Internet Problems Again

December 8, 2015 Posted by Karen Huxter

HATS has been without internet access for two weeks now. This is a tad frustrating as contact with the outside world is important in the running of the mission as well as to help keep some of us semi sane. Keith and Joan had purchased a USB Sim from Digicel to give us a little internet access. The idea was good but it is actually of very little use. I can do just as much by kicking my wastebasket as trying to get internet access with this thing. Actually I most likely can do more by kicking it as it might relieve some frustration. Keith and Joan, before they left this week, spoke with head office of Natcom (our internet provider) in PAP and Luckner called them twice about our problem. I have spoken with them five times since Wednesday. Hopefully something will change for the better early this week.

Yesterday morning I was feeling frustrated and alone because I really needed to be in touch with Canada. I had no internet access and could not send any messages on my phone. I made a good decision to do some other things with music and prayer to help lift my frustration attitude. I asked God to remind me why I was here for 20 1/2 years with my family and friends so far away. I quickly remembered I was here for the children. Then I heard our children’s voices outside singing loudly and laughing and playing. I quickly remembered I really am here for the children.

There is no sweeter sound than that of children laughing with joy and singing their little hearts out. All frustration left immediately. I thanked God for the many children HATS-Haiti is helping and especially for the ones he has entrusted to our care who live here with us.

I decided to sneak outside with my phone to take some photos without the knowledge of the kids. i wanted to try and do a little video of their joyful singing while they were swinging on the tire swing that Keith put up for them with chain. What I watched and listened to was precious and as I took video I was holding back laughter. They were singing ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas and Jingle Bells’ but they only knew the words to the first line of Jingle Bells. What they were singing to fill it in was just too cute.

Children playing and singing ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas and Jingle Bells’.

I hope that when we do have internet again I will be able to figure out a way to get the video to Jim in BC so he can put it on our Christmas blog.

Today, Sunday, has been a great day. No frustration allowed around here today. I decided yesterday all internet work just has to wait, all contact with people I need to be in touch with for HATS needs to wait, and there is nothing I can do about it. I need to be patient and so does people in Canada who are waiting to hear from me.

We had a great time worshiping the Lord together this morning, then I piled all the children in the truck (big excitement for them) and took them out for a fairly long ride. We spent a lot of time together this afternoon playing and reading. The children have been spending a lot of time studying (well at least with their books in their hands) since Thursday so today they needed a fun light day with Mama. Tomorrow they start writing the December exams at our school. Not much play time this week, but the younger children will be finished exams on Friday so we will plan a fun weekend.

Recently I had to make a very short (one week) trip to Calgary with Ti Luc for medical appointments. We returned last Wednesday the same day that Keith and Joan returned to Montreal. We passed like ships in the night with no chance to connect. They left Haiti in the morning and we arrived in afternoon. Looks like they did their usual good job for HATS and as Keith has said a couple of times when I have been away they did not lose any of our kids. in fact they were all in great shape when we returned and even though we were gone such a short time they were glad to see us.

Ti Luc at Liette’s in Calgary in wheelchair donated by friends in Ft McMurray.

Ti Luc helping Liette make cookies. Liette did the work and Ti Luc did the tasting.

Our short medical trip went well but we did have some very interesting airport experiences – one in Montreal enroute to Calgary as my alarm did not go off early morning and almost missed the flight and a much worse one in PAP when we returned. Things were totally insane in arrivals in PAP. I absolutely cannot use any other description for it. Ti Luc and I were there 2 1/2 hours looking for one suitcase.

Thank God I had a wheelchair for him and I found a safe place to put him where I could keep an eye on him from the carousel and he could see me. There were far too many people there in too little space. People had carts but could not move them around. They kept hitting people with the carts, yelling for people to move, but they could not, and tempers were rising. Luggage was falling on people. Suitcases some people had found that belonged to them, and they removed to the floor, were being put back on the carousel by airport workers who thought they had fallen off. People were angry – yelling and screaming, swearing (yes I do know what they were saying in Creole), pushing and hitting. A fight actually broke out but was stopped by workers. It was not a good situation for me with having Ti Luc there with me but there was not much I could do about it. People from the flights were basically fed up with the situation. 2 1/2 hours of that was too much for me and I know it was for Ti Luc, but I stayed calm and quiet for the most part. At one point, after two hours there, Germaine called me. While trying to yell a response into the phone to her someone hit me very hard from behind. Germaine heard me yell out “Stop hitting me please”. She decided to hang up as it was not the right time for a conversation of any kind.

Ti Luc was a gem. He sat and watched and took it all in waiting patiently for me to be able to approach him and to help him go to the bathroom. It was less than an ideal place to be with my son in a wheelchair, with no help, and no way to get through the crowd to the bathroom or anywhere else for hours. That airport needs to be enlarged or less planes need to arrive.

The very best time to arrive is early morning. Visitors take note. Coming through Miami or Ft Lauderdale and arriving in the morning is the best time to arrive. At the present time if I travel with Ti Luc I have no choice. I have to take Air Canada or Air Transat, until Ti Luc gets a Canadian passport, and both have an absolutely lousy arrival time in Port au Prince. As the day progresses too many planes have a chance to land too close to each other and is especially difficult if one should arrive late. It is certainly not ideal to be driving from Port to the mission site in the dark but we had no choice and we made it home okay at almost 8:00 pm.

Sandra feeding Sonson. Sonson always happy when there is food.

Djemima and Leica checking out a lot of Christmas lights Keith did not find because they had been put into opposite depot by error. Kids very happy when Mama found them.

What is important is – We are here, children are doing well, and most importantly God Is Good All The Time. The internet will return again at some point and this will go to you.

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

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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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