Week 6: We Didn't Start the Fire

Me and my Antiguan boyfriend, James

Highlights from the week

- A member of the congregation is generously donating money so we can have shelves in our closets. To date, Julie and I have had all our folded clothing still in our suitcases. The carpenter (also a member of the congregation) came over and took measurements. The shelves are scheduled to go in sometime this week!

- We had a kitchen fire on Tuesday. The gas tank that fuels the oven caught fire. Thankfully no one was hurt and no extreme damage was done. It certainly made for a crazy day and has thrown the lunch program helter-skelter.

- Gr. 3 and 5 had standardized testing Wed. and Thurs. morning. Julie spent each morning proctoring Gr. 5 (she wasn’t allowed to proctor her class). Things were chaotic as the organization is not what we are accustomed to in the States. This week, the Ministry of Education is requiring all Gr. 3 and 5 teachers from around the country to be present to grade the assessments. Monday and Tuesday, Julie will be with all the Gr. 3 teachers on the island!

-Thursday Julie and I were treated to an afternoon at the pool in Jolly Harbor with the Sternhagens and Johnstons. The girls from each family take lessons, so the rest of the family is permitted to use the pool free of charge. We came along and enjoyed a relaxing dip.

-Saturday was a work day at church. After Julie and I got our laundry, dishes, and sweeping done at home, we spent the morning tinting windows in grades 2, 4, and 1. The results? We now know how to tint windows properly (though not expertly), and those classrooms will be much cooler, shaded from the sun. Those who came to the work day were treated to a magnificent luncheon cooked by Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Brade and former Gr. 2 teacher Mrs. Titus (assisted by many others). It was fabulous!

-Sunday morning: choir sang for the 8:30 service, I took a quiz on Baptism in Bible class (yes, I studied and passed), Gr. 3-4, 5-6, and the Kids’ Pan group all participated in the 11:00. Pastor Sternhagen announced that he is returning his Call to Risen Savior just outside of Milwaukee (prayers go out to the flock there). Mopping and more laundry at home to prepare for cousins Jon and James’ arrival this Thursday! Friend Zelifa cooked today and brought lunch for Julie and myself. Delicious! Then an afternoon of schoolwork so I have a little to do as possible when the boys are here.