Hospital Staff Working Round the Clock

January 25, 2010 Posted by Karen Huxter

I spent four hours at the hospital this morning with my precious daughter, Serlande. She is doing a little better again today, so she is on the mend. Thank you, God. Today she recognized me and asked where she was. How sweet it was to see her eyes open and hear her voice.

While there today, again I saw a tremendous amount of suffering. To hear the moans, the screams, and the crying of intense pain was almost more than I could handle. I had to shut myself down inside and just call out to God to help the suffering of the people. Many people are lying around waiting to go to surgery. The nurses are doing what they can to help them while they wait. I saw bandages being changed this morning. No matter how gentle the nurses were the people would yell and cry in agony. I saw bones sticking straight out through skin, flesh that looked like it had gone through a grinder, limbs, heads, and bodies wrapped like mummies waiting to go to the operating room to be fixed. O dear God, the people need relief from their suffering. I am so very thankful for the doctors and nurses who are working more hours than they should to try and help the people. I am thankful, too, for those who are voluntering their time to do whatever is necessary, and to those who continue to bring food and water into the hospital to the injured and their caregivers.

Today I was blessed with phone calls from Gerry Rhyno and from Sandra and Dickie in Yarmouth. Oh how wonderful it was to speak to the three of them. Gerry and I had not finished our converstaion when we lost connection. We both tried to reconnect with each other to no avail. How wonderful it was to hear their voices. Oh how I hope the telephone service will last. Communication is so important but was cut by the earthquake. Many of you have written me with questions, suggestions, and offers of help. I am sorry about not getting back to you but it is almost impossible. If your e-mail requires a response you will most likely hear back from Gerry or Sandra and Dickie. Thank you for understanding.

Thank you for the financial support that has been going to the mission address in Yarmouth. Every dollar donated to HATS will come down to help Haiti. There will be nothing used for administration. All the administration work is done by volunteers. The funds will help get the mission buildings repaired so we can operate properly again, and into the hands of a lot of people who are desperate for help. Some of those people are our own employees. Some of them, too, have received damage to their homes, have loved ones lying injured in the hospital, or need to bury their dead. I will continue to use funds to help the people and class it under our ‘Mercy Ministry’ heading. The people need ‘mercy’ support right now.

I must get to the bank. I plan to ask my Chief Security, Odner, to go to the bank around 4:00 a.m. tomorrow and stand in line for me. Hopefully, tomorrow I can make it as far as a telller. One thing I know, I cannot stand in a line in the heat for 3 hours ever again. This weekend a store in St. Marc let me purchase plywood and 2 x 4s without paying. Now how about that!! He knew I had stood in line at the bank to no avail. He knew I needed the wood and he trusted me to come and pay him when I do manage to get into the bank. I hope I can take his money to him tomorrow.

Now I am off to the hospital again and taking Sabine up to see her sister. I believe that Serlande will know today that Sabine is there to see her,

Thanks for your continued prayers.

~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

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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
We’ve made a difference, I believe. Big stuff, little stuff; it all contributed to the greater good and that big picture: keeping HATS a surviving and thriving, safe haven for the children of Deschapelles, Haiti. And oh my, what children they are. As expected, it was tough to leave. There were tears, whispers, hugs and I’ll miss you’s. I learned that it gets easier (only a bit) for those who’ve done this a few times. As Bob says “I’m part of the furniture now. I don’t say ‘goodbye’, I say ‘see you later’.” Maybe that’s how you cope with leaving…you return. Once, five times, 10 times. However many. Guaranteed you’ll leave a different person than when you came in.

Aimee Feaver
HATS Visitor
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
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
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
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
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