Growth Through Love

I'm a sucker for puppy eyes, dimples, toothy grins, hugs and laughter.

Those days when my back is reminding me of my injury or the Chikungunya virus decides to rear its head I decide, in my short time alone in the morning, that "today I will only hold one child at a time." I'm trying to learn self care and making choices that are good for me and unselfish.... I can almost hear God laughing "Yes Hope, that would be good for you but we both know you" but I'm stubborn and try to show God that I can do it! So I step through the door and into the yard to greet kids. I'm greeted by at least 2 smiling faces, shouts of "Ope!" or "Hopie" I'll kiss them all and pick up the first one to me; I encourage the other kids to keep playing or find them a ball etc "See God, one child in my... oh" a child walks through the gate I haven't seen in what seems like forever and she comes walking straight for me, rubbing one of her eyes and trying to hide the tears. The child in my arms has nestled their head into my neck, content and happy; without a second thought I sweep up the little girl with tears in her eyes, walk over to the little "step" and start talking with her and getting both of them to smile and laugh. By the time we head to breakfast I've got two on my hips, one choking me on my back, two who've placed their hands on my arms and one that just ran into my front hugging me and doesn't want to let go. This is what happens 8 times out of 10 and I don't know that I've ever made it through the gate to breakfast with only one child on/clinging/touching me... but I love these kids and I know these kids, their body language, characteristics, parts of their story (not sure anyone truly knows the entire true story) and I want to love every single one of them with a Christ like love every possible moment that I can and I pray that His love will plant deep roots in their hearts and that they will know that it's Jesus' love that they feel, for them to grow in grace, love and joy is my prayer. Here are the first part of a some stories:

"I can't do it" he says looking up at me with those chocolate puppy eyes, the scissors and gnarled piece of paper clutched in his hand
"I can't do it" she says sitting on the swing, her legs just hanging there and continue to beg me to push her
"I can't do it" he tells me with his body language as he slouches against the wall while everyone else eagerly waits in first position, hands waving in order to be picked to leap over the river.

Hearing the words "I can't do it" touches something in my heart, whether these words are said truthfully or just because a child doesn't "want to do it" something awakens in me, a fiery passion if you will. There have been a number of things in my life that I haven't done or didn't do as well as I could have because I thought to myself "I can't do it." no one encouraged me or told me I could. Now i'm not blaming anyone; one told me I couldn't do it or probably knew how much I struggled and I either tried to an extent and couldn't or talked myself down. But somewhere along the way I found Matthew 19:26 "with man this is impossible. But, with God; ALL things are possible" and found that I was trying to do it all on my own strength and when I found that I couldn't I wasn't running to my heavenly Father but gave up. Words have also made a huge impact on my life (which I may go into at a later date) but God is our Father and our Teacher and throughout my life God has been teaching me how to teach others through my own experiences.

Here are the rest of the stories: (I do not use the children's names for privacy reasons)

"I can't do it" he says looking up at me with those chocolate puppy eyes, the scissors and gnarled piece of paper clutched in his hand. There was chaos around me, kids asking for the next piece, paper flying, kids needing extra pieces and here in the middle was this little boy watching as the classmates around him were almost done and thinking he was not as good as them and wouldn't be. I took the crumbled paper from his hand smoothed it out and said "Yes, you can. I will help you" time slowed down as I took his little hands, fit them through the holes of the scissors and guided his hand to cut the oval. It wasn't perfect. Chunks were out of it but he'd cut it out and we both cheered and laughed together "now, you try it on your own" the joy in his face quickly faded and he shook his head "no cheri, you can do it, I'll help you when you need me to" he nodded and began cutting. I guided his hand twice but otherwise he cut out the oval on his own and we cheered again and I almost cried when he said (in perfect english) "I did it!"
   It's worth it to stop and to help someone in need. To guide them, not take over or do it for them but to guide them and encourage them.

