Greetings Everyone

May 4, 2016 Posted by Karen Huxter

I do not know when this blog will be posted but it is being written Monday morning, May 2nd, 9:00 a.m.

No internet. No water. Still have my sense of humour though. Fun and games at HATS. The important thing is we do have God and he is good all the time. We are thanking him for all that is happening and yes, what is not happening.

Mike and Nicky left this morning at 8:00 for 2 1/2 days off site. They knew we had no internet but now we also have no water. They were smart to take the little break now. Missing them around here though.

I took a photo of them leaving, pretended I was crying and said “Go ahead, leave me, have a good time, I can do it all by myself again. The blancs come, stay for a short time to help, then move on and leave me every time.” For some strange reason they still stayed in the van and left. I thought they looked very happy in that van. Why? Because they were getting away perhaps. Because they knew they would be coming back perhaps. I hope it was some of both.

Are they not too happy.

We lost our internet connection Saturday at noon. We have had a water shortage for some time but now the pump is not finding water. WE NEED RAIN and lots of it. Apparently lots of rain is falling in the mountains around us but not reaching us in the valley. We see black clouds. We hear thunder. We get excited. Nothing.

Now Tuesday, 3rd.

Still no water this morning – in fact situation is worse. Food could not be prepared for school students without buckets of water being brought in from somewhere in the area. They survived the school day but it was not easy. it is hot and the students need water to drink. On the Orphanage/Administration site we are all drinking water from the 5 gallon jugs purchased in Liancourt. Bathing is done the old fashioned way – a cloth in a basin and only undies are being washed.

To make things more difficult Luckner had a crew of masons here this morning doing cement work which requires water. Today started with no water in the canal outside – nothing but mud at the very bottom. Thankfully around mid morning the water at the dam was diverted to our area and the canal started filling again. The workers then took buckets and filled them in the canal to mix the cement. The work continues.

Boss Luckner supervising and giving . . .

Poor Luckner. I greeted him this morning with “Good morning Luckner. HATS has NO water. HATS has NO running generator (it had shut itself off). The canal has NO water for your workers. ” I got a lovely smile in return and we both agreed – No, problem, God is good and things will change.

By 1:00 pm he, Luckner, had the generator running – no real problem. So the pump started to try and pump water into the tanks but there was only a slight trickle found. Still no water for HATS. Then at 4:00 rain started. Oh happy day. Thank you God.

Prayers of thanks and petitions were going up for God to please keep the rain falling. I started filling every thing I could with run off rain water from the roof – buckets, plastic tubs, large bowls. I would be very pleased to hear the rain continue to fall for a month so the earth can once more absorb some water for the wells in the area and the rice in the area can grow.

Yay! Raindrops are falling.

Speaking of rain we are not only praying for rain for Haiti. I have shared photos from my phone of the fires around Ft. MacMurray and we are praying for rain for there too.

Another big thank you God right now. It is 5:30 on Tuesday and my internet service was just restored. This is wonderful. 3 1/2 days without internet is all this time. it certainly could be and has been worse.

Blog should soon be posted. Now I will get to other computer work that needs internet.

Children are well. Indeed God is good. All the time.

Blessings.

~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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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 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