Hi people :)Barbara here.

Now its way late ...so this will be a small blog .
Today Karen's daughter and her friend got here and so we are chatting up a storm ...about Haiti :)

So, as this is Sunday we were greeted this morning by some beautiful children in their "Sunday best " :)
Oh how i wish you could have seen them .
Then we headed over to church and God washed all our sorrow away.."I traded my sorrow...for his joy !"
There was church worship, and children singing in groups and lots of solos' from the tiniest to the oldest....
and yes- our Rosanna was right there with them :)
After Rosi and I gave a little message on how all of them are made unique and special in God's sight and how God put a yearning in their hearts to know him and love him .PS 42
I don't know, it thrills me so to know that in Christ we are ONE all across the oceans.

Sunday worship

Sunday morning church service

The afternoon brought more office work and I could help a TINY bit...Rosi finished all of what she set out to do ( I think :)

After that we had the cutest Birthday party for Karena , Moise and JJ....oh Yeah ! With cookies and drinks and gifts that Liette brought.
It was so fun.

Nov birthday kids Moise, Karena, JJ

Enjoying the birthday party

Party gift time

Tomorrow we appreciate your prayers as we head out to St Mark to work with YFC-Haiti to hand out all the food, sanitary bags etc etc that we made ...
No worries , it's all organized:)....I can see some of you gasp :)
It will be a big day , but Mariah - Karen's granddaughter is coming and will help us translate etc.
It will be a good day . I am praying that God will open the right doors to know where things need to go , or where they need to be left.
Good communication with the YFC-Team , safety, health .....and lots and lots of love !!

I will give the other two beautiful ladies a chance to say hi !

Hi, it's Liette and Yvette here.  We arrived safely today and were greeted with happy shouts and big hugs as soon as the children came back from church.  Our day was spent doing some organizing and just spending time with the children.  We are very happy to be here.  Tomorrow we start the big job of getting the school students' photos and sponsor letters written. We're so grateful for all of Rosanna's hard work organizing the school lists into easy to use Excel spreadsheets - your work will make a difference for many years, Rosanna!!!

Yvette and I are off to lie under the stars on the roof before we head to bed.  Love and hugs!

Liette

Family and friends, Barb here...

I know you are waiting for Rosanna, but she just finished a huge job on the computer with Karen and this is her break.
Sorry guys

Well, since it's later in the evening, and I am working my way backwards from the beginning of the day, I have to tell you that both Rosanna and I are at a point tonight of exhaustion...
Let me include Karen in this one...
It was rough day, and we are feeling the load (that Karen carries every day..) of discouragement and somewhat of a sense of hopelessness.

Would you pray with us for HAITI?!!!

We went to the market today and I know many of you who read this have gone and have stories of smells, pushy people, unbelievable sights... It felt like that...and worse. Empty stares from people that are hurt and left alone, have no more room for trust - let alone a white person...Harshness, loneliness, anger...I really don't have more words . I don't know if I can ever forget these faces today. Please, please pray.

Market

Mariah doing her shopping

At market in Verrettes

On a somewhat lighter note, I have to say it is a joy to watch Rosie who just jumps to every occasion...whether it is throwing a hand stand with the kids or carry a 50 pound bag of cornmeal on HER HEAD....which caused no small commotion!!! She is great ...and really we are trying to share as much love and joy that we can ...but there are definitely moments.

Martha and Rosanna each carrying a sack of cornmeal

Rice fields on way to market.  Threshing by hand on one piece

Too much mud to take younger children walking

Then we came home, Karen played again with the kids and we took the customary walk along the canal.  It started out absolutely beautiful as we walked into the Haitian sunset...BUT THEN!!! Barbie had to step in an ant hill in order to get just the right pick....:( Well, let's just say Haitian ants really hurt...and bite!

I am so enjoying the kids and have so much more time with them this trip. They are all beautiful!!

...OK, IT'S ROSIE NOW!!!

Hey everyone. Yes, what a day. Barb is so sweet to say I'm a joy. I feel like I've been a bit of a downer, but she continues to profess that God is HOPE and that there is HOPE here and for us and me and...everyone.

 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. Today, I learned Karena lost both her parents in the earthquake.  And that's just one story - there are even more painful ones.

It's a whirlwind!!! I could go on. But it's bedtime.

So, peace and love from Haiti from all of us. We have a few more days here, and we need strength to live them well.

Just before dark, almost home from our walk

Lots of love,
B + R

Barb again,

Do you believe that God hears prayer??-I do
We all woke up healthy this morning..!!!..Rosanna was struggling a bit when she got up , but by noon all her fever etc were gone!!
Ti-luc who had such a high fever yesterday woke up saying mama look I am all good again"!!
What an awesome God we serve!!

Maybe that's why the worship this morning was extra special ...our hearts just soared. You are definitely more thankful in Haiti for things...like health.
Of course the worship was also special because all the children joined us today .When you see little Jonathan -who is just one year old waving both his hands in the air and clapping to the songs ...it just melts your hearts away...What joy!