"I can't do it" she says sitting on the swing, her legs just hanging there and continue to beg me to push her. I helped teach her to swing last year, but I know it's hard for her to start "You can swing, you've done it before. Would you like a little push?" she shakes her head "no" I laugh and tickle her "Yes, silly you can" she laughs and shes her head "Ok, tell me how we swing. What do we do with our legs?" she looks up at me her face bright "Straight legs and then bent legs! Straight legs, bent legs!" I give her a little push "Yes! Now show me" together we say straight legs, bent legs as she does it and before she knows it shes swinging I catch her and the swing in my arms as she shrieks with laughter telling her "See you can do it silly!" and the smile on her face is the only reply I need.
   It's worth it to remind people, we all need reminders because we forget, we talk ourselves down saying that "that was a long time ago" etc. and sometimes hearing someone say "Hey you can do this, remember when..." might just change someones mind or give them that little push towards greatness and swinging is pretty great ;)

"I can't do it" he tells me with his body language as he slouches against the wall while everyone else eagerly waits in first position, hands waving in order to be picked to leap over the river. I call him once and he doesn't move so I call another child then slowly make my way over to him, calling other names, corrections and encouragement to children as they leap. "Hey honey, will you leap for me?" he just shakes his head and won't look me in the eye "Come on, I know you can do it" I demonstrate for him with my hands what I want him to do and then demonstrate it by leaping myself "Come on buddy!" I get the other kids to cheer his name and finally a smile breaks through and he runs and leaps into a pretty good grande jete! (basically leaping and doing splits in the air)
   It's worth it to take time out and show someone something that they've been shown a thousand times before, to cheer and help give them the encouragement to take that leap, whether it is a literal leap or a leap of faith encourage one another, believers and nonbelievers alike.

I have been so privileged to watch all of our preschoolers grow in little and big ways because of Jesus working in and through all of us here at Marantha's Garden of Development. I've learned so much about how crucial early child development is and seen God's hand transform some of our kids all for His glory. We're on break this week and I already miss each of them but praying that they're shining their little lights at home this easter season.

For You

"This is for you"

Sometimes what we are given is something that we have longed for, hoped for and possibly dreamed about. Sometimes, it's something that reminded the person of us, or they knew we would like. And sometimes these words are not so loving or thoughtful... but the first week of March every single preschooler heard these words as they were giving and changed into a brand new pair of clothes from Ecola Bible School. Every single child. We were also getting their heights and weights and as I cheered and oohed and ahhed as children came to the scale showing off their new clothes and their faces shining with huge smiles, my heart was bursting with joy.

This was the second time I’ve been blessed to work with the Ecola Bible Team and hand out clothes to the preschoolers. The first time I had been in Haiti for about 2 months; I knew all the children’s names and relationships had started; I was excited for all the kids and I thought it was really cool. It's been over a year now and I've learned so much this past year about love, teaching, Haiti, God and myself and this past time with Ecola was different; truly knowing the kids, their stories, their characters and seeing how God had provided for every single one of them, whether it was: the style of the clothes, what was written or that there was extra clothing for our new preschooler and seeing how much it meant to them was truly a beautiful thing to witness.

 I was suddenly choked up when I saw three of our oldest girls receive clothes that were perfect for them. These girls have all gone through a lot and the majority of it I probably don’t know but, the way these girls press forward, how their smiles are still so bright and their laughs are genuine is truly the hand of God. They’ve been working so hard to catch up on schooling, as they’ve missed a lot, and have surprised us all with how fast they are moving in their books now. One of them pulled out her new shirt; we caught eachothers eye and her face said it all; in that moment there was complete love and she knew it, she knew this had been specifically chosen for her.

To give a gift is a wonderful to thing and God offers us the greatest and most beautiful gift of all: salvation through His son Jesus’ death on the cross and accepting it… to accept the most perfect gift with the utmost thought for you is life changing and no matter what life throws at us, as it will, we can smile, laugh and dance because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead for us all… He died for you.

Through My Eyes

I thought I'd take you on a journey and give you a peek into one of many exciting days of preschool here at Maranatha Children's Ministries in Haiti.

Woke up after one of the best nights sleep I've had in a very long time thanks to Malaria; the wind was playing with the leaves of the mango and palm tree right outside my window and I hoped for a little bit of a cooler today. Looking at the clock it read 7:22 and I have a meeting to do at 7:30, yikes! Jumped out of bed slipped on the dusty, white tile, let out a little yelp as I fell on my face, popped back up and quickly got ready for the day.

What kind of day lay ahead of me with such an exciting beginning?

Every day we have a schedule and for the most part we stick to it, though with weather and sickness things do tend to get shifted around. Racing out of my room finishing my braid I found on top of the box where we keep the sheets for the schedules a note saying that my fellow intern and good friend James had already put together the schedule, "Mesi anpil James!" Headed out to the meeting with 2 minutes to spare!

