Sun Goes Down on Another Day at HATS
As the sun goes down on yet another day here at HATS, I am not going to lie, I am...
HATS – Haiti encourages individuals and work teams to travel to Haiti to be a part of the work we are doing. Those who come to Haiti are given the opportunity to join in construction projects, visit in the local community, spend time with the children, and minister in church. You can help us in our work for the most needy and most vulnerable members of Haiti’s population. Come be transformed by seeing the need and being a part of meeting that need. Be part of the story
As the sun goes down on yet another day here at HATS, I am not going to lie, I am...
Hey everyone, it’s Seth, which is also the reason the blog hasn’t been written in almost a week because I’ve...
Activity and big plans are brewing this weekend for HATS. Plans are, by the end of the weekend, to have...
Well, where do I even begin? Mwen rele Jessie. 🙂 (My name is Jessie) This is my first complete Creole...
Well, at long last here is that Comfort House update from me, Brooks Boyett, that you were long ago promised...
As we close out our last night in Haiti, I am overwhelmed with the faithfulness and favor of the Lord....
If I knew where to post it, I might write a letter to Elton John asking him to reconsider ‘Goodbye’...
Today was a very good day: Kay TIM-BR MART is painted; white, pink, blue and one green room for the...
Not a hint of a breeze came through Kay TIM-BR MART today. Whether you were edging the ceilings (Brian), the...
Well, it doesn’t take much to tempt little feet to walk through freshly poured and smoothed cement. That was at...
It’s beautiful. Four bedrooms, a storage room, an inside bathroom with showers (a big luxury) and a big porch to play...
After TWO trips (ugh!) to Port au Prince in as many days, Karen and Luckner finally assembled the February work...
The day started quite early with Bob and Karen being interviewed on CBC radio from Gander and Cornerbrook at 05:30...
This morning started with devotions and the flag raising ceremony at the school. It was a joyous beginning to our...
The trip to the citadel in Cap Haitian was organized for family. This was written by one of them today....
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
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’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.
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.
After years of thinking about it and months of planning for it, it seems strange that our time in Haiti is over. We have been asked by a few if it was like we expected. Well, no. I’m not sure what we expected, but our minds could not have fathomed what we have experienced, and we can hardly believe that our 3 month stay has come to an end. HATS really became home away from home for us. We knew we would enjoy getting to know and spending time with the kids but we had no idea how difficult it would be to leave them. They sneak in and steal your heart without you even knowing it. We have left a piece of our hearts in Haiti and can’t wait for the day when we can return.
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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