Blog written by Ken

24th. of Nov. 2013.

Another beautiful day in beautiful Haiti.  Some of us would like it a little cooler, but we have to live with the fact that God is in control not us, thankfully and we have to bless that wonderful fact. We are alive today and enjoying his wonderful creation, in a place where there are such beautiful people.

This fact was brought home to me this morning, in amazing abundance. On other trips here and for the first few days I stood in the back of three classrooms, that had been opened up, for morning devotions. This morning the other seven , blancs, on this Team, Don Huxter, Jim Steer, Dickie & Sandra MacDonald, Dave Buckle, Bob Huxter, & Lisa Edison, plus Director of HATS Karen Huxter. I went to the front of the room so I could becloser to the children and see them better. It was a great decision. I was up front with several of their teachers, and being the only Blanc it seemed like all of the children were looking right at me. They were scrubbed up as clean as a whistle, there faces sparkling and their hair and uniforms done immaculately. Their eyes sparkled like diamonds, and I was looking into the faces of over fifty children in the first few rows. They start school here at age three - Pre School 1,2,&3. The three year olds were in the first few rows, then the four year olds, and so on. I have never seen such a beautiful looking bunch of children in my life. They were all staring on me and a lump came up into my throat and I had to fight to keep the tears in. I'm not telling anyone else this, but I know where I'm going to be standing for school devotions again.

Morning devotions at school

Jim, Sandra, Bob, Don & Lisa were working on the school sponsorship program.  This involves getting the children to come out for a photograph, holding a large piece of paper, with their name on it, so they can send it to that students' sponsosr.  Each of the students send a sheet of info to their sponsor with the picture. They have been doing this for several days and I helped them with it to some of the time in the past few days.

Preschool I students looking for sponsors

Grade 9 class doing letters to sponsors

This morning Dickie had a few work projects on the go for him, Dave and I.  They re-hung some doors for improved people movement, while I worked on making a new step for some stairs and re-making parts to a security gate to keep the children from going up the stairs to the second level.

The Assistant Director of HATS, and school Principal, Luckner Estimable has been working very hard for Hats and has been extremely busy.  So we arranged to have a small surprise party for him, while we were here, to thank him and show our appreciation.   It was a lot of fun being with him and all the children and staff all together this afternoon.

Team Canada with Karen & Luckner at HATS-Haiti

Papa Luckner & Ti Luckner at the party

Luckner and Dickie at the party

Don cleaning out cake pan to share with kids

Did I say the weather was too hot?  Dickie, Dave and I have moved our little screen tents up on the roof of the top floor.  There is more breeze up there, the stars are bright and the Haiti night sounds, as those of you who have been here will know, are like night music.  One night there was a lightening storm, so we had to move our tents down to the roof on the second level.  This has been another amazing adventure trip, that I wish you all could experience.

Also written by Sandra.

Day 2
For those who have not read day 1, I hope you get to read this one.  We have not had internet service for a couple of days.  You may not know it BUT we have all been working and playing hard.

Fun with Lisa

Ken & Bob worked as security while Karen, Dickie (chauffeur) Dave and Richard (security) went to Saint Marc to the Bank, grocery store, hardware etc.  The security here have no fear of losing their jobs to Bob and Ken anytime soon!

New security fired already

New security 2 also fired

I experienced my first ever Haitian rainfall and it was glorious!  We were painting when it started and we moved out into the school yard with arms outstretched and enjoyed every drop.  It only lasted about 20 -25 minutes but was pure delight.

Enjoying the rain, trying to cool down.

Had a delicious supper and then went to devotions and enjoyed all the kids singing.

We had time working on our school work and other odds and ends and then showers and bed were the order of the night.

We had a big thunder/lightning storm last night with another downpour.  Bob was on his way to bed and came back to show us a bug he saw with big green glowing eyes.  It was very interesting and we watched for a while.

Karen and I made 2 cakes for a party  (there was a little added excitement but all ended well). Karen here - anyone who knows the man my sister is married to will know why there was excitement and who was behind it.  I, however, am above naming names.

Day 3
We got an early start today with Dave's alarm waking us all ...including the roosters...at 4:15!

Had great devotions on site with children and staff.

 Photos and letters for students who are sponsored were finished today with grades 1 & 2.  (Lots of sponsors needed for adorable students.)

Kids ready for photos

First photo for grade one is Judel

Letter writing time.

