Workers Coming & Going in All Directions!

February 11, 2010 Posted by Karen Huxter

Yesterday, Tuesday, and today Wednesday, there has been a lot of activity onsite. Workers, Haitian and Blan were coming and going in all directions and accomplishing a multitude of different tasks.

Work continued on the Water Tower foundation behind the main house/offices. One of the ‘Canadian’ team made a comment that “that building would never fall”. Luckner is using lots of rebar and is keeping a close eye on how the cement is being mixed. He has refused some wheelbarrows of cement and sent it back to be remixed. At this time he is not only the Assistant Director but is also wearing his Engineer and his Construction Manager hats.

Water Tower Site at Start of Day

Both days have had continuous streams of wheelbarrows bringing the sand and rocks, for the mixing of cement by hand with shovels. Then the “Bucket Brigade” of passing the heavy buckets of cement from one worker to another to the appropriate spot to be dumped. Lots of tired arms and bodies by the end of both days but more so by those on the blan crew who worked at this for some time as well.

Water Tower Site by End of Day

The whole ‘blan’ team, which consisted of four men and one lady, worked Tuesday morning counting the food supply on hand for the feeding program for our school students. It needed to be counted because we decided to keep only enough to feed our students for the remainer of this school year. What we have on hand for our students for next September we are going to start sharing today with hungry people in the community. We will be giving out what we estimate to be a two week supply to various families, along with some money to purchase beans to cook with it. Food is available but the cost has risen dramatically. The people are hungry now, so we will do what we can to help alleviate it a little. We will trust God to provide food money for our school students for next year.

Our school has not yet reopened. Perhaps next week??? Perhaps the week after?? Many people are not yet emotionally ready. We decided to restart the feeding program at our school this week. A meal is prepared at the school, as on a normal school day, and the students come at 10:30 a.m. to thankfully enjoy a big plate of rice and sauce.

The work on the cleaning out of the septic tank and unplugging the drain was finished Tuesday. Showers and toilets for the Kid’s Home are once again in good shape.

Wednesday morning saw the Canadian crew heading to St Marc to purchase plywood and 2 x 4s for Dickie’s projects and to allow the three musketeers to try to make contact with someone at the UN base. They are still unsure how they are going to get from Port au Prince to the DR on Tuesday, so they can fly back to Florida and on to Canada on Wednesday. It will all work out somehow.

St. Marc Traffic

More projects were worked on. Dickie organized the tool room and Jim and Ken treated the benches Dickie had made earlier with insect repellent, then Ken started painting them a bright yellow. With all the projects going on, time is still found to visit with the children at the swing or spend a few moments kicking a soccer ball with them. That is what brings joy to the labour.

I want to share something funny that happened last weekend. Actually it was early morning on the day of the funeral for Serlande.

Luckner and Don were to be at the funeral parlor at 5:00 a.m. The clothes to put on Serlande were at the house here. Don was supposed to take them with him early morning. My house has a fence around it and Dickie’s mosquito tent was set up just inside the fence very close to the gate. It is quite dark at 5:00 a.m. Don left to walk outside the compound to be picked up by Luckner. He, however, forgot to take the important bag of clothes with him. Jim was already up so I asked him if he would take it and run quickly to catch Don. Being the nice guy that he is he agreed and ran out the door. In his haste and in the darkness, however, Jim ran into the fence and bounced backwards with force. As he was trying to recover his equilibrium and, perhaps, his senses, he heard Dickie’s voice calmly saying “Next time try the gate!” We all had a good laugh. I laugh now as I think of it. We were all very sad about Serlande but God provided a good laugh in the midst of that sadness, and the laughter was very good for us all.

~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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
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
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 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
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
I am so thankful to Jesus for the opportunity to serve at HATS and to finally experience the great work that God is doing there. I look forward to seeing them all again when I visit next time.

Nancy Goodwin
HATS Visitor