This site has been created to share information about a missions project being undertaken in Deschappelles, Haiti in January 2010. Our team from Canada will be travelling to Haiti to work on a project with HATS-Haiti from January 5 - 19. A second team from Texas will be following up on the project in February to complete it.
We'll be posting information over the coming weeks as we prepare to leave for the trip. While in Haiti during January, watch for daily updates on what we're seeing, doing, and experiencing.
Mission Project
The primary project we'll be undertaking is the construction of a new residence apartment for additional staff at the HATS Haiti mission. We'll be building a second storey above the orphanage dormitory. This will be set up as an apartment for a missions couple whom we hope will be called to serve with the mission soon.
As well, we'll be working with the children at the orphanage and community school that are parts of HATS (especially the younger members of our team).
Team
Our team comes primarily from the Yarmouth, Nova Scotia area. It is comprised of people from a variety of churches and backgrounds. There are fourteen in the group overall, including a family of five. Some of the group have been to Haiti before, while for others this will be their first visit.
Most of the group will be working on construction of the new staff apartment. Others will help with general maintenance around the compound as well as administrative work. The children who are going will spend time helping with the orphanage, visiting the school, and generally learning about and experiencing Haiti.
HATS
Hands Across the Sea is a ministry run by Karen Huxter in Deschappelles, Haiti and supported by an association and board of directors from Canada. Various churches and individuals across Canada and the US help to support the work done by HATS.
The work of HATS focuses around ministry to the needs of children in particular. HATS operates a small orphanage, as well as a respected local primary school which offers sponsored seats to the poor of the community and a food program for the students. Additionally, HATS provides community development and relief support to the broader community.
For more information about HATS, please visit http://hatshaiti.blogspot.com, and http://www.hats-haiti.com.
Requests and Support
We would appreciate everyone's prayers both as we prepare for our trip and especially during the time we are there - for safety and health in particular, but also for wisdom, peace and fellowship among the team and those we'll be working with, and for the success of the project.
For those who are so inclined, we are striving to raise funds for the cost of the construction project before we go. The estimated construction cost is $25,000 USD. We are able to provide charitable donation tax receipts for those who would like to give. Donations may be made (up until December 31, 2009) to:
Hands Across The Sea
P.O Box 101
Yarmouth, NS B5A 4B1
cheques payable to
Yarmouth Wesleyan Church designated for HATS-Haiti
P.O Box 101
Yarmouth, NS B5A 4B1
cheques payable to
Yarmouth Wesleyan Church designated for HATS-Haiti
