Thank you God for Everything

February 27, 2016 Posted by Karen Huxter

All of us have spent days in a manner we did not plan on or wish for. How often have we remembered to say Thank You throughout those days?

When things do not work out as we hope how do we cope? I would like to be able to say for myself “I thank God throughout those unplanned, unpredictable, difficult days and for the exact way it turned out.” I, however, cannot say that as I know that I do not always do so, nor as quickly as I should.

Recently when Ti Luc and I were returning from a short medical trip to Canada we had one ‘of those days’. It was draining but turned out well and for which I was very thankful. We were scheduled to leave Calgary on a Monday and arrive back on Tuesday.

Awakened early Monday morning – Email from airline company. ‘Travel Alert’ – Go online – check flight status. Flight changed. Leaving 5 hours later than booked.
Thoughts – Relax, visit with family. No packing needed yet. An extra five hours.

Three hours later. Another email from airline company. Check-in on line. Okay. Confusion quickly arrives – discover still leaving at 1:00 pm – not 6:00. Almost out of time to make it to airport. Run, rush, run, rush. Lots of help from family. Things thrown into suitcases, into vehicle. Rush to airport. Airline personnel have no idea why first email was sent 6:00 am. Phone confirms it came. Thank you God second email did arrive with truth of leaving on scheduled flight.

Made it – complete with son, luggage, wheelchair and all. Still had a flight and seats. Thank you God.

Arrive Montreal midnight. To fly out again – 9:30 am. Not willing to leave airport in dark and cold with Ti Luc. Need sleep for boy and self. Find quiet place in airport; lie down on floor. Son cannot sleep; Mama can’t stay awake. Drift off – hear “Madam , Madam, Madam.”

Eyes open – airport security “Get up please, take belongings and son; move down to Departure Level.” Thank you God not sent outside in cold.

Wide awake now. 2:30 am. No books, tell son stories. Stay awake. Freshen up. 5:00 am look for tea for Mama and food for son.

Son has disability. Boarded us 8:00 am. Airline wanted flight to leave on time 9:30. Plane moved out on runway. Freezing rain problem. Sit. Wait. Sit. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. WAIT. Five and a half hours later – still sitting on runway. Plane de-iced and take off – almost 6 hours late. Thank you God we still get to go.

Flight good. Arrive Port au Prince. Both suitcases arrive. Thank you God.

Into vehicle with Luckner and security. Quite late – dark. Thank you God we will be home in a couple of hours. Not!!!

Head home. Rain starts. Half way home need to pull out and pass large and long truck (trailer truck) on side of road. Bang. Tire blew. Lost control of truck. Slid into trailer truck. Thank you God other truck was there. Kept our truck from going into ditch and likely rolling and hitting a huge cement electricity pole. No injuries. Damage to truck can be fixed. Thank you God for protection.

Rain increases. Now heavy rain. Two men in parked trailer truck come to help. Four men in rain. Remove spare tire underneath truck. Oops spare not great – lacking air. Put on anyway to limp to town nearby. No limping possible. Tire completely flat when jack removed. Bigger oops.

Rain heavier – tire removed again. Vehicle stops. Someone who knows Luckner. Takes him and tire to St. Marc. Security stays to protect Karen and Ti Luc.

Someone in St. Marc awakened – emergency – tire needs to be repaired. Obliged. Tire repaired. Return with tire. Fixed but not great. Put on truck. Head home once more. Thank you God.

Arrival at HATS Mission approx 1:15 am, instead of expected arrival of 5:30 pm. Thank you, thank you God – for safety all along the route.

Our drive home from the airport quite late – in Haiti – in the dark and rain – with a tire blowing – really could have turned out much differently. Thank you God.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Our HATS children sometimes ask for things they cannot have, show they are not happy about being turned down, and complain about certain things in their lives or not in their lives. They are children.

When they do we quickly remind them of how very much they do have. We ask them to thank God for all the positives in their lives and to remember how they have been blessed. When they focus on this an attitude change begins.

Sometimes I too need an attitude change. I need to bring myself up short and focus on all the blessings in my life here in Haiti and thank God many times every day for all of these. If I allow myself to focus on what I miss about spending time with my family and friends elsewhere it is detrimental to me living with a joyful spirit here. I need to remind myself to say ‘Thank you God’ for every part, of every day, and for everyone who is a part of that day.

Thank you God for all the children whose lives are being touched by the HATS-Haiti Mission. Thank you God for every person who has been a part of this work since day one. Together we’ve made a difference. Together we will continue to make a difference.

I T I S A L L A B O U T T H E C H I L D R E N

~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

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
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’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
I am so thankful to Jesus for the opportunity to serve at HATS and to finally experience the great work that God is doing there. I look forward to seeing them all again when I visit next time.

Nancy Goodwin
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
This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.

Nicole Boudreau & Marcia Muise
HATS Visitors
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
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
This is my first time traveling outside of Canada and I am proud to say it was for a mission trip. I have always wanted to go on one and see what it like in other parts of the world and do what I can to help out. Haiti is a terminus life change for me and how I look at things. Seeing these kids and how they have such a passion for each other and for us is truly inspiring. I look back to what I was like at that age and I don’t think I was half as kind or generous as they are. This morning we did devotions and as I was speaking about what an impact they had on me only in one day I started to tear up…it was very emotional to talk about.

Isaiah Henderson
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