Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers

July 9, 2012 Posted by Beate Rufft

We had a nice relaxing morning getting ready for church which started at 9:30 over at the school. What a lovely sight to see the children all dressed up for this special morning. The service was uplifting and fun, with tambourines and shakers and wonderful voices filling the air. Rebecca and Kathleen shared with the group. They used toothpaste as an analogy to remind us that what we say can never “get” back into our mouths (just like the toothpaste can never fit back in the tube)…so always be wary of what words we use. Are we using words that heal, or words that hurt? What a lesson for the little ones, and a HUGE reminder to the grownups.

on our way to church

We had a special surprise at church today: Karen and her Ugly Stick. Now if you are a Newfie, you will totally get this…if not…well, enjoy it J

a surprise visitor

Of course the team has been practicing to sing at Radio Creole tonight, so we were given an opportunity to belt it out to the congregation. I think we did quite well singing “Serve Him” in Creole with our English accents and “delightful” voices, and we were so good that we got everyone to clap and eventually join in with us (hee hee).We have decided to take it on the road back in Canada so that we can help raise money for HATS J

Sam, Rebecca, Beate & Kathleen

Mirlande reading Psalm

Then the children got up to perform, and we decided that our act just won’t do anymore…they were so fantastic. Even Judel and Dieunel got up for the first time to sing in front of everyone. We were so proud of them.

Karen’s kids singing in church

Judel & Dieunel singing for us

We worked around the compound today and entertained the kids. The children had a special Sunday dinner which we got to see. There’s nothing like rice and beans and fried chicken (and greasy, smiling faces)…yummmmmyyyyyy. And….we got to have same meal. Thanks to Germaine and Marguerite for preparing this special dinner for us.

the children enjoying their Sunday meal

McGuiver and McGuiver Junior measuring benches

Okay, now we have to run to the radio station. Wish us luck…we’ll need it ha ha ha ha….

Sooooooo, we’re back. What a crazy time we had on Radio Creole. We thought we only had to sing a couple of songs, thank you very much! But ohhhh noooooo, Luckner planned to have us on for THIRTY MINUTES!!!! We laughed and laughed and laughed. Just how does one fill dead air? With talk about the weather of course…and how about tongue twisters? “Hey Sam, explain to our good listeners: exactly what are rubber baby buggy bumpers?” Well, Sam, you couldn’t have done a better job. I have never before heard rubber baby bumpers be so eloquently explained.

oh,they should be on my ears

the star singers

Sam, your mother would be proud

okay, 30 minutes is nothing

Luckner, thank you so much for the opportunity

We will truly miss our time here at HATS. Haiti is a country of drastic contrasts. The people here need so much help and guidance, but at the same time, Haitians are beautiful, proud people from whom we can learn so much. God Bless.

~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

I spent a week in Haiti at HATS in November 2017 and it was a wonderful experience. Karen is an amazing woman and is doing amazing work. She is dedicated to the children in her care and is changing lives. I would love the opportunity to visit again and help out where I can.

Sandy Eastly
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
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
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
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
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’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
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
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
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