Playing Games both Day and Night

June 2, 2013 Posted by HATS Visitors

Hello all, where do I even begin!? How wonderful it is to be back here again! How wonderful it is to see Karen and these gorgeous children. I cannot explain how content I am right now. Today was another eventful day, even though some didn’t really want it to be.

Louise and Joan went to the market with Karen in the morning. Before they left, they asked the men and I (Jessie) what we were going to do. Russ mentioned that he needed to work on his sermon for the kids tomorrow. Keith and Seth quickly decided they needed to help him prepare, so that left me (Jessie) to paint. Thankfully, Karen quickly nixed that and so began our eventful day.

Pastor Russ – Sermon preparation

Louise and Joan saw the Verrettes market and got to experience those wonderful sights and smells. While they were gone, we finished up painting and took time to play with the kids.

Market

Verrettes Market

Little different than WalMart parking lot

Loaded donkey moving through. Joan ended up sitting in a bag of charcoal

We finished painting the school Big Country Sky (A.K.A.- Dark Blue) after a few touch ups of Aqua Chintz. (Is it sad that I have painted so much in that color that I have the name burned in my memory and could match it perfectly to any paint swatch.) The school looks absolutely beautiful if I say so myself.

Painting continuing at school. Brad in supervisor position again

This afternoon we all got a lot of play time with the kids. Joan, Keith, Russ, and Louise went with Karen to get a tour of the hospital compound down the road for a short while. As the group was heading to the hospital, they had another event that added to our eventful day. The tire was flat, probably from all 8 adults and Kaylie being squeezed into the 5 passenger truck last night on the way to the radio station. They quickly had it fixed, yet we once again caught Keith laying down on the job!

Keith in normal work position – lying down

Seth and I hung around here. I think we played every game we have ever played with the kids in about a four hour span. (Around the world, Krappo, chalk, soccer, and Duck, Duck, goose to name a few) We LOVED every minute of it. One very special moment was when we were playing Duck, Duck, Goose. We had about ten kids playing and it was Ti Fi’s turn to be the ducker. She went around the circle and chose Judel. Judel got up and slowly pretended to run right behind Ti Fi until she ecstatically found her seat. He never touched her once. Then he just smiled at Seth and I with the most beautiful smile. What a great little boy. God is so good. How we love all these children and how thankful we are that God sent Lois, Brad, Kaylie, and Peter here! Brad has helped us know the master plan for our paint job this week. This afternoon Lois and Kaylie brought down wind-up cars that the group brought in with them. They conducted races between the kids, oh how they loved it! Peter was part of the races, too.

Playing Duck, Duck, Goose

Wow, look at that!!

Anne holding a baby zandolite

After returning from the hospital, Louise played with the children in the sand pit. She admitted they made an absolute mess EVERYWHERE! But, we all were surprised when the children swept and cleaned the area even better than it was before. They also swept up wood chips left by the workers. Great teamwork!

Moise & Ti Luc cleaning up sawdust & woodchips

We got to have a short devotion time in before it started to rain this evening. We all quickly parted ways for bed when it arrived.

Evening Devotions

Not for long however, like every other rain in Haiti it stopped within four minutes and back they were. Hockey game number two was on its way. Kaylie was the Rookie of the game . We all quickly realized she was of Canadian blood because she mastered the skills within minutes. Ti Luc continues to better his game. He was flying high tonight stopping everything that came his way! It continues to amaze me how he can find a way to be involved and do it to his best! The night ended with the children being given glow-in –the- dark bracelets. They all danced, giggled, and sang their way to bed.

As I sit here now, there is an intense game of Cribbage going on in the other room. In one corner a competitive Newfie who will play with all her heart (Karen), in the next a sly almost-retired airline pilot who wants to walk away with the grand prize –bragging rights (Keith), rounding around you will find a music teacher (Joan) in her prime who will manage a way to win in any circumstances. She has been quoted saying “All’s fair in love and cards.” I assume you will be eagerly awaiting the results tomorrow. Until then, sleep well! God is good ALWAYS!

~Jess

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

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 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
This is my first trip to Haiti and I’m hoping that it will not be my last! I could start by telling you all about my experiences however I’ll start by saying that Haiti DOES hit you in your heart! Not a day goes by when I’m not fighting back tears. Hands Across the Sea is an amazing place! Our team has been assembled of different men that all who all felt God calling them to do his bidding. Since I have been here I was quick to realize that we are just helpers here. Karen and her team of workers are, what I believe to be, the real workers of God! Each child presents their own challenges and Karen and her staff make sure that all of the children, not one child, are seen to!

Bernie Melanson
HATS Visitor
The time has passed so quickly. We know what we’ve done this week is important and makes a difference here at Hands Across the Sea. But it’s easy in Haiti to feel that anything we do here is simply a drop in the ocean. So much need on so many different levels: political, organizational, educational, social, spiritual…But we remind ourselves that each individual life is of infinite value so changing the life of one child and one family is worth the effort.

Liette Wilson
HATS Visitor, Supporter & Board Member
A huge thank you to aunt Karen, who always seems to be doing something with her children and the HATS mission. The only time she takes for herself is long enough to spread some almond butter on a banana that she eats on the run. Thank you so much for all your hard work and unwavering dedication. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. We love you and our Haitian family very much. The longer I spend at HATS, the bigger piece of my heart remains. Take care of yourself and our kiddies until we see each other again.

Jocelyn Barnes
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
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
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
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 spent a week in Haiti at HATS in November 2017 and it was a wonderful experience. Karen is an amazing woman and is doing amazing work. She is dedicated to the children in her care and is changing lives. I would love the opportunity to visit again and help out where I can.

Sandy Eastly
HATS Visitor