Enjoying Precious & Valuable Time with My Kids

January 12, 2013 Posted by Karen Huxter

I realize there has been a delay between blogs again, and I am late again. Sorry. Things, however, are looking up for blogs from HATS. Why?

On Tuesday Luckner and I, and our trusty security, Daniel, will be heading to Port au Prince to pick up some important people. While they are here they will be doing the blogging. I figured perhaps, however, I had best find a little time to let you know we are all still doing okay.

With school closed for the Christmas and Independence Day break I was able to accomplish many things that needed catching up on. More importantly, however, I enjoyed some precious and valuable time with my kids. Good for the children and good for their mama.

School reopened last Monday morning, Jan 7th and school closed last Monday morning January 7th. We had very few students turn up. Parents are unwilling to send their children to school before January 12th has passed – the anniversary of the horrific, devastating, and still very painful, earthquake in Haiti. Other schools did not even attempt to open, but we had hoped enough students would attend for our school to operate. It did not happen. On Monday, 14th our school will be in operation again.

The earthquake happened three years ago. A lot of improvements and good changes have happened since then, but there is still a lot to be done. The devastation and the massive lost of lives can never be forgotten.

January 2010 – Port au Prince

PAP after earthquake

Anne has been asking to ‘sleep with Mama’ for some time. She runs to me, hugs me, and says “Maman, mwen se petit ou” – Mama I am your child. Then says I want to sleep with you. Last night I had Anne and her bosom buddy Karena sleep at my house. It started with the girls on the living room floor with their mama. Mama Karen, however, decided her bed would be better for her back. By 2:00 a.m. I had Karena, Anne, and Ti Luc in bed with me. By 3:00 a.m. my bed had Karena, Anne and Ti Luc and mama was back on the floor. Too funny.

sleepover with Mama started here with JJ reading story

By 2 am sleepover was here. 3 am Mama was on the floor

Our kids were all sick with bad colds for awhile late December and this month. I know the Haitians have some great natural remedies and I asked Germaine and Roselene what they could do for Ti Luc. They gave him a treatment, which I am not sure Ti Luc enjoyed, but he and I both liked the results. He came through that nasty cold far quicker than any other time.

Germaine & Roselene giving Ti Luc a treatment for a bad cold

Ti Luc not sure about that treatment

The kids love to have Papa Luckner on the compound and he always makes time for them. They need that male presence in their lives. They area anxiously awaiting Dickie and Jim’s return and to meet Pastor Dave. Now they are saying “and soon after that the new family will arrive and we will have Brad here all the time”. Be prepared guys. They are waiting for you.

Karena and Anne – sisters and bosum buddies

Papa helping kids to not be afraid of frogs

Ti Luc playing with papa

Morning snack time

Jonathan sharing his snack with Papa

My last blog talked about the fine young man, David, who had died in an accident and his brother, Josue, who was in hospital near us. The funeral for David was held on Tuesday of this week. It was the best organized and well run funeral I have attended since I have been here. David at age 26 had been loved and respected by many people. He was seen as ‘an up and coming young man who would go far in helping his people’. We will grieve his loss for a long time.

Thank you to all of you who have prayed for David’s brother, Josue, age 20, – the only survivor of that accident. Josue was released from hospital last week. His cousin took him to stay at his house in Deschapelles. I had visited him at the hospital four times – three of which he did not recognize me, but on the fourth he said “Hello Mama I am so glad you came to see me. Please come see me again.” At that time he had no memory of the accident. Today I visited Josue again. When I arrived I was warned that Josue still has no idea that David died in the accident. He, however, has remembered the accident and is starting to ask questions. Josue’s cousin will go see the doctor on Monday to let him know Josue is remembering things and ask how, when, etc Josue can know the truth. I knew if Josue brought up the subject of David today I would quickly change the subject. He did not for which I was very thankful. While there, however, something happened that should not have. A man pushed open the gate to their yard, stood in front of us, pointed to Josue and said “Is that the man they said was dead?” He went on to say he heard there had been an accident. We responded that there was nothing like that there. I told him he had the wrong house and helped him leave. I hope and pray this does not cause problems to arise before the visit to the doctor on Monday. Josue was thrilled to see me today and he told me he has a lot of pain in his head still and so he needs to lie down a lot. He asked me about Liette, who is his godmother, about Mariah, Josiah, Ariane and Tevan. I promised to bring photos of them as soon as I can. Please continue to pray for Josue’s recovery and against a relapse when he knows the truth about David. Thank you.

Josue & I – January 11th

Thank you once again for all the support during 2012. You are the ones who have kept HATS running and making a difference in this corner of Haiti. Thank you for the donations for the Mercy Food Ministry. We continue to purchase, bag and distribute food to people in the area. We are now starting to try and get food further away to the mountains around us where there are also a lot of hungry children. Tomorrow Germaine will once again be making a huge purchase of food which will be measured, bagged and distributed by the team arriving on Tuesday. Thank you for the donations of funds for chickens, Bibles and Hymn books. The books will be purchased on next trip to Port. Chickens are being purchased and distributed on an ongoing basis as they are available.

People are pleased and very thankful to this mission for its ongoing help to the community around us. The thanks needs to go to God and to all of you who make it possible.

It is and always will be ‘ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN’

With love and blessings,

~Karen and gang

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

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
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
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
Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal… and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope. We are already in love with Haiti.

Team Canada
HATS Visitors
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
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
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 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 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
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