2011/2012 School Opening Soon

September 19, 2011 Posted by Karen Huxter

I seriously planed on blogging more often, every second day doing a short one. Life here, however, tends to constantly get in the way. Mariah did one recently but I realize I really am overdue again. My days are so full one day just runs into another and I hardly know when one has finished and another has begun. This is going to become even more so in two weeks time when school reopens.

Speaking of school. The construction project of office with adjoining library is looking good. This week will see the cement work finished on the walls inside and out. Before we paint, however, we need to get a smooth cement floor poured, and the wood framing done for doors. After this we will need shelves, a storage cupboard in both rooms, and two desks in the office (for Luckner and Karen), filing cabinet, etc. Then chairs so we can actually meet properly with parents and with teachers. For the past couple of years we have held our meetings in the school yard, standing or sitting wherever we can find a little shade.

Office and school building taking shape

Our school will open Monday, October 3rd. Opening was delayed at the order of the president who had an agenda of his own (some political promise he made to do with schooling that everyone knew he could not fulfill.) Thank you to all of our sponsors who are continuing with your student (s). If your student has changed this year I will do my best to let you know within the first two weeks of school opening. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Radio Creole at Luckner’s place continues to play Christian music, give God’s word daily, and pray three one hour periods a day for those who call in with prayer requests, as well as teach morals, acceptable behaviour, respect for one another, etc. This radio station is making a big difference. When one takes a stand for the Lord, and for the good of all, persecution comes. I knew it would happen and talked to Luckner about it before the station went on the air. Good changes are happening throughout the area and the persecution has hit and keeps on coming. A lot of terrible and evil things take place every night around here and especially at midnight. Radio Creole has a pastor who prays every night from midnight to 1:00 or later. This nightly prayer at Radio Creole, along with everything else that comes over the airwaves from the radio station has upset the apple cart of those who desire to do ungodly things late at night. People want to take revenge against Radio Creole and Luckner. Pastors all throughout this area have banned together and decided to have a day of prayer and fasting (Jen) this Thursday for Radio Creole and Luckner. Then the same evening (Thursday) pastors and other Christians will gather on the roof of the Trade School outside Radio Creole from 6:00 p.m. to midnight to pray. Thank you for your prayer support for Radio Creole FM and for the people in the Artibonite Valley. May God’s goodness prevail and evil be knocked down.

Radio Creole FM

My kids are doing well, precious, special and all growing like weeds. They do love to have time with their Mama and I am doing my best to keep up the necessary work load and have more time with them. Too, they enjoy time with Mariah and with Jessie and Seth. Ti Sandra is my new office assistant. She sits in my office with me daily, in what once was Ti Luc’s highchair.

Sandra now helps Mama in the office daily

Today is Sunday and what I consider ‘Family Day’. We started our day with our little church service. It was Jessie’s turn to do a message today. She does one twice a month and Maggie and/or Antoinette the other Sundays. As a part of this morning’s message Jessie and Mariah did a skit about keeping our hearts and our lives clean. Our Sunday service is followed with a good meal, and then I try to keep our afternoon open for playing and enjoying time together. Some Sundays we also sit and chat as a family as well and Mama Karen spends time talking about respect for others and growing up with integrity, honesty and good morals. Hopefully some of it will stay with them throughout their lives.

Sunday afternoon family time

Family talk time

Jessie playing with Ti Luc

One happy with ti kado, one in corner due to attitude

Today Mariah helped Magalie prepare the Sunday meal for the children. Mariah helps cook at Luckner’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays so by the time she leaves us she should be quite adept at preparing food Haitian style.

Mariah and Magalie preparing the Sunday meal

Mariah, Jessie and Seth painted the two large gates to the compounds as well as the two small ones between the main compound and the school. They had a little help from JJ and Vladimy. It has made a beautiful difference to both the outside and the inside of the compound. It is amazing how much brighter and more attractive a coat of paint makes things.

Mariah can multitask – eat, paint, listen to music and be a goof ball

Finally told the children today that the little house Luckner and I had asked Seth to build was not really for a small ‘back up’ generator but was a playhouse for them. They were all quite pleased.

Kids are happy with their playhouse

Again, to all of you who follow the blog, thank you for all the support. I have no idea how many actually read what we blog, but I know for sure that a few people do. Thank you Sandra, Dickie and Shondi for always putting a comment on the blog. It is very encouraging for us. Thank you Liette for always posting it to Facebook for others to see. Speaking of blogging. Now it Jessie and Seth’s turn to write one.

~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.

Archive by Month

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!

Jess MacDonald
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