We are Home and Settled Back In

September 19, 2015 Posted by Karen Huxter

Even though Ti Luc continued to insist, up until the day of departure from Halifax airport, he wanted to return to Newfoundland he has settled back into life in Haiti. He did not have a contented expression until we left Montreal. He then realized he really was not going back to Newfoundland and so he started thinking about seeing everyone here.

Leaving Montreal

We left Yarmouth, after spending wonderful memorable days with family and friends, to start our return.

Loving his adorable cousin Ellie

We in the company of a wonderful couple that we also stayed with overnight in Halifax, Nicki and Mike White. They took us to the airport in two vehicles as we had four large suitcases and a carry on. (That is what we left Halifax with and rechecked in Montreal) They helped get us checked in and saw us through security. Wow, another very nice couple who are going to be helping HATS this year. Ti Luc and I are really looking forward to having them come here later on to help wherever necessary.

With Nicki and Mike

Due to having four suitcases, plus a carry-on and Ti Luc in a wheelchair I knew it would be impossible for me to handle things without help. Help arrived in Montreal at arrivals with an extremely nice Air Canada agent who went above and beyond. She helped us get our luggage stored overnight in the storage room at airport and made sure the hotel shuttle arrived before leaving us.

The following morning the cart with four large suitcases needed to be picked up from the storage room, taken upstairs to AC and rechecked. I pushed Ti Luc in his chair while he controlled our carry-on by holding it between his knees and had it roll along with us. So far so good, but how to manage picking up the other luggage. No way for that to happen without help. Then along came a Good Samaritan. What an awesome man he turned out to be. Ti Luc and I were blessed both days in Montreal airport by very helpful people.

The Good Samaritan who helped us a lot in Montreal airport

Ti Luc was extremely glad to see Papa Luckner in Port au Prince and his siblings, along with Germaine and other employees when we arrived at the mission. He was home. The following morning, after devotions, he told me he was glad to see everyone again but he was really glad that he now has two homes – Newfoundland and Haiti. What a kid!

I was very proud of Ti Luc at the Haiti airport as he had to sit in his chair for more than two hours in the arrivals department. We checked four suitcases in Montreal but received three in PAP. He sat very patiently watching and waiting.

Waiting patiently in PAP airport

We were the last people to leave the arrivals area after filling in papers on the missing suitcase. Things were not straightforward as the long paper tag that an agent in the departing airport attaches to a suitcase was located going around and around on the carousel but no suitcase to be found. It belonged to my missing suitcase. The lost suitcase is the one that held the things we had been wearing and using for weeks including new clothes purchased in Canada. The agent in PAP did not give me much hope of the suitcase showing up later as she believed it had arrived and the identifying tag had been removed. I, however, am still hoping it may have been found in Montreal. The missing contents are not replaceable here.

We eventually left the arrivals area, reunited with Daniel inside airport and Luckner outside, and headed home. We were pleased to be together again and catching up on things when we saw vehicles turning around in the road and heading back towards us due to a ‘blokis’ ahead. Daniel and Luckner got on their phones and found out there was indeed trouble ahead and traffic would not be able to get through that day. Okay, change of plans, we needed to redo our route and drive home over the Mon Kabrit route. We finally drove onto the compound at approx 8:30 pm.

Don’t think we are going to get very far

To say all the children were glad to see us return would be an understatement. There were joyful hugs with shouts of glee and Ti Luc was being lifted and carried around the compound.

Welcome Home

Together again

School had opened the day before our arrival so the children had to be settled down and sent off to bed in preparation of another school day. The children were glad to come to the house for prayer before school the next morning.

Ready for Preschool and Elem (minus Leica & Ti Luc)

Moise Grade 7 and J J Grade 9

Djemima – Grade 8

Ti Luc did not attend school the day after our arrival but did go yesterday and again today. He will be home schooled in English this year but he will also attend the grade five class here at the mission a couple of times a week for the socialization and to keep his Creole and French up. He is unable yet to start his schooling in English as we do not have our curriculum. He is quite looking forward to doing his subjects in English and at home.

At the present time there is a ton of work to be done at the school as well as here in administration office. I am here without help and I am trying to not overdo it. Not easy for me but I am doing my best.

Thank you to every person who touched our lives during our time in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. We were blessed indeed. 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

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
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
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 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
Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal… and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope. We are already in love with Haiti.

Team Canada
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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 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