In all 50 states its Freezing at Some Point

November 19, 2014 Posted by HATS Visitors

Today started a bit late for me. Last night I received a 135 page report on a company my team is studying, and will present to, in China. Though I’m enjoying my time down here, my world back there is still spinning, so I’m trying to keep up. Anyway, I spent a few hours on that report, which caused me a late wake up. How late?

Well, Liette got up for the 6:30 walk with Karen and the children, I did not. In fact, if it was a 10:30 walk, it still would have been 30 minutes too early for me. But once I got it it in gear, I was good to go. Though I missed breakfast, Germain (the cook) put a big bowl of fruit aside for me. I love her!

No school so we had an early morning walk

Stretching exercise with Liette after the walk

I’ve come to realize that Karen has passed an odd gene down to her daughter. It’s the “Operate at 120 mph (that’s 193 kpm to you Canadians) and don’t let anything get in the way ” gene. Shortly after I awoke, we put all the gifts and donations together so they could start pulling out the stuff for today (Moise, JJ, Karena, and Vladimy) and put the Christmas stuff on the side.

There’s a party once a month for all the children born in that month. The kids all receive a few gifts from Mama (Karen) and Papa (Luckner).

Four birthday people

Leica and Djemima ready for the party

Birthday hugs

Party Time

Partying.

Magdala snuggling with Rick a the party

Anyway, their 120mpg genes collided head on while plucking gifts, and it was a glorious sight to witness. Complete Canadian diplomacy, mind you, and lots of fun. (And yes Liette, I was recording when I told you I was not. Never trust an American). Anyway, the party was great and everyone had a good time.

A bit after a few of the boys and I watched the soccer/futbol games at Luckner’s place. Brazil played (and beat) Austria, and Portugal beat Argentina . What I didn’t realize was that we’d be watching the game at the radio station that Luckner runs out on his property. I’ve been there once before, as he interviewed me on my last trip. This time I came to find that he has the game brought in on 2 tv’s where people can watch, and has an announcer that calls the game in Creole for his radio listeners (estimated to be 600,000).

Came back from the soccer game and dinner was ready. Given the extreme heat down here (btw, did you know it hit freezing in at least one point of all 50 States today? Yep…) soup didn’t seem ideal. Let it cool a bit and found some of the best chicken soup I’ve had in my life.

After dinner Liette returned. While I was watching the futbol games and Heather was playing with the kids at the compound, Liette went to visit her friend Rigaud in Deschapelles, roughly 30 minutes walk away. I met him on the last trip, and he’s a very nice guy. He works at the hospital (Albert Schweitzer) in Deschapelles in their Maintenance Department. It was dark when she left, so he and his son Malachi walked her back to the compound. Haiti’s a pretty dangerous place after dark, especially for us blancas. Anyway, score for me – I got to see him again and meet his son. Every now and again you meet someone that emanates kindness, and Rigaud falls into that bucket. I had some questions about the market and such (he has some land he farms next to his house), as well as his pigs and horses. Apparently some sort of pig virus tore through Haiti, taking out all 3 of his pigs. It killed pretty much all of them in the country at the time, but anything born since has been immunized. Of the 2 horses he had, one died, for some unknown reason. As he said to me (through Liette translating), “It just sat down in the field and died, it wasn’t sick”. It was also pregnant. And so it goes.

Before he left he said we’d see each other again on Saturday. I’ll look forward to that.

Another interesting aside. Malachi is married – to a Canadian. They knew each other when they were young, and she married him on a trip back here. He finished school a year ago, but can’t find work. He’s awaiting papers to move to Montreal with his wife, which should help with work too. He’s never been there. Can you imagine moving to a country you’ve never been without so much as a visit ahead of time to see if you like it? He’s never been out of Haiti before.

That’s it for me. Heather’s on deck and will be launching tomorrow’s blog. Stay warm North America. Stay warm….

~Rick

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

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Testimonials

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 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 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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!

Brian En
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
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
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