Financial Help is Needed

April 21, 2014 Posted by Karen Huxter

I do not like writing about the financial end of things for the mission. I, however, feel I must let friends of HATS-Haiti know the situation we are in.

Our donations are down quite a bit compared to the past three years and we are quickly running out of funds to keep the mission running as is. Financial help is needed. Some ‘Friends of HATS’ have told me that if we find ourselves in this situation to let them know. I am doing just that today, but feel the need to go
public and let all who follow HATS-Haiti, in Canada and in the US, know we are in need of financial help. We need general funds so we can continue to care for the needs of the children, which includes paying salaries.

I knew a lot of years ago I was to go to the mission field to help children. I felt I would do this with my life, when my girls were grown and married, as long as I did not have to ask anyone for financial help – ever. I have always found it easy to support other missionaries and give help where needed but have always found it extremely difficult to be the one looking for help. If we are honest I think we would all agree it is much nicer and easier to give than to receive if we had to ask for help. I am still like that and I know it is my pride that gets in the way.

Today I am looking for help. Not for myself but for the needs of the children and for our mercy ministry in the community, which includes seniors who have no family.

If you can help in any way please do so. All donations, whether one time or monthly help, should go to: Hands Across The Sea, PO Box 101, Yarmouth, NS B5A 4B1. 100% of anything you donate will come down to HATS for the running of the mission.

If you would like to donate, you can use the following credit cards through PayPal to do so online.

In the past I have mentioned specific projects that needed to be done. I will still do that. Some people prefer to help with a specific project. Our church project is still underway and in need of funds to finish it.

After our Easter Sunday Service yesterday some people asked if we could go look at our church that is under construction. They are all anxious to be able to worship in it. I took a photo and am including it even though it is not a good one. I asked everybody to stand down on the ground for the photo so nobody would be in the shadows. They wanted to stand in the church entrance instead and some even stood inside the church and could not be seen at all. They said it made them feel more like they were ‘in our church’. We actually had 109 people in church yesterday.

Church congregation today standing in front of unfinished church construction

We will soon be putting windows and doors in the church. When that is done we can use it without it being finished. We do, however, need something to sit on and are considering using cement blocks with planks on top for now. Is there anyone who would like to come down and make benches for our church? If so, please let us know.

Again I say a huge thank you for every dollar that has come to this mission over the years. Your funds have seen children fed, educated, given homes, and hospital bills paid, and more. THANK YOU.

Thank you, too, for all the prayer suport and the encouragement during the past 19 years that HATS-Haiti has been in this area of the Artibonite Valley. Your support has been a tremendous help in the lives of the children.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN

God bless you all.

~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

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
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’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
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
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.

Rick
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
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 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
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