Busy Dealing with Many Kinds of Problems

February 28, 2013 Posted by Karen Huxter

Wow, how time flies when one is busy dealing with a lot of different things, including electrical problems, with electrical problems comes internet problems, water problem, sick children, one child having had surgery, sick house mothers, keeping up administration at the school, at the main compound, and mothering the children – some of them sick. All in a days work!

Brad

Having the Reimers on board is good. They have been here almost a month and have quickly become an important part of the HATS family. Brad is here, there and everywhere doing what is necessary. We are starting already to share the airport pickups with Brad. Tomorrow the two directors are able to stay at HATS and do necessary work as Brad will go to the airport with Yawel and Daniel to pick up our wonderful Texas team. This is a win win situation as they get picked up in the same way as if we were going, and we get to keep up with the work at home.

We are being challenged with electrical problems, which we thought were caused by the main inverter. We took it to PAP for repairs only to be told there is nothing wrong with it. It is being picked up tomorrow and will return with the team. It appears that our problems stem from the generator not the inverter. HATS has grown since the purchase of the generator nine years ago. HATS purchased what was needed at that time and what we could afford. We reached a stage now where we have been overtaxing it – trying to have it run more than it is capable of. Lesson learned. Now we are trying to figure out what to cut out and when.

Sunday afternoon we had a fun birthday party for Leica and Lois. The children especially enjoyed roasting weiners and marshmallows.

February birthday girls – Leica and Lois

Birthday party time

We continue with our late afternoon walks as often as possible. It is good to leave the compound, get exercise, laugh and talk and enjoy time together.

We do love our walks

Recently the house mothers and children were blessed and happy to use their new kitchen. It is now in Kay Timbrmart where the girls sleep. It is bigger, much more airy, brighter and has lots of natural light. This was an important change for a few reasons – to reduce the noise level in the Reimers’ place; to enable the housemothers working in the kitchen to keep an eye on the children outside; and to enable those of us in charge to supervise the work. This was one of the less expensive and one of the most important little projects completed here.

New and improved kitchen, brighter, lighter and more air flow.

Our children are busy with school, homework, playing, bike riding, walking along the canal and devotions . A lot of children in the area have been suffering from high fevers that last 3-4 days. JJ, Moise, Judel, Jofky, Sandra, Jonathan and now Ti Luc. They keep us on our toes and also keep us amused.

Anne & Jofky lying on steps of Kid’s Home

Ti Luc hiding from Germaine on a school morning

Come on Mama, let’s go to Papa’s

Our Djemima had surgery at the local hospital awhile ago. She is back in school and improving daily. The other children are happy to carry her backpack, etc for her.

Djemima at HAS, Feb 19, 2013

Take me home please Mama

Tomorrow we will have our own David Nance and his team back. You will, hopefully, hear from them while they are here.

Sandra on ‘time out’ chair

Thanks again for everything you do for the people of this area through HATS.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN

~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

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
We’ve made a difference, I believe. Big stuff, little stuff; it all contributed to the greater good and that big picture: keeping HATS a surviving and thriving, safe haven for the children of Deschapelles, Haiti. And oh my, what children they are. As expected, it was tough to leave. There were tears, whispers, hugs and I’ll miss you’s. I learned that it gets easier (only a bit) for those who’ve done this a few times. As Bob says “I’m part of the furniture now. I don’t say ‘goodbye’, I say ‘see you later’.” Maybe that’s how you cope with leaving…you return. Once, five times, 10 times. However many. Guaranteed you’ll leave a different person than when you came in.

Aimee Feaver
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 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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
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
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