Day 2 at HATS-Haiti by Brooks Boyett

Yesterday’s post by the Ritchie girls was great. But not nearly funny enough. So Brooks is here today to jazz things up.

Yesterday’s bloggers – Ritchie girls, Sabrina and Rebecca

First off, it’s great for Team Texas to be back. Many of the regulars have returned – me, David, and Julie along with their children – Julie’s Molly along with David’s Claire and John David. You met Sabrina and Rebecca yesterday in their blog. They brought their dad Brian. Rounding out team Texas is future doctor Abbie.

David painting, Brooks holding on and just watching the work

Julie

Julie’s Molly with Luc

David’s Claire

David’s John David

Abbie

Rebecca, Sabrina, Molly painting doors

We woke up yesterday after a long day of travel and we’re immediately put to work by Karen (DG). Apparently, Jocelyn had demanded that her living quarters must be inhabitable for her to stay here for an extended period of time. As a result, we now call her TiDG. She wants things like kitchen cabinets built and even wants the outside walls painted. Millennials these days…

So we set to work painting and making things beautiful. I had to risk my life painting on a ledge all day. The things I do for this place…

Brooks looking good – just holding a paint roller

Beautifully done David

Brian has some major building skills, so he set to work building cabinets with his assistant David as soon as the lumber that was supposed to be here Monday arrived right on (Haitian) time yesterday afternoon.

Sabrina and Rebecca’s dad, Brian

Of course, we also spent time playing with the kids – basketball, soccer, swinging, racing and laughing. We look forward to our remaining days here, especially Saturday afternoon’s annual Texas vs Haiti soccer match. The trash talk started the moment we got off the van.

Fun times together

It’s so good to be back in this beautiful place with kids and adults who have become like family. Even if they make me work the whole time I’m here, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love HATS.