Weekend Events-Independence Day!

This week we had a fun filled weekend all around here at WISE! On Saturday, October 27, St. Vincent celebrated its Independence Day.  For those of you asking who are they independent from? They gained their independence for Great Britain 33 years ago; however GB still produces all of SVG’s money so you still see the Queen every day when you pull out your coins or dollar bills!

On Thursday we celebrated the holiday with the preschoolers since school was closed on Friday for the holiday. The kids enjoyed eating cupcakes and making decorations like flags and hats. We even did a little parade around the preschool.

How most of the kids ate their cupcakes

marching in the parade with their flags

sporting their blue, yellow, and green hats

Since we had Friday off EK and I enjoyed a 3 day weekend which was nice, we were able to go to the beach for a couple hours on Friday afternoon and we had beautiful weather.

Saturday we got up bright and early and headed downtown with the Wurdeman family and the visiting adjunct teacher to check out the Independence Day Military Parade. It was a different parade then we were used to. It was in a large outdoor stadium, and the military stood out on the field and marched around, along with a marching band. So there was no parade in the streets.  There were lots of snow cone stands, popcorn stands and even cotton candy! We decided not to get anything since it was 8 am but we enjoyed watching all of the kids get their goodies.

Later that day Amanda Wurdeman and I planned a Harvest Festival for the students.  Because there is no fall season here there is no tradition like this so we thought the students would enjoy it and we were right! They went bobbing for apples…which by the way was the best entertainment of the night…had a 3 legged race, played limbo, and pinned the nose on the pumpkin.  We made some rice crispy treats for snacks.  I figured everyone has had at least 1 (or 100 like myself) rice crispy treat in their lifetime but many of the students had never had one before—they ate them all up!

Below are some pictures of these fun events!

The military at the parade

Someone selling flags, USA and SVG together!

The kids lining up for snow cones, oh and it wasn't raining, people are using umbrellas to
stay out of the sun

Bobbing for apples

EK getting ready for the 3 legged race...he lost

Limbo time

Limbo winner celebrating his victory, all the students were really happy for him :)

Here Comes the Rain!

First I have to apologize it has been so long since my last post. We have officially entered the rainy season here in St. Vincent and I think due to that our Internet has worked off and on for the past two weeks and it conveniently would not work every time I sat down to write on the blog.

Today, however, is a bright sunny day with clear blue skies! When it rains here it usually doesn't rain all day long but it does rain hard. Our apartment has a tin roof; EK and I laugh whenever it starts to rain because we know that means we have to yell if we want to speak to each other and if we are watching a movie we know it's no use because the rain is so loud we can't hear it.

In St. Vincent many people walk everywhere or use public transportation...and people do not like walking in the rain. Just like in the U.S. if it’s cold, people here say you will get sick if you go out in the rain, even if it’s 80 degrees outside. Whenever it starts to rain you see people quickly retreating under store fronts or seeking refuge under neighboring houses. I teach dance every Thursday to girls in the community and this Thursday was another rainy day. I assumed no girls would show up for dance because of the rain but when I arrived there were about 10 girls waiting under the carport...I guess that means they are enjoying dance class :).

We like to go on walks a lot and on Friday I had some girl time with the other missionary, Amanda Wurdeman, we went for a walk around the area we live. We got some funny looks because it had been raining off and on that day...like I said people here don't go for walks in the rain, even if you have umbrellas.

One good thing about the rainy days is the "cooler" temperatures...I think it is the closest we will ever get to fall! This is our first time not experiencing a change in seasons, we have to remind ourselves it is almost November and not still June.

We are so thankful to be here and serving in SVG and continue to feel the love and support from all of our supporters! Hope everyone back at home enjoys the cool fall days and colorful leaves while we enjoy the cool rain and luscious green surroundings!

A Closing Fun Fact: EK and I usually eat lunch everyday with the students which is a great time for us to fellowship with them. They have shown us new ways to eat things, specifically spaghetti. The students LOVE to put ketchup and mayonnaise....yes I said mayonnaise, on their spaghetti. I have tired one small bite, it wasn't too bad but I will stick to the "traditional" spaghetti. EK has not been brave enough to try it yet...

A picture for proof!

 

Little Ones

I wanted to introduce you to the WISE preparatory students today! If anyone did not know I not only teach the college students at WISE, but I also teach Monday through Friday to three and four-year-olds.  This preschool was started by WISE to serve the children and families in the community; and most of all to share Jesus to the little children. It is a half-day preschool from 8:30 to 11:30.  Amanda Wurdeman is a head teacher along with myself and we have an assistant, Mrs. Marshall, who is from  St. Vincent.

While God teaches us patience everyday with the kids, particularly those who like to climb and crawl on the tables...we are also filled with joy being able to watch them learn.  They love to sing and Amanda has taught them songs like "Jesus Loves Me" and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."  It's a blessing to hear them sing these songs throughout the day to themselves.  We say a prayer before snack time everyday and their favorite part is to shout "AMEN!" 

We are working on teaching them letters (ABCs), numbers, colors, shapes and more. Some of their favorite things are playing with play dough, stacking/sorting blocks, playing with toy trucks, and playing outside. As of now we have 7 boys and 3 girls.

We ask that you will be praying for the preschool, for the children and their families. In St. Vincent preschools have to be certified by the Ministry of Education.  One of my earlier posts discussed our first meeting with the Ministry.  At that time she did not certify us and gave us some suggestions on things to change in our preschool.  However, she said we could still open but we would need to contact her later for her to come by and finish the certification process. Last week we contacted the Ministry of Education to set up another appointment. They explained they will perform a "surprise" visit.  Therefore we do not know when the investigator will come.  We are ready to complete the certification process so we do not have to worry about it any longer.  We ask that you pray the investigator will treat us fairly even though we are an "American run" preschool.  That she will see we are teaching the children daily and providing them with appropriate learning and play materials.

Here are some pics of out little ones!

Having fun during craft time!

 Here is a video of some of the students at snack time.

 

We charge a minimal fee for the preschool (approximately $11/month) because many of their families do not have a lot of money and are living in homes without electricity or indoor plumbing.  If you would like to help sponsor one of our preschoolers please contact me at ekandmaddie@yahoo.com and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have! Your sponsorship would help go towards the daily cost of the preschool, children's uniforms, snacks, school supplies, etc.