St. Lucia : Holy Week

This last week was a special week for the children. On Monday our school day started as usual with assembly. After assembly we headed back to the classroom to stuff our paper mache eggs with Easter candy. The children brought in lots of candy so this took a bit of time to get them stuffed. Afterwards we headed outside with snacks, lunch, picnic baskets, and balls. The children spent the rest of the day playing on the big field with grade 1. During the afternoon we hid the eggs on the lower schools play field and the children had to go search for their egg. We then finished the day off on the field where parents picked their children up. It was a relaxing day and fun to interact with the children in a different way than normal. After the picnic, we had conferences to do. I was at school until about 5:15 and came home exhausted, only to remember that we were heading to Pastor Tom’s to sing for his birthday. We went to Pastor Tom’s around 8 and were back around 10, where I crashed for the night.

Tuesday was another special day. Pajama and movie day! All the students came to school looking very comfy. They brought blankets, pillows, and popcorn for the movie. We teachers worked on darkening the room, by putting blankets or newspaper in front of the windows. Since grade 1 was joining us, opened the partitions between 3 classrooms and put on the Air Conditioning for the day. We watched Kung Fu Panda 2 and Rio. Both movies were good, however often hard to hear as our speakers were not super loud and we had students from both classes talking. Too bad I didn’t have our neighbor’s speakers from upstairs. If we had everyone would have been able to hear. Oh well! Next time! Again after movie day was conferences. Another long day at school.

Wednesday was our last day with children at school for Term 2. It started off with the school marathon. Not all of our students were involved, however, since most were all Najma, Robin, and I all went on the walk/run around the neighborhood. While not long, the hill that we walked up was a bit hard for some of the students. I am very proud of my Kindergarteners for not giving up and finishing it though! After the marathon, the rest of the day was really relaxed. Because of the marathon I was short 6 children, so we spent the rest of the day with sports awards and lots of outdoor time. Once my students left, we again had conferences. Not all the parents showed up though, so I spent a lot of time standing around. That is when it hit me how tired I was. I really need to catch up on sleep! Once I came home, I quick finished making spaghetti which is what we brought over to Pastor and Jen’s for dinner. Our sticky group was providing dinner for Kettle Morraine Lutheran High School (KML) who is visiting for the week and helping with Vacation Bible School. After dinner Abby and I stuck around to do dishes. We don’t find it fair for Tom and Jen to have to do all of them when they host. After dishes Abby headed home and I stayed to help Ravi and Sheena with some wedding stuff. It ended up being a really late night, but oh well! I was more than happy to help!

Thursday was a day full of conferences. Our morning started off slow, but we were able to get through majority of our parents before 1. We finished up for the day at that time, as Robin had to get to a funeral. I came home from and took a much needed nap. That night we went to church for their Maundy Thursday service. I came home and crashed for the night.

Friday I was actually able to sleep in! It was so nice and again much needed. I had a relaxing morning and was able to watch some shows and do bible study. We headed to church for Good Friday service. Good Friday was a Tenebrae service. At the end of the service we wrote on a piece of paper our sins and then we nailed them to the cross, like actually nailed it to the cross. It was a very personal way for me to realize that I am also responsible for Jesus’ death, yet he died for me to take away my sins. After church we went to the beach with Tanya. We were going to go to Reduit beach, however as we were walking past the Aquatic Centre a parent asked if we’d like a ride Landings beach. Even though this was not our plan, we couldn’t pass up a ride so we went. We walked from Landings to Pigeon where we sat on the rocks and watched the waves on the Atlantic Ocean. As we sat there we realized we had no idea how we were going to get home. It is Good Friday and therefore a holiday in St. Lucia. We weren’t even sure the busses would be running for the day and we didn’t have too much longer before dark. Well God was looking out for us. Not too long after this we looked over and down the way was Pastor Bram and Q. Kerne, Casey, and Bradley had also come with and were chilling by the car. While Bram did not have room for us, he did mention that KML was at Pigeon and Pastor Tom would be picking them up in the church bus. So we waited for the church bus, got our beach fix, and were able to relax a bit. The day turned out perfect with free transportation and the beach! Friday night our neighbors came over to hang out for a bit. By the time they left it was pretty late and we quickly tidied up. Tanya went to grab the laundry from the laundry room, however there was a HUGE spider in there. This one was even bigger than before. After a few screams we quickly messaged the guys upstairs and being the manly men they are, they came to take care of it. All 3 of them. So there is a benefit to having male neighbors and we are definitely happy to not have to take care of the huge spiders! Unfortunately they lost the spider trying to kill it. They searched everywhere and couldn’t find it. We’re hoping that it ran into their laundry room and died, but because we know it was not killed we are still uneasy about going into the laundry room.

Saturday morning came way too quick. We woke up early to get to church clean up. I worked outside a bit picking weeds and picking up garbage and then inside as well. I lucked out and did not have to go outside as it rained because I was wearing a white shirt. After church clean-up, the band practiced for the Easter service. Easter will be the first service that I will play with the band for in church. A big day for me! Upon arrival at home I took a 10 minute nap and then changed for the beach. Along the way we stopped at the bank, Lime, and felly belly. I was a big crabby until I got my felly belly in me. As we arrived at the beach we ran into the KML students again. We relaxed a bit and after a short while our neighbors met us there. They are very unique fellas and because they are med school students, they know a different group of people that we do. We met another med school student and all watched the sunset before heading home. On our way home we got groceries and after a quick dinner, I started making cookies for Easter Sunday snacks after church. It was another late night and I was exhausted around 11 when I finally got around to going to bed.

Happy Easter! Tanya came with us to church this morning. It was so fun to be in church on Sunday and see what Easter in St. Lucia is like. Church was packed! I loved the flowers and the music and everything. I had my official debut in the church band, which I think went okay. I’m hoping now I’ll feel more confident to play in church. I also sang in the choir and that was pretty sweet too. Theresa, one of my Sunday school students, sat with me for majority of the service. I love that I can be an example for her, not just in Sunday school but during church as well. After church we stayed to help with VBS prep. While I don’t mind helping, I will say that it was something we probably could have skipped after presenting our music to the group. I wasn’t in the best mood that afternoon and we stayed until about 3:30. I was hungry and tired and just wanted to spend a bit of time at home before Easter dinner at Jens. Fortunately Ian took the bus home with Abby and I and we were able to make the potatoes and change before heading up for Easter dinner.

Easter dinner was delicious! It was the first time I have had ham since being here and I loved it. We also had potatoes of all kinds and corn. After eating, we played adults verses young adults in playdough Pictionary. Yes I was finally considered an adult! J It was fun playing with the group that was there. After everyone left, Tanya, Abby and I stuck around to help with dishes. I think this may become a trend of ours. By the time I got home however I was crabby! I think I’m realizing that my break is not actually going to be a break. I will not be able to sleep in. I will not be able to do what I want. I will not be able to relax as much as I’d hoped and I will not be going to bed early. Hoping tomorrow I wake up in a better mood. Tonight however I am just going to crash.