Sad to Share News of David’s Passing

December 28, 2012 Posted by Karen Huxter

On December 21st we had a busy day at our school. The students and parents came to pick up the report cards, for a concert put on by elementary students, and to eat, drink and be merry. All our kids here onsite made a passing mark, but some need to pull up their socks starting in January, or their bike riding and/or rollerblading will be limited.

Kids are ready for report, program, party day at school

The program put on by the younger students was well done and enjoyed by students and parents.

Full room waiting for things to start

Preschool 1 class – Karena far right front

Then on to the best part for most of those in attendance – food and drinks. We had enough food prepared for 260 and ran out by the time we reached grade four level. Wow. We started cooking the same amount again and eventually all in attendance were well fed.

Many hands make light work – director’s hands especially

A lot of meals and drinks were passed out today at the school

Thank you to those who sent some Christmas funds which enabled us to do this for the community.

On Sunday, 23rd, everyone who attended our church service were happy to leave with a gift and a cold drink. Our HATS kids sang a special number while a black baby doll, depicting baby Jesus, lay on the floor in front of them. Simple but effective. There were also a number of solo specials.

HATS kids singing with baby Jesus on the floor

Anne standing on pulpitand singing in church

Little Berlens singing for us in church

Monday, 24th, saw us celebrating Djemima’s 10th birthday with a party at 2:00 p.m. Then at 5:30 pm we celebrated Jesus’ birthday with a special meal and gifts. My kids were off the wall and over the hills with excitement that day. The only way we adults could get things ready for both parties was to let them watch videos (which is a royal treat) with Vladimy there to supervise.

Sandra wishing Djemima ‘Bon Fet’

When Liette and Yvette came in November a lovely gift for all the children came with them, thanks to the generosity of people in the Calgary area. A huge thank you to all of you for the fantastic gifts the children received.

Christmas dinner on 24th

Sandra very happy to have her own ‘baby’ to feed

Thanks from Jonathan

I had not had any time whatsoever for myself for a very long time and I was feeling completely drained after the Christmas party. I requested a couple of hours for myself Christmas Day to unwind and to read. Not to be!

Christmas morning around 4:30 I was awakened by one of the house mothers who felt she needed to let me know ‘then’ that one of the showers was leaking. Oh my. Not the best start to the day that I had hoped would be a little less stressful and tiring for me. Awake very early when unnecessary so I thought I would make the best of it. I decided to take an early morning walk along the canal. Took JJ, Moise, Djemima and Leica with me. We enjoyed our time together talking and enjoying the beauty. On the way back to the mission my phone rang and from then on Christmas day was painful and stressful.

I was informed that a young man, David, with whom I have had a close and special relationship for 17 years had been killed in a motorcycle accident. David was the one person in Haiti who called and texted me regularly to check on me, to say he loved me, and to tell me that I was very special to him and always would be. I have often said ‘I know there is one person in Haiti who cares for me for who I am and not for what I can do for them’. That was David.

David

I met David, through my daughter, Liette, my first year in Haiti. I became involved in the lives of David, Josue (his younger brother and Liette’s godson), his mother who was mentally unstable, and his blind grandmother, and stayed close to David from then on. My relationship with David, over the years, strengthened greatly. I was with him through the death of his grandmother, spent time with him after the death of his mother, helped him with everything possible so he could keep going and take care of Josue. We had a special mother/son bond.

I blogged about David as one of the HATS success stories as a sponsored student a couple of years ago. I told David last month that I was planning on doing another blog about him in January or February, which would bring people up-to-date with his life. He said he would come see me in January so I could do new photos.

David graduated from school, thanks to his sponsorship under Education Haiti. For the past few years David has been teaching school and teaching English in a couple of other schools. He was very involved in his church, where he was a leader of a group of young people, and where he regularly played his guitar and sang. Too, David had a regular program on a radio station that he used to try and lead young people in the right direction – to stay in school and be good leaders for the future of Haiti. He was a young man with a calling and a mission to do everything he could to help his people. He was well liked and well respected.

He played and sang in a concert at his church Saturday night. Actually Josue, his brother, did some singing with him Saturday too. Afterwards he, Josue, and a young woman went looking for something to eat. On their way home on a moto the accident happened. David and two others were killed.

Josue is in the hospital here in Deschapelles in serious condition. Please pray for Josue. He does not yet know David died in the accident. If Josue survives, he has a long and rough road ahead – physically and emotionally as it was David that cared for Josue. I went to see Josue at the hospital but he had no idea I was there.

Josue

The only family David and Josue had left in Haiti are an aunt and two cousins. David would visit them sometimes when he would come to see me, as they too live in this area. These family members are now asking for me to take on the full responsibility and expense of the funeral for David. Oh my. I can’t do it all. Please pray for me to have wisdom in decisions, a loving spirit as I deal with the family, and for strength to deal with it all. Thank you.

God bless you.

~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

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
I have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!

Yvette Calderwood
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
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
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
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
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
This week has been amazing – one of the best weeks of my life thus far, hands down. I can’t really think of any other experience in my life that can even come close to comparing to this. Though my visit here was short (too short), it has been incredibly eye-opening, and life changing. I will never forget the people I have met here, or the things I’ve gotten to experience! Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it. I am so, so blessed to have been given the opportunity to come here, and I am REALLY not looking forward to saying goodbye to the children tonight. My heart sinks just thinking about it. There’s no doubt that they’ve had a bigger impact on my life than I’ve had on theirs. I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country. God bless.

Jess Buckle
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