Days 7 & 8: Community - Caribbean Style

We had another amazing evening on St.Croix. First on our list was heading to the St. Croix Boys & Girls Club in Christiansted. As we made our way there, the group expressed what we believed we would see when we arrived. While there were many interesting predictions, none would capture the energy and warmth we were greeted with.  We were welcomed with a blessing and smiles, and then we divided into age/grade group rooms to help the youngsters with their homework. Counting and math, vocabulary and story writing - we did it all!  Next it was time to play outside and we enjoyed every minute of our tag, jumping rope, piggy-back races, and 4-square fun!  In fact, we enjoyed it so much, we have modified out plans for Friday to give us one more day with our new friends!  Our group decided this morning to make a list of supplies we thought the B&G Club needs.  We are going to pool our "souvenir" funds, and hit the local store to surprise our friends tomorrow!  Shhhh! Don't tell them! ;)

We when made it back to DG after our fun at the Boys & Girls Club, we were greeted with smells that are far too rich and amazing for words!  Mr. & Mrs. Brown had arrived 3 hours earlier to start preparing our farm-fresh meal.  Pumpkin soup was first, followed by cucumber salad, plantain salad, roasted pork & chicken, lamb stew, and fresh banana and mango smoothies.  It was an experience that will surely be treasured as our senses were overloaded with goodness!

As for today, we are laying low at DG as we have a big night ahead kayaking! We are spending our time planting new vegetation around the grounds, making coconut jewelry and art, and enjoying the sun-filled day! (We received word that VBVA is in the 50s today! yikes!). The group has experienced so many eye-opening and heart-warming moments ... ones that will provide stories for years to come!