teacher beach day

At the end of the school year Leon and Jacky Dorleans take the teachers, cleaners, cooks to the beach. It is a thank you and a staff meeting all in one. And I was lucky enough to get an invite. Along with Isabelle and Maddie we jumped in the back of Leon’s truck at 6:30 in the morning to lead the bus full of 60+ teachers and staff to the public beach. An early start for a full beach day—I’m all for it! At least until we arrive at the gate and it is still closed and locked…but we make enough noise and work it all out to get in. We get to spread out over most of the beach as we’re the only ones here (and stay that way until the early afternoon when others arrive). First things first is breakfast. We had brought little snacky stuff with us as we were told there isn’t a restaurant really and that was fine. But all of the Haitians (ok maybe not all) had brought spaghetti and they were all willing to share. It was so sweet (the sharing, not the spaghetti). And I’ll have to say they are some good cooks! After breakfast we would have gotten into the water (early morning sun better for our skin being so white), but it was time for the staff meeting portion of the day. We gathered for prayers and thanks to all of the hard work that had gone into the year to make it the success that it was. Then they asked us to break into small groups according to grades and jobs and to write what was good about the year and what might need to change as well as how to change it.  Then it was time to get in the water (around 11)…and there we stayed for most of the bright time. We got a boat ride along the coast which was full of singing and cheering (most had never been on the water before). It was a great day for fellowship and trying new things and stretching some trust…coming out farther in the water (though never too deep).  Maddie, Isabelle and I came back tired, happy and a little bit red…