Presidential Inauguration ??
Last Tuesday Jovenel Moise was inaugurated as Haiti’s 58th president. One of his first executive orders was to give all...
Joan and Keith Wight have been involved with HATS since 2011. Keith is a retired airline pilot and previously volunteered with missions in Belize, Zimbabwe, Panama and Honduras in various capacities. Joan is a retired music teacher and uses her abilities to assist with the office work and tutor the children at HATS. Since retiring they have committed to 4 months per year in Haiti. They live in Montreal and have 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws and 2 grandsons and 2 grand-daughters.
Last Tuesday Jovenel Moise was inaugurated as Haiti’s 58th president. One of his first executive orders was to give all...
There was a lot of good and routine stuff going on at HATS this week. The day to day operation...
Yes, I know…. we have been back for nearly a week and this is my first blog. But it is...
Wow, what a week and weekend. Last week we were all hopping doing the student pictures and letters to the...
Football or soccer may be the national sport of Haiti, but the kids love to play road hockey as well....
The Air Canada Foundation is involved in a broad range of initiatives that improve the lives of children and youth....
Monday, November 14th – 2016 Most of the benches around the compound and at the church were made 3 years...
Saturdays certainly have a different feel then the rest of the days here at HATS. The pace is just as...
The board of directors at HATS just love getting letters like this one… As the current President of the Edmonton...
Just before dark last evening Luckner pulled up in the truck with some very precious cargo. Mama Karen and Ti...
Saturday mornings Joan and I include the older kids on our walks and we go exploring different routes around the...
Wednesday, October 26th – 2016 MORNINGS: Mornings are fairly predictable here at HATS. The generator starts at 05:30 which is...
Sunday, October 23rd – 2016 Sunny and hot ? hot ? hot ? today as we headed to church. A...
Keith Well, Joan and I are slowly getting unpacked and settled into the schedule at HATS and adjusting to the...
Tuesday, October 18th – 2016 Joan and I have arrived back at our ‘nother home. Let the adventures begin. Of...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!
Personally, this is my first time here. I’ve never done a mission trip of any sort before and I’ve certainly never been anywhere this hot before. I keep seeing things that are different from what I’m used to, and hearing about things even more unfamiliar to me. One of the most surprising things to meis how quickly I’ve grown to love all the people here. Everyone here is great, and the team is wonderful too. Watching everyone support each other warms my heart almost as much as the sun warms my skin. I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I know that this trip has already had a profound impact on my life.
They call Karen “the helicopter ” and after spending three days by her side I know why. She propels through life!!! If you want to get on the ride you better start running. It is an amazing work that the Lord is doing here through so many many dedicated workers…literally hundreds of children impacted every day with the love of Christ…but the task to do so is enormous. The dedication of staff is invaluable…they NEED US ALL!!
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!
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.
I spent a week in Haiti at HATS in November 2017 and it was a wonderful experience. Karen is an amazing woman and is doing amazing work. She is dedicated to the children in her care and is changing lives. I would love the opportunity to visit again and help out where I can.
I had anticipated that I would enjoy spending time getting to know the children and being a part of Karen’s daily life in Haiti but I had not anticipated that it would capture my heart like it did. I will miss spending time with the children and Karen but I am hopeful that I’ll be able to see them all again in the not too distant future.
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!
We’ve made a difference, I believe. Big stuff, little stuff; it all contributed to the greater good and that big picture: keeping HATS a surviving and thriving, safe haven for the children of Deschapelles, Haiti. And oh my, what children they are. As expected, it was tough to leave. There were tears, whispers, hugs and I’ll miss you’s. I learned that it gets easier (only a bit) for those who’ve done this a few times. As Bob says “I’m part of the furniture now. I don’t say ‘goodbye’, I say ‘see you later’.” Maybe that’s how you cope with leaving…you return. Once, five times, 10 times. However many. Guaranteed you’ll leave a different person than when you came in.
I am so thankful to Jesus for the opportunity to serve at HATS and to finally experience the great work that God is doing there. I look forward to seeing them all again when I visit next time.
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