Morning meetings are under the big gazebo. All of the staff attends the meeting, they start by singing a hymn and than we do devotions before going through the schedule for the day. But something was off this morning, it was 7:35 and no one was at the table except for James and I... James went to get them but only 7 people came to morning meeting out of the usual 12 and out of the 7 there were only 4 people who work with the children 2 teachers and then James and me. I have to admit I freaked out a little.

"Does anyone know where... anyone is?"

We pieced together that 2 people were sick but the rest we had no idea. There had been a Tap Tap (public transportation) strike a few weeks ago and I wondered if it was happening again. "Guess we're going to be teaching the 2's class today James" I said laughing. Something Haiti has taught me is to laugh in the good times and the hard times because it's easy to be discouraged and sometimes you just have to let go and laugh as you think "What on earth just happened."

As they finished singing Mama Erta arrived just in time to do devotions! James and I were pretty relieved we weren't teaching but I told Erta I would be her helper for the day as 32 little 2 year-olds is a little much for one set of hands. We tweaked the schedule, prayed together and were off to get things ready.

Right before the children arrived one of the helpers for the 2's arrived! I wrapped her in a huge hug and told her I was super excited to see her, even more so because we were so short staffed! She was shocked when I told her everyone that was missing and she told me that she wasn't feeling good but she knew that she needed to come today and now she knew why!

8:00am time to greet the children!

Running, walking or toddling through the black gate, giving one last glance at their mother or father, a whimper perhaps to show that they weren't too excited to be going to school and then their eyes land on you and a smile, sometimes a shriek as they call your name and come running to your arms or just running to you and hugging your leg as sometimes you already have two kids on each hip and one clinging to your back. Shouts erupt from all over the yard and teachers and my fellow intern greet kids by name. 

Soon the call for clean up is made and we all head to breakfast, holding one or two kids while leading the rest behind. The oldest children sit at the table under the huge gazebo while the younger children sit at two more tables that are set up in the preschool room. As backpacks that weren't taken off before coming to breakfast are gathered children close their eyes and fold their hands while a teacher prays than breakfast is served! Emanie makes breakfast every morning and it changes between oatmeal with raisins to banana bread & hard boiled eggs.

I help pass out plates and cups of milk to the youngest children giving each child a kiss on the forehead and telling them good morning. The children will shout my name and some of them pucker their little lips ready to give me a kiss on the cheek as well. They've all figured out my name and now I'm called one of three things: "Hope" "Hopie" or "Mama". Each of the kids hold different places in my heart and I have a special relationship with each one of them. Some are tickled until they tell me good morning or how they're feeling others get a little hug and a reminder to eat everything on their plates.

Heading outside Darlens and his little sister begin the chant of "HOPE! HOPE! HOPE! HOPE!" I shout their names back to them reaching them and tickling them both to get them to stop. After all the plates are passed out I head back to the preschool room to make sure a couple particular kids eat their breakfast & sending kids out to wash their hands or into the bathrooms before assembly starts. A handful of children trickle in once all the children are seated and eating, James and I run to greet them and scoop them up to carry them to an extra seat at the table.

  I helped Carmita clear the tables that day as she was just getting over the virus and her hands still couldn't lift heavy things. I served food to the last couple kids that arrived and gave a child with a fever some medicine before heading in to assembly to sing with the kids. Cristelle is a little two year old that was the first child to really attach to me; she ran up to me in her little pink and yellow shirt and lifted her arms to be picked up. Swinging her up to my hip we began to sing Oh, Be Careful Little Eyes, we sing it in English and in Kreyol. I began singing and swaying with her, we shook our fingers at each other shouting "What you see!" and laughing as we both couldn't keep a straight face!

After singing we say a prayer for the day and then the children all split into their different classes and head to one of our 4 different stations. The 2's start with craft and today was a coloring page of the Good Samaritan, I sat beside a little boy who when I first met him was very shy and never smiled. But through the months he has become such a smiley outgoing little thing it's really amazing to see. I sat between him and my little flower; Astride. Astride has grown a lot over the past few months, she holds the little pink crayon like it’s the most precious possession she owns and carefully she begins to color the man laying with his back against a large boulder. She doesn't stay in the lines exactly but she understands that this should all be colored. I praise her and Daniel as they work and other children lift up their papers to show me how they're doing as well.

