From Canada & Many Thanks!

September 26, 2009 Posted by Karen Huxter

NOTE: This post is from July 2009 and was added to bridge the gap between the previous blogs.

Greetings to all friends/supporters of the HATS-Haiti Mission. This update is in a different format as it is coming to you from Canada instead of Haiti. Most of you knew that there was a plan for Karen and her assistant, Luckner, to be in Western Canada in September to do some fundraising for the mission. Those plans are now on hold. Things have changed due to Karen becoming ill and needing to return to Canada for medical help. Liette, Karen’s daughter, recently travelled to Haiti to return to Canada the following day with her mom. Karen gives Luckner and Martha the credit for bringing her through a very ill and scary time before Liette arrived for her. Karen is recovering, in Calgary with Liette and family and in Kelowna with Dana and family, from acute pneumonia and severe inflammation in her chest. Her doctor has scheduled follow-up x-rays for Aug 11th after which they will discuss how much longer Karen needs to be in Canada to fully recover. Karen will return home to Haiti when she is healthy and strong. Karen is presently missing all her children and especially her special little guy – Ti Luckner. She knows, however, he is in the very capable hands of Luckner, and Luckner has the support of Martha. (Martha is sleeping at the house with Ti Luckner while Karen is away.)

Due to Karen’s being away from the mission at this time, Luckner has the start-up of school to prepare for on his own. This is a very big job, along with running the mission by himself at this time, but Karen knows he will handle it all. We continue to thank and praise God for the funds that we have in the bank in Haiti towards a vehicle for HATS. We still need approx $5,000 to meet our goal and be able to make a purchase, but we do know the funds will arrive. Again, thank you so very much to all who have donated to this. The ‘Privacy Fence’ for Karen mentioned in June has been completed. It has made a big difference to Karen’s comfort. She is now able to completely relax in her home during the evening and night time hours.

MESSAGE TO OUR FRIENDS
Dear friends of Karen and HANDS ACROSS THE SEA-HAITI (HATS), It has been felt for a number of years that Karen needed help in carrying on the work that the Lord has given her to do in Haiti. Many of us have watched on the sidelines while she has forged ahead with plans to develop an orphanage and school, helping where we could but for the most part it has been sporadic. It was decided that a board should be developed that could assist Karen in whatever areas she felt needed attention at that time. Also to help her with regular fundraising to meet the ongoing and ever present need of funds to run these two establishments.

HANDS ACROSS THE SEA ASSOCIATION was incorporated on July 9, 2009 in the Province of Nova Scotia, with nine board members. The board has requested charitable status from the Government of Canada, and we expect to have that status by the first of January 2010. Starting January 1, 2010 there will be a change in donations to HATS. Cheques will no longer be payable to Yarmouth Wesleyan Church, designated for HATS. All cheques will then need to be sent to the same address “Hands Across The Sea in Yarmouth” but must be payable to Hands Across The Sea. Your income tax receipts for 2010 will come to you from the Hands Across The Sea Association.

Because of the downturn in the economy in the last year we have experienced a huge drop in donations to HATS-HAITI. Our prayer is that this will change soon. It is getting extremely difficult to run the orphanage and school with the present amount of funding. We also pray that God will speak to the hearts of His people and the monies needed will come in. Too, we would like to encourage our faithful ‘Friends of HATS’ to consider giving some of their Aeroplan Miles to Karen to enable her to travel North America in support of the Mission.

The last time we were in Deschapelles, doing construction of the second building for the school, Karen shared her vision and her need for a missionary minded couple to come and live at the compound. In order for a couple to come, a place is needed for them to live. The HATS Board has decided to send a team to Haiti in January to start building proper accommodations to meet this need. The project is expected to be between $20,000 and $25000 US Dollars. If you are interested in being part of this project or helping with the funding please contact us, through Karen, or via email gkrhyno@ns.aliantzinc.ca. There is a team from Texas which has expressed interest in going down in February to help complete this project. The new Board wishes to express thanks for all that each of you has done in the past.

