I have been spending time going through photos and remembering happy times with the children. I am going to share a few photos of each of the children, 3-4 children at a time, through blog posts along with a few words about each one. I am starting with a blog of the two eldest boys and two girls. I will continue next with one about four boys, then will do a third with four girls, followed by a forth of the three younger boys. Many of you have said you wish you could come back to HATS again to see the children, others have said you miss the children you met and loved while visiting us and that you wish you could see them again, see how they are growing. We also have new loving, caring supporters who may be interested in knowing a little more about the children.

JJ

18 years ago I welcomed a new baby into our HATS family when he was four days old. He is lovingly known as JJ. I chose the names John James Peter for him – in Haiti known as Jean Jacques Pierre, Pierre being a fairly well known surname in Haiti. This precious baby was abandoned (by a necessary act of love) at the hospital close by. I was called and so I became Mama to JJ. JJ is presently doing his last year of secondary school, which in Haiti is grade 13. He is a fine young man, helpful in many ways at our HATS mission with the children, to me when there, and to Luckner. It is apparent he has listened to and learned well from his Papa Luckner, who JJ loves and has a lot of respect for. JJ loves and has a flair for soccer. There is not yet a definite next step in place for JJ after school finishes as Haiti being Haiti one needs to take things one day at a time. JJ loves God and has made a commitment to live his life in His service. He has mentioned an interest in attending Bible School.

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Moses

Another addition to our family was a boy who appeared to be approximately age 1 1/2. For him I chose the name Moses Mark Peter – Moise Marc Pierre, who is now 17. He was abandoned under some bushes at the edge of the canal that runs in front of the HATS-Haiti mission. Not in a river, not in a basket, but I felt he was to be Moses. Moses could sit or lie only with his legs wide open. He could not close them or move them in any way. A trip to a hospital did not help as they had no working x-ray. Determined to not be discouraged, after prayer and discussions with a fabulous helper I had then, Theresa, from Surrey, BC it was decided to try moving his legs a tiny bit closer together every few days by tying them together with something, a scarf, cord, etc. He would cry painfully every time we tightened it even a very little bit. Needless to say Mama Karen and Theresa also cried and prayed through it. We would sit him on our office floor so he could see us as we worked. We continued with this unorthodox treatment slowly and steadily, with much prayer, tears and then praise as we saw an improvement in Moise. Eventually we were able to put him into a jolly jumper which helped strengthen his legs. Despite all the negativity we heard about him never being able to walk, Theresa and I ignored it all and trusted God to see Moise walk and run. Within a few years he was running normally. He, like JJ, is a good soccer player, is helpful around the mission and with the younger children.

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Leica

Leica, now 15 joined us at age 2 1/2. She had been placed in an orphanage who could no longer afford to provide well for the children. We were approached by someone from the orphanage which was closing in hopes she could come live in our Children’s Home. Leica was, and still is, a welcome addition to our family. Leica and Luc who are close in age (Luc, known as Ti Luc in Haiti as he is a little Luckner) quickly became very close. I used to call Leica my giggle girl. She was quite happy to be a part of our family, to receive excellent care with nutritious food and lots of fun. She is a huge help with the younger children and in assisting the house mothers in many ways. She is a beautiful, delightful and helpful young woman.

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Josie

Josie now 14 joined our family at a month old. Her mother died shortly after giving birth and a family member came crying for us to please accept and care for the baby. Josie, too, is beautiful and quite helpful to the housemothers and with the younger children, jumping in to do so whenever requested. The younger kids constantly seek Josie to play and she does so willingly because she likes to be the leader, teacher or boss of whatever they want her to do with them. She has no problem putting them in their place when needed.

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Matthew 19:14 “Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kindom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Mark 9:37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Stay tuned for future blogs about our awesome HATS children.

God bless you all.

Love, Karen