Cornerstone Team’s Visit ⚽

March 13, 2017 Posted by HATS Visitors

Our team of five flew into Port-au-Prince Saturday afternoon. After a bumpy ride to HATS we arrived just in time for a bowl full of soup-joumou (pumpkin soup filled with noodles, chicken, vegetables). Did I mention it started to downpour the last part of our journey? We arrived in the dark while the heavens opened up and poured down sweet rain. We ran inside the main house and were greeted by many eyes upon us. Little peeks, and waves came from some very excited children. We sat chatting and laughing. In just a few moments we had kids climbing all over us and playing with our strange hair.

After the men hauled up the suitcases to our wonderful accommodations, we slowly started to turn in. The night was cool from the rain and we were tired after travelling for 24 hours. We zipped ourselves into our beds and all fell into a deep sleep. We woke up to roosters making as much noise as possible, and went downstairs for a wonderful breakfast of pancakes and sweet Haitian coffee. Today was the day of time chance, except last year it was decided that it would not happen in Haiti, but this year there was debate on if it would. So we have spent most the day just pretending we know what hour of the day it is.

After our fantastic breakfast we put on our church clothes and headed over for church. Oh what a wonderful service it was. The singing was fantastic, and so much rhythm. We tried our best to sing along (some did better than others). The church is filled with kids from HATS and local kids from around the area. It was so great to see bigger siblings bringing in their small brothers and sisters.

When we finished church we ate a great lunch of tuna melts. We spent most of the afternoon unpacking our 10 suitcases and organizing the supplies we brought. Then we went out to play with the kids. At this point I (Deborah) and Ashley sat down with some kids and had our hair so wonderfully braided and brushed.

This was really fun, though we did end up with a few knots. After this we decided to go for a walk to the field to play some soccer. It started to lightly rain, and we had so much fun with a game of soccer. We played hard and for some time.

When our game was finished we ended our walk with a stroll to the mango tree down along the canal. This was a lovely time where we got to see a cow and it’s baby, which entertained us all for a while. We walked back to the compound for an excellent supper of fried chicken, beans, rice, and salad. What an amazing first day.

~Deb Gilbert

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

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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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 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 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