Hello again from the gang at HATS; Beate, Kathleen, Rebecca and Sam,

We had a nice relaxing morning getting ready for church which started at 9:30 over at the school. What a lovely sight to see the children all dressed up for this special morning. The service was uplifting and fun, with tambourines and shakers and wonderful voices filling the air. Rebecca and Kathleen shared with the group. They used toothpaste as an analogy to remind us that what we say can never “get” back into our mouths (just like the toothpaste can never fit back in the tube)…so always be wary of what words we use. Are we using words that heal, or words that hurt? What a lesson for the little ones, and a HUGE reminder to the grownups.

on our way to church

We had a special surprise at church today: Karen and her Ugly Stick. Now if you are a Newfie, you will totally get this…if not…well, enjoy it J

a surprise visitor

Of course the team has been practicing to sing at Radio Creole tonight, so we were given an opportunity to belt it out to the congregation. I think we did quite well singing “Serve Him” in Creole with our English accents and “delightful” voices, and we were so good that we got everyone to clap and eventually join in with us (hee hee).We have decided to take it on the road back in Canada so that we can help raise money for HATS J

Sam, Rebecca, Beate & Kathleen

Mirlande reading Psalm

Then the children got up to perform, and we decided that our act just won’t do anymore…they were so fantastic. Even Judel and Dieunel got up for the first time to sing in front of everyone. We were so proud of them.

Karen's kids singing in church

Judel & Dieunel singing for us

We worked around the compound today and entertained the kids. The children had a special Sunday dinner which we got to see. There’s nothing like rice and beans and fried chicken (and greasy, smiling faces)…yummmmmyyyyyy. And….we got to have same meal. Thanks to Germaine and Marguerite for preparing this special dinner for us.

the children enjoying their Sunday meal

McGuiver  and McGuiver Junior measuring benches

Okay, now we have to run to the radio station. Wish us luck…we’ll need it ha ha ha ha….

Sooooooo, we’re back. What a crazy time we had on Radio Creole. We thought we only had to sing a couple of songs, thank you very much! But ohhhh noooooo, Luckner planned to have us on for THIRTY MINUTES!!!! We laughed and laughed and laughed. Just how does one fill dead air? With talk about the weather of course…and how about tongue twisters? “Hey Sam, explain to our good listeners: exactly what are rubber baby buggy bumpers?” Well, Sam, you couldn’t have done a better job. I have never before heard rubber baby bumpers be so eloquently explained.

oh,they should be on my ears

the star singers

Sam, your mother would be proud

okay, 30 minutes is nothing

Luckner, thank you so much for the opportunity

We will truly miss our time here at HATS. Haiti is a country of drastic contrasts. The people here need so much help and guidance, but at the same time, Haitians are beautiful, proud people from whom we can learn so much. God Bless.

Beate
"It's all about the children."
www.hatshaiti.org
www.hatshaiti.blogspot.com
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Okay, Beate here…

…so where did the day go yesterday??????? I just realized that we hadn’t written a blog, so here it is. I’ll start with yesterday’s adventures. We had devotions in the morning and were given the opportunity to share with the adults and children. It was so incredible to hear how much this short time at HATS has impacted on Sam, Rebecca and Kathleen. By the time it was my turn, of course, those who know me can imagine that I was in tears (as I am again writing this). I simply love coming here to help with the children. I remember the first time I asked to come to Haiti thinking what could I possibly do to help. I’m not a doctor or a nurse; I’m not a carpenter, electrician or plumber….but I can help with the children. We can help the house mothers and Karen who are in constant demand with 18 children to feed, clothe, nurse bumps and scrapes, hug and love. And for me, my heart goes out to Karen and the people who work here at HATS because the children are thriving. They are beautiful little people who are being raised with love in their hearts, and I believe full heartedly that they will begin the change that is so needed around here.

Anne's Getting a New Hair-do

We had a chance to pop next door to visit the school. What an incredible place for children in the community to come and learn. There are plans in place for a new kitchen….yes folks, these kids are fed each day and to some it’s the only meal they will receive. I am challenging my friends and family to sponsor a child this year. Really, for $275 a year, a child goes to school and is fed…can you find it in your hearts and budget to help???? ($375 a child can continue to high school).

