Temperature Swings from 1 to 40 in a Day!

May 1, 2013 Posted by HATS Visitors

Trouble and Double Trouble!!! Before beginning tonight’s blog I want to tell you about the big surprise we received upon our arrival in Port Au Prince. After relating to the team about the rugged conditions of the arrivals area of the airport, we walked off the plane to a beautiful brand spanking new terminal!! I was
absolutely speechless!!!I know what you are thinking but hey, anything is possible isn’t it?

We began our morning at 6:00 after listening to natures choir serenade us through the night. Whoever thought roosters were important and only crow at morning, needs a good talking to. However it did not keep us away from a great breakfast prepared for us by our awesome H.A.T.S. kitchen staff. Then it was off to devotions with the staff and school children. What a joy to see how faith plays such a vibrant part of the beginning of the school day. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned in this for many educators.

School devotions

Recess proved to be thrilling for us all as our own Stephen Hobbs showed the students that Newfies are awesome soccer players!! The applause from the bystanders was deafening!!! Way to go Stephen!

Newfie soccer player Stephen

Not to be outdone, the remainder of the team prepared and served nutritional drinks to the eagerly awaiting children. The looks on each little face were filled with so much joy, we fought to hold back tears. Something so small but yet so big in their eyes. Aren’t we blessed?

Alycia & Holly serving nutritional drink

Nurse Sarah patching up a soccer player

Doreen and Emma

Lunchtime saw us who are sponsors having the opportunity to meet our sponsor children and bond a little before presenting them with gifts brought from Canada. Would have melted the coldest of hearts and even brought tears to a glass eye. We travelled by HATS Tap Tap to Luckner’s shop to purchase supplies, mainly drinks to keep us well hydrated as we aren’t really used to this weather. Going from 1 degree to 35-40 can be a little trying on the system.

Alycia and sponsored student Kimberly

Emma and her sponsored student Carla

Stephen & Sarah with their student Bervalie

Cavelle with her student Frantz

HATS TapTap leaving Luckner’s business

Arriving back at the compound, we attacked the huge bags of rice and beans and cornmeal and bagged them equally to be distributed to families in the village. We quickly learned that a Newfoundland cup and a Haitian cup are different in size. The latter being more generous!!! What fun we had.

Measuring the food for distribution

While some of us choose to walk with Karen, others played with the children. Some of the older girls were treated to a needlepoint class given by our talented Doreen Canning. Holly got a lesson too!!

Doreen teaching needlepoint

After a delicious supper of pumpkin soup, we participated in evening devotions with the children and staff and showed off some of our musical abilities!! And now folk’ it’s time to hit the rooster’ oops I mean the hay!! Bon nwit zanmi nou yo!!

God Bless you all as we have been blessed!

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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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’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