Jax Base News

Just a few things we have been up to in the past couple of weeks:
1. We had a staff appreciation day on base
2. Went to Greta for two days
3. Had a mass wedding for 3 of the national SP staff
4. Neil built a massive waterslide!




Staff Appreciation day~
Aka. Jax Fun day
Staff from each program took the day off work to have fun on base.  We had games, talent show, water balloon fight and food.  Robert and I were in the talent show.  We did our kiwi games.  The ones with a broom.  The first one weaving it around your body and the other jumping over it holding on to your toes.  We had volunteers come up and try it after us.  It was so funny to see guys try to weave the broom around their body. None of them could do it. 

I think that the staff had a good time.  The water balloon fight ended the day.  A lot of fun, but quite tiring!






Greta~
As always Greta was fun.  I have not seen the kids in about 4 weeks because of our 2 week R&R and I have been volunteering in the finance department for about 2 weeks.  The kids were so excited, especially Dave and Israel.  They both ran up and wrapped their arms around my legs.  We had a fun project for Greta: painting the kids hands to make a handprint card.  I think it turned out great!

 

 

Weddings~

 

We experienced our first Haitian wedding this weekend.  Not just one, but three!  The ministry team married 3 of the national staff: Smith Rene, Watson Fleurissant, and Maxone Belgrade. They each had their own best man/maid of honor.  In a Haitian wedding you have a king and queen.  It is like our flower girl and ring bearer.  But instead of just walking down the aisle, they dance!  A slow choreographed dance that lasts for a whole song.  So each couple had a king and queen.  I am pretty sure that it took about 20 minutes before everyone had finally walked in.  The couples sat on opposite sides until vows were said and then they sat side by side.  I was asked to read Genesis 2:18-24 for the ceremony.  In Creole!  I was definitely nervous, but Jesus helped and I made it through without mistakes.  During the ceremony I sat on the stage with all of the pastors.  I am sure that I looked comical sitting on the stage.  The wedding lasted about 3 hours.  Guests could come up at any point in the ceremony and take pictures.  So most of the time people could not see because there were so many people taking pictures.  I have to say this is the most interesting wedding I have ever been to.  The reception was on the beach in front of base.  It was mass chaos trying to feed the guests.  Anyone on the beach could come up asking for food, but there was only enough for the guests that had been invited.  There were a lot of angry people that felt like they should have gotten food.  Once all the plates were handed out I left because it was too much.  In the end the day was a success because each couple was married.  Another full day!

 

 

 

 

 

Waterslide~ 

Neal built the best waterslide.  He used the frame of old coverall.  He spent a lot of time getting it ready for the day the Greta kids came to swim at the beach of our base.  It was a huge success.  We let some of the beach kids come on base to use it after the Greta kids left.  They loved it.  I am sure that it was a first time they had ever done anything like that.  Some were scared to try it; some would only go sitting down; some finally worked up enough courage and tried all sorts of ways.