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

Another day

Good evening everyone. We have all had a very busy day, building shelves, painting, doing computer work, building and redesigning the divider in the school room, cleaning out a storage room and many other sundry jobs. We made sandwiches and took them over to the teachers who are busy doing up the report cards which the children will pick up on Monday. We also took them some yummy brownies which Sandra made last night and some pop. It is another very hot day here started out in the low 40's and worked it's way up in the 50's. Our thermometer only goes to 50 so we have no idea how hot it really was. For all of you who are wondering how Pastor Jim is doing.... He worked all day doing a variety of carpentry projects, so Diane if he ever tells you he can't do it, don't let him get away with it... He can. Yesterday Sandra and I had some excitement. We are both a little leery of spiders especially when they are 3 inches across. Well Dickie had one run over his hand and up the wall. We saw him up near the ceiling and were getting pretty brave walking closer to it. Then Dickie took something to move the spider who travelled at a terrific speed to the centre of the ceiling then dropped to the floor. You should have heard the screaming as Sandra and I ran out the shop. Sandra always cleans out the shop in the evening because we use the same room for group devotions in the morning. I must admit here that she was braver than I and swept out the room. We still don't know where he went. While peering in the door watching Sandra Dickie snuck up behind me and touched my neck, I nearly collided with the ceiling. It is hard to believe we have only 3 more full days here. The time has gone so fast. We have all been truly blessed by these wonderful people. Keep writing to us, we love to read you comments
Gail for us all

A Note of Truth From the Pastor (Beloved type)

Well, another day has almost finished. I left early this morning (at the invitation of our very own missionary, Karen Huxter) with Dickie and Luckner. We were most of the day in Saint Marc as our truck broke down once we got there. We had to go in and get supplies so I could finish my project. While they were trying to get a handle on the truck situation, it gave Dickie, Karen and I a great chance to visit. (it helped that we were in an air conditioned cafe!!) Then almost mysteriously, Dickie left us and I very much enjoyed hearing Karen's story of how she was called here many years ago and how God has led her every step of the way. It was inspiring! We did catch up with Dickie only to find out he had been a few blocks away keeping watch over our truck in temperatures that rose over one hundred and twenty degrees. By the time we found him, the truck was running and he was wet from head to toe waiting patiently for the rest of the crew to arrive! (A bit of a mix up!) In any event we were able to get the rest of the supplies (minus a few that I needed for my project) and head back to the missions compound. On our way, we were able to stop and see Luckner's home (Karen's assistant director), where four of the children live. What a place to behold. God is good to provide such wonderful environments for our children. We got back late afternoon just in time to get to work on our various projects. I finished mine (with some very capable help from Fritz) and we now have a screened in porch to enjoy the cool air of the evening for the remainder of the time we are here. (yes, the team owes it all to me!:P) I think Dickie still has a ways to go to finish his project. I think the heat is slowing him down:(. In all seriousness, we are enjoying our time here and trying to join in the ministry where God allows. As with any trip like this, we are growing, being stretched, and God is widening our eyes to peoples who love Jesus just like us and share in His Kingdom as our brothers and sisters. Won't heaven be grand!! Please pray for our continued safety and good health until we return home. Thank you for your prayers and interest in those we support financially along with our love and prayers. It is making a difference! God bless you all!!
Temperatures today were 50 +...pray for us!

Have a Good Day in Jesus

That is how we start each new day after devotions so our wish is the same for you all, have a good day in Jesus!
It was my turn to blog last night and we had no power and then EDH came on but I couldnot get in the mood, too close to bedtime and computer and all was off.
Karen, Dickie, Pastor Jim are just pulling out of the yard (Dickie driving) enroute to pick up Luckner and then off to St. Marc to pick up supplies and go to the bank.
Gail and I are going to do some paper work for Karen and then are going down to the kids home to play and give gifts.
Yesterday:
Pastor Jim got his first job yesterday morning at 7:10 AM and even with a helper (Fritz) it still isn't finished and he is off to St. Marc. What do you think of that kind of help?
Trueman (a man of patience) worked on the visitor computer and finally this morning with Janet's help he has it all done. Thank you Trueman and Janet.
Gail and Karen worked on school lists and many odd jobs.
Dickie built 3 shelves for the kids home and put doors on the kitchen cabinet that held dishes and cutlery.
I did some correspondence for Karen and not much else.
We all loved on Alex all day , as usual, and he loved the attention.
Karen was off in 25 different directions as usual and had to go to the hospital and P Jim, Gail and I went with her. She called Odner (security) to come and accompany us. I am going to let Gail describe that part of our day....... My first experience with a Haitian Hospital... We went in the Hats truck and Cecile and Sabine went by tap tap as Sabine has a very sore leg. After much testing no answer to that problem. Karen has demanded more tests be done. I was pleasantly surprised by the professionalism and cleanliness apparent in all area's that we visited. Karen did the business she needed to do and then took us on a tour. There were many people waiting for their appointments with the Doctor. When they arrive at the hospital they have to check in get their personal medical charts and pay for their visit ahead of time. Then they sit and wait for the doctor. If they have to be admitted, the hospital staff do no personal care for the patient. The family must wash and clean, change their bedding and clothing, bathe them and feed them for the entire time they are there. And we complain about our hospitals. Sandra says there is an amazing difference this visit compared to her last one in 2006.

