Everyone is Healthy These Days

September 10, 2012 Posted by Karen Huxter

The children are all well for which we thank God. It is not often that all are well – no colds, no fevers. I, Karen, am thoroughly enjoying this healthy period.

Since the last blog we took Lucie to the airport in Port au Prince and saw her off. The day before leaving for home Lucie and Mariah worked very hard in the children’s home. See for yourselves.

Mariah hard at work in Kid’s Home

Lucie hard at work too.

While here Lucie had a chance to experience seeing a child dedicated to the Lord (baptem). It was a little boy, Ronel, who lives next door to Luckner. Rose-Lore was the godmother and our own Vladimy was godfather.

Lucie experienced a baptism ‘dedication’ of a little boy.

Dedication of Ronel. Vladimy as godfather and Rose-Lore as godmother.

When we arrived at the airport Mariah and I took our passports and I talked our way into the airport to be sure we saw Lucie checked in and through Immigration and security before leaving her. The airport area, since the earthquake, is very small and very hectic and neither Mariah or I would let her try to handle it by herself. (Airport repairs has been underway for a few months now.) We left the mission very early morning and enroute the girls took advantage of some extra shut eye.

Early morning ride to airport to see Lucie off

Ti Luc had to go with us that day as one of the government departments that deal with adoptions wanted to see him. Too, I needed to sign some forms about the adoption at a different branch of the government. We had to drive a fair distance from one office to another. Fun and games. We now have a different person handling the adoption process and once again I have some hope. I won’t be able to take a short break this fall with Ti Luc but hopefully by November or December I will have a passport and visa for him. A long hot day to Port au Prince – 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m is not an easy event with Ti Luc. On the way back he snuggled up to his Mariah and did what the girls did on the drive in.

After a long hot day in PAP a young man needs his rest

Speaking of Ti Luc – yesterday morning for church he wanted to wear new pants Papa Luckner had made for him. He was quite proud of how he looked in them and asked me to take a photo so people in Canada who love him could see how good he looked. Too funny! He knows there are a lot of people who have come here who continually ask about him and send him love.

Ti Luc modeling new pants Papa Luckner had made for him

Our kids are loving the bike riding. Jonathan still loves to sit in the basket of Ti Luc’s bike. One day, however, he cried to go on the little trike with Sandra. Neither Sandra or Jonathan are capable of riding it but seeing them both trying to do so made a lovely photo.

Sandra and Jonathan – both too little to ride the bike but determined they are.

Sandra also loves to be a little helper for the house mothers in the kitchen. Whatever they do she tries to do also. Wonder how long that will last.

Sandra helping Roselene clean corrnmeal for breakfast

I want to share something very sad that has happened in this area and got a lot worse this morning. Recently a 14 year-old girl, who had just passed the governmental exams and was about to start Grade 7 died. She had a fever for a day. The next day she went to hospital dispensary and was sent home with meds to reduce the fever. Her mother wanted her seen by a doctor but it did not happen. That night she got worse and they went to the hospital itself where she died early in the morning. She had not been ill at all until the fever hit. This family lives in the same yard as one of our house mothers, Yolene.

This morning the funeral was to be held. The casket was at the church and the girls mother, naturally very distraught, was there with it. People were arriving for the service. The mother left the church, jumped on a moto taxi outside and left the area before she could be stopped. The moto driver did not know who she was. She had him drive very fast to a place past Verrettes. Then she wanted to go into the mountains. He sensed a problem and refused to go further. She left running/walking way from him.

Luckner, at Radio Creole, has been getting the message out to the community to organize groups to search for her, to pray, and is keeping us up-to-date. Her husband and other child are frantic. They have had a double whammy today. Please pray for the lady to be found unharmed and pray for the remaining family members. Thank you.

Thank you for the ongoing prayer and other support you provide for this mission and the work we do in the community. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN.

God bless you all.

~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.

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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
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
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
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
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
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