Friday morning devotions

But it didn't stop there.. we just had the best day all the way through.  Rosanna did a lot of work for Karen again on the computer

Rosanna continuing to do computer work for Karen

and I ....I know it doesn't seem fair:)...but I got to spend the whole morning with the babies coloring, reading books , cuddling, etc etc.  I guess God knew I missed out the last time with all the laundry , so He wanted to make up for it. LOL

The little ones having lots of fun with Barbara

Darling Jonathan doing his special laugh for Barb

I just loved my morning. And Rosanna does such a great job she got all the lovin' and hugs from Karen .So there!:)

Bike riding fun time

And then the rest of the day continued with that theme of games and fun .  In the afternoon the bikes came out and the kids had a blast.

But my favorite part and I think Rosanna would agree..was watching Karen in what seemed like for hours play with the kids.  I do hope she puts a pick in from this (HINT:)

Mama Karen with Sandra

I don't even know how to describe it because ..no offense...but I have never seen a woman her age with this much energy ..fun loving energy that is.
She so inspired me today...and also put me to shame:) She really is a wonderful mother to all these children I wish we could attach the video we took.

Crazy fun time with Mama Karen

Another part that is really meaningful and important to me is all the conversations I get to have with my beautiful Rosanna and Mariah ( Karen's granddaughter....which also totally inspires me on so many levels).  As the "older " woman in this I have to tell you....God is raising up a generation of godly young  woman and I am so thrilled that I can be a part of their journey. I thank God for both of them .

Two beautiful ladies - inside and out

There is so much work to be done in Haiti and when I want to give in to hopelessness I choose to see the miracles in front of me and the generations represented here and say -Together God we can do this.  Thank you Lord that all strength , inspiration and blessing come from you.

lots of love Barb

Hello everyone! Rosanna here...Barbara's 28 year-old friend.

Today was quite the day. Ti Luc and I woke up feeling a little sluggish. He stayed home from school, and I took ANOTHER afternoon nap - can you believe it?! Ha.

Not feeling well today.

Ti Luc ill.  Barb praying for him.

I spent some good hours creating an Excel spreadsheet of all the school kids and their sponsors to get Karen ready for Monday's big pow wow, which is the taking of photos of all the kids so their profiles can be sent to their awesome sponsor families. Karen's daughter arrives on Sunday to help her with all of this. I've been sponsoring a kid through World Vision since I was a teen, and I've always received little updates - it's cool to now see the behind-the-scenes process of it all. This organization is legitimate.

Karen has computer help.  Might just tie her on to the chair.

Barbara has been the house nurse today. She put cold compresses on Ti Luc's body to alleviate his fever. She used some ice cubes even, and was happy to see that Ti Luc had good spirits and made a game out of it. She also kept refilling my water as I worked, has changed my band-aid on my arm two times already (yup, I burnt myself with a hot iron!), and apparently she even e-mailed some people to pray for my feeling under the weather (I'm fine, guys!)... (yah right guys//:)..barb here-LOL.

Barb taking good care of the sick today

We played again with the kids tonight. They called me, "Musicienne" and asked if I'd go get my guitalele again. So, off I went, and we joined for some songs. They asked if I could sing I Believe I Can Fly from...get ready for it...SPACE JAM! Oh man, it's been a while, eh?! I'll look it up for tomorrow...

Sing along with the lady with the voice of an angel

Barbara had a friend visit from YFC Haiti who will take us up to the mountains on Monday. We will be able to give out some of the stuff we brought to people that are very hungry and in need.

We're back at the main house of the compound now, reflecting on the day.

It's been a whirlwind so far, being here. If you wanted, you could work all the time. It seems to be what Karen does. She has more than a handful with her kids and the school, but then there's the rest of the country... I've loved hearing about how she's learned to be tough and honest with her Haitian workers and all the people. Love is kind and gracious...but love is also just.

I think it takes a lot of faith to be out here and remain filled with joy. If you don't trust that God is at work, that God is doing a new thing, you might get sad or numb. If you don't see God in the smiles and giggles of the children, then you might become resigned...

But we carry on! Greetings and love from HATS Haiti. :)

Family and friends, from Barb

My beautiful daughter in law just wrote me of Christmas trees and pumpkin muffins ...that was funny. Sitting here once more in Haiti at 30c weather...dripping...So no winter :)

You all know how quick this trip came together and how God undertook from the very beginning.  It was all a miracle indeed and I do want to thank everyone that was part of it from the bottom of my heart. On Tuesday morning Rosanna and I headed out and YES _10 bags went free with Air Canada!!!Thank you to our two angels ....And thank you LORD...it was iffy there for a second !
Then we prayed and prayed that all goes well in PAP....No bags to be lost or opened, no duty to be paid ...smooth transaction inside airport as we were alone this time .  God did that and more. I don't know how to express my gratitude to HIM who is so gracious with us . The ride home was long ..but SAFE:) So after a hot night ...we started our first day .

What better way to start the day than with worship at school !! So beautiful.

