On Tuesday we went up into the mountains. Took the security guard, Odner, with us. These people are the poorest of poor. Although, to me they almost have it better in regards to where they live. It is prettier and not as cramped as they are in town, side by side and millions of people next to each other. Apparently, it is much more dangerous out in the country. On our way there we saw rice spread all along the sides of the road and sometimes on the road to dry. I even saw a cinema and restaurant!! Haitian style of course!! When we reached our destination there had been quite a bit of work done on the road since Karen had been there last.

Our reason for going was to visit a family related to Karen through her adopted grand daughter Mariah. It is Mariah’s biological father and family. His wife had come to Karen for help because apparently he had fallen into a hole and now couldn't walk and the doctors at the hospital told him there was nothing more that they could do for him, so go home and put some kind of Haitian medicine on it. He could no longer work to provide for his family and now we were there to see how bad the situation was.

The family lives in a 10 X 8 one-room house with 3 kids. The 8 yr. old looks 5, the 5yr old looks 3, and the 3 yr old looks 1 1/2. They have only a ragged old shirt on and dirt all over them. There is nothing to sit on so the neighbors hurry over with some chairs. There is some cooking utensils outside and a few belongings inside (a few clothes, a small box with some of their possessions, and a bag of corn. The dad is lying on the ground floor but is able to sit up. He tells Karen that he fell in a hole but the neighbours said he had been beaten up. He had been attacked in 2004 with a machete and lost his eye and almost his life. We could see that he had trouble moving his arm and looked like he had a lot of fluid on the knee. We were only there for about 20 minutes and in the afternoon we went to the hospital to get his hospital records. His records did not show a recent visit. We figured he still owed money and couldn't come because of that. We are not sure if he did get beat up again and if so, why. Karen did give his wife some money to get her by and on Tuesday paid for the hospital bill. We will go back up to visit again and bring clothes for them. Also, to let them know that he can go to the hospital now to get treatment




On Wednesday we went to a teacher's house (the one who had the motorcycle accident) to see how he was doing. He has a broken arm and skinned knee. Other than that he seems to be doing fine. He will hopefully be back to teach on Monday. Karen and I went with two other teachers. After that we went to the town of Verette to purchase another telephone for Karen (The one she had with all her phone #’s on was stolen). We also went to the pharmacy where I picked up some Haitian Rum to bring back.

Just before it got dark we took the kids and walked along the canal just outside of the compound. It is a beautiful walk. Saw them working in the rice fields and lots of little goats around. I would love to do that more. Helped with Ti Fi to get her ready for bed. It was an early night for us as well

Pics to go with last blog

My arrival Nov. 03.09



Getting measurements for new staff house


I wanted to have braided hair


The finished product and on our way up the mountain with Odner (Chief Security)



Bath time for Dieunel and some new clothes!!

Work team from Ontario (doing work at hospital) handing out school supplies.

We are slowly getting Karen’s office organized (one of the main things Karen wanted me to do while I was here). Karen has to wear many hats and is off running to do things whenever someone calls her. I do as much as I can without her help and then we work together. Karen really could use another couple here to help oversee the kids home as well as help with general administration. Please pray for that special couple that is needed. Even if a couple can come for 3 months, 6 months or longer at a time. It would take a huge load off of Karen. There are lots of people saving the planet, whales etc. Now, let’s help save the mission. J

On Saturday night we had a chance for a social outing. A Canadian friend, Debbie, invited us over for a meal and to visit with more Canadians down from Ontario to work at the hospital. It was very good for me to socialize with others that have a passion to help these little ones.

Two “blancs” in a new vehicle at night is not very safe so our security guard escorted us there and back. It was pitch black and very difficult to see all the people lining the roads. Also, it was scary when we had to stop and figure out which driveway to take. Men walked by peering in the windows. Unnerving for me!!

Sunday morning we had a church service in one of the classrooms. There were approx. 40 people, mostly kids. I love their zeal for singing! Us “blancs” can really learn from them when it comes to praising the Lord. Our Canadian friends showed up to see the mission and came back to give school supplies to the kids.

It is another hot and humid day. Whenever I get up from sitting my clothes are stuck to my legs and it feels like I have saran wrap around my legs that I have to peel off. J

After lunch I went down to the kid’s home and Cecile, the housemother, did my hair in braids. Took 3 hours!!! The elastics that I took down were not the right kind so I gave some to the kids. They played with those for hours. They are so easily entertained even without “ipods and video games”.

Today one of the teachers had an accident on his motorbike on the way to school. He had one of the students on the back. He got transported to the hospital (not sure what the word is on his condition as of yet) and the young girl ended up here getting bandages on her arms and side.

