Hello From The Oven ?

July 21, 2010 Posted by Karen Huxter

Not only hot oven but wet as well. Hot and humid it is!! With rain and flooding too.

I am sorry I am somewhat behind on my blogging but I have been very busy doing, doing, coming, going, and doing. Oh yes, did I mention ‘doing’?

Well here I am to try and catch up a little with lots of photos.

When my beautiful, grown up, Haitian/Canadian granddaughter, Mariah, returned to Haiti on Sunday she was welcomed with lots of rain and flooding. Welcome back to Haiti Mariah!!

It was raining and the suitcases were wet before we could get them tarped and tied down. On the drive from PAP to Deschapelles someone phoned Luckner to say that the canal, outside our compound, was rising to a dangerous level and the ditch (aka small canal) was full as well and the rain was continuing. Another call followed quickly to say the canal and ditch had overflowed and the water was quickly rushing into the compound. Luckner called someone to send four men to the compound quickly to assist the security agent on duty in getting the huge gate open and to stay and give protection. Along our route home a radio announcer was saying some homes had been lost as water rushed down the mountains taking small homes in its path. As we passed through Liancourt (not too far from Deschapelles) we saw lots of flooding. Houses half under water. Water running out of side roads like fast flowing rivers. Yards that looked like small lakes. Rice fields that resembled big lakes.People lined the streets as they did not know where to go. Mariah was amazed by it all. A call to our compound said the gate had been opened by the five men and the water had started receding slowly.

Liancourt flooded

When we arrived at the bridge, where we turn unto the canal road to go into the mission, we saw problems!! There was water everywhere. It is a good thing it had started to recede. Yikes!! We wondered where exactly the edge of the road was and where the canal started. Luckner got us safely to the gate and when we entered the compound we saw a flooded compound. Much worse than the last time. Luckner kept up a good pace with the truck and pushed the water ahead of us as we plowed through it to my house. Mariah and I went to see the school compound which was badly flooded too. The kitchen was well under water. Thank God school is out for the summer.

Road to compound and canal

Plowing through floodwater on compound

Mariah in school yard after water had gone down some

Luckner and the four men stayed on site with us for hours due to the gate being wide open in the dark. Eventually the men went home, but Luckner left one man to sit at the gate as security with the regular agent. I received a call at 2:00 a.m to say the water had finally receded enough for them to close the big gate.Good. After than I actually relaxed and went to sleep.

This whole area received a lot of flooding. Homes in the Deschapelles area were lost or under water and belongings lost or ruined. Many mountain homes were lost. The water rushed down the mountains and overflowed rivers, canals, etc. If people in this area received damage to this extent what about the displaced people living in the tent cities ?? Dear God help them!!

Mariah got the royal HATS welcome despite the flood waters. The kids were thrilled to have her back. Ti Luc remembered her of course and had been waiting a long time for her to arrive so he was more than happy. They spent some time together that evening.

Mariah’s first night

The next morning Mariah started doing therapy exercises with Ti Luc after which she spent valuable time with all the kids playing and reading to them. This morning she worked with Ti Luc on his alphabet. I’ve already decided I should keep her here. Luckner, Martha, and Antoinette are also very pleased she is with us.

Ti Luc therapy time with Mariah

First morning with Mariah

Yesterday I took Mariah to St. Marc with me. She is too beautiful and she was being oogled by men from approx 18 yrs – old guys. On the way home I told her she can’t leave the compound anymore unless she is covered head to toe. Last night we dressed her in a sheet and I told her that is her wardrobe until she leaves Haiti. She can change the colour occasionally only.

Mariah’s wardrobe for while she is in Haiti

Did I mention I am glad she is here? Did I need to?? Or did you get the idea that we are all glad that she is here with us?

Oh yes, restoration work onsite due to the earthquake is continuing. More on that another time.

Yesterday morning we assessed the flood damage from inside and outside the compound. Now we have started on raising the compound level and are going to make a change on the entrance to and from the compound to decrease the flooding danger. We will work on the school compound before September.

Morning after flood. Luckner figuring out what to do first

Main compound after water had receded some

Please remember to pray for all those living in tents throughout Haiti. One tent city was almost demolished recently by wind and rain. Where are these people living now?? They need our prayers and our support. All of Haiti needs a lot of support. Please pray for those who must make the big decisions as to how, what , when and where things will be done to help the 1 1/2 million displaced persons here. They don’t have any of the things we take for granted. God have mercy upon them.

Blessings to you all.

~Karen & gang

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

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’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
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
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
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
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 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
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
This is my first time traveling outside of Canada and I am proud to say it was for a mission trip. I have always wanted to go on one and see what it like in other parts of the world and do what I can to help out. Haiti is a terminus life change for me and how I look at things. Seeing these kids and how they have such a passion for each other and for us is truly inspiring. I look back to what I was like at that age and I don’t think I was half as kind or generous as they are. This morning we did devotions and as I was speaking about what an impact they had on me only in one day I started to tear up…it was very emotional to talk about.

Isaiah Henderson
HATS Visitor
I spent a week in Haiti at HATS in November 2017 and it was a wonderful experience. Karen is an amazing woman and is doing amazing work. She is dedicated to the children in her care and is changing lives. I would love the opportunity to visit again and help out where I can.

Sandy Eastly
HATS Visitor