Morning devotions at school

Morning devotions

Rosanna is right in there..teaching kids "high five"..serving out lunch food and hugging, hugging:) I am thrilled to have her here with me. Thank you Louis for letting us go :) XX Of course this is Rosanna's first trip to Haiti, and she will write you tomorrow:)

Helping serve meal to school students

in school kitchen

Time with the two littlest ones

Today, we mostly unpacked all the bags and divided them. We made over 100 zip locks with a wash cloth, hand towel, soap, toothbrush, tooth paste,Vaseline, nuts. Then we measured out the beans, corn meal, milk powder, oats etc.

Sorting and preparing supplies to be distributed

Karen was so happy to receive the gifts ...but much of it will be going to St Mark on Monday where Rosanna and I have the opportunity to deliver it to the people in need there. Galilee from Youth For Christ-Haiti will take us.

After all that we actually got a nap in today... :)-we can't keep up with Karen LOL- and we had a hard time sleeping last night. Rosanna was getting bitten and I have a sinus cold.

Then we took a quick trip to town to try and buy chicken....but with no success. It turns out there will be lots of opportunity for Rosanna to help with computer work over here. Karen was more than thrilled about that.

Tonight she did a little concert for the kids..she sang one of my faves:"OH HOW HE LOVES US :)"

The voice of an angel concert for the kids

Now, kiddies have a bath, we wind down and thank God for a very meaningful day.

Lots of love
barb (with Rosanna)

Christmas Gifts.

This year, as alternatives to goats, we will buy chickens, Bibles and Hymn Books and distribute them to needy people in the Artibonite Valley.  If you have someone on your Christmas list that you would like to give a gift of these items,  you can email hatsa.yarmouth@gmail.com and then mail your monies to the Hands Across The Sea Association address or pay through paypal.

 

Grateful for the chickens

Chickens are $10.00 each and Bibles and Hymn Books are $15.00 each.  Photos will be taken at the distribution of these gifts and one will be emailed to each purchaser, but as some people don’t like having their photo taken, they will be general in nature and not individuals.  If you have any questions email the address above.

 

Purchased for Gifts

More devastation for the country of Haiti.

Hurricane Sandy hit Haiti hard and once more these people have to try to cope with the loss of a community, loss of lives, loss of a major portion of crops in the country and loss of homes and belongings.  The amount of damage and the number of lives lost will be much higher than reported.  Word is slowly trickling down about loss of everything, including lives, in the mountain areas.  The south of Haiti was hardest hit but a tremendous amount of damage has been done throughout. The Haitians are a resilient people but they have been hit hard over and over during the past few years.   Help is needed to see them survive this latest disaster.

There has been a serious 'hunger' problem in Haiti for the past few months.  The cost of what has been available in our area has more than tripled.  The huge increase in costs has affected the running of the mission orphanage and school.  If we are affected like this how much worse is it for the people in the communities around us. There have been several manifestations against the government for the lack of help with the serious hunger problem.  Now this damage from hurricane Sandy is turning a bad situation into a grave situation.

HATS has done all it could to help with the problem of hunger around us.   We have taken two  donations to HATS and used it for our 'mercy' ministry.  We purchased food - rice, beans, cornmeal, and oil which was distributed into the community. We want to say thank you for these funds.  In light of the gravity of the present situation we want to do more.  The HATS mission is seen by many as  a light in the darkness to the people in our area of the Artibonite Valley.   
Many around us have lost their homes, belongings, their crops and their animals.  They are starting to look to HATS for help.

I am asking for prayer support for the people in Haiti.  Too, we would welcome any possible financial support for us to help meet some of the needs, especially that of hunger.  Most children in North America can eat three times a day.  Most children in Haiti consider themselves blessed if they can eat something once a day.  If you are able to help with food funds you can donate through the HATS address in Yarmouth, NS.  You can earmark the donation as 'mercy'. 
By cheque:  Hands Across The Sea Association, Box 101, Yarmouth, NS  B5A 4B1.

Matthew 25:35:   "I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something  to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Matthew 40:  "Whatever you did for one of the least of these you did for me."         

For HATS - IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND ABOUT THE LEAST OF THESE

Due to hurricane Sandy Radio Creole has been extremely busy.  It has been very helpful with the many problems throughout our area especially but also in many other areas of Haiti.  Schools were closed during the hurricane and Luckner spent three days and nights on the radio.  He kept people informed about the situation and danger in many areas.  He asked people in all areas who had a cellphone and something to report to text him their numbers.  He would then call them and get updates on these areas and report it.  Often it was about rivers flooded, mud slides, areas to stay away from, roads that were impassable and dangerous.  People in our area were concerned about loved ones in other areas of Haiti, and likewise people elsewhere needed information about their family members in our area.  Luckner had people calling the radio from all over Haiti needing help.  He was able to connect many people and/or reassure many.  Also,  he had to break sad news about some family members being lost in the south of Haiti.  There has been a tremendous amount of thankfulness phoned in to Radio  Creole for this work.  A ministry like this has been needed in this area for a very long time, and all of us at HATS are thankful for it. 

God bless you all.  Karen