Ti Luc is in Canada

June 12, 2015 Posted by Karen Huxter

We made it. Tuesday saw us go from the mission in Deschapelles to Montreal. Wednesday – Montreal to Calgary. Calgary to Kelowna. I promised to write about Ti Luc’s travel and send photos – so here it is.

The children saw us off at home. They stood, in their school uniforms, and prayed for Ti Luc before they rushed off to start their exams and we rushed off to Port au Prince.

Ti Luc ready to leave for Canada. Kids praying for him before he left

The trip to Port au Prince with Papa Luckner went fine. He said Bye to Papa at the airport and the rest of the trip begin.

Papa Luckner seeing his boy off to Canada

At check in for our flight to Montreal I was given two seats for Ti Luc and I in the middle row of the airplane close to the back of the plane. Hold on a minute. This will not do!! I presented my receipt showing I paid for seats at the front of the plane and on the side where there are only two seats. I had done this so when Ti Luc’s left hand moved of it’s own accord he would not hit someone or knock something over. I was told those seats had been given to someone else. I suggested they get them back for us. After speaking to a supervisor I was happy with the result as they had placed Ti Luc and I in the very front – in First Class. Thank you God. Ti Luc’s very first flight he would be flying in style and I would be able to relax about him accidently hitting someone next to him.

Such excitement on Ti Luc’s face as he looked at everything inside the PAP airport. We made it through security with no problems. Then Immigration. That part was not pleasant at all. This was Ti Luc’s first time leaving Haiti so I had paperwork with me that might possibly be needed. I presented paperwork upon request but was told it was not acceptable and I could not leave on the plane with my boy. I was spoken to in a very unacceptable manner. My questions and words to them were repeated by the two Immigration women and they would then laugh and mock me. Another case of someone having a job with a little power and determined to use it to control others at will.

I was running out of time to make the plane when finally one of the Immigration ladies said she would allow me go if I could give her photo copies of the paper work I had there. She told me to go get copies and come back. In the Port au Prince airport there is nowhere to make copies, so she said to go outside and look for somewhere. Ti Luc was sitting in his wheelchair. She told me to push him over to the wall and leave him while I left the airport for copies. I said I would not leave my son. She asked why on earth not. I said he needed me and I wouldn’t want anyone to take him. She laughed and said “Madam no one would want him.” That was it! Tears ran down my cheeks and I said “I want him. And I know many others who would too.”

I called Luckner. He was too far away to come in time to help but in true Luckner style he jumped into helping. He had Daniel call someone he knew at the airport to come inside, look for me, and try to make copies for me. I ended up with three guys running around looking for a place to make copies. Copies were made and I rushed back to Immigration. I could see one of the Immigration ladies, and was headed back to her, when a man called me to his booth. He had been watching what had been happening with Ti Luc and I. He took the photocopies, did not even look at them, threw them one side, stamped our passports, told me to have a good trip and to run as we had very little time left. We went straight to the plane and into our seats. All was well at last.

Our flight to Montreal was great. Ti Luc was amazed by everything. They gave us an iPad which Ti Luc thoroughly enjoyed to watch a penguin movie. He happy danced on his seat. He yelled with excitement when the plane was going down and he could see Montreal from the window.

Sitting on plane for first time and in First Class no less

Posing with Air Canada attendants

Our Canadian Immigration experience was very different – it was pleasant. I had the paperwork ready to present along with our passports and immigration forms. Our passports were stamped. Ti Luc was told “welcome to Canada” and that was it. Thank you God. Ti Luc kept saying “I am in Canada , right Mama? I am in Canada.”

We found our suitcase and headed out to an awesome ‘Welcome to Canada Ti Luc’ by Joan, Keith and Carol. Carol is a special lady who had been to HATS with Keith and Joan on a team and who has stayed in close touch. Needless to say Ti Luc was beaming.

Welcoming party at Montreal Airport

Excited to be at Keith and Joan’s

Wednesday morning saw us back at airport to fly to Calgary and Kelowna. While waiting for our plane in Montreal Ti Luc discovered in bathrooms hand dryers and toilets that flushed by themselves and with powerful suction and noise. He was amazed and loved the warm air from the dryers but was a little nervous about the toilets. He was interested in everything he saw and asked a lot of questions.

Heading to Calgary and Kelowna

Mama this is nice. It is warming me

The flight to Calgary with Air Canada went very well. Thankfully Ti Luc had a short nap as he was almost nonstop excitedly talking about seeing Liette at the airport. When he saw Liette he left on the run. We had a lovely visit including a delicious lunch she brought us. He had a great time with big sister, Liette, by riding the escelator – up – down – up, and checking out many things. Soon it was time to say ‘Bye Liette’ until the 17th when we come to your house.

Short nap on flight Montreal to Calgary

I’m here Liette. I’m in Calgary

Riding escalator fun with big sister Liette

Then off to Kelowna to visit big sister, Dana, and family for a week. This short Westjet flight was very enjoyable.

A very kind and thoughtful man offered me help at the plane door with Ti Luc’s chair, which needed to collapse to go underneath, and with Ti Luc. This same man, Dave, offered to change his seat with the person scheduled to sit next to Ti Luc so that person could have a more relaxed flight. Dave, was not the least concerned that Ti Luc’s hand might hit him in flight. He loaned Ti Luc his headphones, found something for him to watch, and kindly helped Ti Luc throughout the flight. When we landed he waited with us until others had left the plane. He then accompanied us, carrying Ti Luc’s chair, from the plane to arrivals. He stayed and waited with us until Dana and Alexa arrived. What a kind helpful gentleman!

We, Ti Luc and I, want to say a big thank you to this man for ‘everything’. Kindness and understanding hearts are around.

On plane – Calgary to Kelowna

Very nice man, Dave, with Ti Luc at Kelowna airport.

Ti Luc was thrilled to see Alexa and Dana arrive. We arrived at their house and within a few minutes he was in the pool with Alexa and Jared. He has been out on their ‘Side By Side’ several times now – with both Alexa and Jared.

Just arrived and in the pool

Alexa giving Ti Luc a ride on the Side By Side

Yesterday, Thursday, Ti Luc was up, dressed and went off to school with Alexa. He spent a great day and asked this morning to go back.

Ti Luc going to school with Alexa for the day

Ti Luc and I are looking forward to seeing Jim and Irene and other folks in Lytton tomorrow.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged us and prayed for us during this long journey of adoption, passport, Canadian citizenship, and visa for Ti Luc. We could not have done it without you.

May God bless all of you.

~Karen and Ti Luc

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
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
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
The time has passed so quickly. We know what we’ve done this week is important and makes a difference here at Hands Across the Sea. But it’s easy in Haiti to feel that anything we do here is simply a drop in the ocean. So much need on so many different levels: political, organizational, educational, social, spiritual…But we remind ourselves that each individual life is of infinite value so changing the life of one child and one family is worth the effort.

Liette Wilson
HATS Visitor, Supporter & Board Member
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 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
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
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
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
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