   

Once all the children have finished coloring and their names have been written on the top we bring out fresh play dough! Each of the children are given a portion and I watched as they began to pinch little pieces off and roll into balls, “Hopie! Vini!” I hear from across the room, Marie Landie has rolled all of her play dough into one huge snake and her beaming smile shows just how proud she is of it. I play with her and Cristelle showing them how to make a dog with their balls of play dough, they were so excited!

Picking up the playdough the children are sent outside to sit on the step of the gazebo where they each receive a vitamin, a banana and a cup of water. I take a seat in front of them and instantly 4 kids run to sit on my lap while another 4 run to sit on James’ as well. We laugh, talk and play with the kids as they eat their snack and when they're finished half head to the front where chalk and bubbles await and I stay with the other half in the back where James has them do races. 

Astride and Redjina have claimed my lap as James calls out two kids to come stand beside him we all chant with him “Ready, Set, Go!” and they're off running a lap around the pool their little shoes slapping the concrete, ribbons flying and shrieks of joy escaping their lips as they race and those still seated chant both of their names. I'm impressed by a number of the kids that fly around the pool at lightning speed, they “cross the finish line” and give James and I a high five, their faces shining and hearts racing.

After everyone’s has had two turns it’s time to fall in and head to the front. We recite the alphabet in both French and English making silly voices and calling the kids to hold on and don't let go. Each of the children are given a piece of colored chalk, they run to the tall black gate which serves as a perfect blackboard for the kids artwork. One of the kids favorite things to do is draw lines and circles and then erase it to draw more; but when they do their hands turn the color of the chalk and they'll shriek and giggle lifting them up to show me.

I bring out the bubbles as James gathers what is left of the little pieces of chalk. No matter how old you are there is really something simply magical about bubbles and chasing them as the wind sends them dancing brings a smile to even the grumpiest face.

The fourth and final station is inside where we have assembly. The children sit around a chair as Islande has them tell her in English and Kreyol the date, days of the week and months of the year. Astride and Redjina have claimed my lap once more as Islande reads the class a story, first in English and then in Kreyol   asking them questions as she reads. The children all love books.

Today we had blocks after reading. I hadn’t been able to watch the 2’s play with the blocks and it was fun to watch as they pieced the pieces together and then told me what they’d built. I watched as a 2 square blocks became a car. A  whole stack of blocks became Adams airplane and Fabiola built a tower and then began sharing the different pieces as she took it apart.

Soon it’s lunch time, blocks are gathered and children line up to head to the preschool room to eat. A little boy managed to get his shoes off while playing with blocks and he brings them over to me to put on. His shoes are an old pair of tennis shoes that have seen much better days, there used to be a character of some kind on the sides but it’s long since come off, the insides are so shredded that it’s hard to get his sockless little foot in them but in they go nonetheless and he runs off to a lunch of peanut butter and honey sandwiches with milk.

I head out to serve the children under the gazebo, as I step outside I hear one of the oldest girls praying “Thank you for everything, please God bless Hope, bless Fi Fi, bless James, bless us God. We love you. In Jesus’ name amen!” to say that this is sweet is honestly an understatement. This child has far less than I have and does not have a good home life. But she prays that God will bless me. It’s a rather humbling thought.

Mats are laid out side by side in the assembly room and once the younger children have washed their sticky hands and mouths I help lay them down on the blue mats that fill the room. There aren’t enough for all the children and so I pull out some blankets and lay them in the pathway between the mats for the remaining children to sleep on. Islande sits and sings to them as they fall to sleep with a fan blowing around the room.

The oldest children have recess now. James and I try to switch it up and make it fun for the kids. We started with races as there were a couple kids with fevers that needed to be cared for. Hosperlinda, the oldest child that goes to Maranatha and has become my little sister begs me to race with her. I haven't done a whole lot of running or really any movement since I was sick. But her pleading puppy eyes are to much to deny and so off we go running around the pool. I was able to run which felt absolutely amazing during the race (not so much after) but running alongside my little sister both of us taunting the other one as we ran and laughing was much needed and a little prayer of thanks went up in the Haitian heat.

The wooden benches had been moved for cleaning and James and I had the idea to try and do musical chairs… with benches. We got James ipod and speaker and explained the game to the kids. Last one to sit down is out and the game began! The kids caught on very quickly and there was lots of laughter and dancing as the kids marched around the benches.

