Hello again from the fast acting, fast moving, fast changing mission of HATS. Never a dull moment. Never without lots of action. Never without lots of work. Most importantly – Never without lots of love and hugs.
Jessie has been doing a great job of writing for the blog which left me only to add photos. It has been a big help. She has done such a good job, however, that Seth and I felt I should write today and Seth the next time. Why? We don’t want Jessie’s head to get too big for her hat, from all the compliments on her blogging. Right Seth?? Perhaps Seth will find it difficult to agree publicly. After all he has been married nine months to a gorgeous, talented, very capable, fun loving young woman who, as I see it, is quite able to take care of herself and get even in the bargain. Did she not accuse me of shaking the cokes before kindly presenting her and Seth with an icy cold one each? Did she not say she would get even? I seem to have read that somewhere. While on this subject I must say that too many people who read that blog made comments to let Seth and Jessie know to watch out for me as I am a practical joker. I am not sure why they would say such a thing. Perhaps they have me confused with someone else???
Seth and Jessie are continuing to work on their house so they can move in. It is taking a little longer than expected but they are showing patience. They diligently painted outside with the fantastic Texas team. Since then they have been painting the walls and ceiling in their ‘special three level’ bathroom; (some people have three level homes, they have a three level bathroom); painting the cupboards bright blue that had been built for their bathroom before their arrival; painting the room at top of stairs that had waited for them due to running out of paint before; and finishing the walls there in the entrance.
Along with all this work they have found time to study and practice their Creole and enjoy time with the children. I am anxious for their house to be finished and for them to get moved in. Why? It is then that I can really start deligating some tasks for them to look after. It will be too good to be true to have them take care of some things that I will not give and have to take back, and I will not have to constantly supervise the work. O Happy Day!!
Bonus for Seth and Jessie today, someone from Direct Internet Service, came and installed a satellite dish on top of their house and hooked them up for internet.
Last Thursday I was very pleasantly surprised by a visit from a ‘Newfie’ family member, who lives in Montreal, and who I had seen once when he was a boy. He did not know me either but when knowing I was in Haiti decided to drop by with a friend of his, Al Heron. They had come with a group ‘Youth For Christ’ to put a water treatment system in St. Marc. Having Keith, who is family, come to the mission to meet me was special indeed. Meeting Al as well was a pleasure. Hopefully if/when they return it will be for more than an hour or so.
Well folks – Haiti elections again this Sunday. Who? What? When? Where? How? People are waiting and wondering if we will again have, what they saw as 100% corruption in the last election, or will it be better this time. Time will tell as always.
Many places changed their clocks last Saturday – by springing ahead an hour. Most places do it for six months and then change back again. Spring forward and fall back. This is Haiti and things are different here. Haiti changed for a day. For the first 11 years I was here Haiti used to also do the time change in spring and fall. Five years ago it was decided that Haiti would no longer do this. I, of course, did not like it as it meant that for the whole 12 months of the year it would get dark very early – 6:00 – 6:15 p.m. There is no evening time in Haiti. On Saturday and Sunday of last week it was announced, on some radio stations and by messages to some telephones, that Haiti was once again going to change their time as others were doing. So Sunday afternoon I proceeded to change our clocks and watches by moving it forward the hour. I expected some students, teachers and employees to arrive late, as some would likely not even yet know.
My kids and I went to our school on the new time and waited an hour for others to arrive. We were the only ones in the devotion room. Vladimy was the only secondary student there for a 7:00 a.m. class. Then shortly after others arrived I was informed that an announcement had been made that the time change was changed back again. It changed but did not change. This is Haiti.
Everyone who follows this blog knows that for me “IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN”. Many of you have had the opportunity, and hopefully the pleasure, of coming down and meeting and enjoying time with my children. You have told me want me to post lots of photos of the children. I have decided to start doing a blog featuring the children. I will feature one or two at a time. I will tell you about the children and attach photos. I will do the first one this week.
We are waiting for a new child to join our family. We have committed to taking a nine month old girl. It is taking time as the person who plans to bring her to us does not have enough funds to take a bus or Tap Tap and bring her, and has been unable to borrow funds. We are searching for a method to send travel funds and hope to have our newest little one with us this week.
Thank you for all your help with these precious ones. I can’t do any of it without you.
The HATS motto is “ORPHANS TODAY AND LEADERS TOMORROW”. I believe this to be true. Together let us continue to work towards this end.
Mother Theresa wrote this and it will always speak to my heart:
At the end of life we will not be judged by: How may diplomas we have received; how much money we have made; how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by: “I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was naked and you clothed me; I was homeless and you took me in.”
Hungry, not only for bread – but hungry for love.
Naked, not only for clothing – but naked of human dignity and respect.
Homeless, not only for want of a room – but homeless because of rejection.
God bless you all. Love from,
~Karen and the gang