Toilets fixed, weeding done on water tower, payroll, etc.

Germaine made my favorite dinner today and I beleive it may be every one's favorite now.

Jim, Don, Lisa and I painted a small office at the school a beautiful pink (no one pulled your trick, Cheryl).

Germaine preparing another delicious meal

Day 1

We travelled from the airport to  HATS Haiti in a nice air conditioned bus!  It was a nice delightful drive and we noticed a lot of improvements and development along the way.

Watch out HATS-Haiti, here we come.

Nfld and Haiti brothers happy to be together again

We were too tired last night to write a blog.  It is extremely hot and humid BUT we are having fun and working and in a couple of days we won't even notice it! I hope you are right, Dickie.

For those who love to play with the kids, this would be the perfect trip!  They were all out of school when we arrived.  It is wonderful to arrive here in the middle of the day and have some time with them before bed.

We worked in the school office gluing textbooks.

Just arrived and hard at work on textbooks

We had a short walk along the canal.

While on our walk along the canal

Young boy doing his chores, as we walked along the canal

We had devotions with the kids before bed and did some paper work for school sponsorships.

About to start evening devotions

Evening devotions. Karena asleep with Sandra

Everyone was in bed early, we all had a few short nights

After a delicious breakfast we went to school for devotions and are shortly going to do school photos and letters.  I haven't seen Dave Buckle since devotions but I am sure he is still here.  Yup, he is still here, he showed up for lunch!

I am happy to report that photos and letters have been done for grades 3-6!  I am sure that preschool to grade 2 will not go as quickly or as smoothly.

Karen, Dickie, Dave and Richard are going to Saint Marc to buy some supplies.  Others are going to paint an office at the school and others do more work on school photos etc.

We will write more tomorrow.

Internet is Down

Hi all - just a quick note that Internet on site at HATS is currently down.  We'll get some updates out as soon as we can, but for now all is well with the team.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all.

If I had not checked Facebook this weekend I would not have realized this was thanksgiving weekend.  Things like this have a way of passing me by here.  I do, however, want to say that I am thankful for so very much.  I am thanking God for who I was at birth, the girl I was while growing up, the young woman I became, the family I was a part of.  I thank him especially that all of this was in the wonderful place called Newfoundland.  I am thanking him for the older mature woman I became, motherhood to two precious daughters, and the 'older very mature' woman I now am.  I am thanking him that at this 'older' age I am not only mother to my two grown up girls and grandmother to seven precious grandchildren, but that I am also mother, by adoption, to a very 'special' boy, Ti Luckner (Ti Luc).  This boy, who will hopefully soon become a Canadian citizen.  I am thanking him for all the precious children he has entrusted me with here in Haiti.

I am thanking God for all  "Friends of HATS" in Canada and the US.  For all who have been a part of God's work, called Hands Across The Sea, in this Artibonite Valley of Haiti, since its inception in 1995.  I am thankful for all who have come down and helped, for all who have donated, all who have sent supplies.  I am thankful for every nail, every sack of cement, every truck load of sand and gravel that has gone into building this mission.  I am thankful for all the prayer support and for all the encouragement.  I am very thankful for your being there for me, for the children, for Luckner, and the employees at HATS and at the HATS school.  I am thankful for all who have sponsored the children in my care here, and for all who have sponsored the students in the school, which enables them to get an education.                        T H A N K    Y O U !!
 
I am especially thankful for the presence of God in my life, for the fact that he has been thus since I was a girl in Springdale, Newfoundland.  Thank you God.

Some of you have been asking about the accident when the moto driver slammed into the truck.  The crazy saga is on going.  After five weeks without a vehicle, and I might add it made life very difficult, we eventually took the truck to the dealership in Port au Prince and had it repaired.  Things were not settled but we could survive no longer without having the truck operable. The driver of the moto, after admitting he was totally to blame for the accident and after many times thanking Luckner for all we were doing for him, decided to get a lawyer, change his story, and serve us with papers for a court date to try and get a large sum of money from us.  Luckner went to court on the date and time of the first mandat but the moto driver did not turn up until 1 1/2 hours after the appointed time.  Luckner had left by then so nothing was done.  Another mandat was served for the following week but it was impossible for Luckner to go due to school.  Thus nothing has been settled in this absolutely crazy saga.

