fives before settling down at their tables. My heart was warmed by the calls of "Joanna, Joanna!" from the group of girls I had met when we went to the TEARS school yesterday and had played clapping games with in the playground.

Amay, Avery learned a handclapping dance with these girls

Arm-in-arm friendships

Unfortunately, the rain came again today, but the jovial mood could not be squelched. I rotated with the group of Gr.3 students as they had their lesson on missions, did crafts, played in the pool and on the gigantic bouncy water slide, had a Bible lesson, and played games.

Monster slide for bigger kids

One of the things that impresses me most is the patience of the teachers and the way they keep the kids in line without losing their tempers. Whether it's the 1st or the 15th time they've corrected the kids they use the same tone of voice. If they are irritated at all they certainly don't show it!

Chomping down in unison

Tonight they had a big gathering at the El Camino church and WOW! they don't do anything half heartedly  here. I thought the 100's of balloons we'd blown up for the camp was a lot but they must've had close to 1000 balloons in the church! It was beautifully decorated and they had coloured lights and a smoke machine to add to the worship band and dancers that performed. It was wonderful to be a part of it all. Party time Dominican style!

Evening presentation at El Camino - ballons abound!

Obed singing with dancer

I find it frustrating not being able to communicate freely with the kids. They try and speak over and over and I have to keep saying, "Lo siento. No endiendo!". They would try again slower, they would try using their hands, they would get their friends and they would gather around ALL trying to explain as if suddenly I will magically know the Spanish words they are saying (and boy I wish that was the case). It feels a bit like Pictionary when someone draws a shape and no one has a clue what it is and the person then proceeds to circle the same shape and tap on it again and again as if that will somehow make the picture become clear.
However, in the end the kids would usually give up and just wrap their arms around me in a hug and thankfully, that's a language we all can understand.
Joanna