You all know, HATS doesn’t slow down

Hey, it’s Seth and it’s my turn to blog again. I’ll start out by saying we haven’t forgotten about you Karen J and that you won the Easter Kitchen name competition. Like I said, I will photoshop you into a photo the next time I write a blog. And however long ago that was, this is the next time! So, look for your pic in one of the following photos! And again, Congrats!

I was listening to music recently and I’ve come to the conclusion that Harry McClintock’s song “Big Rock Candy Mountain” is a perfect description of this place. Sleeping out every night, lemonade springs, no short handled shovels, bulldogs with rubber teeth, hens laying soft boiled eggs, sun all day, no rain or wind, never having to change your socks, sleeping all day, no work all play. Okay, so maybe that's not true. We work a lot and things don’t always work as we plan them to, but we still love this place and what we’re doing in the name of Christ! And we would choose this place a hundred times before we chose Big Rock Candy Mountain.

You all know, HATS doesn’t slow down. There’s an endless list of things to do and although there may be jobs that are unfinished due to lack of supplies or decisions and planning, there’s always another job to jump to. If we weren’t intentional about getting alone time with God and relaxing, we’d run ourselves to death here. As for me, I’m in the middle of 3 jobs right now. 1. The inverter shelter: It’s close to being complete and it does a good job of protecting the inverter and batteries from the rain, but we’ve realized that it doesn’t get enough airflow, even though the bottom two feet is screened. The sun is very hot on the plastic roof, so we have to figure out a better way of getting airflow. 2. The inverter and electricity in our house: We’ve gotten the inverter and batteries installed and I started running the wire and placing the boxes, but now I’m waiting on supplies- Outlets and pull string light fixtures. Why are supplies so hard to come by here!? What I would do for a Home Depot or even just an R.P Lumber! 3. I’m also working on putting new formica on the counters in Karen’s kitchen. I’ve never laid formica before but I have a good idea of how it’s supposed to be done and how it’s not supposed to be done. I’m pretty sure I’m doing it the hard way. What can you expect, though, when we don’t have a router or good files, and I have to use a circular saw to cut it. It’s almost done (hopefully I’ll be done later today), and it’s actually looking pretty good despite my lack of tools! Thank God!

Karma and Ismyis helping me build a picnic table

Playing in the Sawdust

Jessie has been busy painting. She’s painted Karen’s gallery, a room upstairs, and multiple picnic tables and has a long list of things to paint. She’ll be busy for a while.

Jess painting

Painting upstairs

The concrete workers are staying busy on the outside of Karen’s house too, and are trying to get it finished before the group from Canada comes next Monday. Their plan is to paint the exterior of Karen’s house. The Haitian concrete workers are great at what they do. I’m so amazed at the quality of their work and attention to detail. Judel is also trying his hand at concrete, but his attention to detail isn’t quite as developed. Actually, he claimed to me that he wasn’t even working with concrete, but rather making food.

Judel, the mason or cook

Karen is staying busy keeping the place running and I run into her every once in a while as she makes errands between the school and the compound. But who can't find time for a bit of Jofky!?

Karen and Jofky

As you know by now, we have a new addition here at HATS! It’s great to finally have Sandra here! To be able to take care of her here at the compound in knowledge that she is recovering well is such a relief and blessing. Also, The housemothers were starting to get kind of tired because of the increased work due to one of them always being at the hospital. Not only is Sandra finally here which means the housemothers are here too, but Karen has also hired another housemother to help lighten the load around here! She started today and we’re all excited to have her.

A few weeks ago we added another employee here too. Jess and I have been blessed with Margarete- our new cook and cleaning lady. She has already been such a blessing. Instead of having to spend hours a day cleaning and cooking, now we have more freedom to work, spend time with God, and just enjoy our evenings and time off! The first few days we felt like we were at Taco Bell, though, not because of the kind of food but because we added a fourth meal to our schedule. Mainly is was my fault because i’m not as good as Jess with Creole yet and when Margarete asked us if we wanted her to make us breakfast I would respond with “Nou manje sa,” which means “we eat this.” I was trying to say, “We ate this,” which would have been “Nou te manje sa.” So I sat down to do my devo’s and before I could do anything she had “that” nicely presented for Jess and I to eat! And in the name of not wanting to hurt her feelings, I forced down another meal.

Magaretes beautiful food

Jess and I don’t really want to brag about it, but lately we’ve been having more guests than Karen has. I don’t know if we’re liked more or what. Last week, we had James over for dinner and games, we’ve had a frequent guest in Jean Claude, and Robert gave us a surprise visit yesterday morning.