Things for my boy and I are now looking up.  I had been told the adoption was "completed"  but I did not have any original documents and nothing at all on the last and final document - copy or original.   Thus a big part of me was afraid to believe he really and truly was my 'son'.  Several times over the past few years I had been told certain steps in the adoption process were completed and then I would find they were actually still in process.   Recently I was called by the lawyer's office to send in new passport photos of Ti Luc, as fast as possible,  as the ones done in June were unacceptable.  This encouraged me as I knew the passport could not be requested without all paperwork really and truly having been done.  I rushed off to St. Marc with Ti Luc and sent the passport photos to PAP right away.

Friday morning early I checked my email and saw one from the lawyer's office, with two attachments.  I quickly opened the first attachment and saw this - a copy of a passport cover.  I was so excited.

Then opened the second attachment and saw Ti Luc's photo, passport number, etc - then I saw that his name was not correct.  Ouch!   Double Ouch!!  I was very sad.  Many phone calls were made between myself and the lawyer on Friday, with the result being that it will need a little more time again, but it will be redone with his proper name.

So you can see that things are really looking up.  He is my son.  Dana and Liette have a little brother.  He will soon have a passport that is correct.  When that happens we will request a visa for a visit to Canada.  Soon I will do Step Two to make him a Canadian citizen.  Thank you for all the prayer support and all the encouragement as we walked this long - four years long - road together.  I have appreciated you support so very much.

On Monday, October 21st, the Reimer family who have been a big help at HATS for the past nine months are returning to Canada.  A big thank you goes out to the four of them.

On Monday, October 21st, a fantastic family/friend team from Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and BC, are coming to help.  On November 1st another member of my family, Keith Wight from Montreal, is coming to help.  While these helpers are here they will be keeping you informed and up-to-date with the goings-on at HATS.  I will be passing the torch of blogging over to them.

Remember - several school children are in need of a sponsor.

Remember too - at HATS -
                            I T   I S    A L L     A B O U T    T H E    C H I L D R E N

Thank you everyone.  God bless you all.
Karen

School is in operation...

...and the work load is horrific.  It, however, must be done for the children.  HATS always has been, and always will be,   "ALL  ABOUT  THE   CHILDREN".

Our children were happy to return to school.  They all received new backpacks, including Ti Fi, Jonathan and Sandra.  Such excitement.

New backpacks for school. Even TiFi, Sandra and Jonathan have one

Ti Fi likes her backpack

Vladimy off for first day of Seconde (Gr. 11)

First day of school for this year

During the first week of school every year you can hear crying from the new little ones.  The kids are excited about the idea of preschool, playing with other children, and starting to learn.  When, however, they have to leave their mamas for a few hours it is a different story for some of them.  In most cases the children are enjoying themselves at end of week one.  We are thankful that we have caring understanding teachers with the students.  This year we have two teachers in the preschool 1 and 2 classes and one teacher in preschool 3.  Hopefully next year we will be able to add a second teacher to some of the other classes.  It is a definite need for our school.

Some boys from Preschool 2

Preschool 2 with Rose Lore as their teacher

Preschool 2

If you want to help make a difference in the life of a student, and the student's family, we offer you the chance to become a sponsor.  We are in need of sponsors - especially for our little ones.  I am including some photos of our preschool students.  If you are willing to sponsor a student you can get in touch with Liette Wilson at liette.hatshaiti@gmail.com.  Too, forms are available on our website www.hatshaiti.org.  Cost for the year for elementary - preschool to grade six is $275.  Cost for grades 7 and up is $375 for the year.  Your student will  be receiving a uniform, textbooks, schooling fees paid, a nutritious drink and a hot meal five days a week.  Often the nutrition they receive at school is all they receive for the day.

Sponsor needed - preschool 1 student

Preschool 1 in need of a sponsor

In school news too we are happy to report that our large order of food from the mission in the US - Kids Against Hunger - was packed into our storage depot early Sunday morning before church.  We are thanking God that this year once again the children will be fed five days a week.  This huge unloading and packing job was done with a lot of help from Brad; the three muskateers - JJ, Moise and Peter; two of our security agents, Richard and Gesner; Eugene; and two men from Luckner's area.  Ti Luc needed to be able to help too.    "Reliv Kid's Now"  the highly nutritious drink powder, which is a gift from God for our students, has also arrived.  Since we have been blessed with this we have seen many students start out at our school looking malnourished - but before long start looking healthy.

