It was a dark and stormy night ...

No, on the contrary - clear, with twinkling diamond-like stars on a deep blue velvet sky.  The competitors began gathering by the depot at the arranged time, precisely at 8:07.  Three groups with three, three and four members.  It ranks up there with the one of most bizarre middle school field trips ever – and I have never seen such enthusiasm among the students and others as they put on their latex gloves and synchronized their timers.  

I could almost hear engines revving….  

“Go!” happened at precisely 8:30 p.m. The hunt was on.   

It was the First Periodic Great Wesleyan Mission Station Cockroach Hunt!  Yes, you read that right.  This was a blazing competition to see which group was the most successful in corralling the most huge Haiti bugs. 

Teacher Sarah Barnes was all set, game face, decked out in all black and face paint.

One contestant wore tights and sneakers, determined that no roach would touch any skin of hers!

Glow sticks, flashlights, timers and containers in hand, the groups dispersed into the dark.  You could hear squeals, shouts and giggles from time to time – and the occasional foot stomping.  However, there were more points if cockroaches were brought back alive.

Fifteen minutes later, time was called and bags and jars were proudly displayed.  Final count totaled 47.  The winners - 26 bagged bugs.

The last I saw of them, they were headed to the chicken coop by the school. 

Those birds just didn’t know the feast that was heading their way!