Arrival to a Warm Canada Day Greeting!

July 2, 2013 Posted by HATS Visitors

Well we have made it!!!! My heart is smiling, I am smiling, SMILES ALL AROUND!!!!!!! It seems like yesterday that I was here, but it was exactly a year ago today that I was getting on that plane in Halifax and balling my eyes out waving bye to Dad from the plane! Thank you so much to everyone who has made it possible for me to come to Haiti yet again (I think I am going to end up crying by the end of this blog!)

First of all God is good!!! Already there have just been so many God things that have happened and that I am so grateful for! I met up with Beate yesterday in Miami and with Starbucks in hand started for the hotel. We met up with Emily and Hannah later and went swimming before an early bedtime. This morning started at 3:40!!!!! (Well technically 12:30 if you count Beate’s watch going off in the middle of the night! :P) I got to ride in my very first yellow cab today (an exciting life I lead eh!?) We got through customs and everything SUPER FAST!!!! Got some breakfast and started playing the waiting game. The plane ride started when Beate and I volunteered to sit in the emergency exit seat! Hilarious I know, but lots of leg room was to be found there along with some time to study the instructions on how to open up that emergency door if need be. Just so you all know me and Beate studied that thing like a BOSS and if anything had of happened our game plan would have made for the safest emergency landing ever… Just saying) Anywhooo, the flight went by super duper fast, Beate and I were woken up by the announcement saying that we were landing in 30 minutes and were shocked that it went by that fast (we may have fallen asleep).

We got off the plane and found our bags not a problem and next thing I know …….. KARENNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!! Well we were off to the races, hugs and hugs and more hugs, into the van and off to HATS we go!!!!!! So much to see, so much to look at!! You really don’t want to miss anything!!! We stopped at “Bon Jean” which is a Haitian Burger King, so much fun just to see it and the grocery store as well! Next stop…. HATS!!!!!

Almost ready to head to the mission

The kids made us the CUTEST sign EVER and it was waiting on the gate when we came in, and then all of the kids and their BEAUTIFUL FACES!!!!!!!!!
Hi (<–that is from JJ)

Arrived at the mission

They were all singing O Canada, SOOOOO beautifully!! It was so special, and then HUGS!!!!!!!!!!! From hugs we went right into Canada Day celebrations, stickers, flags, the whole nine yards!!!! We had some different races and other activities that we did as well!!!!

This week is going to go by sooooooo very fast, but I am trying to just soak it all in like a sponge!!! I am so excited to see all that God has in-store for not only this organization and everyone involved but our week as well, some exciting times are in the near future!!! SUPPER TIME!!!!!!!!!!

Beate’s turn:
Hellllloooooo from sunny Haiti. I was pretty excited when the pilot announced that it was only 78 degrees. Then Karen quickly reminded us that it was only 9 a.m. …and now…probably around 36 with the humidity. It was great to meet up with Emily and Hannah at the hotel in Miami, and we got up around 3:20 a.m. to catch our 6:50 flight. All went without a hitch. This is my 3rd trip to HATS, and it sure feels like coming home to family and friends. Everyone is so welcoming and loving here. And what a sight to see the kids all singing O’Canada to us as we drove into the compound with Lois conducting. This is my first time meeting the Reimer family, and it took two seconds to see how fantastic they are. What a great afternoon they had planned for us to celebrate Canada Day.

It didn’t take long to tattoo the kids (and us) with flags, maple leafs and hockey players (I think Josie gets the prize for the most “ink” and stickers on her body).

Canada Stickers and Tattoos

Our Canada girl Josie

Our Canada Day party boy.

We then had a fun-filled time with some friendly competition relay races like “egg on a spoon,” “potato sack races” “three legged-race,” (but had to cancel the wheel barrow competition due to the thunder storm).

Egg Races

Did I say friendly…hmmm…check out the competition between Ti-Luc (with his side-kick Kathleen) and Ti Fi (with her accomplice Beate)…. okay, they wiped out on their own, it wasn’t Ti Fi or I who tripped them….I think it was a tie in the end.

Ti Luc with Kathleen & Ti Fi with Beate in sack race #1

Ti Luc with Kathleen & Ti Fi with Beate in sack race #2

Ti Luc and Ti Fi in sack race # 3

Germaine & Martha are good sports

Watch those Halifax girls go

Jonathan & Sandra in sack race

We had a delicious meal prepared for us (both lunch and dinner), and after devotions began to unpack the suitcases. Thank you so much to everyone who helped out. The gifts and medications etc. are so needed and welcomed. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. (Photos coming tomorrow.)

HATS Director and the Team Leader

Okay, I’m signing off now. Emily and Hannah will blog tomorrow. Love to all…

~Kathleen

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

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
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
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
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
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
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
Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal… and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope. We are already in love with Haiti.

Team Canada
HATS Visitors
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