My Hopes, Dreams & Prayers Answered
There is no way for me to put into words what I am feeling. So, to the group that just...
There is no way for me to put into words what I am feeling. So, to the group that just...
Well, the toughest day of the trip is almost over. The last day when we must say goodbye to the...
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. We rejoiced in it...
We all slept in today! The first person up (on the team) was Ken about 5:45AM! We all dragged ourselves...
The morning started with Martha’s wonderful porridge and then we went to devotions here on the compound with the children...
We are a little late in posting this but thought that it is ‘ better late than never’…Don, Ken and...
Some early morning inspirational singing by the combined Kreyol – English Choir. After that morning session, Dickie, Karen, Cathy, and...
The day started quite early with Bob and Karen being interviewed on CBC radio from Gander and Cornerbrook at 05:30...
This morning started with devotions and the flag raising ceremony at the school. It was a joyous beginning to our...
It started off with devotions on the compound with all staff, the youngest children who are not in school and...
Due to the busyness at the moment by several members of the team of sorting out beautiful handmade children’s clothes...
The trip to the citadel in Cap Haitian was organized for family. This was written by one of them today....
Sandra Sorry for delays with the blog BUT we have been working/playing too hard to find time to get here. Yesterday...
After spending an extra day in Montreal due to mechanical difficulties, Air Canada blessed our entire crew of ten with...
The new team arrived safely today and after a reunion with the kids and introductions all around settled in for...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
This week has been amazing – one of the best weeks of my life thus far, hands down. I can’t really think of any other experience in my life that can even come close to comparing to this. Though my visit here was short (too short), it has been incredibly eye-opening, and life changing. I will never forget the people I have met here, or the things I’ve gotten to experience! Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it. I am so, so blessed to have been given the opportunity to come here, and I am REALLY not looking forward to saying goodbye to the children tonight. My heart sinks just thinking about it. There’s no doubt that they’ve had a bigger impact on my life than I’ve had on theirs. I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country. God bless.
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!
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.
One thing that has impacted me on this trip is seeing the children and all the dedication in this orphanage. There is so much going on behind the scenes to keep the HATS orphanage and school running.
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’s my hope that I manage to touch their hearts in some small way, the way that they have touched mine – in a major way.
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.
I had anticipated that I would enjoy spending time getting to know the children and being a part of Karen’s daily life in Haiti but I had not anticipated that it would capture my heart like it did. I will miss spending time with the children and Karen but I am hopeful that I’ll be able to see them all again in the not too distant future.
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.
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