You all know James from our previous blogs. He’s become a good friend to Jess and I. Jean Claude, was our friend at first, but recently started eating our recipes, so we’re not on good terms. He’s a mouse. On our first encounter, he evaded us by doing the splits under one of our doors (which caused him to receive his name). We eventually caught him with our hands and brought him outside where we told him that he was cute and all, but he wasn’t welcome in our home anymore. We’ve learned that mice don’t listen, or maybe he just doesn’t speak English (we are in Haiti!). Nonetheless, we’re brainstorming alternate options to de-friend Jean Claude.

Jofky looking for a mouse in the boys home

Our least welcomed guest, though, was Robert. I repeal my previous comment about tarantulas being cute! Robert is(was) easily the biggest tarantula i’ve ever seen! He was probably the size of a grapefruit in leg span, and gave me the chills the instant I saw him. He didn’t like me either, but that was probably because I was pushing him down the stairs of our house with a broom. I’m just glad he didn’t give us that visit in the night in our bed!

Robert on our steps.

He's pretty photogenic

The evening walks with the kids are always an enjoyable time and sometimes give us a beautiful sunset as well. On one of our recent walks, the kids decided to try to run across a small creek on stepping stones. Most of the older ones succeeded, but one slip up by JJ resulted in him sitting in the creek. I barely missed the pic because he was so quick in getting up, but he had a great attitude about it!

Evening Walk

Karma, Djemima and Ismyis

stepping stones

The kids on an evening walk

Although, it’s busy here, we have a few exciting things to look forward to in the next week. Today is Karma’s birthday, so we’ll be celebrating that; Wednesday is flag day, so tomorrow the school is going to have a party to celebrate that holiday; Friday, we’re taking some of the older school children to the beach; and then on Monday, the group from Canada comes!

Bon Fet Karma!

Thank you so much for all of your prayer and support! We need it everyday to continue doing what God wants us to do.

As for the kids, they’re doing great and here are a few photos to prove that! Enjoy!

Ann starting early!

Before Easter Service

The Boys!

The little ones being silly

Egg Ears!

Dieunel acting funny

The kids sing in church

Reading to the Kids

Jofky and Ann

Jofky and Karena

Jumproping Leica

Playing with the kids

Baby Sandra

Baby Sandra is doing well here at home with us. She is keeping us even busier but she is worth every moment of extra work and lack of sleep. I, however, am sad to say that the new baby, who was due to join us on Wednesday died Tuesday night. We were ready for her and I had chosen a name for her, but she did not make it.

The children like having baby sister Sandra around. They are enjoying her and loving her. The little ones especially like to watch her being bathed. They are now the big sisters and brothers.

Sandra being bathed

Karena, Jofky & Anne watching in awe

Yesterday Sandra spent most of the day attached to me , sleeping in the sling I had for Ti Luc. Where I went, Sandra went. She had her first walk along the canal with the family yesterday too. The other children thought that was great - little Sandra going walking too.

Peaceful Sandra

Snug as a bug

Sandra's first walk with Anne, Jofky & Karena

Hide & Seek on our walks

Fun on our walks

A few of our masonery workers are back on site this week to finish preparing the main house (admin bldg/living quarters) for Gerry's team to work on. We are looking forward to having the team arrive on Monday, May 23rd.

Getting ready for Gerry's workteam

I cannot blog with our news without also saying Thank You. Thank you again for all the help and support. The work here absolutely cannot be done without all of you.

HATS Motto "Orphans Today, Leaders Tomorrow". It is "ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN"

Love and God bless you.
Karen and children

Baby Sandra Ruth

She is finally here with us. She came home from the hospital today around noon after spending 15 days there. She spent the remainder of the day here with me - in my arms a lot - and sleeping close by. Eat your heart out Sandra and Cheryl. She is 4-5 weeks old and she weighs 6.2 lbs.

Sandra at hospital May 8th

Baby Sandra approx one month 6.2 lbs

Now for more baby news. I have decided to take another baby desperately in need of help. She is now 6 days old and will likely join us tomorrow afternoon. I was asked to take her at day 3 as her mother had died. I took the weekend to think and pray about it. I am now moving ahead with the arrangements. Will post info and photos of her shortly after she is with us.

Ti Luc
Most of you know Ti Luc. If not yet in person then through the blog. You know his story, have followed his progress and have rejoiced with me along the way. He is my 'special' little boy (okay not so little anymore) who was a lot smaller than Sandra when I took him. Difficult to believe now how little he was.

Sandra being kissed by big brother Ti Luc

The adoption of Ti Luc is not yet completed. It is in the hands of the government. I, however, have taken a big step of faith and have purchased airline tickets for him and for me to fly to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (to Springdale for Come Home Year) in July. This means the adoption papers need to be in my hands soon. We need the completed paperwork and a passport. Then we will apply for a visitors visa. Three months after the adoption is completed he will become a Canadian citizen, but we cannot wait for that before going to Canada. I have been told that there is a good chance of getting a visa for him when all paperwork is completed. Please join me in prayer for things to move ahead quickly as the change in government here could block things again. Thanks for caring and for praying.

