Squeals of Delight at my Arrival!

August 1, 2010 Posted by Beate Rufft

I can’t tell you how much I have been enjoying this wonderful place…yes…wonderful! My flight was rather uneventful until I got to the PAP airport. Actually, I don’t want to complain at all. I found the chaos of searching for my luggage rather exhilarating, and it gave me an opportunity to meet several Doctors and Engineers who were volunteering their time here from places such as Alaska, California, Alberta, and Toronto. I felt very proud of each and every one of them.

Luckily Karen and her granddaughter Mariah, were able to get right up to the door to greet me. Boy, the moment I laid eyes on their smiling faces, and received their big hugs, I could just feel it in my soul that I had come to the right place. The drive through PAP was interesting to say the least. I saw hundreds and hundreds of tents in several spots and just couldn’t imagine what it has been like to live in these tent cities with the extreme heat and the heavy rains.

Tent City in PAP

We kind of skirted the city, so I didn’t see much of the earthquake damage, and made our way to the countryside for the 3 hour drive to Deschapelles. I was so very impressed with the highway that has been built. Newly paved and well irrigated, this road will last for along time. The only thing that was scary were the crazy drivers…honk…honk…is the signal that you give when passing a transport around a bend to warn the oncoming truck that you aren’t moving over. Mind you, I felt totally comfortable with Luckner at the wheel, and I totally enjoyed the ocean view, stopping at several village markets and getting gas (it sounds silly, but even getting gas can be exciting when your travelling).

Market in Montrouis

Arriving at the compound, I was greeted by squeals of delight from the kids…Ti Luc even said my name…wow…was I ever impressed. I was made to feel right at home, and Karen gave me the upstairs bedroom…with a private bathroom and balcony to boot 🙂 I absolutely love it.

Beate’s bedroom at HATS Mission

It didn’t take me long to remember everyone’s names; although, I do get some of the kids mixed up. I get my daily dose of hugs and affection from them, and I’m beginning to learn their personalities. They are wonderful kids, and I love them all already. I am enjoying helping out with Ti luc as he does need some extra care, but he did beat me in a game of soccer …Brasil against Germany…3 to 2 🙂

Beate with Karen’s kids

Ti Luc and Beate

I know that I’ve only been here two days, but I feel so at home. My only complaint is the heat…oh my…I can’t explain it. I carry around a wee towel to mop up my sweat (sounds gross, but it helps). Thankfully, it cools down after the afternoon rain, and yaaayy, I have a fan in my room. Marta, the woman who cooks here, is unbelievable. I will certainly gain weight with her delicious Creole cuisine (red beans, rice and goat stew…yum…corn cake lasagna…wow…). I can’t wait for her to cook the chickens that Mariah’s dad bought. I watched Marta kill and prepare them…very interesting indeed 🙂

Mariah, her biological dad & Beate

Yesterday, we went to Pont Sonde to pick up the “chocolate” which is actually a highly nutritional powdered drink donated by the Reliv Kalogris Foundation. It was interesting to see how quickly the men unloaded the big truck. Back home today, we unloaded the pick up truck (which we had to leave under the carport due to the rain), and it took no time at all with all the kids helping. I just love the way they put the packages on their wee heads and off they ran to the storage unit. I honestly couldn’t keep up with them.

Leica unloading the Kid’s Reliv Chocolate

Dieunel unloding the Reliv Kid’s Now

Okay, I will sign off now as Mariah is making guacamole (here she is smashing the garlic)…and I don’t want to miss out. We get to bed around 9 after a nice chat and maybe a bit of television. The rooster wakes me up around 5…but thank goodness I did remember to bring ear plugs!

I realized after these two days that, even though I can’t perform surgery, nor can I build bridges or repair buildings, I can do what I think I do best…play with and love the kids…which I hope gives Karen a bit of a break so she can fill that with a million other things she has to do around here.

Bye for now….all my love.

~Beate

About Beate Rufft

Beate Rufft, was introduced to Hands Across the Sea and our founder, Karen Huxter in 2010, after seeing the devastation of the earthquake and wanting to volunteer in the country. An elementary school teacher in Ontario, Beate has previously worked with homeless children in Columbia and orphans in El Salvador. Beate is currently serving as Board Secretary and travels to Haiti each year. She is a proud to support the vital work that HATS does for the children and families in the community of Deschapelles.

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Testimonials

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
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’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
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
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
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
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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