Jess
Hello all! My name is Jess Buckle, a photographer/student from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, and I am currently here at the HATS compound, taking a bit of a break from chores after enjoying a delicious meal of spaghetti with the gang!
I arrived here in Deschapelles yesterday evening. It was a long day of travel. I left Newfoundland around 7 PM Monday, spent the night at my cousins’ house outside of Halifax, then met up with Sandra, Dickie, and Pastor Dave at the airport 4:30 AM. We had a short layover in Newark, and arrived in Port-au-Prince at 2 PM, with no complications!
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| Landing in PAP |
I fell in love with Haiti the minute I stepped off the plane. The scenery alone was enough to take my breath away. Karen and Luckner were at the airport waiting for us when we arrived. Everyone was very welcoming. We waiting around at the airport for awhile for Jim’s flight to get in, then drove for around 3 hours or so to get here. The drive was stunning! I enjoyed every minute of it. The pictures I had seen of this place didn’t do it justice.
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| Waiting for Jim to arrive |
When we arrived at the compound we got to meet the kids briefly before they did their evening devotional and went to bed. I’m already trying to figure out how to smuggle one of them home in my suitcase (haha). They’re so sweet! They had a welcome sign up on the wall and an amazing hot meal waiting for us. I felt like I was home right away.
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| greeting sign |
Sleeping last night was an interesting experience to say the least. There are so many different sounds coming from every which way. Roosters, dogs barking, trucks honking, Jim snoring… just to name a few. But I woke up feeling plenty rested for the day!
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| Jess and Sandra |
We started out the day with a devotional at 7:30. Singing, dancing and prayer. They do this every day and I think I should probably start doing the same back home! We then got put to work right away portioning rice, beans, and cornmeal to hand out to some of the families.
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| Working hard when Karen was working at school |
We got to take a break from work for awhile to get a tour of the school and see the students at work. The kids were super eager to have their picture taken during their recess break. They were swarming around me, all posing so that I would take their photo. I definitely got a few keepers!
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| Visit to preschool one clas |
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| Visiting grade 8 |
We also got to go for a quick ride into town to pick up a few supplies. Sandra, Jim and I sat in the pan of the truck. It was a hoot! I am in love with this place.
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| relaxing in the back |
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| countryside |
It is only 2 PM right now and it feels like we’ve done so much today already. I suppose that’s what happens when you’re up and on the go at 5 in the morning! Anyways, I want to get the most out of every second I’m here, so that’s all for now. I know one week won’t be enough! God bless!
~Jess
Pastor Dave
First Impressions
As I flew into Port-Au- Prince I was apprehensive and excited, because this was all new to me and I was excited to see what God is going to do in my heart and through my life while here in Haiti. As I stepped off the plane and saw the city, the people, Karen, Luckner and the others I felt the excitement and reality overcome my apprehension. Even as I drove from the City to Deschapelles my heart began to break as I saw faces of people with stories, pasts, dreams and hopes. I saw pain, and poverty, laughter and hopelessness. We drove into the compound at dark and saw children dancing with excitement as we the quest were arriving. We all got hugs as the new guest were greeted and seasoned veterans got reacquainted. They even made a sign to welcome us.
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| Welcome 1 |
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| Welcome2 |
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| Jim with god-daughter Anne |
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| at school |
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| packaging food |
destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. THIS IS STORING UP TREASURE IN HEAVEN.
I am blessed to be here and see what God has done and is doing.
~Pastor Dave
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