Our Last Day with the Farm Animal Wake Up Call

March 5, 2010 Posted by David Nance

Good Morning Haiti! Once again the local farm animals provided an appropriate wake up call. Our last full day in Haiti and what a week it has been. A tremendous thank you to “mum” (Karen) and her team here at HATS. They have been more than gracious with their time, space and understanding. When you can actually catch up with the red-headed whirlwind, Karen really does make it easy to come along and serve with.

If we North Americans had ½ the love, compassion, grit, determination and staying power of our fearless leader here at HATS, then there would be no telling what the Lord could do through us back home. Yet, we tend to serve only when convenient and love when not moved outside our comfort zone. Oh, dear Lord change me, change us.

Last night, most of the team (minus Engineer and Sparky) traveled to Varettes and helped Missionary James set up drive in (or walk in) movie night. James provides a wonderful ministry to the people of Haiti with his evangelistic films. Todd conservatively counted over 750 people in attendance last night as we stood for over two hours and enjoyed praise & worship videos and then a double feature of films that present the gospel in the native language and traditions. The popcorn was great too.

We also picked up Todd yesterday from the Comfort House. He has more stories to tell than all of us combined. He is still processing all of them at this time but we expect to have a detailed report within 3 days of our arrival back in the states.

Todd was glad to see his sister-in-law Ramona, a red Gatorade, a candy bar, a Coca Cola, M&Ms, a shower (he almost cried) and a swing. He was only disappointed when we explained to him that we had finished the Blue Bell ice cream two days before.

Today will be filled with loving the kids, another run to St. Marc to pick up some more electrical wire (they don’t call it estimating for nothing), loving the kids, continued work on the second floor addition, loving on kids, sorting the assortment of things we brought from US/Canada and then loving on the kids.

Your prayers for Haiti are so important. Pray for a spiritual awakening in this country. Pray the truth and knowledge of Christ’s love would be known in an intimate way by our friends here. Pray we would know the same. Pray for a community of believers to be brought together here for mutual encouragement and edification. Imagine serving the Lord at this level without a strong local support group of fellow believers (back to serving the Lord bit when it is convenient).

The need is great yet the answer is so simple for all of us – Christ and His love.

Lord, we yield ourselves to you today. Use us for Your glory!

~David

About David Nance

David N. Nance has been involved with Hands Across the Sea since 2008. He believes that one of the greatest privileges of his life has been the opportunity to travel to HATS with mission teams from Texas. Karen and the HATS staff have welcomed them with open arms and each team that has traveled to HATS has left with a piece of their hearts behind. David lives in Texas with his beautiful wife Allison and their three kids. He teaches Sunday school and serves on his church’s missions committee. David has recently become a member of the U.S. board that is working towards 301C charitable status.

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Testimonials

Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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!

Ashley Withrow, Nicki White & Deborah Gilbert
HATS Visitors
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.

Rick
HATS Visitor
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!!

Barbara & Louis
HATS Visitors
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.

Liette Wilson
HATS Visitor, Supporter & Board Member
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.

Barbara
HATS Visitor
I have learned much about Haiti in my short stay here, much about generational, entrenched poverty, and much about hope. We can only be part of the bringing of hope if we become one small actor on the huge stage that is poverty. Thank you, Lynn Clark, for inviting me to share this life changing experience with you, and thank-you, Karen Huxter, for investing so much of your life in a work designed to bring hope to those who need it more than any Canadian could ever imagine.

Linda
HATS Visitor
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.

Sara-May Cardy
HATS Visitor
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.

Jocelyn Barnes
HATS Visitor
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!

Yvette Calderwood
HATS Visitor