This morning I spent some time with Ti Fi (she’s mentally challenged so she doesn’t go to school). She loves to walk with me and put her arm around me as if we are real buddies.

This afternoon I brought Dieunel up to the house, gave him a bath, and put some new clothes on him that I bought for him. He is my sponsored child for the orphanage. Today he wasn’t feeling well and was real cuddly. I usually spend time with all of them as a group but like to give them some individual time as well.

Later today (Monday) Karen and I took Ti Luckner up near the hospital to look at some wares that people were trying to sell. The group of Canadians had asked them to all come up to the one area so they could look at their things. Of course they were all pestering us to buy. I wouldn't buy until Karen came and bartered with them. They were all nice until they knew that we were leaving. I had bought some things for lower than what they were originally asking and apparently it was too much then. All the rest of the blancs had left and it was only Karen and I bartering on this painting that this guy wanted to sell me. Two white women and the rest all black men!! They started to get rowdy and began to turn on us as we headed for the truck. I ended up buying the painting as one followed us to the truck. Hopefully then one would be on our side!! Three of them were peering in the truck window as I was counting out the money for the painting. Then we tried to get out of there in a hurry. We should have left earlier but thank God we left when we did. One guy threatened Karen that he was going to lie down in front of her truck and she would run over him and then the police would put her in jail and then she would have to pay. Karen realized then that we should have left earlier or at least had the security guard with us.

Another day, and we are safe inside the compound.

Another day, and all the more admiration I have for Karen and the work being done here at HATS-HAITI!!!!

Will send some photos once I get it figured out!!

Brenda's First Post

Yes yes yes yes yes the Haitian animals keep me awake at night!!! The kids make it worth it though:)) I am already so attached to Ti Luckner. He is 5 yrs old and special needs. He can't use his arms and does most everything with his feet. He can't walk on his own so has to wait for help. What a smart little boy and soooo loving. I have taken so many videos of him doing things with his feet. Dieunel, the little guy that I sponsor, is quite mischievous at times. Soooo cute!! They all have their precious side. I told Karen if she was doing the same work somewhere besides Haiti (i.e. BC) I would consider staying!!

It is so uncomfortably hot that I am almost too tired to do anything. I have spent a lot of time with Ti Luckner which allows Karen time to do all the running around that she does.

We did the school photos and will get them ready to send out next week. Tomorrow we will start organizing the office. She got her TV hook up today so she is veging out in front of it right now.

Have had some good Haitian coffee but the girls make it too sweet so I have to try and get at it before they do. Martha and Germaine are so wonderful. Great cooks!!

Went to St. Marc. with Karen and security guard today. I just can't get use to the driving around here woowhee!!!! Karen drives like one of them now. Going into the bank was quite the experience as well. We got scanned while the other security guard stood there with a gun that looked like a cross between a rifle and a cannon!!

Serlande is going to do my hair in braids tomorrow. I was quite the sight last night-sweaty and tired at the end of the day and Mirlande came up to me and started braiding a little strand of my hair in the front. It stuck out to the side and after hugging them all I had drool and whatever on the other side of my head so I had Karen take a picture. No such thing as making yourself up for the day and staying that way:)))

I have only jumped out of bed once thinking a huge bug landed on me. Turned on the light and ran to get Karen who proceeded cautiously back into the room with me to see what was under the covers. Nothing was there but I can tell you that my sleep wasn't sound that night. Just before that we heard this boom!! Sounded like it was right in the compound. Once Karen checked with security we decided it was okay to go to bed.

Last night as I was trying to fall asleep I would open my eyes every once in a while. At one time when I opened them there was a firefly floating through my room. It was actually quite nice. I wasn't afraid. It was almost like my "bug" angel.

Time to try and sleep before the animals start their party!! Will hopefully get some pics to send later.

God Bless

Brenda

October Newsletter

October 29, 2009

Hello everyone. Surprise. You are hearing from me twice in one month.

School has been operating a month and half and this week our students are writing their first exams of the year. Wow. Already so soon!

My 3 preschoolers, Josie, Dieunel, & Ti Luc. Now going to become my 4 preschoolers as Leica joins them.

Sponsors, thank you once again for sending the funds for your student for this school year 09-10. Thank you to those who decided, after reading the last update, to sponsor one of the students we mentioned. Hopefully all of our new sponsors have recently received a photo of their student. We still have four elementary and two secondary students attending our school who have no means of paying.

Hopefully before the end of November you, our sponsors, will all have received the photo(s) of your student(s) for this school year - 09/10.

In response to the last Update where I mentioned needing some help now, my friend Brenda from BC is arriving Nov 3rd to help me out for three weeks. I am thankful and excited. This will be Brenda's first time to HATS, but hopefully it won't be her last. She is not even here yet and I am already thinking about her returning. Guess I shouldn't mention tarantulas this month, hey Brenda.

