A Frustrating Day and a Delayed Team
They did not make it today. The family and friends workteam scheduled to arrive in PAP this afternoon did not make...
They did not make it today. The family and friends workteam scheduled to arrive in PAP this afternoon did not make...
I’ve tried several times today to put some of my thoughts and memories into words but have not been able...
I am hoping and praying that 2011 is a much less stressful year than 2010 was. With the strength of...
Christmas Day and Magalie’s wedding have come and gone but the work onsite continues. The men returned on Dec. 23rd...
Haitians celebrate Christmas the evening of 24th. This year I pushed for the 25th but I was out voted again....
May the love of Christ surround you as you celebrate his birth with those around you. Jesus truly is the...
I said more trouble lay ahead for Haiti and it has arrived. This year, an earthquake, a hurricane, Cholera, and...
Haiti certainly is troubled. What a horrible year 2010 has been thus far, and more trouble is on the horizon...
And life goes on in Haiti, but, at a slower pace due to demonstrations – road blocks, rock throwing, shooting,...
It was with joy we received the latest of HATS many workteams who come to help – volunteering their time...
The last day in Haiti always brings mixed feelings. Sadness to leave the children and the beautiful country of Haiti....
Today, we decided to enjoy a Sunday of seeing some of Haiti’s beauty. At 6 am today, most of our...
This fantastic work team is hardworking and positive. They’ll do anything – paint, carry, move suitcases, scan letters, resize photos,...
The painting of the children’s home is done today – hooray!!! The team let out out a yell of joy...
Another day of paint, paint and more paint. The crew here wants to WORK. They start early in the day and don’t...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
After years of thinking about it and months of planning for it, it seems strange that our time in Haiti is over. We have been asked by a few if it was like we expected. Well, no. I’m not sure what we expected, but our minds could not have fathomed what we have experienced, and we can hardly believe that our 3 month stay has come to an end. HATS really became home away from home for us. We knew we would enjoy getting to know and spending time with the kids but we had no idea how difficult it would be to leave them. They sneak in and steal your heart without you even knowing it. We have left a piece of our hearts in Haiti and can’t wait for the day when we can return.
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.
I am so thankful to God for allowing me the opportunity to be here and experience his splendor. This day will forever be in my heart and mind. The scripture that resonates with me today is “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40. I am so happy I decided to come to HATS, this experience will stay with me for my life time.
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!
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.
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
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.
Thank you Karen for everything you do, all the hard work and dedication that you put into this place, all of the work behind the scenes. Thank you for putting up with all the craziness that we bring when we come to your house for the week, just thank you times a million and one for everything Karen. I can write about my week until I am blue in the face (maybe not write that long but if you know me I can definitely talk for that long), and can sing about kit kat bars until my voice gives out, but I cannot even begin to try and articulate in song, dance, or other random art forms how thankful and blessed I am to have been given this experience not only once but twice! Thank you – thank you – thank you – thank you!!!!!!!
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.
Personally, this is my first time here. I’ve never done a mission trip of any sort before and I’ve certainly never been anywhere this hot before. I keep seeing things that are different from what I’m used to, and hearing about things even more unfamiliar to me. One of the most surprising things to meis how quickly I’ve grown to love all the people here. Everyone here is great, and the team is wonderful too. Watching everyone support each other warms my heart almost as much as the sun warms my skin. I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I know that this trip has already had a profound impact on my life.
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