This blog written by ladies of the workteam

Our first night on the roof proved to be as noisy as the streets of Port au Prince: lots of barking dogs, crickets, motor bikes, but sleep was quick upon us as the day had been hot and overwhelming - in a good way! Sleeping on the roof in mesh tents was amazing: stars galore and a lovely breeze on the second floor - no walls yet!

Early to rise for breakfast and then Devotions at the compound school: lots of singing and clapping and then a beautiful flag raising.

Devotions at school

Flag raising at school

We played with the little ones as we continued to tour this amazing site.

Maddie with Leica & Ismyis

Carolyn with Jofky

Robyn, Moise and others

Then off in the "HATS tap tap", or truck - most of us in the box of the pickup - to see the church which is located well out in the countryside, a challenging climb up the hill.

Heading off to see the church where the roof is going

Bob checking it out

Met with some locals and were especially moved by TiFi who, though she cannot speak, took us all by the hand to be introduced to her "grand-maman" after which she brought our hands together and prayed for us. It was very moving.

Lunch then more playtime. 34 degrees did not keep us from an impressive game of basketball and a gymnastics display to rival the Olympics. Many of us are currently sporting stunning new hairstyles courtesy of wee Mirlande.

Josh & Sandra

Noah with monkey doodle Jofky

We are apparently very fortunate this year to be able to leave the compound and so we did some touring of the area; first to the Albert Sweitzer Hospital area and then to Luckner's to see the radio station.

Two of us stayed there and taught English to the Wednesday afternoon class at the Trade School.

Two new teachers for English class today

Just before dinner, a walk along the canal with the kids. A welcome evening downpour and a cold shower and life is good.

Walk time

Sensory overload,...

... we were warned, and sure enough, the airport was chaos but what seemed at first to be a jungle of randomly parked cars was swiftly and impressively negotiated by Karen who managed the situation with great skill and diplomacy and we were soon on our way through the crowded streets of Port au Prince.

Any of these the HATS team

Well, we made it outside at least

Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal... and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope.

A noisy ride home on the bus

We are sleepy but really looking forward to tomorrow. This is a great team and we are already in love with Haiti.

Seth and Jessie -- Jessie and Seth

This blog has two farewell notes for Seth and Jessie. The first one written by Karen and the second one by Luckner.
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Farewell. Good bye. Until we meet again - when you return for a visit.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

It is impossible to say thank you to this fine young couple for all the things they did during their year with us at HATS-Haiti. May it suffice to say they were a blessing to myself, to the children, to all HATS employees, and to people in the surrounding area. It was difficult to see them leave. I am going to sorely miss their help. Their love of the Lord was obvious and I believe that has spoken to not only my children here, but to those who attended our Sunday morning services, and the lives they touched outside of HATS.

Last Friday afternoon we, all HATS employees and children, held a farewell and thank you party for them. It was to be a surprise. To be able to pull that off with them on the compound was no small feat. Only ten minutes prior to the party did they wonder why the children had changed their clothes. Food had been prepared throughout the day in the kitchen at the children's home as well as in Karen's kitchen. The children had made cards for them and all employees personally thanked them. (Luckner missed the party as he was enjoying a short break in Canada.)

Seth, Jessie, Anne & Jonathan

Thank you and God bless you Seth & Jessie

Jofky enjoying the party

Ti Luc & Karma

party time

Saturday afternoon we met at Seth and Jessie's place and they gave the kids the gift they had for them for Christmas. Christmas can be any, or every, month of the year.

Vladimy with gift fr Seth & Jessie of World Atlas

Ballerina butterflies - Anne & Karena

Moise or Groucho Marx

Yesterday morning, March 15th, Jessie and Seth left the mission compound for Port-au-Prince and their home in Illinois. It was a sad parting with lots of hugs and tears. Now they move into another season of their lives. God has a good plan for them. His promises are sure. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Bye Seth & Jessie.  We will miss you.

Seth & Jofky - spent a lot of time together

Bye little Sandra

Thank you Seth and Jessie. For coming, for doing, for being, for loving, for caring, for helping, for accepting, for being you, and for letting us see Jesus in you. You are a special couple and where ever God takes you next you will be a blessing. You showed, during the past year, that what I claim for HATS " I T I S A L L A B O U T T H E C H I L D R E N " certainly was true for you too.

Bye bye. May God keep you safe

God bless you both. Hold fast to each other. Together, and separately, hold fast to the Almighty One.

With love from Karen, and all of us here at HATS.

Jessie and Seth,
I am very sorry we did not get the chance to chat more about the way the community saw the work that you two did in the area. You spoiled the community, the children, and the employees. All of us who know you are sorry it is time for you to move on.

I do not agree with you leaving. I feel like I am dreaming. There is a Haitian proverb that says "If you can't change something, you are obliged to accept it." I am obliged to accept, but don't have to like it.

