Organizing 2011/2012 Sponsor Letters

November 15, 2011 Posted by Karen Huxter

Here we are again, finally. Actually we tried to get a blog posted on Saturday. Mariah wrote a blog twice on Saturday but lost both due to electicity problems.

Two more sleeps before Liette arrives. YEAH!!!! Wednesday morning early Luckner and I will be heading to the airport in PAP to pick up Liette and Yvette. Are we anxious? Are we excited? Yes and Yes. You bet we are.

End of day play time

While here Liette will be in charge of getting all school photos and all thank you letters done for our wonderful sponsors. Getting them done is only part of the huge task. Letters all need to be translated, scanned, and put into a file in the computer. Photos need to be taken, names of all students prepared in advance to go with the photos, and downloaded to the computer. Then all sponsors need to be emailed with two attachments – the letter from their student (s) and a photo of their student (s). Am I thankful that Liette is returning this year to take on this horrendous job once again?? Thankful does not cover it. I might be seen in the compound next week jumping up and down with joy and praising and thanking God that the letters and photos are done.

Liette is coming and taking on a big job again, but we will have time together as well. That is what Mariah and I are looking forward to. We are both looking forward to having Yvette here for the first time too and sharing everything with her.

Speaking of Mariah we have news about her. Mariah was planning on returning to Canada in December. Plans, however, have changed and Mariah has agreed to stay on until school closes in June. Mariah is one of our preschool teachers. She is doing a good job and is liked by teachers and students. For awhile now Mariah has been in charge of prescolaire I as we have loaned the other teacher to one of our other classes for awhile. Mariah is keen and keeping things going nicely on her own. Eventually the other teacher will rejoin her again and they will share the teaching. Mariah is hoping to be able to start some university courses online in January.

Baby Jonathan was released from the hospital late Friday. O happy day! It was a huge relief to all of us. He is doing fine – tiny still but starting to fill out. Yesterday, he was back to church with us snuggled into the sling Mama Karen carries him in.

Multi-tasking at its best

Today it was great to see Seth on his feet again. He had been ill for awhile, with what appeared to be a nasty case of strep throat. It really was fantastic to see him walking across the compound.
We give God thanks for the renewed health of Baby Jonathan and Seth. Other than runny noses the other kids are well. They are busy with school work and mischief.

Work continues on the school compound. Our office is finished and getting a lot of use. The secondary part of the school, that was damaged in the earthquake, is being worked on when school is not in session. Slowly and steadily things are improving and looking good. Lots of positive comments when people come on the main compound and/or the school compound. HATS has a good reputation in the area and people are pleased to see the work continuing.

Grades 7,8,9 being reinforced & finished

I cannot blog without saying thank you. Saying ‘thank you’ does not in any way convey the amount of thankfulness in my heart to all of you. You are loved, appreciated and needed. All of you!

Gwo Luckner and Ti Luckner

Mariah with my kids

Karena & Jofky ready to help Jacques

~Karen and kids

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

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
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
This is my first trip to Haiti and I’m hoping that it will not be my last! I could start by telling you all about my experiences however I’ll start by saying that Haiti DOES hit you in your heart! Not a day goes by when I’m not fighting back tears. Hands Across the Sea is an amazing place! Our team has been assembled of different men that all who all felt God calling them to do his bidding. Since I have been here I was quick to realize that we are just helpers here. Karen and her team of workers are, what I believe to be, the real workers of God! Each child presents their own challenges and Karen and her staff make sure that all of the children, not one child, are seen to!

Bernie Melanson
HATS Visitor
I had anticipated that I would enjoy spending time getting to know the children and being a part of Karen’s daily life in Haiti but I had not anticipated that it would capture my heart like it did. I will miss spending time with the children and Karen but I am hopeful that I’ll be able to see them all again in the not too distant future.

Sara-May Cardy
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
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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