Missing Passport, Missing Person … Happy Ending!

May 25, 2015 Posted by HATS Visitors

And the journey begins…

Not without some excitement though! It’s Friday night and there’s last minute things to do before heading to the airport to begin the first leg of our journey to HATS-Haiti. With great excitement and anticipation of what’s to come and only a little time left to complete last minute details. And much to our surprise we were blessed with an unplanned power outage that lasted for 31/2 hours!! Sounds a lot like the Haitian electrical grid, eh Karen? Power was restored but due to water build up on the highway and any other unforeseen mishaps, such as a moose or two, or heaven forbid, a team member misplacing his passport. yes folks, you heard it right. Since I was traveling with Don and Lacee, Jenny, Heather and Todd, I couldn’t understand why Don had not arrived as planned. Flash, as Don is fondly known, has a reputation for being a little tardy, but this was beyond that. My telephone rings and guess who? Mr Don calling to inform me that his passport is missing. He has been searching for his little black book but to no avail. The team is informed and we are all uneasy as this trip cannot proceed without Flash. It just wouldn’t be the same. After all, we do need our Daddy!!

He strongly feels we must get on the road so the rest of us would not miss our flights and besides, his car is loaded with numerous items for the orphanage. As per usual the importance of the HATS mission comes before anything else so he very sadly insists that we carry on without him and he will continue looking for his passport and then catch a later flight.

Hallelujah! The black book has been found, the flight rearranged and Don is on his way. We are not quite sure when he will arrive but please continue to check our blogs for further updates. As I endure a 12 hour stop over in Toronto, the rest of the team heads to Miami for a few hours of rest and relaxation. I decide to play telephone tag with Don because we now feel it may not be wise to leave him on his own!! Unfortunately, all that tag was for naught. His flights could not connect with mine. But that’s ok. See ya later Flash.

They say things happen in threes so are you ready for number three? I suddenly receive a frantic text from our two new team members, Shirley (Heather is the other) informing me that her hotel room was crawling with bed bugs!!! Are you laughing yet? Shirley wasn’t. Don’s misfortune became Shirley’s fortune as we were able to move her into the already booked hotel that couldn’t accommodate her as she had been a little later coming on board. Well Jerry and Alycia, you are surely missing loads of fun
Wish you were here!!!

May 23rd.
Sunday morning bright and early we meet in the lobby to pack bags into the shuttle bus and head to the airport. Oops !! Somebody is missing!! It’s Shirley! Her traumatic experience with bed bugs left the poor traumatized girl tossing and turning all night. The other missing person is sleeping it up in Toronto.

Finally we arrive in Port Au Prince extremely excited, a little anxious and certainly proud to be ambassadors from our hometown of Springdale, NL. Karen’s hometown as well. Its on to the bus and off to Deschapelles.

The beautiful smiling faces, hugs and kisses mixed in with welcome home and welcome new ones make our hearts do a happy dance. There is love all around .

Welcome to the team

Happy children. Happy Team

Unloading the goods for Haiti.

Lots of hugs going around

We acquaint and reacquaint ourselves with everyone and then are treated to our first Haitian meal. Yummy fried chicken, rice and beans with Creole sauce and salad. Germaine has definitely not lost her touch. We leave the table with our bellies full as we prepare to show ” The New Ones” our sleeping quarters.

The HATS Hilton sleeping arrangements.

Oh, by the way, its is really great to see you too Karen!!! We know its all about the children but you are kind of special to us as well!!

Jonathan is one of the reasons Heather’s heart is touched.

We were blessed with the visit of two Canadian police officers who are working with the United Nations here in Haiti. It made their day to see and spend time with fellow Canadians as well as to compete in a soccer match with the kids. The treats they supplied were a great hit!!

Lacey with Guillaume and Valerie.

Our kids with Guillaume and Valerie

Sandra happy to have Valerie back to visit.

Soccer with the kids

After a lovely supper we are starting to wind down. Possibly an early night but only after a few of Mama Karen’s bedtime stories. To even imagine touching a life in a country just as this is way out there. We are on a mission, a mission that is all about the children. The children and their future. A future we hope will be improved if only a little by our presence here. Good night all. Can’t wait to listen to the sounds of the heavenly choir. What a great day it has been.

Hugs,

~Emma and Shirley

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

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
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
I am so thankful to God for allowing me the opportunity to be here and experience his splendor. This day will forever be in my heart and mind. The scripture that resonates with me today is “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40. I am so happy I decided to come to HATS, this experience will stay with me for my life time.

Crystal Young
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
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!

Brian En
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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