Visiting the School

How UGLY can things be???? Well, according to Newfie tradition, you can get “ugly” with an ugly stick…I don’t know, but I think she’s kind of pretty don’t you????

Making the ugly Stick

Finished Product!

We all spent a quiet evening at home last night and enjoyed popcorn and watched “The Republic of Doyle;” a great series shot in St. John’s…the quiet didn’t last, however, as we were kept up until nearly dawn with the singing, banging and clapping of a local church service.

Crazy July team members

Saturday, we don’t have devotions, so we slept in until 7:30 and had a lovely Haitian oatmeal breakfast…very sweet and delicious. Then straight away to the market in Verrettes. Now that was an experience and a half. Hmmmmm….poor Sam almost hurled when we passed the goat being skinned…it was the lovely smell of sun warmed meat that got to him. The rest of us didn’t mind looking at the various animal intestines floating in buckets or the heads of goats in a pile. Actually, the market was not that bad as far as being dirty. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. We did have a problem finding our truck in the parking lot among all of the donkeys and horses. Yes, my little yellow car would certainly stand out in this lot.

Market in Verrettes

Walking through the market

Market parking lot - no yellow car

We got home, and Beate got to work on a Power Point for Karen; McGuiver (that’s what we have now nicknamed Sam) worked on fixing the swing, the dvd player, the grapevines and anything else he could get his hands on.

Rebecca and Kathleen decided to wash Karen’s car, however between the two of them it turned into a little water fight. Karen pulled the girls over to the truck and said I think you guys missed some. However this was a trap, Karen actually started soaking everyone with the garden hose. This turned into a huge water fight (Karen managed to stay dry). After we all went for a drive around to see a local church and visit Radio Creole. After outings the best part is coming back and seeing the kids and all their smiles! Man are we ever going to miss it here.

Hello Again! Kathleen and Beate here.

Well today has been a busy day, and it is no where near being over. First thing this morning Sam was greeted by an eight legged friend in his room. Turns out it jumps!!!!! Then off to devotions. It was great we marched around outside the compound and around HATS singing and dancing. What a great way to spread happiness in the community.

After breakfast we played basketball and soccer. These kids just run circles around us. I don’t think we have ever been so sweaty in our lives. But like Karen says; it is all about the children, thus if getting sweaty and dirty is what that looks like that is what we are going to do. JJ, Vladimy and Moise are going to make us fall over. They have so much energy to play.

NBA champs

Sam spent a few hours fixing the basketball net using “found metal” that with a hand saw and brute force managed to cut in half. If only Canadian Tire were around the corner…it would have taken him 20 minutes.

In the middle of the soccer game we were brought inside and to our surprise Karen had invited two ladies to come to our house to see if we wished to buy Haitian handmade things. There was a mini market on the porch. We all enjoyed buying lots of goodies to take back to our loved ones!

Door to door market

Today we went back to Luckner’s and taught English again. We talked about conversations and how pronouncing words is not as important as being understood. We talked about the weather and how old we were, it was great! When we were done we saw Ti Luc, he was carrying a bag of bread in each hand! He is doing so great. He has so much drive and determination; he is living proof that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

When we got back the kids had all been told we might have time for rollerblading, and man did we ever rollerblade. The kids had so much fun going up and down the drive way. Our toes are a little sore and we are sweaty but it was all in good fun.

Roller Derby

Hang on tight

Waiting for our turn

Yipeeee

And finally, after a long day, Kathleen is off to do night security duty for us.

Ummm...is this thing loaded

This blog is a team effort…

…because, as we have discovered, we work so well together and are so in sync with what is needed here. It started last night with hints of chocolate chip cookies…hints meaning Karen digging out her favourite recipe as well as most of the ingredients “just in case” anyone felt like making cookies. So as you can see Rebecca and Kathleen got going on them this afternoon.

Chocolate chip cookies by Rebecca & Kathleen - Yumm!!!

We have done so much already. We all got into the truck yesterday afternoon to drive to Verettes for a visit to the pharmacy…and to Liancourt to pick up some frozen chicken.