Sandra just home from hospital

I have certainly not forgotten about blogging about my other children. For some strange reason, however, there are only 24 hours in each day and I am still busy as a bee for 18 of them. And again for some strange reason I am getting older, not younger. Not quite sure why these two things are as they are but I have reached a stage in life where I must accept - that I cannot work more than 18 hours per day and must continue getting older. But I will get the blogging about them done someday and hopefully in the not too distant future.

All the children are doing well for which we thank God. I thank God too that I have another lady starting to work with the children on Monday. Antoinette, Magalie, Naomi, and soon Lorette, along with Jessie and myself should be able to handle things. Those of you, however, who know my children may be a little doubtful as you know they are extremely active and mischievous, along with being gorgeous. Now we will have three babies as well as Anne is not yet a year old.

Karena Mariah

Anne

God is good and his grace and strength will get us all through each and every day. And through the nights. Ah yes, let's not forget the nights with three babies. Fun and games. I think that Jessie and Seth might find out, before they expected to, what it is like to have a hungry baby at night. When I see the housemothers getting worn out I can call on Jessie and Seth to pinch hit for a night.

Again thank you for all your support in every way. Definitely cannot do it without you.

HATS motto "Orphans today, leaders tomorrow". Thanks for helping us see this become a reality in the future.

I T   I S   A L L    A B O U T    T H E   C H I L D R E N

God bless you. Karen and kids

PS.. I would like to ask those coming on a workteam with Gerry on May 23rd to put some small disposal diapers in the corners of your suitcases that are not up to maximum weight. Thank you.

Warm (and I mean warm) greetings from all of us at the HATS mission.

We are doing well. The children continue with their schooling, tutoring, and having fun. Precious little baby Sandra is still in the hospital near by but doing well. I expect to have her home and a part of our family on Monday. No doubt the rest of the children will be thrilled to have another baby sister and a very little one at that.

Jessie and Seth continue to get needed things done. Seth is quite the carpenter as it is obvious to see around here. This week he has been building a place to house the new batteries and new bigger inverter which will give more electricity for this building and the compound. The smaller inverter was taken to the house where they live today and Luckner will complete the hooking up of that for them on Monday. They will then have their own electricity supply.

House for batteries and inverter. Door to be finished

New inverter and batteries for electricity for mission

The plan for the new system is to run the generator four hours a day and the batteries will do the rest. O Happy Day. Thank you God for this power source. Am I dreaming? Yes? No? Can it be reality that I can have a freezer and fridge running all the time - just like normal people in North America? I keep pinching myself to see if I wake up. If this is a dream I would prefer to keep on sleeping.

Today Luckner and I interviewed a lady who will join HATS on Monday May 16th as our fourth house mother. We will then have the care we need for the children and be able to give all of them two days off a week. We have a lot of little children now and they need lots of TLC.

Luckner continues to get work done on his community project - Trade School/Radio Station. Yes, Radio Station too. He had a room built on top of the school for a radio station to teach and to send good and godly messages to his people. The cement roof was poured on the radio room this morning.

We are happily awaiting the arrival of a workteam from Canada under the leadership of Gerry Rhyno on May 23rd. Lots of necessary work will be done on the Admin building. Photos and news on that when they are here.

Last Sunday we had a candy hunt for our Children's Church kids after the service which they all enjoyed. Then in the afternoon we had a hunt on this compound for my kids. What fun they had. Us adults had as much fun as they did enjoying seeing their pleasure. Ti Luc had his but was trying to figure how to get it into his mouth in a hurry. Jofky decided to not wait for the paper to be removed.

Look what I found hidden in the yard

Just finished their hunt in the yard

 

Cute little Anne

Someone pls help me get it into my mouth

We continue with our walks along the canal as we can. Ti Luc's stroller has a problem so that and rain some afternoons has caused a problem for our walks. The kids do love to go walking and exploring. Recently they were excited about holding tiny baby frogs.

Judel holding tiny baby frogs

Karena & Jofky out for a walk

Afternoon walk

Afternoon walk - JJ & Moise

Afternoon walk with the kids

This afternoon Jofky and Karena were beautifully playing house. It was a gorgeous thing to see - Ti Mama and Ti Papa.

Ti Mama & Ti Papa happily playing house

I just realized that tomorrow is Mother's Day in Canada. (I am unsure of the US.) I want to take this opportunity to say HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all mothers. I especially say Happy Mother's Day to my two precious daughters, Dana and Liette. You are two fantastic mothers - single parent mothers - caring the load of bringing up your children and doing a great job of it. I am extremely proud of you both. I am proud to be your mother. Thank you for your support of me and the mothering I do to my 17 children here. Thank you for understanding I need to be here and supporting me in every way. God bless you both! You are loved. You are greatly appreciated.

May God bless all mothers and all the wonderful people who support the work we do with children here at the HATS Mission.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN