Thursday Tidbits
Anytime after a team leaves there is a bit of a letdown and re-programming to get back in the routine....
Joan and Keith Wight have been involved with HATS since 2011. Keith is a retired airline pilot and previously volunteered with missions in Belize, Zimbabwe, Panama and Honduras in various capacities. Joan is a retired music teacher and uses her abilities to assist with the office work and tutor the children at HATS. Since retiring they have committed to 4 months per year in Haiti. They live in Montreal and have 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws and 2 grandsons and 2 grand-daughters.
Anytime after a team leaves there is a bit of a letdown and re-programming to get back in the routine....
When your mama is president of the school and Luckner is the School Principal it is impossible for the kids...
T.G.I.F. Yeah, tomorrow is Saturday. Everyone loves the weekends and the kids at HATS are no different than their counterparts...
The canal walk is a highlight for the kids, the volunteers and the work teams here at HATS. For all...
Every school day the kids head next door to school at 7:30 AM. The preschoolers, staff and volunteers then gather...
Well it is quiet on the compound today. Dickie, Sandra and Jim have all headed home after a 3 week...
Wow, here we are back in Haiti at the HATS (Hands across the Sea) orphanage and school again. Joan and...
The boys and girls at HATS love their hockey. Not as much as soccer but they enjoy the new game....
On the weekend Moise and I put up all the Christmas lights. It sure is easy doing that in shorts instead...
With all the bicycles traffic on the compound it was time to go over the rules; driver’s education with Djemima –...
The kids love to ride their bicycles around the compound and occasionally the older kids take theirs along the canal...
No School – Say What??? The kids have all been off school this week. School was closed due to elections...
Notice to the HATS Board of Directors: October’s report will be late because all the papers and receipts are in...
Tuesday Tidbits … in pictures. Where would we be without the HATS cook Germaine Markenson Magdala The...
And we are back – yup! After 5 months at home it was time to return to our other home...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!
This is my first trip to Haiti and I’m hoping that it will not be my last! I could start by telling you all about my experiences however I’ll start by saying that Haiti DOES hit you in your heart! Not a day goes by when I’m not fighting back tears. Hands Across the Sea is an amazing place! Our team has been assembled of different men that all who all felt God calling them to do his bidding. Since I have been here I was quick to realize that we are just helpers here. Karen and her team of workers are, what I believe to be, the real workers of God! Each child presents their own challenges and Karen and her staff make sure that all of the children, not one child, are seen to!
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.
We’ve made a difference, I believe. Big stuff, little stuff; it all contributed to the greater good and that big picture: keeping HATS a surviving and thriving, safe haven for the children of Deschapelles, Haiti. And oh my, what children they are. As expected, it was tough to leave. There were tears, whispers, hugs and I’ll miss you’s. I learned that it gets easier (only a bit) for those who’ve done this a few times. As Bob says “I’m part of the furniture now. I don’t say ‘goodbye’, I say ‘see you later’.” Maybe that’s how you cope with leaving…you return. Once, five times, 10 times. However many. Guaranteed you’ll leave a different person than when you came in.
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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