While Brenda is with me I hope to get all paperwork in the office finished and organized again. Too, I plan to get the photos of our 135 sponsored students taken, downloaded, resized and sent via e-mail to our sponsors. I hope, too, to be able to get the students' thank you letters written to their sponsors, so they can go to Canada with Brenda when she leaves us. Liette, our western administrative assistant, has kindly offered to translate them all again this year. I have not yet asked our eastern administrative assistants, Sandra and Dickie, if they will send them out to the sponsors again this year. But I expect the response will be positive. It is so good to have the help of those in Canada. The workload is too much for it all to be completed here.

We are very much looking forward to having Bob and Linda Comeau from Yarmouth, NS arrive early December. While here they will be supplying and serving a special Christmas meal to all our school students. And then Bob is turning around and coming back early January with the construction workteam! How about that! Bob is coming to HATS two months in a row. Awesome.

I told you, on the last update, about the mother who was heard walking away from our office praising the Lord because we accepted her child into the sponsorship program without a sponsor. She had no hope besides us. Her daughter is one of our secondary students. Last Sunday this student sang for us in church. Wow, wow, and wow - she can sing!! God has blessed this girl with a beautiful singing voice and she is using it for Him.

Our new little guy, Dieunel, that I introduced you too last month, is flourishing under the love and affection, teaching, and daily nutrition he is getting here. He now runs to me, yelling "Mama, Mama", with arms wide open, giggles and jumps into my arms. He likes me to hold and hug him which, believe me, is not difficult to do. He is a cute little monkey when he does things that are not permitted.

Dieunel Mercius

I now have another one running for hugs and affection. Last week we added Leica Guillaume to the HATS family. Leica is a sweet spirited, pretty little girl, age 5.

Leica Guillaume

We have already found a sponsor for Leica for schooling. Anyone willing to sponsor her for the orphanage at $30 month please contact Karen.

Ti Luckner continues to surprise us. He picks up everything he hears, remembers it, and uses it at the most appropriate times, often causing a lot of laughter from those of us with him daily. He amazes and delights us. At times he stands up and walks quickly towards us, surprising even himself. He loves to stand up and look around and is quite proud of himself when he does. He seems to do best when he does not think about it. At times he is nervous to try to walk without holding on to someone. His walking and his speech need help. I want to have him diagnosed and I want to learn what more I can do to help his progress. This, of course, cannot be done before the adoption is complete. The adoption is moving about as slowly as molasses running up a Banff mountain in January. Please continue to pray with me for this to move

forward.

Look at me standing without help

He is very outgoing and likes to play and visit with others but he does not want to do so for long without checking on his mama. He needs to know I am around. Our new girl Leica likes to hug me a lot and sit in my arms. He likes Leika a lot, but we have been sensing that he has been somewhat concerned about her being in my arms. He said this morning when having quality cuddle time with me "Leica pa kapab pran mama". (Leica can't take mama). "Ou se Mama pam." (You are my Mama). I assured him what he said was right and that he had no need to worry as only he was a "Huxter". He was quickly content again.

He turned five this month and we had a little party.

Moise hugging Ti Luc on his bday Josie giving him a birthday kiss

I am so looking forward to being able to spend more quality time with my other children when I have someone on board to help. I spend every minute I can with them but it is not enough. I continue to spread myself too thin which is not good for me or for them.

I cannot send this update without again saying thank you to everybody for every dollar that was raised/donated for the purchase of the truck. Every time I drive it I spend time thanking God. Every time I walk out the door and see it, I thank God. Sometimes I actually walk out to look to be sure it is still there - a reality, not a dream. What a difference it has made for me already.

Thank you God.

Plans are underway in Canada, in Texas, and here, for the construction project of suitable housing for additional missionary staff. The plan is for it to be on top of the present Children's Home. Thus, before the first group arrives from NS, early January, we, must have the steps to that level completed. Additional housing has been needed for a long time and I am thankful and pleased about the proposed project . I am thankful, too, about being able to seriously look for help and the possibility of finding it. By February we should have suitable accommodations finished. The construction itself being finished, of course, does not mean I can bring someone on board right away. Appliances, etc will be needed as well. Anyone interested in applying to come work with HATS can contact me at the address below.

Speaking of workteams. We are still hopeful that a team will be coming down this year from the west coast as well, under the leadership of Liette. Keep looking at it seriously folks!!! Lots of projects, various sizes, need doing.

On the last update I talked about the fantastic job that Education Haiti has been doing with, and for, the students throughout this area and said I would feature three of our success stories - thanks to them.

