Up Early and Go, Go, Go Even on the Weekends

April 23, 2010 Posted by Karen Huxter

Weekend is here again. That does not mean much here as one day runs into the next with the same routine, up early and go, go, go. Same old, same old.

The plan to pour the cement roof on the water tower building on Wednesday was delayed again due to no blocks of the right size in the area. Blocks needed for a roof are smaller than the ones used in the walls. Businesses who sell blocks have explained that since the earthquake there is a large demand for the bigger blocks as construction is underway, but no demand whatsoever for the smaller blocks as people are putting on tin roofs instead of cement. Why tin? They have the idea another quake might hit and they want to wait and change to a cement roof later.

I want to see it finished and the tanks removed from this roof but at the same time, I have been thankful for the reprieve of many workers running around the compound. I have been able to accomplish quite a few things since returning from PaP after seeing Sonia off on Tuesday. Too, I have had more time with my children. For these things I am very thankful.

Thanks for helping Leica

Holding juice (freezie) myself

We returned to the store in Port on Tuesday with the receipt for the stove and the photos of what it looked like after the glass cover exploded. To say they were surprised is putting it lightly. They were shocked and saw no way it should have happened. Well, join the club folks. It is still totally amazing to me. The good news is they are willing to take it back and replace it. We will return to Port with it when we are able.

The kids are all doing well. Josie was going through something for awhile but she is doing very well again now. JJ continues to be JJ and continues to be in trouble regularly, but hopefully we will get somewhere as we continue to pray for him, and with him, and not accept the bad behaviour. He does not really like sitting off in a corner, supposedly thinking about his behaviour, while the other children have a fun time with myself and Antoinette.

Giddiup Josie

Three beautiful girls

Three handsome boys

Josie & Ti Luc

I was tired of waiting for someone to help with some of the office work. Thus I accepted someone here as my new office assistant. Well, perhaps not totally new as he might have been seen in photos in the office in the past. His typing skills are not quite on a par with mine, but despite the fact that he types with his feet, he enjoys doing so and helping out his mama.

My office Assistant

Have yourselves a good weekend everyone!

Love from all of us here at HATS.
~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

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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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