Jessie & Seth & David's team having fun at Radio Creole

I like you guys a lot and that will not change. Radio Creole wants to tell you - God has a plan for you.

I hope you will keep in contact because we all have one thing in common: Jesus of Nazarath.
Luckner

Interesting afternoon Deschapelles to St. Marc and return.

Our trip to St. Marc yesterday afternoon proved to be an interesting one and rather nerve racking for our Mariah. We had security, Herve, with us and thankful we did.

First stop in St. Marc was at a bank I did not know to pay for our new internet services. It had a long line - which in Haiti moves slower than slow. I had Mariah stand in one line while I took the second one in hopes of getting finished sooner. Eventually we rejoined Herve and off to our own Sogebank. I saw a tricycle for sale on the road close to the bank. Put Mariah, with Herve's help in charge of checking it over, bargaining for a good price, while I went into the bank. The bank was filled to capacity and lines did not appear to be moving. Left there, gave Herve money to buy the tricycle for our little ones - Karena, Jofky and Anne. Mariah and I walked to wood store to purchase a lot of 2x4s, 1x4s and 1x6s for Bob's group to use when they arrive on 20th of this month. Then back to our bank to get some badly needed money. Yikes the lines were still very long and moving at the same pace as molasses would trying to go up the mountain in Banff in winter. Mariah and I regretted we had not brought books with us. After 1 1/2 hours there we headed to a supermarket. We shopped as fast as we could so we could head for home. Our truck was filled to capacity and then some. Both Herve and Mariah sat with boxes of supplies in their laps.

Returning from St Marc. Truck filled with boxes of groceries

We entered Pont Sonde to somewhat of a mess - more like a huge mess that could be dangerous. A lot of broken glass on the road - looked like a lot of bottles had been thrown, many bullet casings on the road too - from a gun like HATS has - a douze. Lots of armed UN troops, and armed Haitian Riot police moving around. Something was very wrong and I knew I was not going to be able to get through and I could not go back. I did what I knew I should. I pulled to the side of the road, locked the truck doors, sat tight and prayed. Well actually I did something else - I took some photos, most were taken through the windshield, so not as clear as they could be. After we were there for awhile I decided I needed to call Jessie and Seth and let them know we had no idea where we would be back. There was a problem with my calling them. My telephone could not be found in the vehicle despite Mariah, Herve and myself all searching thoroughly. I asked Mariah to call my phone number so we could hear it if it had fallen inside the truck. Oops, she said, I don't have enough charge on my phone to call your phone. Oops is right! Okay, Herve, please dial my phone. Another oops. Herve said he did not have any funds on his phone to call mine. Yikes. What a pickle. Trapped in a not good situation with two phones that could not be used. We felt my phone had to be at the grocery store in St. Mark. More prayer to ask God to have the right person find it and for them to keep it for us.

Entering Pont Sonde

Herve decided it was safe enough for him to leave the vehicle and go back a short distance to purchase a phone card for his phone. The blocked road, action, etc was ahead of us, not behind. Mariah wisely decided it would be safer for her to stick with Herve than in the vehicle with me. So off Herve goes with Mariah stuck to him. I locked the doors, watched everything around me and prayed. Soon I saw two half dressed, and very obviously angry young men, coming towards my truck. One had two very big rocks in his hands. He stopped in front of my truck and defiantly glared at me. He was very angry and looked like he wanted to take his anger out on someone and that someone could be me. I was there without Herve and Mariah but I was not alone. God was there with me. In fact I was glad Mariah was not there to see it. I continued to quietly talk to God. Then the other angry looking young man without any rocks spoke to his friend and pointed out the UN police were watching and coming towards my truck. He dropped the rocks and they both quickly disappeared.

Does not look good ahead

Two UN police - American & one Haitian riot police

Ready for more action

Sitting, watching, praying

UN Troops heading into the problem area

Herve and Mariah returned with phone card for Herve's phone. I found a phone number on the grocery bill I had just paid and we called the store in St. Marc. Yes, my phone was in his hands and he would hold it for my return. Things seemed to be setting down around our vehicle and I managed to turn around and head back to St. Marc to get my phone. We were soon back in Pont Sonde again. No sign of the UN or police now, but road still blocked with lots of angry people rocking a huge truck, its windshield had been broken and looked like it had sustained lots of other damage. I cautiously drove towards it - all the while speaking quietly with Herve. We decided to drive slowly towards what was happening, and towards home and see if I would be allowed to pass. Poor Mariah was scared. I understood it as it was her first experience of this kind. She kept saying "No Grandma, No. Don't go. Go back, please. Stay here until things are better. They can turn and do to our truck what they are doing to that bigger one. Gramma, don't drive any further, please. I am scared. "

I, however, felt to drive on slowly. I felt God was going to get us through. (There have been many times, in similar situations, that I have felt to not go any further. Times when I have felt to turn around and go in the other direction and take refuge elsewhere.) Yesterday I felt to drive on very slowly and God did take us through without mishap. Some people were obviously angry with me for trying to get through the mob and they showed it. Two people, however, recognized me and started to wave me through and told others to let me pass through them.