At 12 their afternoon classes start and they're divided again into three classes to work and James and I are on lunch break for an hour and a half. The day seems so much longer than it is and so much happens in those few hours that when lunch comes around sitting down and eating something sounds like you've just won the lottery. Don't get me wrong I love working with the kids but it does take more out of you than you realize.

The kids wake up and have a snack of crackers and water before heading in for afternoon assembly where James tells the children a Bible story while Rehuel translates for him, the other teachers and I hold as many kids on and around us as we can while making sure children are not messing with things they shouldn’t. The kids generally listen well but we all have our days where we can’t sit still and when there’s 80 kids that can't sit still a lot of grace is needed; which God always provides but we don't always tap into.

After another prayer children head to the front yard and play on the swings, kick balls, chase each other or curl up in our laps as they wait for their parents to come and arrive. It used to be hard to let the kids go home; not knowing where they're going to or knowing and not liking it. But if God has taught me anything it's that He does not just live here at Maranatha; He goes home with the children as well. He cares for them, looks out for them and always brings them back no matter what virus strikes.

I've been more than blessed to be a part of this organization and to see the ups and downs of running a preschool and life in general on this little island. These children are so very smart and well behaved they humble me on a daily basis. I look forward to what God has in store for the future!

Bright Eyes

Sitting on my lap, very quietly but as always very attentive & obedient; his shaved head beginning to sweat, is a little boy with the brightest eyes. It is just after 2:30pm so most of the kids are still racing about, they're all waiting to be picked up after a fun day at Preschool. I wrap my arms around him to hug him close “Ca va?” (how you doing?) as usual he doesn't respond “Ou bien?” (You good?") he nods his head and snuggles closer. We start rocking as the cool breeze plays with the long leaves of the palm tree beside us. I kick the random ball that is kicked my way,  talk in my broken creole to the children and tickle those that get close enough. He quietly rests his head on my shoulder and after a time falls asleep till almost all of the children have been picked up. His beautiful sister loves to play with my hair and is surprisingly one of the three that are very gentle, not that the other children are mean, but their thick hair is tougher than my thin caramel hair and they're used to tugging where my scalp (though babysitting and younger siblings has toughened it up some) can only take so much before it comes out. She begins braiding and twisting the strands together, as he wakes up he too begins to play with the tip of my hair trying to copy his sisters actions.

When their mother arrives she walks over and pats his little cheek as he stares up at her, his fingers still hard at work "Bonswa" (Good afternoon) she greets all three of us, my head is cocked so I can see his face and I'm shocked when from his little mouth comes a whispered "Bonswa". I had never heard him talk!!! His mother assured me that he talks "All the time" at home but the teachers and I all explained that none of us had ever heard him talk; though he's always very obedient and sweet. 

The next morning I didn't see my little bright eyes before it was time to serve the kids breakfast. I helped to serve the plates of oatmeal and raisins to each of the kids and spotted him sitting at one of the long tables. He is one of the last ones to finish eating along with another little girl with bright ribbons in her hair "Bonjour Redjina, comme ye?" (Good morning, how are you?) I ask kissing her forehead as she leans back to look at me "Mwen bien, messi" (I'm good, thank you) she giggles as I tickle her "Bonjour Chilo, comme ye?" I kiss his forehead and he pauses for a moment, his deep brown eyes melting my heart for the millionth time "Bien" he whispers, I can't help the huge smile that escapes my lips "Bien?'" he gives me an almost smile and replies "Oui" my heart felt like it was going to burst  "Oh wow, bravo! Messi por parle avek mwen!" This happened in my second week of being here in Haiti while my mom was here; she happened to walk in as this was happening and I turned to her and whispered excitedly as I pulled him close "He spoke!"

Over the past 3 and a 1/2 months little bright eyes has progressed in school and continues to be a sweet and loving little boy. He's a quick learner and is one of the first in the 2's class to go to first position on his own, he loves dance class and his face lights up as he runs to jump over the river. 

A month ago the children were playing with chalk. We'd been working on horizontal lines and vertical lines and to my amazement little bright eyes began to draw little horizontal and vertical lines on the black gate with his green piece of chalk!!! We all praised him and like the little sweetheart that he is he gave us a little smile, acknowledging the praise and went back to work; vertical, horizontal, vertical, horizontal.

Whenever I've had a rough day it always seems little bright eyes knows and will come at the end of the day to sit with me and wait for his parents to come pick him up. He'll play with my hair, snuggle up against me and the love from his little heart just seems to pour out on me. 

