It is Hot…Did I Mention it is Hot?!

February 17, 2014 Posted by Robert Comeau

I was told to write a blog so don’t check my spelling too close.

Blogger Bob with the two finger peck

Coming to Haiti is always a treat for me. I always push myself hard to help these people. If the only thing I can do in my life is make a difference in someones life then I die a contented person. For some people it takes a lifetime to realize that we take too much for granted. We have so much and these folks have so little in materials but so much in life. They are not worried about their internet going down or what their next car will be. These folks think of what their next meal might be or better yet if there is going to be another one.

My Grandson Luke made some bracelets made out of rubber bands and I gave some to the kids. I bet you they liked them as much as some of our kids like their I phones or computers. Thank you Luke, they liked them very much. Well our week is coming to an end. Our project is also coming to halt. We are short some sheets of plastic roofing. So if we can locate more we are going to try to finish. If not we won’t be able to. I hate to leave with a project not finished. It is hot here.

HATS children with their bracelets from Luke

I have been watching the goings on next door on the Church being built. The boys are doing an awesome job. Its going to be nice to worship in that new building. It is hot here.

Church construction

The guys are working hard. Makes me think we might be in competition. We push and look they push and look and wave. These guys are hard workers. That’s why I want to get as much done as we can to show we care. We want to leave here knowing that we left with nothing for them to finish. (Its really pretty warm)

Last night we spent some time at Radio Creole. It was a special time.

Special time at Radio Creole

I am Godfather to two sweet little girls Karena and Leica. I got to give them some dolls as gifts. Now what’s better than that. We are spending time with the kids here and the ones at the school at recess. I was here two years ago and what a difference in the kids. They are growing like weeds. Phew its hot.

Godfather Bob with Karena & Leica

Haiti in the last few visits is changing . A lot of changes from the earthquake. Good changes. The roads are better the roadsides are cleaner. There are less tents and more permanent homes. Maybe not to our standards but homes none the less. Coming off of what we call kidnap alley I noticed the whole mountain side that was once peppered with tents is now half empty of tents and some permanent homes are in place. In some other places that had no homes now some are built. Big changes have happened. 2009 I think was my first time here. The road to get here being about 90 kilometers had about 10 kilometers of pavement . Now the road is great. I look and we make it here in 2 hours and some compared to 3 and more. So many improvements have been made for the good of the people. People like myself try to make a difference in at least one person but together we are making a difference for many. I’m just grateful that I can do this. Only because at home I have an understanding wife with a bigger heart than mine. A lady that takes care of business with and without me there. Thank you LINDA for allowing me to be part of this. ( Man its hot)

This morning we had an awesome worship service. We had close to 120 in attendance. It was hot!!

Church this morning

Construction is not the only thing they do well

Ti Riviere. We went up to Ti Riviere today we see the house (palace) built by Henri Christoph. The palace had to be something else in it’s time. It has 365 doors. Any thing over 10 and I get lost. I’d be no good there. We then went to the old fort what a view in the valley breath taking in itself. (Oh did I say it was hot.)

Inside the palace with 365 doors

Checking around the palace property

Inside the fort at Ti Riviere

This afternoon Brian De did a drumming workshop outside Karen’s place with some of the children. They do love drumming.

Drumming workshop by Brian De

Well that’s all I have to say for now GOD bless everyone who partakes of this experience.

~Bob the Builder

About Robert Comeau

Robert Comeau has been involved with Hands Across the Sea since 2006. He has traveled to Haiti 13 times and has worked on most of the HATS-Haiti projects. Robert and his wife have recently retired after operating a senior’s facility with 17 residents for the past 20 years. Robert, who lives in Nova Scotia, is very happy to be a board member & give of his time & energy to support the work in Haiti.

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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
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
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
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
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’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
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
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
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 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