We did and when we were past the mess we thanked and praised God for his protection as we drove quickly home to the mission compound.

All in all, it was a good experience for Mariah. Hearing about things like this, but never experiencing it, tends to make some people careless and think things like this does not really happen and would never happen to them. I have more experiences than I wish to remember.
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One more thing. I have a question for my precious sister, Sandra. Did you feel your feet being tickled some times during our morning devotions recently while you were here?? This was hiding in the area where you often sat. Not to worry. Seth took care of it for you.

For Sandra

Thanks again to all of you. Remember it is: A L L A B O U T T H E C H I L D R E N

Karen and all of us at HATS

Seth here!

First off, Jess and I are very happy to be back at HATS! Our return got delayed because my tonsils weren’t cooperating with my throat. 14 pounds lighter and after 14 days of jello, I got the okay to return to Haiti. Now I’m fully recovered and gained most of the weight back (I didn’t need to lose any in the first place!) , thank God! Thank you all for your prayers over me too. We were getting antsy to get back because we were missing the kids so much- they were on our minds constantly. It was so awesome driving into the compound that evening and getting out of the bus to a mob of kids with their bright smiles and strong embraces! Sadly, we cannot spend much more time here, and by today we only have 10 more days before we go back home and move on to what God wants next for us. We told the kids that we only have 3 more weeks here, but they’ve been arguing with us that we have to stay 3 or 5 years instead. On Saturday we watched the movie Space Jam and afterwards Moise jokingly challenged me to a game of basketball, and if he won, I had to stay here as his prisoner. It will be sad to leave, but we will definitely be back to visit them.

Last year, we flew in with the Texas team and we were blessed to be able to fly back in with them this year! They were such an encouragement not only that first week, but also throughout this last year. Thank you guys!

Since we don’t have much time here, we’re really excited to be able to spend quality time with the kids. I’ve been working on some small various projects for Karen, but I don’t have a ton to do, so we’ve been able to do that. So this past week, after the kids are finished with their homework, we’ve had time to do an activity.

Tuesday we taught them how to play baseball and then played a dance game (Maga even got involved!).

Baseball

Dancing

Wednesday and Thursday we worked on the presents the kids are giving to the kids at the Comfort orphanage. Before we left for Christmas, Jess set up a Christmas exchange with our kids and the Comforts. She paired our kids with theirs and then asked all of our kids what they wanted to give to their kid. Jess and I picked up the gifts while we were home. Wednesday, our kids wrote notes and drew pictures, and then on Thursday they wrapped their presents. They had so much fun preparing their gifts and are so excited for the opportunity to give to the Comfort kids.

With their gifts

The three musketeers

On Friday we gave the kids a glass of water and these things that looked like pills. We told them to put them into the water. They were confused at first, but excited when the pills eventually turned into little foam animals. They were so excited to show us which animals they had gotten. Afterwards, Ismyis gave Jess her animals. Jess asked her why, and Ismyis said that she wanted to give her animals to her Comfort kid because they have less than she does. We were so blessed by her generous heart!

Saturday was a bit more relaxing day. We watched Space Jam with the kids, and I’m pretty sure I enjoyed it as much as they did! Afterwards we were inspired to play basketball and Moise and JJ were calling me Michael Jordan. I would have been humble about it, but it’s not everyday you get called Michael Jordan, so instead I just did my version of Air Jordan on our 6 foot rim! Then Mariah, Jess, and I made cupcakes together for our afternoon walk with the kids. Sunday all the kids got a chance to try rollerblading- even Jofky got his turn, unfortunately he didn’t have hands to keep up his oversized shorts! Makes for a funny photo though!

Snack time on the canal

Rollerblading

Jofky's rollerblading skills

Today was an exciting day. More exciting for Mariah, Jess, and I than for the kids. The Heinz company has been providing nutritional packets for us for a few months now and they asked if they could come and do a promotional video with their celebrity spokeswoman. Their celebrity was Lucy Liu. It was a fun experience for us and the kids because there was an entourage of vehicles and a bunch of camera equipment. We had a great time visiting with the crew and the kids flaunted their typical happy selves! We are so thankful for Heinz’s generosity toward us and to the country of Haiti. As they were leaving, Lucy even asked Mariah to go to their next destination with them, but Mariah had to finish her class. Maybe next time Mariah, or maybe you just missed your chance to co-star with Lucy in her next big film “Charlie’s Angels 3: Haitian Havoc”.

With our guest

Until next time- thanks for all of your support and prayers! We love you guys!
Seth and the rest of HATS.