Sandra and Gail

The Pastor Has Arrived Safely!!!

Yes, it's true, I'm here after several failed attempts these past seven years!!! This year when I had no definite plans to come, God opened the door!! Flying in this afternoon reminded me of my trip 13 years ago and why I love this country so much! As with my first trip, the Haitian people are the kind that you fall in love with. The trip from the airport took about two and a half hours, but I enjoyed every minute seeing and smelling the sights and sounds driving thru the villages on the way to the orphanage. It was good to visit with Karen along the way and sense her love and excitement for the work here! God is good. If you don't have a passion for missions, one just needs to take a trip to a place like this. After arriving to the H.A.T.S. orphanage, it only took seconds to realize that this is a home. I found the MacDonalds and Browetts in very good shape with smiles on their faces when we drove in.....must have thought I brought them something!! The children are beautiful and it was good to get a hug from each as I got out of the truck. We had supper (delicious chicken soup) and visited around the table. Alex is now three, healthy, and very welcoming. His smile lights up the room! It's going to be a great week and praise God that He is alive and well all around the world! Thanks to Sandra for letting me post on the blog today!!

Good evening everyone.....

Whew!!!.... Is it hot here tonight. I hope someone put a few snowballs in Pastor Jim's luggage for us. Dickie really got into it today.... He was up to his knees in yukky effluence, as he worked on the sewer problem... Sandra and Ti Mili gave the new kitchen shelves a second coat of paint and I helped Karen in the office. Trueman worked on the second computer and tore out the bathroom mirrors in the childrens home which have to be replaced. Sandra had an exciting 15 or so minutes. The children hit the soccer ball and it went over the wall. She took Vladimy with her to speak in Creole if needed. She didn't realize how far she had to go along the road to get to the next gate. At first the gatekeeper did not want to let her in, but when Vladimy explained he let them through. As she went toward the ball which was quite a way into the property, two men came toward her with a rather beligerent swagger. She said she felt a moment of real fear and realized Vladimy was feeling it too. She took his hand and they both bravely continued toward the ball. It turned out the owner of the property spoke excellent English, as well as French and Creole. He showed Sandra around his rice mill and began asking a lot of questions like when she was leaving etc. When he wanted to know exactly when, Sandra realized this needed some evasive answers. Vladimy ran to get the ball and Sandra was left alone with this rather intimidating man. Finally they were able to get away without having devulged too much information. Karen said it was a good thing, because there is a very good possibility that if he had known the exact time he would most probably have had some hoodlums in the Bandit's Garden waiting for us. Never a dull moment here in Haiti. I suppose if we could read the thoughts running through some of the Haitian's minds, we would wish we couldn't. But there are enough beautiful people here to make it all worth every bit of the possible dangers. Alex had a great day, he and I spent some time down at the children's house, where he stayed for lunch and I came back here to eat. Then he spent the afternoon outside under the care of Sabine. They watched the other children playing soccer. Oh the look of desire in Alex' face... How he would love to be out there with them.
Tonight we are hoping to put all the food items back on the shelves and get them out of the living room. Then tomorrow Dickie will put the new doors on, and Martha will have her kitchen back. Karen leaves tomorrow morning at 5a.m. to pick up Pastor Jim at Port au Prince.
We are beginning to wonder if anyone is out there reading our blog as we have not been getting many comments (only one) for several days now. We'd love to hear from you folk back home !!!
That's it for tonight folks..... Sandra and Dickie will write tomorrow....
God Bless you all.
Trueman and Gail