Hanging On by a Thread

January 23, 2010 Posted by Karen Huxter

Today started early – very early – 3:20 a.m. and I did not get back to bed. No wonder I look like something from another world – eyes red and swollen. Could fatigue possibly have a little to do with it? Perhaps a lot to do with it?

Ti Luc and I are still sleeping in a small ‘one person’ tent in the yard. He loves it because he is sleeping with his mama. I love being near him but I pay the price because he is a major squirm bug. Yesterday, I hardly saw my boy as I was at St Marc, hospital, and running around due to the roof being poured. He was with Sabine and other kids. I tend to give Ti Luc a lot of water during the day. And nothing after 6:00 p.m. Well, I was at the hospital until 9:00 p.m. Vladimy fed and bathed him and got him ready for bed. Ti Luc was thrirsty so Vladimy gave him water, and more water, and more water. Guess what woke me up? Yes, a horrible feeling of wetness. He was wet and so was his mama. So there I was 3:20 a.m. in the dark trying to carry my heavy, soggy, smelly bundle of joy from the tent to the house in blackness. Then into the shower we went. Afterwards he played and I worked.

At 7:00 a.m. Odner and I headed to St Marc so I could be close to the front of the line to get into the bank. Yeah, right! We arrived at 7:40 and the line was as long as yesterday at 10:30 a.m. Odner spoke to some people at the end of the line and they said they were in line for Western Union and the bank line was much shorter. Yeah, right!! I wanted to believe that so I did. I entered the line where I thought the bank line up started and passed lots of people and went to what I thought was the end of the line. Yeah, right!!! I heard someone make a ‘not so nice’ comment about the blan that I chose to ignore. A young man that I recognized from the day at the beach with the team, was in the line up where I stopped. He recognized me too and told me I could stand in front of him. That is when I realized there were people behind me and I had not gone to the back of the line. Some people made more comments. I pretended I did not understand. I told the young man I was not a line jumper and would go to the back of the line. He proceeded to show me the back of the line which was across the front of the bank and down the street to where I had parked the truck. I was shocked and then told him that after looking at that perhaps just this once I would be. He assured me it was okay because I did it in innocence. The innocence part was gone by then, but I stayed put and he stuck up for me. I was desperate enough to get into the bank to stay in that lineup. Not something I would ever consider doing in normal situations. Normal?? What is that anyway?

I stood in the line up for an hour and the bank had still not opened. People had started to get restless, and a few were more than restless. People were hot, tired, and frustrated. Today was day 10 since the bank had been open. They were hungry and wanted a little money. Some pushing started and I ended up against the wall with very little breathing space. I felt like perhaps someone had put me in a sardine can only, as it was still early in the day, we smelled a little better. I had someone big and tall in front of me so could see nothing. It was not a smart or safe place for one little old white lady to be by herself. But I did not give up easily. I wanted and needed to get into the bank. I heard a commotion in the line closer to the bank door and excitedly thought it was opening. Yeah, right! It was 3 men in UN uniforms and three Haitian police who had arrived and started to get order. Bank officials came in and out and I spoke to one that I knew. He said to stay in the line they would be opening soon. Yeah, right! Another hour passed and I was starting to fade. Again I was advised to stay in line – a couple of more minutes only. Yeah, right! At the end of hour three I decided that nothing was worth one more minute in the dumb line. Plywood, 2 x 4’s, rope and groceries had long lost their interest for me. I had one thought only – get out of there and head home. What a waste of my valuable and extremely stretched time!! While there I was needed at the hospital. The doctor was looking for me re Serlande.

Back home and then up to the hospital. I have been back and forth there 5 or 6 times. Serlande is a tiny, very tiny, bit improved. She is still completely unresponsive. She, however, is not thrashing around and rolling all over the bed, as she was. She is now on antibiotics for a very bad infection.. Hopefully tomorrow I will see a little more improvement. Her chart said cystites ?? and sepsis. I will go up again in the morning and spend some time with her. While there, with Serlande, I was needed here re supplies being delivered.

And while at St Marc and the hospital I was needed here by Ti Luc and the other children. Too, it was important for me to be in the office getting some of the ton of work done. Unless someone comes to help me or I am cloned I guess things just continue as they are. Not the best solution. Help, Lord.

While at the hospital today I saw a lot more people brought in with injuries sustained in the quake. The suffering is unbelievable. People were crying due to the pain they were suffering. And people were crying due to the death of their loved ones. So much pain, physical and emotional. The doctors and nurses are doing a good job. They are overtired and stretched to their limits too. But they keep going. The hospital has thanked me many times for the supplies I took up, so I pass those thanks on to you. Tonight I was told that if more medical supplies should come my way they would be very thankful to be on the receiving end again.

The roof is now drying on the accommodations for support missionaries. Still a ton to be done before it will be livable but I am excited and very thankful to see what is done. Today supplies – cement blocks and cement – was delivered to the compound to start on the next project – the water tower. I want to see that project get underway quickly. I need to get those water tanks off the top of my house. It will, however, take time and money. In the meantime I will continue to sleep in the yard. I’ve decided to kill two birds with one stone and make good use of the bottom section of the water tower. I will use it for a storage unit for things for the orphanage and for my place. When we do build a storage building later it will not need to be as large as originally thought.

I am falling asleep while trying to do this so must quit while I can.

~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

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
This is my first trip to Haiti and I’m hoping that it will not be my last! I could start by telling you all about my experiences however I’ll start by saying that Haiti DOES hit you in your heart! Not a day goes by when I’m not fighting back tears. Hands Across the Sea is an amazing place! Our team has been assembled of different men that all who all felt God calling them to do his bidding. Since I have been here I was quick to realize that we are just helpers here. Karen and her team of workers are, what I believe to be, the real workers of God! Each child presents their own challenges and Karen and her staff make sure that all of the children, not one child, are seen to!

Bernie Melanson
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
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
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
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
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
I am so thankful to God for allowing me the opportunity to be here and experience his splendor. This day will forever be in my heart and mind. The scripture that resonates with me today is “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40. I am so happy I decided to come to HATS, this experience will stay with me for my life time.

Crystal Young
HATS Visitor
I have learned much about Haiti in my short stay here, much about generational, entrenched poverty, and much about hope. We can only be part of the bringing of hope if we become one small actor on the huge stage that is poverty. Thank you, Lynn Clark, for inviting me to share this life changing experience with you, and thank-you, Karen Huxter, for investing so much of your life in a work designed to bring hope to those who need it more than any Canadian could ever imagine.

Linda
HATS Visitor
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.

Rick
HATS Visitor