NOTE: This post is from May 2008 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs.
Greetings from hot and humid Deschapelles. Once again we ‘update’ all the ‘Friends of HATS’. Our children continue to do well. They are now looking forward to a break from school.
One of our children, Sabine, turned 13 on May 28th. Our five youngest wishing Sabine Happy Birthday.
School is winding down for the year. The students will start their exams next week. Our Grade Six students need to write the big governmental exam. This decides whether or not they will be starting Seconday school, Grade Seven, in September.
Last month we mentioned that our students had written letters to their sponsors. The translating, which was a time consuming job, is completed. Karen was having trouble scanning them into the computer to send out via e-mail. Thus, sister Sandra to the rescue. A large envelope of letters have been hand carried to Canada and mailed to Sandra and Dickie. They will see that they are scanned and e-mailed to all of our sponsors. Thank you for your patience.
Without hope the people perish. Again, thank you to all who gave hope to our students and families this school year.
HATS mission continues to struggle financially. It is extremely difficult to run a mission without sufficient funds. The Haitian electrical power, EDH, is non-existant in our area these days. We must depend on our generator but, due to gas shortage, cannot use it very much, often only a couple hours a night.
This, of course, has a triple effect and causes other problems. Karen’s administrative work requires a lot of computer time. No generator – no computer. Too, no generator – no freezer or refrigerator. Last weekend meat had to be thrown out and the rest used for the children immediately.
Gas is a problem, too, for our transportation needs. A vehicle is absolutely essential to run the mission. Our truck, thankfully is repaired again, but has to sit on the compound 99% of the time.
This summer we, Karen and Luckner, are travelling to eastern Canada to try to fundraise for the mission. It was suggested by a special ‘Friend of HATS’ that Karen come out and bring a national, Luckner, with her to share about the work we do with children. We accepted this invitation and the travel arrangements have been made. We will be speaking in churches in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Too, we are hoping for the opportunity to speak to groups – Rotary, Legion, Lions, etc. If anyone knows of anywhere we can share please let us know.
We will be in Nova Scotia, Yarmouth area, June 25th to July 8th or thereabouts. We will have two Sundays in that area. We are booked to share at a church on July 6h, but Sunday, June 29th, is still open. If you know of a church who would like to have us share on June 29th, please get in touch with us, or with Sandra and Dickie – 742-5234.
We will be in Newfoundland, Springdale area, July 8th or 9th until July 25th. We are booked for both Sundays on the island, but we are looking for other chances to share, anywhere on the island. Any help with this would be appreciated.
Sunday, July 27th will be in the Halifax area and possibly speaking there. We return home on July 29th.
The two most important things to cover when funds arrive are the salaries and food for the children.
Food staples for the children of the orphanage – thanks to ‘Friends of HATS’.
Last month you saw a photo of our little Josie doing laundry by hand. Alex likes to do laundry every day, but a little differently. He loves to sit outside the kitchen and wash clothes.
If you can’t use your hands, use your feet.
We need another person to help with the administration work. Please pray for the right person to join our team. There is far too much for Karen to do, as well as direct the mission, with Luckner. Luckner does a lot of things Karen cannot, and helps with everything in administration that he can. Other than for a short, 2 1/2 month period, Karen has shouldered far too much administration work since we lost the very capable Theresa 2 1/2 years ago.
There might be someone interested who would like to come down for a month or two to see if working with HATS is right for them.
The serious hunger situation throughout the country has not really improved. People continue to suffer and cry for help.
Please continue to pray for the people in Haiti who cannot provide food for their children.
Matthew 25:35 “I was hungry and you fed me.”
Measuring food gifts for the hungry.
A seriously ill father taking food to his family
Employee, Herve, thankful for his food gift
Thank you to the congregation of Yarmouth Wesleyan Church who gave generously so we, at HATS-Haiti, could help feed many needy families (some employees and others) in our area. They were blessed and extremely thankful.
Isaiah 58:10a ” If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
Thank you once again for all your support.
~Karen
Please tell us how you feel after reading the newsletter/blog (Comments are moderated and may take 24 hours to post)