Unloading the truck

Ti Luc had to be helping too

Into the storage room it goes

We are very thankful to Reliv Kid's Now and to Kids Against Hunger for these food sources for the very poor children in this area who are greatly benefiting.

Thank you, too, to all of you who are sponsoring the students at our school.  You truly are making a huge difference in the life of the student.  Being able to attend school gives the student and the families hope.  Proverbs 13:12  "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."  Let's continue to give hope where hope is needed.  Those of you who are new to our sponsoring program this year, will within the next week or so, receive the name and grade of your student and as soon as possible also a photo.

Thank you so very much for continuing to support HATS, in any and every way.  Doing so  means you are supporting children who are definitely in the need of help.

IT  IS  ALL  ABOUT  THE  CHILDREN

God bless you all.
Karen

I need to start this blog off with THANK YOU as well.

Thank you for your encouragement which has touched all of us here at HATS.

School will soon be reopening and our kids are actually getting excited.  You should see the excitement on the faces of our little Anne and Jofky.  Yes, Anne, too, is going to start this year.  Anne will be starting preschool 1 and Jofky preschool 2.  Karena will be going into preschool 3 this year.  I will blog with photos of the cute little monkey doodles in uniforms when school opens.  Thank you to the new sponsors of Anne and Jofky, and to Karena's sponsor as wel.  Thank you to all of you who are sponsoring students.  In doing so you are giving hope for the future to the students and their families.  We have 50 new preschool students who needs sponsors this year.  Anyone interested in helping one of these little ones please get in touch with Liette at liette.hatshaiti@gmail.com.  Thank you.

Anne sparkling with excitement about preschool

Jofky excited about preschool too

A couple of years ago Dickie and Sandra arrived with suitcases filled with rollerblades and helmets.  What excitement and joy it gave and is still giving here.  It was fun seeing the older kids learning to rollerblade.  At first they were on the ground as much or more than on their feet.  Now they are almost pros and are helping the little ones learn, i.e. Judel, Karena, Jofky and Anne.  It is a riot.  This week Jonathan and Sandra wanted a turn too so I decided they should get one.  They had to put on rollerblades and helmets much too big but they were so excited to be able to try.  Ti Fi also needed a chance.  The kids did their best but it was not easy to help Ti Fi as she is a heavy girl.  I was behind the camera, which was likely for the best or I might not have been walking properly afterwards.  I did a lot of laughing.  Ti Fi did too at first. She was so excited but the kids could not hold her up.  She was glad to sit down again and when she saw the photos she laughed with me.

Anne & Jofky on rollerblades for first time

Jonathan wanted to rollerblade too

Sandra got her chance at rollerblading too

Ti Fi needed the rollerblade experience too

Getting Ti Fi back home without falling.

Ti Fi back home.  Not so sure it was a good experinece after all.

Sandra has always had a strong and independent spirit.  She is now 2 1/2 and she is becoming even more independent.  She is a joy to be around and fun to watch, even when she is ticked.  Now she insists she must dress herself.  She, however, always wants to put on clothes that belong to Anne or Karena and this does not go over well with the two older girls. 

I am still waiting for things to be finished for Ti Luc.  I believe I have been lied to many times.  I have no idea what to do next or how to do anything else.  Please continue to pray that this can be finished and we can receive a passport for him.

Ti Luc continues to enjoy playing soccer and walking along the canal.  (It is too wet and muddy right now for his bike.)  Recently I took four of the boys out for a walk - Moise, Ti Luc, Dieunel, and Judel.  Ti Luc was doing really well walking on the uneven ground.  We met a man who stopped and stared at us.  (This happens often.)  He called out for us to push Ti Luc in the canal to drown.  Oh my, all four kids heard it.  I tried to pretend nothing was said, but Ti Luc's face was so sad and the other three boys were upset too, so we had to face it.  All four boys needed a hug.  Ti Luc allowed only two tears and then he looked at me and said "It's okay mama.  You always tell me not to pay any attention to things like that because people who speak like that do not understand."   Then off he marched like a trooper.  I asked the other boys to not repeat what was said and to forgive the man and we enjoyed the rest of our walk.  As we walked I gave them a little English lesson, which we  do often.  Must admit I had to ask Ti Luc to not respond when I quizzed the boys.  He is proficient in English and has become quite the little translator.

My little soccer player

Ti Luc enjoying a walk before someone suggested we push him in canal .

All the children are unique and special.

Thank you again for everything.   May God bless you as we continue to work together for the children.

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