Leaving a Part of my Heart in Haiti

January 22, 2013 Posted by HATS Visitors

Farewell from Jess

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! 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.

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

Archive by Month

Testimonials

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
Personally, this is my first time here. I’ve never done a mission trip of any sort before and I’ve certainly never been anywhere this hot before. I keep seeing things that are different from what I’m used to, and hearing about things even more unfamiliar to me. One of the most surprising things to meis how quickly I’ve grown to love all the people here. Everyone here is great, and the team is wonderful too. Watching everyone support each other warms my heart almost as much as the sun warms my skin. I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I know that this trip has already had a profound impact on my life.

Matthew Sketchley
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
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
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
I’m not sure what we’re doing here, just showing up for a week – it’s not like it’s sustainable. And I don’t want to become depressed by some of the harsh realities that Karen has to deal with every day. You know it’s ONE thing to start an orphanage and school (Yes, Karen has done things that are beeeeyond me), but it’s ANOTHER thing to raise the 20 babies that become YOUR kids!!! Not only are they a big family, but they are a big family containing individual stories that got them all to where they are in the orphanage. I don’t even know how to describe it…I have never seen a woman her age with this much energy…fun loving energy that is. She so inspired me today and really is a wonderful mother to all these children.

Barbara
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
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
It is our last day and there is always a certain amount of sadness and joy when we come to the end of a trip . We look forward to our homes and loved ones but there is a part of us that wants to stay and be near these dear dear children. They open their hearts and arms to you when you enter the front gate. They give you laughter and tears all week long and then they cry and hug you when they know you are going away. Being near that kind of unconditional love effects us all very deeply. So we leave part of our hearts here and promise to return.

Gerry Rhyno
HATS Visitor
Thank you Karen for everything you do, all the hard work and dedication that you put into this place, all of the work behind the scenes. Thank you for putting up with all the craziness that we bring when we come to your house for the week, just thank you times a million and one for everything Karen. I can write about my week until I am blue in the face (maybe not write that long but if you know me I can definitely talk for that long), and can sing about kit kat bars until my voice gives out, but I cannot even begin to try and articulate in song, dance, or other random art forms how thankful and blessed I am to have been given this experience not only once but twice! Thank you – thank you – thank you – thank you!!!!!!!

Kathleen
HATS Visitor