The Team Texas Journey to HATS

March 1, 2013 Posted by HATS Visitors

The team has written the blog.

( Karen says “What a day of travel, and what an experience they had yesterday!” We are thanking God for a safe arrival. )

Detailed account of the travel and arrival of the Texas Team at HATS:

4:43 AM – Arrive at Amarillo International Airport

5:02 AM – Start the process of checking in our luggage and shifting around the ozarka watering station to another luggage piece

5:18 AM – Luggage check-in process complete

5:25 AM – Made it through the TSA Q&A Session and arrive at Gate 2

5:33 AM – Jennifer informs the team that we are crazy and that there are a lot of days left in February and that April does not come after March. If you are confused by this statement, so are we. And so was Jennifer.

5:35 AM – Jake reassures Jennifer with some PDA. (Public Display of Affection – Jake and Jennifer married only last July.)

6:02 AM – American Airlines Gate Counter Attendant “Good morning ladies and gentlemen, we realize that we have now arrived at our scheduled departing time however we must start the engines for the plane before we depart.” Such an obvious statement should have been our first clue that AA was not going to win the customer service award for the day (oh how I wish Air Canada flew out of Amarillo).

6:50 AM – Our scheduled 6:00 AM flight finally departs AMA on the way to DFW.

7:45 AM – Team Texas safely arrives at DFW and speed walks over to gate D28 in order to board our scheduled 7:55 AM departure to Fort Lauderdale.

7:48 AM – PDA between Jake and Jennifer during the speed walk over to gate D28.

7:55 AM – We arrive at Gate D28 only to realize our scheduled flight left “several minutes” ago. David expresses astonishment that an American Airlines flight not only left on time, but slightly early. AA agent agrees with this statement.

8:05 AM – AA reroutes us through Miami to PAP. Brooks “Dear AA Agent, you will make sure that our luggage is transferred over to our new
flight.” “Oh yes, Mr. Boyett I am making the phone call right now down to the baggage agent to make sure that your luggage is transferred.” This is the second statement from AA that would cause one to wish for a Canadian airline to set up shop in the USA.

8:55 AM – We board the Miami bound flight from DFW.

8:55:43 AM – Jake and Jennifer exchange PDA as they pass through the 1st Class section of the Miami bound flight.

4:25 PM – Team Texas arrives in PAP.

4:43 PM – Team Texas watches the luggage carousel go round and round, round and round, round and round. Imagine – our luggage did not make it to PAP.

4:44 PM – Jake and Jennifer celebrate the news of our lost luggage with some PDA.
4:50 PM – Team Texas loads Van No. 1 for the scenic travel out to HATS.

5:17 PM – Van No. 1 pulls over and the driver and his first assistant kick the front passenger tire repeatedly.

5:45 PM – Van No. 1 pulls over and the driver and his first assistant locate a tool set within the van to make the necessary repairs.

5:52 PM – Horrendous noise heard from the undercarriage of Van No. 1. Brad externally remains cool, calm, and collected, but internally probably begins to wonder why Karen and Luckner sent him to pick up the team.

5:55 PM – Van No. 1 pulls over and the team loads into Van No. 2. Jake and Jennifer rejoice with PDA, then fall asleep for the rest of the ride home. David, Sara, Julie, and Brooks high five.

8:15 PM – Van No. 2 safely arrives at HATS into the welcoming arms of DG.

Team on site first morning with Jofky, Ti Fi and Anne

Jennifer, Ti Fi, Anne, Sara and Sandra

Friday, March 1 (yes Jennifer we are now in the month of March).

So glad to be here. So glad to worship with the HATS kids and team in morning devotions this AM. Ready to get to work. Ready to start the painting process.

Dav id with one of our students – Frantzy

Sara with Sandra

Julie with Leica

Thank you for your prayers – all is well.

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

They call Karen “the helicopter ” and after spending three days by her side I know why. She propels through life!!! If you want to get on the ride you better start running. It is an amazing work that the Lord is doing here through so many many dedicated workers…literally hundreds of children impacted every day with the love of Christ…but the task to do so is enormous. The dedication of staff is invaluable…they NEED US ALL!!

Barbara & Louis
HATS Visitors
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
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
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
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!

Jess MacDonald
HATS Visitor
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! Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it. 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 will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country. God bless.

Jess Buckle
HATS Visitor
I had anticipated that I would enjoy spending time getting to know the children and being a part of Karen’s daily life in Haiti but I had not anticipated that it would capture my heart like it did. I will miss spending time with the children and Karen but I am hopeful that I’ll be able to see them all again in the not too distant future.

Sara-May Cardy
HATS Visitor
We’ve made a difference, I believe. Big stuff, little stuff; it all contributed to the greater good and that big picture: keeping HATS a surviving and thriving, safe haven for the children of Deschapelles, Haiti. And oh my, what children they are. As expected, it was tough to leave. There were tears, whispers, hugs and I’ll miss you’s. I learned that it gets easier (only a bit) for those who’ve done this a few times. As Bob says “I’m part of the furniture now. I don’t say ‘goodbye’, I say ‘see you later’.” Maybe that’s how you cope with leaving…you return. Once, five times, 10 times. However many. Guaranteed you’ll leave a different person than when you came in.

Aimee Feaver
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
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