Bucket brigade with buckets full of cement
Passing buckets to fill in the foundation with cement
Soccer with the new soccer ball - JJ, Alex and Josiah
The old soccer ball!Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Bucket brigade and soccer
Bucket brigade with buckets full of cement Passing buckets to fill in the foundation with cement Soccer with the new soccer ball - JJ, Alex and Josiah The old soccer ball!
Our arrival in Haiit
Ariane with Alexandre
Sleepy kids on the way to Deschapelles
Leaving the airport
Mom arrives - we were happy to see her!
The big pile of suitcases under the tarp.Photos of our arrival in Haiti
December 16, 2008
We arrived safely in Haiti yesterday after a very long and tiring trip. Thanks to Lois and Barry who got out of bed in the middle of the night to get us to the airport on time, even in the –30C temperatures. We spent a nice evening in Ft. Lauderdale with my godson, Manno, and his girlfriend before getting up super early again on Monday to catch the flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince.
The flight was quick and uneventful, but of course when we arrived, there were people climbing over one another to try and get their bags out of overhead compartments. We finally found all of our bags and were waved right through customs without anyone checking anything at all. We didn’t see Mom and Luckner when we arrived, but they were there less than 5 minutes later so that was good. The truck I thought the mission had apparently died a while ago so it was an adventure loading 10 large suitcases and 2 carry-ons into the back of a tiny pick up. Once everything was covered with a tarp and the security guy jumped on the back, we all climbed inside. It wasn’t safe to have Mariah and Josiah ride in the back like they wanted because the pile of luggage was so high, so we were nice and cozy. The ride was a hot, bumpy, crowded adventure! After 4 hours on the road, we made it to Hands Across the Sea in Deschapelles to a warm welcome from the kids and staff.
This morning we had a chance to visit the school where the teachers are doing report cards, to see the new kitchen storage area that is almost complete (thank you to everyone who donated) and to witness the construction of the two new school classrooms. There are 2 dozen men digging down for the foundation but the work is slowed by the fact that the hole dug for the foundation keeps filling up with water and a pump is almost impossible to find around here. So they are working on what they can and Luckner ran off to see if he can find a pump this morning to get rid of the water.
Shortly, I’ll begin unpacking the suitcases and organizing the donated items so that we can have the gifts ready for the kids and some of the donated items for the kids when they come to do the Christmas concert on Dec 23rd. I’m sure the kids from the orphanage will be happy to see the new soccer balls as they are playing with a ball that’s pretty much destroyed. I’ll be sure to attach photos!
Liette
We arrived safely in Haiti yesterday after a very long and tiring trip. Thanks to Lois and Barry who got out of bed in the middle of the night to get us to the airport on time, even in the –30C temperatures. We spent a nice evening in Ft. Lauderdale with my godson, Manno, and his girlfriend before getting up super early again on Monday to catch the flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince.
The flight was quick and uneventful, but of course when we arrived, there were people climbing over one another to try and get their bags out of overhead compartments. We finally found all of our bags and were waved right through customs without anyone checking anything at all. We didn’t see Mom and Luckner when we arrived, but they were there less than 5 minutes later so that was good. The truck I thought the mission had apparently died a while ago so it was an adventure loading 10 large suitcases and 2 carry-ons into the back of a tiny pick up. Once everything was covered with a tarp and the security guy jumped on the back, we all climbed inside. It wasn’t safe to have Mariah and Josiah ride in the back like they wanted because the pile of luggage was so high, so we were nice and cozy. The ride was a hot, bumpy, crowded adventure! After 4 hours on the road, we made it to Hands Across the Sea in Deschapelles to a warm welcome from the kids and staff.
This morning we had a chance to visit the school where the teachers are doing report cards, to see the new kitchen storage area that is almost complete (thank you to everyone who donated) and to witness the construction of the two new school classrooms. There are 2 dozen men digging down for the foundation but the work is slowed by the fact that the hole dug for the foundation keeps filling up with water and a pump is almost impossible to find around here. So they are working on what they can and Luckner ran off to see if he can find a pump this morning to get rid of the water.
Shortly, I’ll begin unpacking the suitcases and organizing the donated items so that we can have the gifts ready for the kids and some of the donated items for the kids when they come to do the Christmas concert on Dec 23rd. I’m sure the kids from the orphanage will be happy to see the new soccer balls as they are playing with a ball that’s pretty much destroyed. I’ll be sure to attach photos!
Liette
Saturday, March 22, 2008
We are home
Our last words on our trip: we arrived home in Yarmouth around 3:30 PM Wednesday. We had a wonderful trip to Port Au Prince. We left the compound at 6:00 AM with Karen, Luckner, Gail and Trueman in the HATS truck with a policeman and a mechanic in the back. Timote (driver)and Dickie were in the cab of the Tap Tap "Jesus of Nazareth" and Pastor Jim and I in the back with a policeman and the money collector who usually works the Tap Tap. Pastor Jim and I were told we could only drive so far in the back of the Tap Tap and then they would take us inside when they thought it was too dangerous to stay outside. Well, they either decided it was safe enough or they forgot about us (haha) but we stayed there the whole trip and even through Port Au Prince! I had never been in the city before and was thrilled that we were going there. We drove through quite a busy section...maybe there isn't a less busy section...and enjoyed all I saw. Then we went to the Immigration Office and waited there (in an air conditioned room) for about an hour while Karen got some papers signed. There we were 5 blancs sitting in a row of chairs enjoying the cool air while others came and went. Patrick the Policeman stayed with us! Then it was off to the airport and say our goodbyes and thank everyone who got us there safely. As usual there was bedlam there ( not as bad as when you arrive) and we managed to get through the line up almost unscathed. We had a 2 1/2 hour wait there and then headed for home. Montreal was cold and snowy and I never enjoyed the cold so much. I stood in the cold air and breathed deeply and the next morning when we left the hotel for the airport it was snowing and I again stood in the snow and held my face into it and enjoyed it so much. I was only wearing summer clothes and it felt wonderful!
