Trouble on the Bridge Near HATS

November 15, 2014 Posted by Karen Huxter

On Monday the Roma team left. On Tuesday Keith and Joan left. On Wednesday we cleaned, cleaned, cleaned and tried to get five minutes to catch our breath. Yesterday, Thursday, after finishing the morning working at the school, I went to St. Marc with security Richard. We were almost back to the mission site – almost to the bridge across the canal when Germaine called to say “Do not come home. ” She said there were problems outside the mission on the bridge and in our area. We had seen a bunch of people ahead but did not know what and why.

We could see three fires burning on the bridge which were making a lot of black smoke and a bunch of guys throwing rocks at anyone who got too close. I parked far enough away from the rock throwing. We could see a lot of angry yelling people. I managed to sneak, and I mean sneak, even zoom on a couple of quick photos. It was starting to get dark and there was a lot of smoke so they are not clear.

Rocks in hands for any vehicle

Not going any closer than this. Can’t get to HATS

Looks like a gas can

Luckner arrived in his truck, got out and went to talk to those who had taken over the bridge and that area. He returned and said for Richard to walk me across the bridge and into the compound (they had agreed). Luckner took my truck and drove down the side of the canal where we seldom walk. He was able to cross over down there and tried to get the truck to our compound from the other side of the bridge. Nothing doing. Lots of big rocks on the road, lots of rock throwing and bullets flying as well. He ended up driving through fields and was able to get the truck on the mission compound by coming back by the canal road where we usually walk. He then left to walk back to his own truck.

My kids had been concerned about their Mama sitting on the other side of the bridge and not being able to come home. They were told I was okay but they wanted their mama home with them. Such big hugs when I walked in. Things seemed quiet so I allowed the older ones to go outside with me and see the fires burning on the bridge. They just barely saw the fires when rocks and bullets started flying and so did we – back into the compound. The Riot Police arrived from St. Marc around the same time and tear gas was a concern so I put the children in the house. Things calmed down for awhile when the police arrived, but not for long.

Riot Police are taking the bridge. People hiding and waiting.

Riot Police arrived. People have disappeared.

Germaine took a very long way around on foot (no motos could operate) and made it home after a very long walk in the dark. She came back to work this morning the same way as there still was trouble on the bridge and the road was dangerous.

A lot of shooting was heard all through the night hours, some so close that it sounded like it was happening inside the compound. It sounded like this to the children too and so they did not sleep very well. Plus there was coughing and unable to breath properly due to tear gas. The house mothers on duty dispensed a half a lemon to all the children for their noses to prevent breathing in the gas. The police were going from door to door in our area and on the corridor road to hospital looking for those who had blocked the road and caused the trouble.

Very early this morning the police from St. Marc were back sitting on the edge of the bridge – making their presence known again.

Police sitting on the bridge very early morning

This morning our children were up and dressed for school, albeit tired and doubtful there really would be classes at the HATS school today. There were no classes held today. Very few of our students made it to the school and we sent those home that did get there. Luckner decided to use the time for a meeting with our teachers.

Early morning after a very restless night. Will there be school today.

School – Yes or No

It appears that as of this afternoon things seem to be somewhat normal again. Rumours are that some arrests have been made. Hopefully tonight will be a normal night in the HATS compound and all of us will get a night of sleep. The children need to sleep tonight as do many others throughout this area.

Blessings everyone.

~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 spent a week in Haiti at HATS in November 2017 and it was a wonderful experience. Karen is an amazing woman and is doing amazing work. She is dedicated to the children in her care and is changing lives. I would love the opportunity to visit again and help out where I can.

Sandy Eastly
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
This week has been amazing – one of the best weeks of my life thus far, hands down. I can’t really think of any other experience in my life that can even come close to comparing to this. Though my visit here was short (too short), it has been incredibly eye-opening, and life changing. I will never forget the people I have met here, or the things I’ve gotten to experience! Most of all, I would like to say how remarkable it is to see first-hand the amazing work God is doing here. I am behind this ministry 100%, and will continue to support it. I am so, so blessed to have been given the opportunity to come here, and I am REALLY not looking forward to saying goodbye to the children tonight. My heart sinks just thinking about it. There’s no doubt that they’ve had a bigger impact on my life than I’ve had on theirs. I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with these people and this country. God bless.

Jess Buckle
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
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
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
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
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