Never Without Love & Hugs ?

March 16, 2011 Posted by Karen Huxter

Hello again from the fast acting, fast moving, fast changing mission of HATS. Never a dull moment. Never without lots of action. Never without lots of work. Most importantly – Never without lots of love and hugs.

Jessie has been doing a great job of writing for the blog which left me only to add photos. It has been a big help. She has done such a good job, however, that Seth and I felt I should write today and Seth the next time. Why? We don’t want Jessie’s head to get too big for her hat, from all the compliments on her blogging. Right Seth?? Perhaps Seth will find it difficult to agree publicly. After all he has been married nine months to a gorgeous, talented, very capable, fun loving young woman who, as I see it, is quite able to take care of herself and get even in the bargain. Did she not accuse me of shaking the cokes before kindly presenting her and Seth with an icy cold one each? Did she not say she would get even? I seem to have read that somewhere. While on this subject I must say that too many people who read that blog made comments to let Seth and Jessie know to watch out for me as I am a practical joker. I am not sure why they would say such a thing. Perhaps they have me confused with someone else???

Seth and Jessie are continuing to work on their house so they can move in. It is taking a little longer than expected but they are showing patience. They diligently painted outside with the fantastic Texas team. Since then they have been painting the walls and ceiling in their ‘special three level’ bathroom; (some people have three level homes, they have a three level bathroom); painting the cupboards bright blue that had been built for their bathroom before their arrival; painting the room at top of stairs that had waited for them due to running out of paint before; and finishing the walls there in the entrance.

Three level bathroom

Along with all this work they have found time to study and practice their Creole and enjoy time with the children. I am anxious for their house to be finished and for them to get moved in. Why? It is then that I can really start deligating some tasks for them to look after. It will be too good to be true to have them take care of some things that I will not give and have to take back, and I will not have to constantly supervise the work. O Happy Day!!

Jessie with sleeping beauty Karena

Bonus for Seth and Jessie today, someone from Direct Internet Service, came and installed a satellite dish on top of their house and hooked them up for internet.

Internet satellite dish waiting for Seth & Jessie’s usage

Last Thursday I was very pleasantly surprised by a visit from a ‘Newfie’ family member, who lives in Montreal, and who I had seen once when he was a boy. He did not know me either but when knowing I was in Haiti decided to drop by with a friend of his, Al Heron. They had come with a group ‘Youth For Christ’ to put a water treatment system in St. Marc. Having Keith, who is family, come to the mission to meet me was special indeed. Meeting Al as well was a pleasure. Hopefully if/when they return it will be for more than an hour or so.

Karen with Keith Wight (family from Nfld, now Montreal)

Well folks – Haiti elections again this Sunday. Who? What? When? Where? How? People are waiting and wondering if we will again have, what they saw as 100% corruption in the last election, or will it be better this time. Time will tell as always.

Many places changed their clocks last Saturday – by springing ahead an hour. Most places do it for six months and then change back again. Spring forward and fall back. This is Haiti and things are different here. Haiti changed for a day. For the first 11 years I was here Haiti used to also do the time change in spring and fall. Five years ago it was decided that Haiti would no longer do this. I, of course, did not like it as it meant that for the whole 12 months of the year it would get dark very early – 6:00 – 6:15 p.m. There is no evening time in Haiti. On Saturday and Sunday of last week it was announced, on some radio stations and by messages to some telephones, that Haiti was once again going to change their time as others were doing. So Sunday afternoon I proceeded to change our clocks and watches by moving it forward the hour. I expected some students, teachers and employees to arrive late, as some would likely not even yet know.
My kids and I went to our school on the new time and waited an hour for others to arrive. We were the only ones in the devotion room. Vladimy was the only secondary student there for a 7:00 a.m. class. Then shortly after others arrived I was informed that an announcement had been made that the time change was changed back again. It changed but did not change. This is Haiti.

7:30 devotions at our school Monday morning with time change

Vladimy only at school out of 110 secondary students

Everyone who follows this blog knows that for me “IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN”. Many of you have had the opportunity, and hopefully the pleasure, of coming down and meeting and enjoying time with my children. You have told me want me to post lots of photos of the children. I have decided to start doing a blog featuring the children. I will feature one or two at a time. I will tell you about the children and attach photos. I will do the first one this week.

We are waiting for a new child to join our family. We have committed to taking a nine month old girl. It is taking time as the person who plans to bring her to us does not have enough funds to take a bus or Tap Tap and bring her, and has been unable to borrow funds. We are searching for a method to send travel funds and hope to have our newest little one with us this week.

Thank you for all your help with these precious ones. I can’t do any of it without you.

The HATS motto is “ORPHANS TODAY AND LEADERS TOMORROW”. I believe this to be true. Together let us continue to work towards this end.

Mother Theresa wrote this and it will always speak to my heart:
At the end of life we will not be judged by: How may diplomas we have received; how much money we have made; how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by: “I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was naked and you clothed me; I was homeless and you took me in.”
Hungry, not only for bread – but hungry for love.
Naked, not only for clothing – but naked of human dignity and respect.
Homeless, not only for want of a room – but homeless because of rejection.

God bless you all. Love from,

~Karen and the 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

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
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
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 am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!

Brian En
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
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 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
Thank you Karen for everything you do, all the hard work and dedication that you put into this place, all of the work behind the scenes. Thank you for putting up with all the craziness that we bring when we come to your house for the week, just thank you times a million and one for everything Karen. I can write about my week until I am blue in the face (maybe not write that long but if you know me I can definitely talk for that long), and can sing about kit kat bars until my voice gives out, but I cannot even begin to try and articulate in song, dance, or other random art forms how thankful and blessed I am to have been given this experience not only once but twice! Thank you – thank you – thank you – thank you!!!!!!!

Kathleen
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
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