? Brooks is Back! ?
Day 2 at HATS-Haiti by Brooks Boyett Yesterday’s post by the Ritchie girls was great. But not nearly funny enough....
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
Day 2 at HATS-Haiti by Brooks Boyett Yesterday’s post by the Ritchie girls was great. But not nearly funny enough....
Haiti is like no other place we’ve been, or we think we’ll ever be. Driving through the towns and countryside,...
For those of you living in a freezing ice box this blog may be discouraging for some individuals. Since my...
Here at HATS-Haiti things are still exciting and you never know what the next hour will bring. We’re in love!...
We are finally in Haiti experiencing the beautiful Haitian hospitality and sunshine. Yesterday Karen and Luc greeted us with a...
Hi, Heather here. Sooooo…. today was eventful to say the least with some broken bones and the Karen the Taptap...
Hi everyone, Yvette here. Another hot day in Haiti! But we had rain. Rain that was like bath water and...
Hello everyone, this is Sandy. We all arrived safely this morning to unbelievable heat! It’s going to take some getting...
My last day was filled with all the last minute stuff to do before Keith and Joan arrive, checked their...
Hi all, Brian De here again. Friday here at HATS, as we do every day we start our days with...
Hi all! Brian De (Bowers) here writing the blog. As per usual for HATS it’s a little bit late because...
I saw beauty during my first trip to HATS and Haiti by Tracy Lewis-Currie I’m using the word “beauty” when...
Well, hello everyone! Seth and Jessie are back on the compound for another exciting week at HATS! And we brought...
I love the time I get to spend in Haiti, and after 3 visits to HATS, it has become like...
Before we came to Haiti this year, I had a discussion with Mackenzie about some things he should expect during...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
We have so enjoyed our time here. The work we have done has been fulfilling, the fellowship has been memorable and our hearts are forever impacted by the sweet, sweet children. A piece of HATS will always stay with each of us and who knows, maybe a few will return!
I’m not sure what we’re doing here, just showing up for a week – it’s not like it’s sustainable. And I don’t want to become depressed by some of the harsh realities that Karen has to deal with every day. You know it’s ONE thing to start an orphanage and school (Yes, Karen has done things that are beeeeyond me), but it’s ANOTHER thing to raise the 20 babies that become YOUR kids!!! Not only are they a big family, but they are a big family containing individual stories that got them all to where they are in the orphanage. I don’t even know how to describe it…I have never seen a woman her age with this much energy…fun loving energy that is. She so inspired me today and really is a wonderful mother to all these children.
I have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!
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.
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.
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.
This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.
Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal… and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope. We are already in love with Haiti.
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.
The time has passed so quickly. We know what we’ve done this week is important and makes a difference here at Hands Across the Sea. But it’s easy in Haiti to feel that anything we do here is simply a drop in the ocean. So much need on so many different levels: political, organizational, educational, social, spiritual…But we remind ourselves that each individual life is of infinite value so changing the life of one child and one family is worth the effort.
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