Home Sweet Home…Almost

August 9, 2013 Posted by Karen Huxter

Welcome Home Mama Karen!

I left the children for three weeks – 2 1/2 weeks in Canada (which I refer to as the Canadian world – where things are easy and comfortable) and four days of travelling to and from. It was needed. It was relaxing. It was enjoyable. It was exactly what the doctor ‘would have’ ordered.

First I visited in NS with Dickie and Sandra. I arrived feeling exhausted and burned out. I left there feeling renewed and recharged. I rested lots, was well fed and treated like a princess.

Then on to that wonderful island where I grew up that I lovingly refer to as ‘the rock’. That beautiful island in the Atlantic ocean does have some rocky areas but it has the most wonderful people in the world that are ‘rock’ solid. I have not lived there since I was 21 years old. I, however, will always return there when I can. I will always be very thankful for my upbringing and always thankful that “I am a Newfie and will forever be very proud of it.”

While in NL most of my time was spent in Springdale, my home town. We did not just stay in Springdale, we stayed in ‘our old homestead’ where we grew up. Bob and Elaine have done a fantastic job, with a lot of hard work and a lot of money, of preserving the home. How many siblings in their sixties can return to their childhood home and spend precious time together?

Old homestead

Relaxing with Lila

While there my siblings and I, along with sisters and brothers-in-law, several nephews, neices and their children, gathered to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of a very special couple – my brother Don and his wonderful, patient, understanding, accepting, gracious wife, Lila. I wonder how soon there can be another special anniversary or another reason for us to get together there. Before separating, we siblings, once again, had our photo taken in our yard in the same place and in the same order of age as our mama had done when we were children.

Family fun at old homestead for D&L’s 50th Ann

Don & Lila’s 50th wedding anniversary

Huxter siblings

Most of you know I had planned on taking Ti Luc to Canada with me. Once again it did not happen. Still we are waiting on his passport. I solicit your prayers for this passport to be granted. We need whatever is blocking this being finished to be removed. It was difficult to leave him behind for three weeks but thanks to Germaine he was well looked after.

When I walked off the plane in Port au Prince, on Monday, 5th, I felt like I was walking into a 500 degree oven. Welcome home Karen.

Ti Luc and all the other children were very happy to have their mama return. Luckner drove me into the yard to find Little Sandra and Jonathan (our two youngest) standing holding a sign saying “Welcome Home Mama Karen”.

Welcome Home Mama

Welcome Home Mama Karen

My first night back at the mission (in my Haiti world) was much less comfortable than in my Canadian world. In Canada I was often cold even though others were comfortable or too warm. In Canada I had 24 hour electricity. In Canada I had clean rooms and clean beds. In Canada I had no bugs in my bed or my room. Loved the time in my Canada world.

Keeping warm early one morning in NL

I arrived back home to intense heat and extremely high humidity. People here were having great difficulty with it and rightly so.

Germaine had my house nice and clean. I remember thinking this feels good. I did not know that my bedroom had not been unlocked for her to clean. After spending valuable time with the children, I unlock my room so I can shower and do a little unpacking. Yikes. My room is dirty – three weeks of dust, cobwebs, and bugs galore. I decide I will not see it, but will shower and will put my very tired body to bed. I pull back my shower curtain only to see spiders, cobwebs and also hundreds of insects – fair size termites I think – in my bathtub. Okay, so I don’t need a shower after all. I see spiders on the walls by my bed but I am too tired to care. I set up a fan and crash on the bed. I need a good night sleep and I will deal with it all in the morning. I do not think to find a flashlight.

The generator goes off at 10:00 p.m. I have no idea my batteries, that should get me through the night with a fan and lights, have very little charge. At midnight I feel like I am in a sauna and about to pass out from the heat and humidity. My batteries and inverter stop working after only two hours. I can not breath properly. This means I have no fan and no lights of any kind in the house, from midnight until 6:00 a.m. Just lovely. Tossing and turning, not sleeping, on the sweat drenched sheets, I feel cobwebs on my hands and face. Oh boy! Welcome Home Mama Karen.

Despite all that it was good to arise in the morning, sweaty, stinky, and more overtired than when I lay down, but knowing I would quickly see the children. For me it truly is “All About The Children”. I was not out the door when little legs were running to me and little voices were yelling “Maman. Maman”.

My second night home, I had a nice clean room, but from 2:15 a.m. on I again had to toss and turn in extreme heat and humidity due to not
enough charge in my batteries. Again I was in ‘blackout’ for the remainder of the night. Hopefully tonight, Wednesday, I can have battery
power until at least 5:00 a.m.

~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 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
I’m not sure what we’re doing here, just showing up for a week – it’s not like it’s sustainable. And I don’t want to become depressed by some of the harsh realities that Karen has to deal with every day. You know it’s ONE thing to start an orphanage and school (Yes, Karen has done things that are beeeeyond me), but it’s ANOTHER thing to raise the 20 babies that become YOUR kids!!! Not only are they a big family, but they are a big family containing individual stories that got them all to where they are in the orphanage. I don’t even know how to describe it…I have never seen a woman her age with this much energy…fun loving energy that is. She so inspired me today and really is a wonderful mother to all these children.

Barbara
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
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
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 have learned much about Haiti in my short stay here, much about generational, entrenched poverty, and much about hope. We can only be part of the bringing of hope if we become one small actor on the huge stage that is poverty. Thank you, Lynn Clark, for inviting me to share this life changing experience with you, and thank-you, Karen Huxter, for investing so much of your life in a work designed to bring hope to those who need it more than any Canadian could ever imagine.

Linda
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
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
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