Thank you to the Texas team

- Leader David, Brooks, Ryan, Joanna, Molly and Julie. Thank you for coming back, for coming for the first time, for working on whatever needed to be done, for loving on my kids, and for all the supplies you brought with you.

Thank you to Brooks for doing the blogging. My daughter, Dana, who was here in December is the winner of the title "Best Female Blogger" and Brooks is the winner of "Best Male Blogger". Great job done by both of you. Brooks, don't forget Luckner has a spot for you on the radio when you come back.

The Children's Home now has a bigger and better laid out kitchen. The ladies who work with the children, as well as all the children, are very happy with the renovations. David and his team members, and Seth and Jessie, saw that it was beautifully finished after the cement work by the masons was done. They enjoy telling me it is nicer than my kitchen now. They need it. They deserve it.

Renovated kitchen at kay Margo

Serving area of kitchen

Thanks to the team the school office is also looking good. The rest of the school painting will be done later, by another team, after the elementary section has been finished and paint funds have been raised to do so. Little by little things are getting done onsite.

School Office painted by team

Recently Mariah and I were blessed by a visit from two Canadians who work with the Embassy in Port au Prince. It was delightful to have them with us for a short time and to share what HATS is doing in the Artibonite Valley. We wish to thank them for taking the time to visit with us.

Jonathan with Gaelle from Can Embassy

Edward Cashman (Can. Embassy) with Sandra

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN

Thank you for helping make it so.
Karen

Brooks. Day 3.

Sunday morning started with a rousing church service at the school with the kids and staff of HATS along with several kids and adults from the neighborhood. Worship is so much fun, dancing and playing percussion instruments and laughing with the kids, and their singing is beautiful. I (Brooks) did a little visual demonstration with magic, about how God stays with us no matter where we go. Karen explained first that I was not involved in voodoo - that it was a comedy type of thing and not magic that they would think of. David brought the word with Karen translating. And our team all got to sing for the congregation. We sang and danced a rousing version of "I've got joy, down in my heart, deep deep down in my heart." Julie missed the rehearsal. Other than her, our performance was flawless.

Kids practicing with Mariah to sing in church

Sunday service

Sleeping beauties at Sunday service

After church, lunch, and a little rest, we finished up the kitchen and it looks quite wonderful, if I do say so myself (Photos of finished kitchen will come soon). Then I took off to spend the next 24 hours with at the Comfort House, where Ray and Trisha Comfort are caring for 13 children, most of whom have AIDS/HIV. I've spent time there before and wanted to spend time with the kids and bring them a few supplies. Stories about my adventures with the Comforts could fill pages. I'll just spare you the time and say it was a special time with one of the most unique families I'll ever meet.

The rest of the crew remained in the comparatively luxurious confines of HATS, where they no doubt feasted on crab legs and ice cream while soaking in hot tubs. They also spent the evening laughing and bonding at Seth and Jessie's place. I was hoping they'd grieve my absence and be bored silly. That didn't happen. They were joined by Mariah, Karen's granddaughter, who is spending a year away from college to help out, is fantastic, and I think she'll one day run the place. Getting to know her on this trip was a privilege. And so ends day 3.

Day 4.
While I continued my adventures at the Comfort House (start time: 6am), I assume the other team slept until 10 or so. Probably not, though, since they went next door to the school to see the morning's opening ceremonies and then played with all the kids at the school during recess. Rumor has it that Molly was drilled in the head with a soccer ball. After school let out, the crew finished up the Aqua Chintzizing of the new building. It looks fantastic. I made it home in time to miss out on cleaning up all the painting supplies, but right on time to one final round o play with the kids.

Team finishing the painting of school office

The Ritchie ladies got their hair braided. Lots of jumping rope was done (David's arm is still sore). Julie carried babies all over the place. Ryan and I played "washers" with a few of the boys. Then David joined us and the game was then called "Warshers." After a final soccer game, we went to enjoy a delicious meal from Jesse and Seth at Huber Manor. Seth makes some amazing bread. Soccer skills, handyman skills, baking skills - Seth is a Renaissance man in cut-off jean shorts. I love the guy. Between Seth and Missionary James (see day 2), we got to know some really awesome men of God with equally awesome beards.

More games were followed by the hardest part of this trip every year - saying good-bye to the beautiful children of HATS. It's so tough because each of them touched our hearts in a unique way. However, we can say our good-byes with peace, knowing they are so well cared for and deeply loved by an amazing staff. That didn't stop me from considering smuggling a kid or two out in my backpack, but still...

After a round of games, we headed up to the rooftop of Karen's place for an amazing time of prayer and encouragement with Karen, Mariah, and the Hubers. It was the perfect way to end an incredible time. We can't wait to return next year. We love HATS. We pray for Haiti. We know God is at work there, and are honored to play a small role in it.