Work Continuing on the Mud Mission

July 29, 2010 Posted by Karen Huxter

Yesterday lots of work was done. When the time arrived for workers to finish and go home to their families, instead they stayed on and worked another 7 hours. Some arrived at 7:00 a.m. and helped unload the cement truck. Worked all day. Then worked again from 4:30 to 11:30 p.m. The bridge entrance to the mission’s main compound was rebuilt last night. The level was raised so the water would no longer run into the compound. By 11:30 last night everyone was covered with mud and cement and extremely overtired. This morning the final touches were put on the new bridge. Today they started to work on removing the huge gate. That will continue again tomorrow.

Lots left to do and getting dark

Pouring of cement on bridge to compound late at night

11pm. All covered in cement. Luckner checking it out

Mariah saw all the work that needed to be done last night and wanted to help. She found a wheelbarrow that could not stand up by itself but could be pushed around. She worked hard for more two hours wheeling lots of rocks, sand, and gravel from one area of the compound to the big gate area where the cement work was going on. She was a tremendous help. She out ran the young men who were doing similar work. At 11:30 p.m. when work was almost finished she sat on the cement in front of depot and leaned against a wall. She was instantly asleep. She did not stir when I took the photo. Thought for awhile I might have to try to carry her to my house. Now that would have been an interesting sight.

Mariah helping with construction work at night

Almost midnight. Mariah sat down and asleep immediately

We’ve raised the bridge level this much

Thanks to Liette for her suggestion of a name for our new little one. We are calling her Tayanna and I think we call her after Mariah as her second name. Mariah is a great Ti Mama for her. Mariah is also a blessing to Ti Luc who adores her too.

Ti Mama Mariah, Ti Luc & Tayanna

Ti Luc loves to have Tayanna around but does not like it when she is in Poppa’s arms. He, however, does not mind his mama or Mariah holding the baby as he likes to call her.

Poppa Luckner with Tayanna & Ti Luc

Today we had a visit from John Chew and his three boys. They brought clothes to bless our children and left others with which we will bless children in our area. John, Annie, and their boys, Samuel, Josue and Emile are in the process of moving back to Haiti from the US. Samuel and Josue used to be playmates of Mariah after she was adopted, by my Liette, but still living in Haiti. Nice for them to be able to connect again after thirteen years.

Samuel, Josue & Emile Chew & Mariah with our kids

Mariah with Samuel, Josue & Emile Chew

Tomorrow Luckner, Mariah, and I, along with our trusty police escort, Daniel, are off to PAP airport to meet a lady, Beate, from Ontario. Hopefully next blog you can hear from her.

Registration for our school is happening this week. In other years it was held in the school compound but under a tree that offered shade. It has to be held inside this year due to all the water on the compound. Before school opens we will be needing some truck loads of gravel spread in the yard.

I have not forgotten my promise to do a blog about my girls. You will have photos and a little info on them soon.

Our family is growing slowly and I like it that way. We are a family. I want to keep the number of children to a maximum of 16-18 so we can remain ‘a family’. We will continue, too, to help children who are able to live with extended family outside the HATS compound.

We are here for the children. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN.

Blessings. 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

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
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
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
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 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’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
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
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
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
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