Sunday church

I was up early, out for my morning cafe and looking for my cafe lady who asked for the size 8 shoes. I have the shoes, but now she is not to be found. In her spot is a young girl, maybe 12, who now seems to run the show. I will keep trying to find her. I buy a beautiful avocado, and when I come into the hotel, one of the workers asked me to follow him. He took me to his room where he presented me with another avocado!! Delicious.

An early start today at 7:15 to go up to Morne Oge for breakfast at 7:30. The childrens' service at the church starts at 8. I quickly eat and head for the church, where already the children are arriving, dress to the nines, no, tens. Neatly braided hair adorned with beads of all colors, ribbons and barrettes. The boys look smart in their long pants and button shirts. A steady stream is coming from all directions. As they arrive, they are ushered into the benches, packing them in. by the time the service starts, there is no more room. I had sat way in the back, but had to give up my seat, there was not another space to be had anywhere. There were probably 200 children. They were led in song by two young girls on microphones, Fedony on electric piano and after a while a drummer joined in. At one point we were all called to the front. I introduced "the team" and then did a short performance that went very well. I hadn't done a performance here since my first visit in March, though I have spent quite a bit of time here playing with the children. by 9:15 it was over, with the adult service to start at 9:30. The exchange of all those bodies was quite a sight, for there was a churchful of adults waiting to get in as the children came out. I spent the next three hours playing with the children, teaching rope tricks to a couple of the boys, and juggling with many of the children. There was lots of singing, we were again introduced, Robin was well received when he spoke in French to them.

As the service wore on, many of the tiny children were brought out, it was very hot in there, and in spite of the sachets of water that were delivered many times, it was very hot. Amazing how just when I am feeling in need of water, two women appear carrying a basket ful of ice cold water sachets!

I went over to the kitchen and helped wash the mountain of dishes that were there. It was very pleasant in the shade of the tree and the gentle wind blowing. I rinsed the dishes in a large pan of water and stacked them in plastic laundry baskets to dry.

A large truckload of water was delivered. It was the first time that the cistern was being filled, so it was very exciting. It was a large tanker of water, and containers of every size appeared to hold and carry this precious commodity. The large green snakelike hose spewed out the fresh water into every waiting receptacle.

Finally the service was over, LaFleur had delivered a scorching sermon to the packed crowd. They had built this church because the other was too small. And now already this one is bursting at the seams.

After lunch, we came back to the hotel to rest, the midday heat having taken its toll. We we out for a walk later, stopped at a shop to look at some paintings and there was a little boy, maybe 18 months old, in the care of his grandmother. She called a neighbor to hold him while she dusted off the goods for us to see. I put my arms out to him and he reached up to me. He was such a little cherub, by the time I gave him back he was giggling away from the little game of "dive bombing him" back toward his caretaker's arms.

We had a wonderful meal tonight. I suggested we move the tables out from the covered area out onto the open deck under the stars and the nearly full moon. It was idyllic. I invited our servers to join us at the table. Usually they eat after us and keep their distance. They shyly joined us. We learned that it was three generations who had brought us the food. Grandmother, mother and young girl. It was so nice to have them eating with us. We are all one, and we are in this world together.