Dining Like Royalty Thanks to Marta & Germaine

March 7, 2011 Posted by David Nance

What a way to start the day – worshipping the Lord in Haiti!

We had a glorious service led in singing by Antoinette and then I shared a word from Philippians 4:4-5 about rejoicing in the Lord and showing gentleness.

Jofky & Karena playing tambourine’s in church

Group singing in church

I certainly enjoy the spirit in which we worship in Haiti.

After a wonderful lunch prepared by Marta and Germaine, we were back at it with paint brushes and rollers in hand. We have dined like royalty this trip – Marta and Germaine are the best!

At the end of the day, Superintendent Seth informed us that we were 85.47% finished with the first floor and 42.93% complete with the second floor. Our goal for tomorrow is to complete the second floor so we can return the scaffolding to the rental company.

Brittanie and Garrett

Joanna, Jessie, David and Garrett

I have to say this is one hard working team. All of them are busy about their task and the paint is going on the wall. We also have lots of help from the HATS children which it is great to see them invest in their homes. Vladimy was a tremendous help today.

Vladimy, David & Maddie

Joanna, Seth, Vladimy & David

We also found a new cut-in artist – Maddie, oh I mean Madeline, can cut with the brush. So much so that there will be an early morning contest on the west side windows to once and for all determine who is the greatest cut-in artist on the HATS compound – Seth or Madeline. May the steadiest brush win.

Seth and Maddie. Who is the best cut-in artist

A few bits of information and trivia from the day:

We officially dedicated the Huber Mansion with a little Canadian flare – EH!

Canada – Eh!

Beautiful finished Girl’s Home

Joanna and Madeline’s dad used to say to them (and dare I say show them) – “math hurts”.

Seth was once featured on the ESPN program “Between the Lines” over a controversial decision by the Illinois State Board of Education not to let home-school children play in the public school soccer league. Not to be deterred though, Seth went onto dominate the Central Illinois Club soccer league by averaging 1.007 goals per game.

Jessie has never painted the color purple before and contrary to popular belief Jessie’s favorite 80’s song is not “Purple Rain”.

G spent the evening on the canal offering Creole lessons to Haitians. G would tell them “bon jou” is good morning and “bon swa” is good evening.

The list of those brave enough to walk the scaffolding included: Seth, Jessie, Madeline, Joanna, Brittanie and David… the one hugging the wall returning to the ladder would be G. It was a funny looking embrace though.

The entire team currently serving at the Comfort House will now be returning to HATS at noon tomorrow. Jerry’s only request was that the showers be cleared upon their arrival. We will look forward to their return at a safe distance. I will ask Brooks to give you an update of their effort only after he has showered of course.

Evidently, “mama” was not happy with our work because we did not enjoy a Sonic Happy Hour.

We will double our efforts tomorrow in hopes of securing that refreshing “soda”.

One does not visit Haiti and stay the same. An evening walk along the canal returns one to the simple beauties of life – a glorious sunset over a mountain ridge, a princess Leica swinging in your arms and a beautiful people working the land. It is good for one to return to such a simple focus – we serve a glorious Lord indeed.

Walk along the canal with sun setting

“Devo” time then bed.

~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

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
This week has been amazing – one of the best weeks of my life thus far, hands down. I can’t really think of any other experience in my life that can even come close to comparing to this. Though my visit here was short (too short), it has been incredibly eye-opening, and life changing. I will never forget the people I have met here, or the things I’ve gotten to experience! Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it. I am so, so blessed to have been given the opportunity to come here, and I am REALLY not looking forward to saying goodbye to the children tonight. My heart sinks just thinking about it. There’s no doubt that they’ve had a bigger impact on my life than I’ve had on theirs. I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country. God bless.

Jess Buckle
HATS Visitor
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
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
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!

Brian En
HATS Visitor
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
One thing that has impacted me on this trip is seeing the children and all the dedication in this orphanage. There is so much going on behind the scenes to keep the HATS orphanage and school running.

Donna Wheeler
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
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