David Lorme

David is one of the finest young men that a person could meet. David is courteous, respectful, appreciative, and is a good example to the young people around him. He is a Christian and loves to play guitar and sing for the Lord. (He plays guitar in His church regularly.) David has been sponsored by Education Haiti since 1998. He greatly appreciated the financial help towards education and worked and studied diligently, passing every year. When I met David he lived, with his grandmother who was blind, his mother (who had some psychological problems), and younger brother, in one tiny room, which was made of mud and rocks. The floor was earth and all they had was one mattress for his grandmother, and one broken wicker chair. David attended school, studied, prepared meals, and took care of his blind grandmother, and younger brother. David's grandmother and mother have since died. David completed his secondary education, in June 2008, while continuing to take care of his younger brother.

In September 2008 David was offered work teaching English at a school in the area of Montroius where he lives. This year he is teaching English at two schools. This gives him a little money but only enough to survive. David sees the need to further his education and would like to do so, by attending university in P-A-P every weekend. David is a young man who sees the need for changes in his country and would like to be able to help make it happen.

This is indeed a success story of a student who was able to attend school due to being sponsored.

I plan to continue to feature employees and children of HATS. This will give friends and supporters of HATS, who have not yet been down to visit, the chance to meet those who live and work here. Actually a couple of people asked me to feature myself as well soon. They mentioned that many who receive the updates, and who support HATS, have never met me and know almost nothing about me. I have given your suggestion consideration.

Last month I featured Martha Joel and Luckner Estimable. This month I bring you Germaine Francois.

Germaine Francois

Germaine has been with HATS almost five years, having started with us January 2005. She has taken a load off Martha who could not do all that was necessary. Germaine takes care of the laundry, keeps the place clean, and helps Martha with food preparation when we have groups. Too, she is a tremendous help with Ti Luc. She comes to work an hour earlier than other employees to help me get him ready for school. She helps with his exercises regularly and she delights in spending time with him. She is respectful and dependable and has a good sense of humour. HATS is blessed to have Germaine on board. Germaine, like Martha and Luckner, lives the HATS moto "IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN."

We had a small problem recently. A neighbour, who has tried to cause problems for HATS in the past, decided to plant crops in the drain ditch that runs outside the compound. It is public property but it is HATS that pays 4-5 men every few months to clean the ditch so the water can run freely. He was asked by Luckner on two occasions during the summer to remove what he had planted. Then he decided to plant rice, which shortly would have completely plugged the ditch and given the mission a serious water/flooding problem. He would not remove it so Luckner had to contact the Jidg de Paix about it. He came and ordered the man to remove it. He refused for over an hour but when presented with "Start removing it now, or the police will be here shortly to take you to jail", he did so with the help of his brother and mother. He, however, was extremely angry with us and threatened us saying "we would live to regret this".

Removing the rice upon order of the judge

Last year Haiti suffered greatly from the hurricanes and flood damage. This month, October, we have had less rain than other years but more intense heat and humidity than I've experienced in the past fourteen Octobers that I've been here. You know it is hot when you pick up a gold earring that it is quite hot to touch and twists out of shape making it unusable. And when you take a bottle of jam out of the storage cupboard and it is almost too hot to handle. Also when you first put clothes on and you wonder why they feel different, then realize it is because they are dry. It has truly been unbearably hot and humid, 45 C or 115 F and running 135 - 140 F with the humidity factor . It should have been better than this by October and actually has been a tad better the past few days. Hopefully this is a good sign.

PLEASE REMEMBER - As of January 1, 2010 all cheques must be payable to:

"Hands Across The Sea Association". Please continue to send to the same address in Yarmouth which is given below. And Thank you for your support.

We, at the HATS-Haiti Mission continue to thank God for all our "Friends of HATS". Your many and various forms of support are greatly appreciated. This includes your notes of greetings and encouragement. Thank you to those of you who dropped a note with encouraging comments on the last update. It means a lot when I hear from you.

The people in the Artibonite Valley, through the HATS-Haiti mission, are being blessed by you. I wish you could all come and visit us, but in the meantime please continue to pray for us, as we continue to pray and thank God for you.

Serving Him in Haiti,
Karen

"Orphans today, leaders tomorrow"

New family member

This beautiful little girl is the newest addition to the HATS family. Leica is five years old, has a ready smile and an affectionate heart. We are happy to have the opportunity to help care for this precious girl.

If you'd like to sponsor Leica, please email Karen.

Travel Points Anyone?

Travelling from Haiti to Canada to see family or for medical help is necessary, for both physical and mental health, for Karen.

This is also quite expensive. Karen has already used up her retirement savings & all her personal funds to keep the school and children's home afloat. If you have any Aeroplan points or other travel credits that you can donate to Karen to allow her to travel it would be greatly appreciated!

Posted by her daughter Dana