An Update on Hurricane Matthew

October 6, 2016 Posted by Karen Huxter

Haiti – a beautiful country, a beautiful people who have had far too many natural disasters to deal with. The Haitians are people who are willing to work hard to provide food for their families, people who take pride in their country, who support each other, and are quick to take in children who are in need, while they, themselves, have very little. They are a resilient people – standing together and fighting back from every disaster. Now Hurricane Matthew.

Matthew was, at one time, predicted to hit the south hard and predicted to also greatly affect the Artibionite Valley, where the HATS Mission is located. This morning it has definitely caused a lot of damage in the south. It has been described as catastrophic. Major flooding, some whole towns flooded, electricity gone, mudslides, homes destroyed, lifestock washed away and a large amount of crops ruined, some of which are banana trees and mango trees. Southern Haiti is now cut off from Port au Prince due to a major bridge collapsing. Other bridges are covered in water and in danger of collapsing as well. Some photos were posted from Les Cayes showing people trying to walk through water shoulder height. Streets in Port au Prince flooded also this afternoon.

I have been there on two occasions when hurricanes did cause a lot of flooding and damage on the HATS compound. Thankfully, today, our area has not received the feared damage. Rain has been falling steadily, which can cause flooding but no heavy rain. A careful eye has being kept on things today as heavy rain has been announced for tonight. If this should come there would be lots of water coming down from the mountains and could flood canals around Deschapelles. It would be a relief to many if this heavy rain too would miss us. There is a possibility that the the Pelig Dam may have to release water, but that should not affect us directly.

I am happy to report that everyone on the HATS compound and all on Luckner’s compound are okay.

Please pray for the people who are in the areas that were badly damaged. With the flooding comes waterborne diseases. Cholera cases may well increase, as well as several mosquito born diseases.

Thank you for the tremendous prayer support, encouragement, and reaching out to us to be sure if we were okay. May we thank God together for how things are in the valley and pray together for the needs of those who are in desperate help.

God bless you all.
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

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
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!

Jess MacDonald
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
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
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