HAPPY NEW YEAR.

I've heard many times at this time of the year "Out with the old - In with the new." I think I understand what was meant by that, but I do not want to put out the old. I want to embrace everything that happened in 2011, remember it, savour it and thank God for every bit of it. I want to thank Him for the difficult parts and the joyful parts. I want to thank God for walking with me in laughter and in tears, thank Him for giving me health and strength to do what I did, thank Him for friends and family who encouraged me and gave loving counsel (especially for me to slow down.)

I thank God that I am still here, still healthy, and ready to start the new year with Him. I want to be all that He wants me to be, and to do all that He wants me to do.

I thank God for the eighteen children I have in my care - each and every one special and different.

I thank Him for everyone of the HATS supporters. I thank him for your consistent love and care for myself and the children - those living here with me and those throughout the area who attend our school. I thank Him for every dollar that was donated to HATS so the work in this area could continue. I thank Him for those who came down to help, (buying your tickets and covering your expenses while here). I thank Him for your support and encouragement while here, and after you've left. I thank Him for your faithful prayer support. I thank Him for your encouraging emails and comments on the blog.

I thank Him for all the members of the Canadian Board of Directors who work diligently to help HATS grow and to be an outstanding part of this community, helping meet the needs of the people in the Artibonite Valley.

I thank God for Luckner, my HATS assistant, my jack-of-all-trades, and also director of our school. I thank Him also for our HATS employees.

I thank Him for all my family members. Without your support and understanding I would be unable to do all that I do.

I THANK GOD FOR ALL THIS

I've thanked God for all of you and now I thank you. I thank you for all the support mentioned above. Thank you for being a faithful part of the HATS team during 2011.
2 Timothy 4:7 "We have fought the good fight, we have finished the race."

I thank God today too for the all new year 2012, for all that is ahead for us on the HATS team and those we are trying to help.
Hebrews 12:1 "Let us throw off everything that hinders and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Together we will continue to make a difference in the lives of children in this area of Haiti.

HATS motto " Orphans today, leaders tomorrow". IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN

God bless you all in this new year.
Karen and gang

Meal preparation at Karen's

Aimee, Jon and Cherie doing ceilings

Painting by workteam and cement work by constr workers

Jessie helping Ti Luc to walk staying within the lines

Walk time

Liz (Nana Toestoes) with Sandra

Bare buff guys at birthday party

First day of school for this year for my kids

Yvette hugging Dieunel, Ismyis and Judel

Liette, Yvette & Jacques with sugarcane

Hugs & tears for Dana & Leica - time to leave

Sandra enjoying Christmas dinner

Djemima, Mirlande and Karma singing in church Christmas morning