Greetings for a very merry Christmas to family, friends, and supporters of the HATS-Haiti Mission. May you all enjoy family fun times as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
My emotions about the Christmas season are all over the place this year. I feel both glad and sad at the same time.
I am glad Luc can celebrate his first Christmas in Canada this year. At the same time I feel very sad for the other children at HATS-Haiti who will spend a very different Christmas this year than they have become accustomed to with Mama Karen there. They are used to having the compound alight with many Christmas lights, a large decorated Christmas tree, a filled stocking for all of them on Christmas morning, and a lovely gift each. Stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts, in other years, have been donated to our mission by generous Canadians. Also they are accustomed to mummering with their Newfie mama after Christmas day. When I think of the different Christmas they will have this year my heart becomes quite heavy and eyes quite wet. I pray they will continue to remember this year the true meaning of Christmas and realize that when their mama can return a big ‘reunited’ party will take place at the mission.
Luc and Mama by tree 
Luc by tree Dec 2019 
Luc taller than his mama
Luc is doing very well in Canada. He is in good shape physically, spiritually, emotionally and academically. He loves attending school here, has phenomenal teachers and support staff. His first report card for this school year, grade 8, shows a 91% average. Luc is now 4 inches taller than his mama, and heavier as well. Recently he attended his first prom at his school, albeit a tad nervous, but returned home happy and relaxed having enjoyed dancing and laughing with friends.
Luc’s school photo 
Relaxing before his first prom 
Luc at school on October 31st.
Like me, Luc looks forward to returning to Haiti for some time. When we are there he continues his studies by being home schooled. Hopefully the next blog will come to you from Haiti.I am extremely thankful for:
– Canada being a safe haven to wait out the upheaval of political instability in Haiti.
– My improved health by being in Canada.
– Availability of good free health care here for both Luc and me.
– Being able to spend quality time with Canadian family members, and being in touch with good friends.
– Acceptance, love and extreme kindness shown to Luc and me by our church family.
– A great school for Luc with awesome staff members.
– My family members, who while here for Don’s 80th birthday recently, purchased and set up a small Christmas tree and wreath in the place we call home while here.
At the same time I feel sad for:
– The children at the mission without their mama for several months. They are well looked after, thanks to HATS other director, Luckner, but are missing Mama Karen and Luc.
– Luckner, having all the work of running the whole mission on his own.
– Our school students and their families, our teachers, and our awesome principal (Luckner) for having lost so much school time this year due to the danger to those trying to reach the school. The good news, however is that our HATS school IMKH has been in operation again for some weeks now. All teachers, students and families are happy and relieved to be back at school regularly.
– All the good and innocent people in Haiti who are in dire need of seeing changes in their country so they can – find employment, be able to take care of their families, provide food for themselves and their family members, be able to get to work if they have employment, be able to safely send their children to school, have electricity daily, be able to find and afford medical help when needed.
Thank you to all who have continued to support the Hands Across the Sea Haiti mission with prayer, encouragement, and finances. May God bless you all as you have been a tremendous blessing in helping the work with the needy ones of Haiti to continue.
Celebrate Christmas as you see fit, but remember – Luke 10-11: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Karen, Luc and all at HATS-Haiti.