We know that it was God’s leading that accomplished all that has been done to date. We pray that His will shall be accomplished in Deschapelles in the future with your generous help. May God Bless Each of You Greatly Gerry Rhyno Board Chair

THANK YOU TO THE HATS-HAITI BOARD FOR THE SUPPORT IN THE PAST AND FOR WHAT THEY WILL BE DOING IN THE FUTURE.

PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THIS: Starting January 1, 2010 there will be a change in donations to HATS. All cheques, starting at the beginning of the new year, will need to be sent to the same address “Hands Across The Sea in Yarmouth” but must be payable to Hands Across The Sea. Your income tax receipts for 2010 will come to you from the Hands Across The Sea Association.

1 John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with ‘actions and in truth’ .”

We continue to give God thanks for his provision – past and future. We will always do our best to show the love of Jesus to those we serve with ‘actions and in truth’. ” Thank You ” once again, on behalf of all the people in Haiti whose lives are touched by the HATS mission, for your support.

Your prayer support, along with that of encouragement, and your financial help, is needed and greatly appreciated. The work we do cannot continue without you.

~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

We have so enjoyed our time here. The work we have done has been fulfilling, the fellowship has been memorable and our hearts are forever impacted by the sweet, sweet children. A piece of HATS will always stay with each of us and who knows, maybe a few will return!

Ashley Withrow, Nicki White & Deborah Gilbert
HATS Visitors
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
I’m not sure what we’re doing here, just showing up for a week – it’s not like it’s sustainable. And I don’t want to become depressed by some of the harsh realities that Karen has to deal with every day. You know it’s ONE thing to start an orphanage and school (Yes, Karen has done things that are beeeeyond me), but it’s ANOTHER thing to raise the 20 babies that become YOUR kids!!! Not only are they a big family, but they are a big family containing individual stories that got them all to where they are in the orphanage. I don’t even know how to describe it…I have never seen a woman her age with this much energy…fun loving energy that is. She so inspired me today and really is a wonderful mother to all these children.

Barbara
HATS Visitor
I had anticipated that I would enjoy spending time getting to know the children and being a part of Karen’s daily life in Haiti but I had not anticipated that it would capture my heart like it did. I will miss spending time with the children and Karen but I am hopeful that I’ll be able to see them all again in the not too distant future.

Sara-May Cardy
HATS Visitor
This week has been amazing – one of the best weeks of my life thus far, hands down. I can’t really think of any other experience in my life that can even come close to comparing to this. Though my visit here was short (too short), it has been incredibly eye-opening, and life changing. I will never forget the people I have met here, or the things I’ve gotten to experience! Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it. I am so, so blessed to have been given the opportunity to come here, and I am REALLY not looking forward to saying goodbye to the children tonight. My heart sinks just thinking about it. There’s no doubt that they’ve had a bigger impact on my life than I’ve had on theirs. I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country. God bless.

Jess Buckle
HATS Visitor
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
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
A huge thank you to aunt Karen, who always seems to be doing something with her children and the HATS mission. The only time she takes for herself is long enough to spread some almond butter on a banana that she eats on the run. Thank you so much for all your hard work and unwavering dedication. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. We love you and our Haitian family very much. The longer I spend at HATS, the bigger piece of my heart remains. Take care of yourself and our kiddies until we see each other again.

Jocelyn Barnes
HATS Visitor
It’s my hope that I manage to touch their hearts in some small way, the way that they have touched mine – in a major way.

Cherie MacDonald
HATS Visitor
They call Karen “the helicopter ” and after spending three days by her side I know why. She propels through life!!! If you want to get on the ride you better start running. It is an amazing work that the Lord is doing here through so many many dedicated workers…literally hundreds of children impacted every day with the love of Christ…but the task to do so is enormous. The dedication of staff is invaluable…they NEED US ALL!!

Barbara & Louis
HATS Visitors