HATS and Haiti update Feb 2024
Greetings to all our friends, family, and our supporters who pray for, and encourage, us. Luckner in our school office...
Greetings to all our friends, family, and our supporters who pray for, and encourage, us. Luckner in our school office...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2024 from all at Hands Across the Sea-Haiti. 2016 Christmas at the mission Thank...
Greetings folks. I am endeavoring to fill you in a little on the very difficult and dangerous situation in Haiti...
As some of you know, I cannot be in Haiti at this time because of the gang situation. I am...
Luckner, teachers, and everyone working with the mission, are doing everything they can in a continuing very difficult situation in...
Hello everyone, On my last blog, March 18th, things were quite bad in our area of the Artibonite Valley. This...
Hi folks. Thank you to those of you who have reached out to me in various ways as you are...
Hello again folks. My heart is heavy and my eyes are wet as I try to write this. Many of...
I come to you today asking for prayer for our HATS mission – Children’s Home, school, and our HATS church....
Greetings, I apologize for not having written a blog for far too long. I attempted to do so several times...
The Girls Leica is 17 years old. She was in grade 9 this past year and is now waiting for...
We have some photos of our children at our Children’s Home, and in their uniforms at our school, IMKH. Anne,...
Thank you so very much to all who donated funds towards a Christmas meal for approx 450 students and staff...
After many delays due to COVID 19 and the upheaval in Haiti, our wonderful Assistant Director Luckner Estimable was able...
Christmas is coming. Children in Canada are starting to look forward to the special, fun, family time of Christmas, when...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
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.
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!
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!!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
Thank you Karen for everything you do, all the hard work and dedication that you put into this place, all of the work behind the scenes. Thank you for putting up with all the craziness that we bring when we come to your house for the week, just thank you times a million and one for everything Karen. I can write about my week until I am blue in the face (maybe not write that long but if you know me I can definitely talk for that long), and can sing about kit kat bars until my voice gives out, but I cannot even begin to try and articulate in song, dance, or other random art forms how thankful and blessed I am to have been given this experience not only once but twice! Thank you – thank you – thank you – thank you!!!!!!!
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.
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