Yesterday he'd waited for the two kids that had "stolen" my lap before him to be picked up, as soon as they left he toddled over and climbed up onto my lap. I snuggled him close and asked him if he'd had a good day, his usual whispered answer met my ear and I felt like I needed to interact with him more and get him to say something else. So I turned him around on my lap to face me. I held his hands and began play "This is the Way the Gentlemen Ride" (the child sits on you lap as you bounce them slowly for ladies, medium for Gentleman, fast for Jockey and than rock them side to side for Old man and let them fall backwards at the end) As soon as I started his face broke into a bright, toothy grin and he began to laugh! I'd heard him laugh a handful of times but it was always just a short little laugh when I tickled him or when he'd get really excited and the rest of his class were laughing. We played this several times and as another little girl was passing by who I always play Kote Ou (Where are you?/Peek-a-Boo) I put my hand over his eyes and said "Kote ou?".... "Voila! Mwen wè ou!" he laughed again and he couldn't stop smiling that wide, toothy smile. After a bit I told him it was his turn, I placed my hands over my eyes and he grabbed my wrist; I told him he had to say the words or "it wouldn't work" I waited for a moment and then came his tiny voice "Kote Hope?" a little bit louder than a whisper!

It's easy to let little things slip by us or to not take something very seriously. But the little things count. A child thats brave enough to be pushed a little harder and higher on the swings, the older child that helps a younger one down from the gazebo or helps them finish eating and takes them to the bathroom,  the child that closes and folds their hands for prayer instead of wiggling around, the child that chooses to obey when others don't,  the one that eats all their food, the one thats brings your attention to a child in pain or with a fever. All the children that hug you for the first time or say something new. The one that used scissors correctly though their paper is almost shredded. They should all be praised, noticed and shown some love because believe it or not; it makes a huge difference.

So, open your eyes this weekend, find the person working hard without any encouragement and encourage them. Find the little, beautiful moments that are worth praise. And hug someone because everyone needs a hug.

The Day She Danced

From the moment she walked through the tall black gate, clinging tightly to her older brothers hand, to the moment she walked out of it into her fathers arms and is lifted up onto the front of the dusty motorcycle; she's silent. Reach out a friendly hand to greet her and she'd immediately pull away or let out a tiny scream. Encourage her to dance, run or even walk and she'd stick her fingers in her mouth and take the tiniest painfully, slowest steps in whichever direction the activity was. Her smile remained ever elusive and her lips sealed in a permanent frown it seemed as words were kept from rising by her tiny fingers constantly pressed to her lips.

Day after day I greeted her with a cheerful smile, kissing and hugging her older siblings and hoping that as I moved to embrace her today she'd accept it. But no, today was not that day as she dodged my arms and continued walking to breakfast; though I thought I saw a twinkle in her eye that I had not seen before as I turned to carry the little backpacks that dangled from my arms. I held on to this little glint of hope as I continued with my day and as her class joined me in the front for chalk I watched as she stuck close to another two year old who is also very quiet. I watched as they sat down together and than watched each other making tiny marks on the cement; and then it happened! Her hand came down from it's perch on her lips and a giggle erupted that hushed all the other sounds of the yard; I sat there grinning from ear to ear, calling both little girls names and trying to get more laughs from them.

The next morning I greeted her and she didn't run or doge my arms, she didn't hug back or look at me but I held her close for a moment. That day dance was scheduled and I couldn't wait to see what God had in store. I worked with my first two classes and several of them were showing great improvement! As I watched the line of 2 year-olds came through the little white gate to the front yard singing their ABC's in both English and French. And there she was my little caterpillar; hands out of her mouth singing a couple letters here and there.

We danced to Cat and Mouse and I watched as she tiptoed and froze, twirled quickly and waited for the rest to catch up! I was beaming!!!! She'd never participated in this dance other than to shuffle her feet and walk around! She'd been watching and learning the whole time!!!! As we asked the Cat to come play I watched her lips move and repeat the words, I couldn't hear her tiny voice but it was beautiful none the less!

