The Amarillo, Texas Team has Arrived

February 25, 2012 Posted by HATS Visitors

The Amarillo, Texas team is here and having a blast. We’re made up of David Nance, Ryan Reneau, Molly and Joanna Ritchie, Julie Ratliff, and me, Brooks Boyett. Molly and Julie are the newbies, and they’re adjusting quite nicely. Our blog post is delayed because we fired our team leader, David, from blogging duties. He did a fine job keeping everyone updated on our journeys here the past couple of years, but we decided it was time for a change. Plus, he’s eating pancakes right now. So the duty has fallen on me..

Our day started Thursday morning at the Amarillo airport at 4:45, getting ready for our 6am flight, when the airlines informed us that Haiti was not allowing plastic crates into the country. This posed a problem, as we had 9 crates of supplies for the orphanage loaded up and ready to go. David showed his calm leadership abilities by quietly weeping in the fetal position for a couple of minutes. Not really. He instantly called Molly’s husband Brian, who was in route with his girls, and asking him to stop by the Wal-mart not far from the airport. They ran in, bought 9 suitcases and rushed them to the airport. We unloaded the crates into the suitcases as quickly as possible, got them weighed and checked, rushed through security, and got on the plane with 10 minutes to spare. Brian Ritchie is a hero.

We arrived safely on Thursday afternoon. The best part of arriving is walking out of the airport to the welcoming hug of Karen. Whether its your first time to Haiti or your fourth or fifth, Karen makes you feel like an old friend. We were extremely excited that Seth and Jessie Huber have made their return to finish out their time here helping at HATS. They arrived here with us a year ago to spend a year with the orphanage. Their return to the States at Christmas was extended quite a bit due to Seth’s tonsils not cooperating with him. He seems quite recovered now other than the fact that his handyman skills seem diminished. He built a wooden door frame yesterday that didn’t quite fit the concrete opening intended for it. He blames the concrete workers for the poor measurements, but I’m pretty sure his tonsils contained all his handyman powers. We’ll see in the coming weeks. Regardless, the kids were very excited to have them back.

Arrived safely. Let’s go to the mission.

Leader David is tired maybe or . . .

After the long journey from the airport made quicker by our van driver speeding through the streets until Luckner, Karen’s right hand man Mr. Everything here in Haiti (more on that later) told him to be careful and slowed down. Luckner was following in Karen’s vehicle with our luggage. I think that’s what he said – he pulled up next to him and yelled at him in Creole. We then slowed down after that. I also think we convinced Ryan that he and his fiancee Keelie should get married in Haiti and honeymoon here. The Obama Beach Hotel looks wonderful. Hopefully Ryan will have time to stop and make reservations for this August on the way back to the airport on Tuesday. We made it in Thursday night, hugged on the kids, then went to bed. It was a long day.

Molly with Jonathan & Ismyis

Friday, we started the day of in the best way possible – a devotional with all the kids and staff. If you want to see what the true joy of the Lord looks like, spend some time singing praises to Jesus with kids that know what it’s truly like to be rescued from the pit and loved on by the Jesus who lives in the staff here. There’s not a better thing in the world.

We then went to work, painting and finishing up the remodeling of the kitchen area for the kids. The house mothers are very excited about us finishing it up. So we painted the walls, cabinets, shelves (which we’ll hang Saturday), and Seth made a door frame that didn’t fit. I’m sure it will be great today. We also got started on a portion of the new guard tower. I’m trying to talk Karen into letting us paint it camouflage, but she doesn’t like that idea. It’s all happy, bright pastels around here.

Carpenter Seth is back

Renovations of kitchen in Kay Margo

|I then got to do a little magic show for the kids and staff, which is always fun, but as a result, every time the kids see me, they ask me to make rocks disappear over and over again. We then went for a walk up and down the canal before dinner. We thought that ended our day. We were wrong.

Group watching Brooks do his tricks

Canal family walk

After dinner, we were thinking about bedtime, but Karen had plans to run down to see Lukner’s radio station. Lukner is not only principal of the school here, a lawyer, and owner of a little store, he’s also owner of a radio station that opened last August. He broadcasts Christian music and is impacting this region in phenomenal ways. It’s hugely popular, at least with the Christian community. We loaded up and went to see the station. Lukner invited us on the air, and boy did the fun commence. People call in and request music, then Lukner plays it if he has it. If he doesn’t have it, he and the guys at the studio just sing it acappella. He decided to play some English music for us to sing along to. We tried our best, but it was obscure country gospel music they we had never heard before. It was hilarious, because we tried our best. At least Seth, Ryan and I tried our best. The rest of the team allowed us to make fools of ourselves over the airwaves to thousands. We finally got to sing our own acappella version of “Amazing Grace.” It sounded amazing – during the first verse. Seth got us going on the second verse. We started out with gusto. “Twas grace that…” until we realized no one really knew the right words to verse 2. We made some stuff up, then tried to finish off with a quality rendition of verse 4. It was equally terrible. We then sang along to a few worship songs we actually knew, including “I Can Only Imagine.” I then got to talk to a caller who knew English. He wanted to meet up with me this weekend – since I’m American he was hoping I could give him money. I told him sorry, but I was busy.

Move over Luckner – Brooks is here

Team at Radio Creole

Mariah singing on the air at Radio Creole

Hopefully Lukner still has listeners. Really, it was a huge blast. We enjoyed ourselves immensely. And I can’t state enough what kind of an impact the station is having on the community. Lives are being changed.

It was a long, wonderful first full day at HATS. We’re so excited to be here.

~Brooks

About HATS Visitors

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

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Testimonials

This is my first time traveling outside of Canada and I am proud to say it was for a mission trip. I have always wanted to go on one and see what it like in other parts of the world and do what I can to help out. Haiti is a terminus life change for me and how I look at things. Seeing these kids and how they have such a passion for each other and for us is truly inspiring. I look back to what I was like at that age and I don’t think I was half as kind or generous as they are. This morning we did devotions and as I was speaking about what an impact they had on me only in one day I started to tear up…it was very emotional to talk about.

Isaiah Henderson
HATS Visitor
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.

Mike & Nicki White
HATS Visitors
I spent a week in Haiti at HATS in November 2017 and it was a wonderful experience. Karen is an amazing woman and is doing amazing work. She is dedicated to the children in her care and is changing lives. I would love the opportunity to visit again and help out where I can.

Sandy Eastly
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 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.

Nancy Goodwin
HATS Visitor
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.

Cherie MacDonald
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
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!

Bernie Melanson
HATS Visitor
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 morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.

Nicole Boudreau & Marcia Muise
HATS Visitors