Always a Pleasure to be Here
This is my 15th trip to HATS and it has always been a pleasure to be here. The heat, crazy...
Dickie Macdonald has been involved with HATS since 2005. When he learned that Hands Across the Sea was paying a parent organization 10% of all donations to look after the finances and issue receipts, he volunteered to take over the task. An avid community volunteer in Yarmouth and active grandfather to six grandchildren, Dickie is responsible for the financial aspects of the work of our organization and travels to Haiti each year with his wife Sandra.
This is my 15th trip to HATS and it has always been a pleasure to be here. The heat, crazy...
This is my 14th trip to Haiti and I never tire of the place, always looking forward to the day...
It seems very different to be celebrating Christmas when the noon day temperature is around 42C. The School Pageant was...
I have decided to do a different blog. I wanted to present some facts so that people might better understand...
Sunday is always a special day at HATS and today was no different. We worshiped in the new Church which...
We lost several of our crew on Monday as they had to return to their other lives and some of...
This was another great day at HATS. We started the day properly by taking a walk along the canal. It...
This has been another great day in Haiti. We were all up by 0600. We had pancakes for breakfast which...
Karen and I left the Compound at 3:30am. Odner followed us on his scooter, with the shotgun, till we picked...
Dickie Luckner and I went to Gonaives yesterday to see a Government Offical in regards to HATS related business. The...
At 7am, 16 Haitian workers came for a full busy day starting the rebar construction and cement work, and rock...
It’s Dickie here, Karen’s brother in law writing the update today. We had a busy day. Karen and I went...
I left Halifax Friday morning after a bad drive from Kentville with Kim. It was storming very bad. We were...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
We have so enjoyed our time here. The work we have done has been fulfilling, the fellowship has been memorable and our hearts are forever impacted by the sweet, sweet children. A piece of HATS will always stay with each of us and who knows, maybe a few will return!
This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.
Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal… and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope. We are already in love with Haiti.
I have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!
This is my first time traveling outside of Canada and I am proud to say it was for a mission trip. I have always wanted to go on one and see what it like in other parts of the world and do what I can to help out. Haiti is a terminus life change for me and how I look at things. Seeing these kids and how they have such a passion for each other and for us is truly inspiring. I look back to what I was like at that age and I don’t think I was half as kind or generous as they are. This morning we did devotions and as I was speaking about what an impact they had on me only in one day I started to tear up…it was very emotional to talk about.
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
One thing that has impacted me on this trip is seeing the children and all the dedication in this orphanage. There is so much going on behind the scenes to keep the HATS orphanage and school running.
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.
This is my first trip to Haiti and I’m hoping that it will not be my last! I could start by telling you all about my experiences however I’ll start by saying that Haiti DOES hit you in your heart! Not a day goes by when I’m not fighting back tears. Hands Across the Sea is an amazing place! Our team has been assembled of different men that all who all felt God calling them to do his bidding. Since I have been here I was quick to realize that we are just helpers here. Karen and her team of workers are, what I believe to be, the real workers of God! Each child presents their own challenges and Karen and her staff make sure that all of the children, not one child, are seen to!
It’s my hope that I manage to touch their hearts in some small way, the way that they have touched mine – in a major way.
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