The Lord's Day in Haiti.

Wow! Only one more full day, and we will begin our journey out of the beautiful country of Haiti! It has been a full trip. Full of vision, blessing, God’s Wonder, renewed memories, children laughing, strengthening relationships, God’s Voice, leader’s compassion, shared experiences, and so so much more! God is good! The day began with breakfast around the table (of course!) and we all rushed off to church next door at the school. The school children, some of the school staff and a handful of the community gather each Sunday to worship the risen Savior. What a beautiful service it was. Plenty of music, specials in song, testimonies and one of the best sermons I’ve heard in a long time. (and yes, I preached!:P) Best of all, was the fact that God’s Presence was felt in a big way. Those attending arrived early, on time and late. Yes, all three. (Some things are the same as they are in Canada!) After church, the H.A.T.S. family came back to the house for lunch before a family outing. All twenty two loaded into a small pick-up truck (eleven inside, eleven outside)! The Mounties would have had a “hay day” with us! Not to worry though, we were still safety minded! With all the arms and legs interlocked, no one could have fallen out if they tried! What a country! After we arrived at the river, the children weren’t long getting into the river for a swim! I was tempted, but swimming in my underclothes would not be fitting for a Senior Pastor from Canada. Besides, in public, all eyes are on the blanc! (…white boy from Canada) Fun was had by all, and yes, this is definitely a family! I was able to take a walk with Karen’s assistant director, Luckner, during our family outing. Wow! A great man of God with vision, compassion, and a huge heart for what is happening here in the ministry of H.A.T.S.! A lawyer, business man, and person who could be making money in other places, yet, feels his best investment is in the lives of these kids. With fifteen in the ophanage and close to two hundred students in the school, he is making an eternal difference. We discussed the need for more consistent support and better ways of casting the vision of H.A.T.S. to the people of North America. With Karen’s permission, we have invited him to join Karen on one of her trips back to Canada, so he can help her raise more support for this growing ministry. God is MORE than able! Okay, I’m bordering on being too lengthy. Suffice to say, it has been a full day. We returned safely back to the compound and the rest of the day has been filled with rest and interaction with the children. (And yes, they are beautiful!) If it weren’t that I am missing my beautiful family and our church family, I would just stay here. Blessings and Peace to all of you!
P. Jim

Our last Saturday

This will be short…it is to hot to write! It is 7:30 and I had hoped it would be cooler. We had a fairly quiet day, it was to hot to go outside or do anything. We had a bunch of kids arrive this morning for clothes and shoes and after that we went to the Verettes Market. Kids and teenagers are the same the world over….they see something they like and will try anything to make it fit no matter what. One little girl would have chopped off all her toes to make her shoes fit. Vladimy tried everything to get on a pair of runners he liked. This is the third writing of this blog. Sandra lost hers and I am on my second attempt. This has been the hottest day so far and the most humid. At noon the temperature was beyond what we could record. We started work on our last jobs once we got the generator on this afternoon. Trueman and Pastor Jim finished the clothesline and I put up the rest of the shelves in the children’s home. We then put the sewer lines back together. Sandra and Gail were busy at their jobs and looking after Alex. They hired a man yesterday to dig a hole and fill it with the sludge from the septic tank, not a pleasant job. Everyone except Trueman went to the market today in Verettes. Sandra went on the Moto with Luckner and got her nose sunburned. I wanted to see the parking lot full of horses, mules, donkeys and more than one ass. Everyone should experience a Haitian market, it is not something you could describe that anyone would believe. There was a huge pig laying where we parked the truck. The owner wanted me to pay for taking a picture of the pig. I have my picture and my money. It is sad that this wonderful trip is nearly over but we will be back. No one comes to Haiti only once.
Dickie