Sam carrying in the chicken Haitian style

at the pharmacy

We also had a chance to visit Luckner’s Radio Creole last night and were put right to work teaching English to his students.

Going up to see the radio station

Beate making sure her spelling is ok

Sam teaching should, could, would!

Sam and Beate accompanied Karen to St Marc for some more supplies… Sandra drove the truck back up the driveway.

Sandra driving the truck

Of course, we had lots of fun playing with the kids and having a late afternoon stroll along the canal. It was quite the experience to introduce the kids to Pop Rocks that Kathleen brought with her (they crackle and pop in the mouth and even come flying out of your mouth if you aren’t careful). Now, we did take photos of Karen enjoying them for the first time, whether or not she provides you with the enjoyment of a picture is up to her…tooooooo funny….

Kathleen and Jonathan

Rebecca and Jonathan

Sam and Anne

Ti Fi and Beate

Kathleen handing out Pop Rocks

On a final note, it has been incredible to have the opportunity to work with Ti Luc. Each one of us has a different way of teaching and communicating with him, and we have seen him learn so much in just a couple of days. He is beginning to pick things up with his hands and even learning to whistle. We all have a special place in our hearts for this courageous little boy who never gives up.
Hugs to all: Beate, Kathleen, Rebecca and Sam

Hi, Karen here this time.

I am a little late but want to share some photos of our Canada Day here at the mission. We were unable to leave the compound this year with the truck covered with Canadian flags, as we did last year, due to Ti Luc not being able to leave his bed.

Happy Canada Day

Bon Fet Canada from Anne (dressed in a flag)

Happy Canada Day from our sick boy Ti Luc

Bon Fet Canada from Jonathan

Ti Luc has been ill for some time, but I am happy to report that this tough little cookie is coming though nicely. He ended up with mumps, which meant fever, pain, and not being able to eat. He was coming through that when he got mumps on the other side. He was almost completely over that sickness when he became very ill with, what we believe was, malaria. After some days of dangerous vomiting, and fever, spasms, shaking chills, etc we put him on liquid chloroquin for children. Wow, what a difference when we were finally treating the cause of the fever and illness. One employee who works at this house left on Friday very upset about Ti Luc. She saw him again on Tuesday and started to cry saying she thought he might die over the weekend.

My poor sick little boy - mumps - not fun

When we went to pick up the group in Port au Prince on Monday we left early and took Ti Luc with us. We did this because there was a medical team there from Newfoundland for a week. One of the doctors had let me know before arrival he would be willing to see Ti Luc while in Haiti. We wanted to take advantage of this opportunity and Ti Luc was starting to improve so we decided to take him with us. He rested and slept enroute to Port and was no problem on the trip. Dr. O-Day checked Ti Luc out, and then two other doctors came to meet him as well.

Dr. O-Day from Newfoundland just having checked Ti Luc over

Ti Luc can't be found anywhere

Today he is having a good day with the team members - playing and learning. This is a fantastic group who are enjoying time and hugs with all the kids but also giving a lot of help to Ti Luc. They are teaching him and encouraging him in the use of his hands. He has been doing some amazing things today. Am I grateful?? Am I excited?? Just jumping for joy is all!!!

Therapy time with Beate for usage of hands

Ti Luc doing a great job

Colouring with his hands

Please join me in prayer once again for the final adoption paper to give to the lawyer so a passport can be obtained for Ti Luc. It appears to be very close now - but this is Haiti - and that could mean still a very long time from my experience.

The other children are doing well and enjoying a break from school. All our children passed their school year. September will find our little Karena starting school with preschool one. Judel will do preschool two. Dieunel, Josie and Ismyis will be moving into grade one. Leica, Karma and Ti Luc passed into grade two. (Not sure what Ti Luc's schooling will end up being for Sept, but he needs something more next year.) Moise will be doing grade four in Sept, Djemima will do grade 5, and JJ and Mirlande will do grade 6. Vladimy will write his grade nine governmental exams next week and will hopefully be attending grade 10 in Liancourt in Sept.

Vladimy studying in preparation of govt exams next week

Thank you for all the help with the school generally and with sponsoring students this past year. Let us continue to work together for the children of this area of the Artibonite Valley.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN