School Construction and So Much More!

August 3, 2009 Posted by Karen Huxter

NOTE: This post is from February 2007 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs.

January 9th saw Luckner, Ti Mili, and I, along with 3 policeman head to Port-au-Prince to pick up the 11 person workteam from Nova Scotia. I was able to talk my way into the airport to meet them to try to help them through customs with all the luggage. It, however, was not the normal happy ‘Welcome to Haiti’ meeting I had anticipated, because I was tied up with airport security and police making a report when they arrived. The workteam ended up waiting for me inside the airport while Luckner, Ti Mili and the police escort were waiting outside.

When I had entered the airport, while the plane was unloading, I went into the ladies washroom. There were no other ladies around. What I did not know was that a man was hiding behind one of the stall doors and of course it was the one I entered. He ended up leaving with my purse and I ended up sitting on the floor trembling. Other than sporting a ugly black eye for two weeks I was fine. He had told me not to talk, to just give him my money. When he was starting to leave I called out to Jesus and he hit me. Three days later I received a phone call from the chief security at the airport saying they had found my purse. Only the money was missing and money can be replaced. Thank God I had my credit card and Haitian ID card in my pocket.

Thanks be to God and the Canadian workteam the construction of HATS-Haiti school (IMED) is finished. Now we need six doors and more benches made.

The aptly named “work” team, under the great leadership of Gerry Rhyno, did a fantastic job.

Some missions joke that groups are sometimes called ‘workteams’ not only for the work they do but for the work it is for the mission too. I can say, and I know Luckner agrees with me, that they could not be called anything but a ‘workteam’. They came and they worked and they worked. They represented five different churches in the Yarmouth area and did not know each other before they planned the trip. They, however, truly were a ‘team’ who ‘worked’ well and hard together.

Day 1 – Team meeting on the foundation

Most of them learned to lay blocks for the first time. They caught on quickly to anything that was new to them and they were willing to work hard in the heat to see that the school construction was finished while they were here

The walls are going up!

The roof is going on.

The finished school

Preschool to grades 3 with the workteam.

This is what the construction was all about. Furthering the education of children.

One large room which will really be two classrooms Monday – Friday is our church room for now. We had our first church service in that room two days before the group returned to Canada. What a lovely worship time we had together. Many of the Haitian men who worked on the school with the Canadian group worshipped with us at that service and are continuing to come Sunday mornings. At that service we dedicated the school and the land to the Lord. We know this project is going to touch a lot of lives in our area.

Our first church service in the finished school (Canadian choral group)

It was a blessing for me to have the group with me. They were extremely encouraging and supportive of what I do here. It was great to be able to speak English a lot of the time. Too, it was nice to have someone here besides my darling baby Alexandre in the evenings. It does get lonely at times. We spent a lot of time in fun and laughter. Having Gerry’s lovely wife, Heather who also is a Newfie, along with the ten men was a triple blessing to me. I am so very thankful that she came.

The Montero was still not fixed when they arrived so we rented a van to transport the group from and to the airport. This meant they needed more funds than expected but they were all willing to cover the cost of the van and the police escort both ways. We had no travel problems. Hopefully before the March visitors arrive the Montero will again be running.

At the moment, with a donation from a Rotary Group in the US, we are working on a cement block fence around the school. We will not be able to close all the property at this time, but will do as much as possible. When we have used these funds we will put razor wire around the rest of the property as we await additional funds to properly finish enclosing it all with a brick wall. Enclosing the property is very important, to protect the finished school and to keep the back of the land from being used as a toilet. Not what one would call sanitary. We want to say a very big thank you to Dr. Patrick Roche and the Macon, GA, Rotary Group for this donation.

Speaking of police escorts it appears that things have quieted down a lot in regards to kidnapping. We see lots of groups and visitors coming to Haiti again. Please continue to pray that things will improve even more in this country.

We have three people coming from Halifax area in March and hopefully five from Calgary in April or May.

I want you to know that I am extremely thankful for every dollar that is sent for HATS and for me personally. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I know that a lot of thank you letters are long overdue, but the problem is I can only do so much in a day. Those who know me well know that I always try to do too much. Running the mission, staying on top of things, fundraising, correspondence, having a baby to care for, meetings, time with my children, on call 24 hours a day/7 days a week, plus . . . . takes more time and energy than I have to give. Thus, some things slip behind and thank you letters have been one of them. Please be patient with me. I do pray for you and ask God to bless you as you continue to bless us here. Your generosity and encouragement is keeping us going.

~Karen

About Karen Huxter

Karen Huxter, the founder and Director of Hands Across the Sea, was born in Springdale, Newfoundland and is proud of her Newfie roots and heritage. She lived in various places across Canada such as Quebec, the Yukon, Ontario, Alberta and BC before moving to Haiti in 1995. In her professional career, Karen worked in teaching, banking and administration and did extensive volunteer work with community groups and charities. A mother of two grown daughters, one young adopted son and seven grandchildren, Karen is energetic and passionate about the work in Haiti. She loves each of the children and has a heart of compassion for children, women and families in the country of Haiti.

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Testimonials

The time has passed so quickly. We know what we’ve done this week is important and makes a difference here at Hands Across the Sea. But it’s easy in Haiti to feel that anything we do here is simply a drop in the ocean. So much need on so many different levels: political, organizational, educational, social, spiritual…But we remind ourselves that each individual life is of infinite value so changing the life of one child and one family is worth the effort.

Liette Wilson
HATS Visitor, Supporter & Board Member
Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal… and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope. We are already in love with Haiti.

Team Canada
HATS Visitors
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!

Brian En
HATS Visitor
This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.

Nicole Boudreau & Marcia Muise
HATS Visitors
It is our last day and there is always a certain amount of sadness and joy when we come to the end of a trip . We look forward to our homes and loved ones but there is a part of us that wants to stay and be near these dear dear children. They open their hearts and arms to you when you enter the front gate. They give you laughter and tears all week long and then they cry and hug you when they know you are going away. Being near that kind of unconditional love effects us all very deeply. So we leave part of our hearts here and promise to return.

Gerry Rhyno
HATS Visitor
One thing that has impacted me on this trip is seeing the children and all the dedication in this orphanage. There is so much going on behind the scenes to keep the HATS orphanage and school running.

Donna Wheeler
HATS Visitor
After years of thinking about it and months of planning for it, it seems strange that our time in Haiti is over. We have been asked by a few if it was like we expected. Well, no. I’m not sure what we expected, but our minds could not have fathomed what we have experienced, and we can hardly believe that our 3 month stay has come to an end. HATS really became home away from home for us. We knew we would enjoy getting to know and spending time with the kids but we had no idea how difficult it would be to leave them. They sneak in and steal your heart without you even knowing it. We have left a piece of our hearts in Haiti and can’t wait for the day when we can return.

Mike & Nicki White
HATS Visitors
Personally, this is my first time here. I’ve never done a mission trip of any sort before and I’ve certainly never been anywhere this hot before. I keep seeing things that are different from what I’m used to, and hearing about things even more unfamiliar to me. One of the most surprising things to meis how quickly I’ve grown to love all the people here. Everyone here is great, and the team is wonderful too. Watching everyone support each other warms my heart almost as much as the sun warms my skin. I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I know that this trip has already had a profound impact on my life.

Matthew Sketchley
HATS Visitor
I have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!

Yvette Calderwood
HATS Visitor
Thank you Karen for everything you do, all the hard work and dedication that you put into this place, all of the work behind the scenes. Thank you for putting up with all the craziness that we bring when we come to your house for the week, just thank you times a million and one for everything Karen. I can write about my week until I am blue in the face (maybe not write that long but if you know me I can definitely talk for that long), and can sing about kit kat bars until my voice gives out, but I cannot even begin to try and articulate in song, dance, or other random art forms how thankful and blessed I am to have been given this experience not only once but twice! Thank you – thank you – thank you – thank you!!!!!!!

Kathleen
HATS Visitor