Farewell from Jess
I will never forget the people I have met here, or the things I’ve gotten to experience! Driving around Haiti in the pan of the truck with all of the kids, singing on Luckner’sradio station, running around barefoot catching chickens, beginning and ending the day with devotions with the children and staff, handing outfood to people and gifts to sponsor children, our morning walks along the canal with the kids, trying (but failing) to beat JJ in a foot race, buying machetes at the market, attempting to get a family photo of Karen and all of her kids (where they are all looking at the camera at the same time– not so easy), cracking up laughing at all of the noises with Sandra every night, stargazing on the roof with the older kids… I could go on and on! These are just a few of the memories that I know I will cherish forever.
Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here, and the way He is using Karen and the staff here at HATS to minister to the community. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it, and encourage others to support it, as much as I can.
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 can say with certainty that I will be coming back here the next chance I get. I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country.
God bless!
Bondye beni nou anpil.
~Jess
Farewell from Pastor Dave
This is Pastor Dave and I just wanted to write a few words on my final day here. This has been a unbelievable experience, much more than I expected. This place gets into your heart, especially the kids. Karen says all the time “it is all about the kids” and it is. This is a place of safety, stability, instruction, training, love and giving them Jesus.
Each day I am impressed by the quality of care and upbringing HATS provides both in the orphanage and the school. Karen, Luckner and the staff really put it all out for the kids. I must admit, there were times when I just wanted to rest and sit, but when the kids came it had to be about them. It is about the kids!
During the last day here I was able to help Dickie with some fixer up projects, plumbing, hanging curtains, repairing door knobs, steps to be painted.
This evening will be our last time with the kids during their devotional time. This will be hard as Jess and I will be gone when they get up. I have so enjoyed the
devotional times with the kids. They sing with such sincerity and passion. You sometimes sit and worship at other times you are standing and clapping or marching around the room. Most times I can pick up the tune and sing in English and so get to worship with them. There are many of times when the kids just want you to sit by them and they rest their head on your shoulder or hold your hand, boy that is hard to not melt when that happens.
This has been a wonderful time, lots of work got done, I was able to preach in Church and along with Jim and Jess was able sing on the Radio. The food has been unbelievable, I was hoping to lose weight, does not seem like that is happening. It will take some time to process all this, but I have been challenged in my faith, faith to trust God for the miraculous. I have heard stories of how Karen and Luckner have trusted God and saw Him work in miraculous ways, by providing with them with resources, healing of bodies, and healing of souls. God is working in Haiti.
I am so thankful God provided this opportunity for me to come, and look forward to coming back, but am very excited to see what God is going to continue to do here and what new territory He will take here in Haiti. I also go back with renewed faith that God wants to do some much more in my life and in the life of my Church and my town.
Thanks Karen, Luckner and HATS for allowing us to come.
