Christmas Gift Giving at HATS
I’m out of bed today and feeling a bit better after a full day of rest yesterday. Today I feel like...
Liette Wilson has been involved with Hands Across the Sea since 2000. She lived in Haiti from 1995-1997 and has been involved with international development initiatives since that time. A literacy teacher and mother of four in Calgary, she loves knowing that her work with this organization makes a tangible difference in the lives of children and families in Haiti. Liette is currently responsible for the sponsorship program for which she travels to Haiti each year.
I’m out of bed today and feeling a bit better after a full day of rest yesterday. Today I feel like...
Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gift for someone who has everything? Would you like to give your loved...
All of your student letters and photos have been completed and emailed out to sponsors. However, we had some technical...
I’m exhausted and was heading to bed when I remembered we hadn’t done a blog last night, nor this evening. So...
Yesterday was a full day of work and fun. We completed the photos and letters for all of the elementary children yesterday. ...
Barb Let me start by thanking all of you who stood with us in prayer and thought on this incredible journey....
We have had a wonderful time and as much as we miss our kids home in Canada, we are sad...
Oh the fun that was had today trying to write the letters with the Preschool One class! The children in...
At 3:00 a.m our first alarm went off…actually it was a truck honking it’s horn and pretty much had Liette...
Falling stars, fireflies, toads and bats were what I got to think about as I went to bed last night....
We’re happy to say that we’ve arrived safely in Deschapelles, Haiti. We flew into Port-au-Prince early this am and were...
The last day in Haiti always brings mixed feelings. Sadness to leave the children and the beautiful country of Haiti....
Today, we decided to enjoy a Sunday of seeing some of Haiti’s beauty. At 6 am today, most of our...
This fantastic work team is hardworking and positive. They’ll do anything – paint, carry, move suitcases, scan letters, resize photos,...
The painting of the children’s home is done today – hooray!!! The team let out out a yell of joy...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
I’m not sure what we’re doing here, just showing up for a week – it’s not like it’s sustainable. And I don’t want to become depressed by some of the harsh realities that Karen has to deal with every day. You know it’s ONE thing to start an orphanage and school (Yes, Karen has done things that are beeeeyond me), but it’s ANOTHER thing to raise the 20 babies that become YOUR kids!!! Not only are they a big family, but they are a big family containing individual stories that got them all to where they are in the orphanage. I don’t even know how to describe it…I have never seen a woman her age with this much energy…fun loving energy that is. She so inspired me today and really is a wonderful mother to all these children.
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.
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!
It is our last day and there is always a certain amount of sadness and joy when we come to the end of a trip . We look forward to our homes and loved ones but there is a part of us that wants to stay and be near these dear dear children. They open their hearts and arms to you when you enter the front gate. They give you laughter and tears all week long and then they cry and hug you when they know you are going away. Being near that kind of unconditional love effects us all very deeply. So we leave part of our hearts here and promise to 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.
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.
This week has been amazing – one of the best weeks of my life thus far, hands down. I can’t really think of any other experience in my life that can even come close to comparing to this. Though my visit here was short (too short), it has been incredibly eye-opening, and life changing. I will never forget the people I have met here, or the things I’ve gotten to experience! Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it. I am so, so blessed to have been given the opportunity to come here, and I am REALLY not looking forward to saying goodbye to the children tonight. My heart sinks just thinking about it. There’s no doubt that they’ve had a bigger impact on my life than I’ve had on theirs. I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country. God bless.
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.
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.
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!
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