We had an uneventful trip to Halifax and Donnie was there to meet us with our truck and winter clothes and we headed to pick up Tagish ( at Shondi's)and then for home. Thank you to all who supported us and prayed for us, we appreciate you all.
We had an uneventful trip to Halifax and Donnie was there to meet us with our truck and winter clothes and we headed to pick up Tagish ( at Shondi's)and then for home. Thank you to all who supported us and prayed for us, we appreciate you all.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Last Word
To all you who know me you know I have to have the last word! This is no exception! It is 11:30 PM and we had a big family time tonight and the five of us were seated in a row and each of the family members: 14 kids, Mommy Cecile, Karen and Luckner all wrote us cards and expressed their appreciation for all we had done and told us how much they loved us. It was an emotional time for everyone and a few tears shed.
P. Jim and Cabano, Ricardo, Fritz and Luckner are at Luckners house and they are going to sleep on the roof...if they ever stop calling us for things they lost or misplaced. I lost my clipons and Dickie just had to go to the school (Karen would not let him go without security) and there they were on the cement ledge where I put them this morning.
Mommy Cecile and the bigger kids are out cleaning the truck for travel tomorrow. There will not be much sleep tonight. We have to have our time on the roof yet and the clock is set for 4:15AM.
We will feel the cold tomorrow and I can hardly wait!
Sandra
P. Jim and Cabano, Ricardo, Fritz and Luckner are at Luckners house and they are going to sleep on the roof...if they ever stop calling us for things they lost or misplaced. I lost my clipons and Dickie just had to go to the school (Karen would not let him go without security) and there they were on the cement ledge where I put them this morning.
Mommy Cecile and the bigger kids are out cleaning the truck for travel tomorrow. There will not be much sleep tonight. We have to have our time on the roof yet and the clock is set for 4:15AM.
We will feel the cold tomorrow and I can hardly wait!
Sandra
Our Last Day
Hi Folks….
This will be our last blog from Haiti… Tomorrow morning at 5a.m. we will be on the road to Port –au- Prince. It has been a hard evening, because we know we will not be seeing these dear people again before we leave and for security reasons we have not been able to say goodbye. We have tried to act a normal as possible all day, which has been difficult. We started off this morning with a wonderful worship time together and when we sang “Bind us together Lord” It was hard to keep the tears from flowing. After a good breakfast of Haitian style porridge, we went over to the School. The report cards were being handed out. What a daunting thing that was. Luckner gave them a long pep talk on the importance of not only their marks but their attitudes as well. All the parents came with the children, and each teacher got up in turn from the youngest grade to the highest. The cards were given out one by one with comments from the teacher or the principal (Luckner) The last place student’s name was called first and so on up to the two highest in the class. The top two of each class received a gift for their work There were some very upset parents and some very sad children. Another HOT HOT day with the thermometer unable to tell us exactly how hot it was because it could not register above 50 Celsius. Pastor Jim is camping out on the roof under the stars tonight with three of the teenagers over at Luckner’s home. We are all sad at the thought of leaving our new friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. We thank you all for praying for us and hope that you will pray especially hard for us in the morning as we travel.. May God continue to bless you all.Gail for all.
This will be our last blog from Haiti… Tomorrow morning at 5a.m. we will be on the road to Port –au- Prince. It has been a hard evening, because we know we will not be seeing these dear people again before we leave and for security reasons we have not been able to say goodbye. We have tried to act a normal as possible all day, which has been difficult. We started off this morning with a wonderful worship time together and when we sang “Bind us together Lord” It was hard to keep the tears from flowing. After a good breakfast of Haitian style porridge, we went over to the School. The report cards were being handed out. What a daunting thing that was. Luckner gave them a long pep talk on the importance of not only their marks but their attitudes as well. All the parents came with the children, and each teacher got up in turn from the youngest grade to the highest. The cards were given out one by one with comments from the teacher or the principal (Luckner) The last place student’s name was called first and so on up to the two highest in the class. The top two of each class received a gift for their work There were some very upset parents and some very sad children. Another HOT HOT day with the thermometer unable to tell us exactly how hot it was because it could not register above 50 Celsius. Pastor Jim is camping out on the roof under the stars tonight with three of the teenagers over at Luckner’s home. We are all sad at the thought of leaving our new friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. We thank you all for praying for us and hope that you will pray especially hard for us in the morning as we travel.. May God continue to bless you all.Gail for all.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
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
P. Jim
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