Trip Excitement so Two Days in One!

May 26, 2014 Posted by HATS Visitors

Emma and Joanne here. Sorry about not getting to the blog yesterday, we were so overwhelmed with the excitement of the trip and it was very late when we stopped to blog….soo here are two days (which feels like a week)

SATURDAY
After a stop over in Miami; which lead to a wonderful evening, we hunkered down for a few hours of sleep. Our flight to Port au Prince began with an early rise to catch a 6:30 departure, We were “pumped”. After arriving at the Port au Prince airport Our fiery Redhead (who bribed her way in to arrivals) met us with humor and smiles. Then it was time to collect our luggage and precious cargo.

Airport arrival

Needless to say the event did not go smooth as we had anticipated as our Don realized that his camera was not in his pocket. That camera has documented every detail of our journey since we left Deer lake, NL (so we decided he was important enough for us to look for it…leave it to a man). After going to the lost and found without any luck, a few airport employees went to check the plane. After waiting awhile hoping for the best the employees returned unsuccessful. We hope whoever has this camera enjoys viewing our beautiful and handsome faces.

Is Don trying to remember something

Then came our journey to customs. Easy you may think…but this is Haiti and we have 16 totes and several suitcases. We approached customs with confidence thinking it would be a breeze (but a breeze is hard to come by in Haiti) For the first time since Karen has been accepting teams at the HATS mission we were stopped at customs. (….its not what you think there were no police dogs involved!!!) Thinking we had been diligent and properly labelled all our luggage by putting lists on the outside, the word Tylenol proved to be a red flag. The security officers proceeded to herd us all into a side room. As we stood speechless and not sure what was going to happen….our fiery redheaded leader (aka Karen) took charge and delivered an Oscar winning performance with her teary display of emotions. “please don’t take my vitamins kind lady” This worked like a charm. Some of the bags were checked and we were cleared.

We gathered everything and headed to the parking lot while attempting to discourage some Haitian men who felt we needed help (which Karen had already made arrangement for). This is how some of the Haitian people attempt to make income. Luckner (Karen’s assistant director) and Daniel (policeman security) assisted by our own Gerry, Don and Todd swiftly loaded the vehicle and we were on our way.

Van and truck loaded. Ready to head for the mission.

We left the airport in a van driver by a trustworthy person of Karen and Luckner’s choosing for the two and a half hour drive to Deschapelles. For those of us who were first time visitors this scene played out like a movie. Instead it proved to reflect the daily life of people simply trying to survive. It is an eye opener when you see people in their desperation trying to sell sticks and rocks among other things simply to make a dollar. The speed of Haitian drivers would make one dizzy.

We arrived at the Orphanage and as the gate opened we were greeted with the beautiful smiles and waves of the children. We got off the bus and there was an abundance of hugs and kisses. When we walked through the door of the house there was Roselene and Germaine we were treated to a wonderful meal.

Then came the big tour. Karen showed us all of the compound, children’s homes and school. I was amazed by the library and how well everything is organized and available. It shows the diligence and hard work of Karen’s labor of love. With great enthusiasm came the ” Piece de resistance” A new church. Karen gave us the tour with all of the details of what is yet to come. The church will eventually have doors, windows and a place to serve water to the congregation. Quite a change from using the children school rooms for the past number of years. We were excited to know we would be holding the Mothers Day service there tomorrow.

We then took all the children outside the compound for a walk and short play time.

First afternoon fun time outside the compound

Ti Luc with his Mama Emma

Happy Ti Fi with Gerry

Our evening ended with Emma giving each child a new outfit for the Mothers Day service for which they very proudly modeled. The it was off to our tents on the roof. (thanks guys for caring enough to spray our tents to keep away the creatures )

Boys in their new pants, shirts and ties

SUNDAY
Bonne Fette.. .Happy Mothers Day

After a much needed, restful sleep it was up and atam again. Today is the big Day that Karen and Luckner have planned for all the mamas and their families in the community. There will be a church service and Karen estimates there will be 250 – 300 people attending . Following the service they will be served a hot meal and cold drink. Preparations took place yesterday with some of the older children from the school helping prepare the food to be served. After a breakfast of fresh fruit and Haitian porridge we all did final preparations for the “Big event”. After getting the children all dressed in their finest we headed off to church. Wow what a service!! Our fine leader |Emma delivered a special message in English translated by Karen. Emma then delivered a beautiful solo “Make a joyful noise”.

Emma doing a solo after a little pushing from Karen

The heat was tremendous but was overshadowed by the beautiful children all dressed for their mama’s special day. The church was filled with prayer and praise and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Karen’s estimation of attendees was a little low as Luckner had mentioned on the radio about the service. Last rough count was 450. Wow and double Wow! Luckner had to rush to get more rice and beans as Karen was feeding EVERYONE!! The loaves and fishes were stretched to capacity – there were no baskets of food left over!!!

Mother’s Day Church Service

Luckner helping serve the meals for all the people

A meal for those attending the Mother’s Day service

People enjoying a meal after our Mother’s Day service

After the last people left we returned to have our meal then spend the rest of the afternoon playing with the children and the men of our team assisted Karen with clean up of the school yard and removal of chairs and garbage. To have experienced what happened here today gives a deeper respect and admiration for Karen and all that happens here at HATS throughout the year.

Our Mothers Day ended with the children presenting two of the house mothers Yolene and Germaine with a present.

Karen had a Mothers Day photo opt (that the kids had to change back into their dress clothes which we are also chalking up to a new experience.) The children sang a song ( taught to them by Emma on Saturday) especially for their mama and they each said they loved her.

Karen with most of her family on Mother’s Day

Talking about mama….she is telling us we are taking too long with this blog so we are signing off and the rest is up to your imagination. See you tomorrow. God bless.

~Emma and Joanne

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
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 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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
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