Anxiously I pulled out my long red river, the children moved into a long line and when their turn comes they have to stand in first position with their hands up in order to run and jump over it. Several of the children can now go to first position on their own which is awesome and so encouraging. One by one I called each child by name to step forward and go to first position. My little caterpillar was second to the last; as her turn came I looked her in the eyes with a big smile and asked her to go to first position, her little black Mary Janes with white frilly socks wiggled around for a second and then went to first, I couldn't help it, I squealed "BON TRAVAY!" (good work) I placed a hand on her shoulder and told her to run and jump high for me and away she ran, her little red and black tulled "Christmas" dress rustling as her feet left the ground and her little white, flowered clips in her hair bouncing as she ran and jumped for the very first time! Both of the teachers and I shouted and cheered for her loudly and clapped; the biggest smile I have ever seen erupted as she shyly tried to hide it with her tiny hand her face simply shining with happiness.

I love teaching dance and I have tons of stories that I could share with you. I've loved every single one of my little dancers and they all hold special places in my heart. It has blown my mind how my little Haitian dancers have progressed with no barre, no dance attire or footwear, no mirrors, the threat of falling coconuts, people coming and going, sun, wind and standing water. I'm so incredibly proud of every single one but my favorite dance story so far is this one.

I will never forget the day she danced.

She's Beautiful

As she reached out her hand to grasp the one next to her, I watched as the other child pulled theirs away, not phased she reached again and my heart began to crack as the other child switched places in line. I called for them to go back to their place and hold hands with her and my blood boiled as I watched the other child stick their tongue out and shudder as they placed two fingers in her open hand then draw them back laughing. Like a mama bear I ran to her defense and after an apology had been given my heart completely broke when I turned back to see her smiling her wide toothy smile that reaches her big brown eyes; not the least bit phased as she's dealt with this her whole life.

I love this little girl.

She's beautiful, in her little short dresses, frilly socks and short; sometimes clipped and ribboned hair, she greets everyone with a smile and no matter what is going on in her life; if you ask her if she's ok she will always reply that she is doing well. I'm always ecstatic to see her as she seems to fill the whole yard with sunshine when she walks past the tall black gate and comes running into my arms. Her little brother shortly behind her; she always makes sure he has time with Hope too.

She's beautiful, from the inside out she seems to glow with constant happiness and love. She loves to sit with me as we play Giant Duck Duck Goose or she waits her turn for Bike Races. She snuggles close watching intently and helping to cheer people on. A small giggle will escape her lips as I tickle her; but the longer I tickle her the bigger it grows until it's a full laugh as she squirms on my lap, her little nose scrunched up and her head thrown back.

She's beautiful and gentle; her small hands always manage to find my long bangs that are pulled back, gently she braids or twists the strands, the only time I've seen her snap is when someone grabs it from her and she knows it hurts me or they begin playing with my ponytail and are not as gentle as she is.

She's beautiful and her heart is kind; as she's chosen last and her partner is rarely thrilled she gives them an encouraging smile. When they shove her away from them she innocently steps forward to see and fix whatever she's done wrong; though there isn't a mean bone in her body. As I watched this scene play out in dance class I couldn't take it and as class was already underway, her partner was sent to time out as I took her partners vacant place and danced with her instead. Though she's one of the youngest in the class she picks things up quickly and will say the motions in both Kreyol and English. After the class finished, I pulled her partner aside and talked with her partner; however when she was told to apologize she refused. Hurting, I apologized for her and then with a conflicted mind I asked her partner whether she thought she should be allowed to ride a bicycle today, to which she slowly shook her head "No." However; I felt the choice was up to her partner and my eyes filled with tears as I asked the question and immediately she nodded a vigorous "yes" I gently kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear that she was the most beautiful little girl.

It's easy to retaliate; to push back and say "I deserve better than that!" after all it's the survival of the fittest that we're trying to achieve out there right? Oh, wait; no, no its not. People have a way of annoying, frustrating and hurting us and we find it easier to "Get even" rather than "Forgive 'em". We let these little and sometimes big issues blind us from seeing the opportunity to be light in a dark situation. Light is warm and inviting not harsh and condescending. When children pull and twist her finger she could push and pull right back, when children refuse to hold hands she could get angry, but this beautiful Haitian girl has chosen to be more than that. She is a living example of "Do unto others as you would have them do to you", a shining example of love and grace.

 She's treated differently all because of a small 6th finger on her left hand connected to the knuckle of her pinky finger.

"Hold hands because it keeps you close with the people you love" This has probably been said before but this came to me the other day as I was thinking of the lessons all the children in my life have taught me. I love this little girl and I know her Father loves her and holds her hand gently in His own in a daily basis.