A Beautiful Ring Around the Sun

April 7, 2013 Posted by Karen Huxter

Since Liette and Rick left nine days ago we have been kept very busy, so much so that I am behind again with the blog. There is, however, a good sense of accomplishment here due to this busyness. I have to say, however, despite being kept very busy I am still missing those two a lot. While they were here I actually relaxed. School being closed while they were here helped too. I put time with them before office work, correspondence, reports, and everything else besides the children, and I am so glad I did. I felt for awhile I had a ‘normal’ life. Rick, the time with you guys sure wasn’t ‘the dog’s breakfast’.

I have been extremely busy playing catch up in the office on the things I left undone to enjoy life for a week. Lois and Brad, with their very helpful daughter, Kaeli, have been very busy going through, cleaning, and organizing the huge storage rooms behind the main house. To say I am pleased with the finished result of the first storage room is a definite understatement. I am absolutely thrilled. I feel like I am getting my normal life back (what was normal for when I lived in Canada that is) with everything organized and labeled and easily accessible. It is how I have wanted it since the storage rooms were built over two years ago. Oh joy!!! Some more wood for Brad and shelves will go up in the second storage room with more cleaning, sorting, and organizing. Can’t wait. Perhaps the day will even come when I can get the office gone through completely and organized the way I have wanted that for a long time too, but had no time to do it. Without enough help one does the things that are urgent to keep things going. The Reimers are helpful and supportive in MANY ways. We are thankful they are now a part of HATS.

What a help those Reimers are. Thank you, God.

Our children, boys as well as girls, spend a day each week in the kitchen learning cooking and helping with dishes, and a day in the laundry room. Moise and JJ thought at first it was not for them but they are actually enjoying learning to do it all.

Moise learning how to clean the rice before cooking

Our school report card day was held while Liette and Rick were here. The overall results were good but Luckner was not satisfied with some of the classes and has reasons to feel that way. Our new bunch of grade sevens seem to be at school for all the wrong reasons and now there is great pressure on them to pull up their socks. All our HATS children passed – some need to bring their averages up which hopefully will happen before June. Ti Luc was surprised and
more than thrilled when his grade 2 teacher called out his name last saying he held first place in his class with almost an 8 out of 10 average. He did a happy dance in front of everyone, ran to hug Mama Karen and then looked for Papa Luckner and Godmother Rose Lore.

Report card day at HATS school

Happy Ti Luc with his godmother, Rose Lore after finding he came 1st.

Luckner speaking with students and parents

Anne & Jonathan went to report card day at the school too

All of us at HATS are saddened today by the news that Herve Lajeune, a long time employee of HATS as security agent died last night. Herve finished working with us last September due to illness but he stayed a part of HATS. He attended our church services regularly and visited us onsite. All who have come to HATS in the seven year period prior to last September would have met Herve and would been thankful for the protection he offered during the night hours. Herve was a good and loyal employee and was a friend as well. His two children attend our school IMKH in grades 6 and 9. Luckner and I will be meeting today to discuss how HATS can help with the funeral and the rough road ahead for them.

Herve sleeping peacefully one day at hospital

Herve’s son, Robird, a very thankful young man for food

As funds become available we are continuing to distribute food to people in need in our area. There are a lot of people going hungry throughout Haiti. A report from January gave statistics of 1.5 million people going hungry – people who have no idea when they might get something to eat; 4.5 million who cannot eat regularly but who have hope of finding food at least a few times a week. After hurricane Sandy in October there was a significant lost of annual crops, (more than 1/3), a lot of which was from the Artibonite valley where we are. It is painful to see and hear about but it is reality. The crops are a lot less, the cost is a lot
more. The people don’t have sufficient crops and have no funds to buy from someone else. It is a serious problem.

Thank you HATS for the food

The hunger situation has caused an increase in stealing by people who are armed. People are feeling desperate to feed themselves and their children and are doing whatever it takes.

All of us are now getting excited about the arrival of my brother Don, aka Misye Komik, and his team on April 29th. The children are overheard several times a day talking about Misye Komik, Emma, and Alycia returning and wondering who else might be coming too. Don, Emma, and Alycia are godparents to Josie, Anne, and Dieunel. These three kids are flying very high with excitement. It always means a lot to them to have a godparent or a sponsor come to see them.

Our children are all doing well. These days they are thoroughly enjoying eating lots of mangoes. They have started to fall from our own tree and many times a day we see orange faces and clothes stained orange with delicious juice from the fruit. I must say, however, that not only the children are eating a lot of mangos these days. It is a happy season for us.

Mango feast

Ti Luc and I both are thankful for the large letters keyboard that came to him from Heidi and Tim and the iPad that came down to him with Julie late February. He is doing well typing with his feet. He types and I carry the laptop to the school at times so his teacher can see what he is typing. He has learned everything there is on the iPad. He amazes me with his speed and ability. He is now in need of more challenging things. Thank you to Julie too for the funds to purchase more, but for some reason our internet will not allow access to the itunes store. We will do so when we get to Canada.

Ti Luc thanked Julie for his iPad by using the keyboard from Tim & Heidi

Ti Luc writing thank you to Heidi & Tim who gave him the keyboard.

Some of you have asked for an update on the adoption of Ti Luc. It seems to be moving in a good direction but I am afraid to believe anything anymore until I have solid proof. As of today I do have a copy of the paper saying the adoption is finalized. Keep praying please and as soon as I have a passport for him then I will rejoice and ask you to join in our happy celebrations. There will be some happy dancing done here when that day arrives. When I have the passport I will be contacting the Canadian Embassy for a visa for Ti Luc. I want very badly to purchase airline tickets for us both to go to NS and NL in July. A fun celebratory family time is set for July in my home town and Ti Luc and I both need to be in attendance.

We saw a beautiful rainbow ring around the sun today. It was gorgeous even it it means a storm is close by. Photo compliments of Lois.

Ring around the sun April 6, 2013

Thank you one and all for EVERYTHING – for every prayer that is sent to heaven on our behalf, for every penny that is sent to help the children and people in the area, for every email or text message sent with encouragement – for all the various means of support that keeps HATS running to help those in need. Thank you and God bless you all. Let’s continue to work together.

Everything we do here and everything we want to do here is – A L L A B O U T T H E C H I L D R E N

~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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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