Chief Cook & Bottle Washer on Last Day
We had another work/fun filled day. Karen, Ti Luc, Dickie and Richard (security) headed out to Saint Marc early for...
We had another work/fun filled day. Karen, Ti Luc, Dickie and Richard (security) headed out to Saint Marc early for...
Today we discovered that chickens like to sleep in the trees or bushes and not on the ground. We still...
After devotions this morning I (Sandra) headed to the school with Karen to get five sets of grade 2 text...
Sandra Karen, Luckner, Daniel and Pastor Dave and Jessica left about 6:00 AM this morning to take them to the...
Sandra writing for us tonight. (Note from Jim…Sandra wants everyone to know that she is not responsible for the photo’s...
Sandra here again tonight because Pastor Dave, Jim and Jess sang at Radio Creole with Karen introducing and translating too! Dickie...
Another great day for most of us but not so great for Dickie! He has been sick all day but no...
It is soooooo sad to say goodbye here. It has been an emotional day! We all finished up our projects...
Sunday is one of my favorite days in Haiti. It is more relaxed with no projects planned and some of...
Well, the toughest day of the trip is almost over. The last day when we must say goodbye to the...
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. We rejoiced in it...
We all slept in today! The first person up (on the team) was Ken about 5:45AM! We all dragged ourselves...
The morning started with Martha’s wonderful porridge and then we went to devotions here on the compound with the children...
We are a little late in posting this but thought that it is ‘ better late than never’…Don, Ken and...
It started off with devotions on the compound with all staff, the youngest children who are not in school and...
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A huge thank you to aunt Karen, who always seems to be doing something with her children and the HATS mission. The only time she takes for herself is long enough to spread some almond butter on a banana that she eats on the run. Thank you so much for all your hard work and unwavering dedication. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. We love you and our Haitian family very much. The longer I spend at HATS, the bigger piece of my heart remains. Take care of yourself and our kiddies until we see each other again.
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.
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!
The time has passed so quickly. We know what we’ve done this week is important and makes a difference here at Hands Across the Sea. But it’s easy in Haiti to feel that anything we do here is simply a drop in the ocean. So much need on so many different levels: political, organizational, educational, social, spiritual…But we remind ourselves that each individual life is of infinite value so changing the life of one child and one family is worth the effort.
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
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 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.
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.
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.
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