Heat and Humidity, Rinse & Repeat

August 19, 2013 Posted by Karen Huxter

That about covers anything that needs to be said about Haiti these days. We are living in the heat and humidity and suffering it. We are always hot and very wet. We have greatly decreased energy. If one hugs a child one sticks to that child. When one bathes one feels fresh and smells fresh for 5 – 10 minutes. My fingers are sliding all over the keys as I type so I will blame any errors on this fact. We are surviving – well sort of anyway.

When I returned from Canada I did so with two drums for the children to use in church. They have been enjoying using these along with the two that Beate made while here. My first couple of days back saw Dieunel and Ti Luc practicing with the drums in my house before taking them to church.

Practicing for Sunday morning

JJ and Moise playing drums in church

As well upon my return each of the children received new duds, the three littlest girls getting ‘princess’ dresses. I do believe they felt like little princesses too.

Three princesses in princess dresses

One evening recently little Sandra, age 2, decided she wanted to lead devotions. That little girl is smart, funny and mischevious with the cutest smile and a ton of headstrong determination. She was the only one at devotions who had a songbook and with the book upside down she sang the words to every song and did so with gusto. When she asked someone to pray she was peeking to see that it was done right. She is a joy a lot of the time but boy when she decides she does not like something, or does not want to do something, watch out.

Sandra, age 2, only one with songbook

During prayer in devotions

A friend who works at the hospital came on her horse recently for a short visit. The kids loved being close to the horse, even getting a short ride in our yard. It was good for the children to see a horse so healthy and well cared for. Now they would like one – of course for Mama to take care of in all her spare time.

Peter on Dawn’s horse

We have ongoing generator/inverter/battery problems which amounts to electricity problems. Recently our generator quit running on one phase out of two which meant for a couple of days there were many areas of the compound in ‘blackout’. Again Luckner, with the help, pulled us through the crisis and for now the generator is up and running again.

Generator problems

This year Luckner decided to hold a party to celebrate Radio Creole being on the air. Many people encouraged it and many, many people came. He encouraged children to come late afternoon while we still had daylight and enjoy the meal before the adultsarrived. Our HATS kids, as well as many other children in the area, attended. He gave the kids the opportunity to sing and to share on the air. Adults from near and far attended and many ofthem shared, up until 6:00 a.m. the following morning, their thankfulness for the radio station. It truly has made a difference in this area.

Radio Creole studio

HATS kids singing on the air for Radio Creole

Gwo Luckner and Ti Luckner at Fet Radio Creole

JJ has been quite involved in our little church services during the summer time as our worship leader, Yolene, needed surgery. He has done a good job of leading worship. Perhaps an up and coming leader for HATS and Haiti.

JJ leading worship

Preparations for school opening continues nonstop. Eden has started work on badly needed new desks for our lower grades. Brad will soon be putting shelves in the room next to our school office where I will be able to organize school supplies and all the books. Luckner and I are still in the uniform fabric stage, but soon we will move into textbook purchasing and organizing stage.

School desks underway

We do need new sponsors for this school year so anyone willing to help a student attend school please let us know. Forms are available through our website at www.hatshaiti.org or through Dickie MacDonald at hatsa.yarmouth@gmail.com. Thank you!!

Once again I say a huge thank you to all who are a part of HATS in any and every way. Thank you. God bless you.

Together we are making a difference. Let’s keep it “ALWAYS 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

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
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
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
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
It’s my hope that I manage to touch their hearts in some small way, the way that they have touched mine – in a major way.

Cherie MacDonald
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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