The Mariah and Kathleen Cafe

April 29, 2014 Posted by HATS Visitors

Ladies and Gentleman,

You all better hold on to your hats (not HATS) because it is story time!!!! Featuring the loud and crazy Kathleen, the Sassy but Styling Mariah and the Stubborn but SuperWoman Director. Trust me this is a good one.

Pictures will be dark due to the secret spy cam that we had 🙂

For those of you who have the privilege of knowing Karen you know that she does not sit still for a minute, she is constantly running everywhere. Yesterday was especially busy, every time she turned around there was another something for her to do or someone that needed attending to. Last night Mariah and I realized the Madame Director needed her beauty sleep!!!!! “You going to go to bed?” was responded to by “…mmmmmm NOPE!” Karen wanted Mariah and I to get sleep though so we used this to our advantage 🙂 Two words: SLEEP STRIKE!!!!!

Thats right, we told Karen we were refusing sleep until she was asleep!!!
We would not leave her side until her head was on the pillow with her pj’s and evening reading material in hand. (We thought this was going to be easy, jokes on us i guess hahahaha)

The evening started out with Mariah and I starting our business, “The Mariah and Kathleen Cafe”. On the menu… EGGS!!!! After our restaurant was opened we took the order from our first brave customer, the Director herself!!! Eggs sunnyside up is what she wanted and was served to her in record time with two kinds of cheese and special yummy salt. With this a glass of water on hand to wash it all down. Now i know you are all getting hungry hearing about this wonderful cafe and all it has to offer but after making two last eggs for the us Chefs we decided it would be better to close the restaurant.

The director had yummies all in her tummies, but still had pictures to sort and a blog to get out. So Mariah and I sat and sat and sat and sat and finally convinced her to pack things up. (Now here comes the crazy because by this time we are all tired so things are just getting ridiculous).

With recent event Madame Director decided it would be best if she slept in the living room, renting her room out to a Canadian. So the group got her a pillow, mattress and sheets. PERFECT…. right?…. WRONG!!!!!!! oh so VERYYY wrong. The director has a very special directors pillow, designed for directors head. Turns out the Canadian (who shall remain nameless) had her head on this very special pillow. The director doesnt want to take it and tells Mariah and I that we need to get it or she wont be able to sleep. However she does say “I can sleep anywhere as long as I have my pillow” LIES!!!!!!!

Mariah and I fix the pillow but then she realizes that she forgot her tooth brush in the room rented out the the Canadian!! But no worries we get that as well. But wait!! “I cannot sleep without my fan” (Mariah at this time is like “I called it”) So while the director is brushing her pearly whites we get the fan into position. Mariah is laying on the bed telling me where the fan needs to be moved so that the wind is at its best. It is at this time that Mariah and I pull out the measuring tapes and make sure that her bed is parallel to the walls and the distance between her and the walls are an even number of centimeters, not odd and that she has a regulation walk way between her bed and the couch. She caught us measuring and could not stop laughing!

So Director is in bed, but we realized this had all just been a hilarious series of events soooooooooo we became spys and came in through the kitchen to take a picture of Karen for the blog. My head lamp ended up reflecting in the window though and Karen caught us red handed!!!

Mariah and Kathleen being super spies

Mariah and I thought that it might be a good idea to keep an eye on her so we moved in. However we didnt want bugs on us…. Soooooo we moved our tents as well. Germaine and Ti Luc did not know what to do with themselves when they got up in the morning. I am sure it was much more hilarious for us, but a fun sleep over for sure.

Kathleen’s new home in Karens home

Karen hiding from Mariah’s Camera

SMILE YOUR ON CAMERA

Selfie!!

~Kathleen and Mariah

About HATS Visitors

HATS – Haiti encourages individuals and work teams to travel to Haiti to be a part of the work we are doing. Those who come to Haiti are given the opportunity to join in construction projects, visit in the local community, spend time with the children, and minister in church. You can help us in our work for the most needy and most vulnerable members of Haiti’s population. Come be transformed by seeing the need and being a part of meeting that need. Be part of the story

Archive by Month

Testimonials

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
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
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
I am so thankful to God for allowing me the opportunity to be here and experience his splendor. This day will forever be in my heart and mind. The scripture that resonates with me today is “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matt 25:40. I am so happy I decided to come to HATS, this experience will stay with me for my life time.

Crystal Young
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
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