The school grounds

So Good to be Home!

November 8, 2016 Posted by Karen Huxter

Hi all,

It is good to be home at HATS-Haiti. It feels good to be in my office, in the admin building, using my laptop to write this blog. It is good to be back with the children. It is good to not be living out of suitcases. It is good to see Ti Luc running around with his brothers and sisters here. It is great to see him back in his private classroom here in the admin building with professor Joan doing his schooling in English. It is good.

Thank you to everyone in various places in Canada who made our time there during the summer and early fall so special. We made a lot of precious memories.

Orphanage Sponsoring

At the mission we have a sponsor for each of the children who live here onsite with us. The monthly amount is used towards the needs of the child.

Due to a death and unforseen circumstances we have two children with us who now need a sponsor – Dickieson, age 2 1/2 and Dieunel, age 10 (doing grade 5). If anyone is interested in sponsoring one of these wonderful boys please let us know. The sponsors for children in full time care in the orphanage is $35 monthly or $420 annually. The sponsors may pay however is best for them.

I am including a photo of Dickieson (age 1 1/2) with his older brother (age 4) the day we accepted them into the orphanage, September 2015. I am also including a photo of Dickieson, hugging Magdala, taken one year later, this September 2016. What a huge difference in this precious boy, from a year ago. Yesterday, after church, I took another photo of Dickieson which I will also include.

Dickieson and big Brother Markenson the day we accepted them into the orphanage 1 yr ago

Dickieson hugging sister Magdala in September 2016

Dickieson November 2016

Matthew Disaster Relief

On November 2nd Joan wrote a blog with an update on the disaster relief going on in our area for those in one of the decimated areas.

Another update today. The plan was for two trucks, a very large one to transport the donated supplies, and small one for the community workers who were going to deliver the supplies, to leave here on Friday Nov 4th. The delivery day has been postponed. Hopefully it will happen soon. Luckner was contacted by the magistrate and mayor, waiting to receive all the goods for their people, asking that we sit on it until they ask for it to be delivered. It was explained that there has been some problems on the route to get the supplies to them. We will be notified when they feel it should head their way.

On the weekend Luckner received a substantial donation of rice and oil which will be delivered along with the rest of it.

A portion of the disaster relief supplies

It is awesome to see the Haitian people, who have so very little for their own families, generously donating everything they can to help their people in great need.

I want to share two stories of children helping that caused me to have wet eyes.

Our children love almonds. We have a tree in our yard, and when the almonds are ready they love to remove them, break them open with a rock and enjoy munching. Our own Dieunel, age 10, removed almonds from our tree, and carried it to the committee working on donations at our school. He did so as he wanted some hungry children in the disaster area to have the almonds to eat.

A young boy approximately the same age as Dieunel was given $1 to take to school to purchase something for a snack. This boy attends a school a fair distance from our HATS school. He hopped on someone’s bike and rode to our school and gave Luckner the $1 to send to the children in the disaster area.

This is giving at its best. I pray these two boys will grow up to continue to give of whatever they have to help those in need.

? Haitians helping Haitians. Children helping children. This is love!! ?

Josiah is a Huge Help!

All of us here at the mission are glad to have Josiah here with us. He is willing to do whatever we need done. Too, he is funny and makes our children laugh a lot.

He was a tremendous help on our travel from Calgary to the mission site. He continues to be a big help daily.

Josiah having fun with some of our kids

Josiah with Magdala

Josiah with Dickieson who was not feeling well

Today something wonderful happened for Josiah. He met his biological sister, Bernadette, for the first time. Luckner arranged for her to come here to meet him. Wow, I was teary eyed just seeing this and taking photos. Tomorrow Bernadette plans to return here with her two boys, Josiah’s nephews, and a brother to her and Josiah. Happy times.

Josiah with sister Bernadette seeing each other for the first time

Happy to be united

Thank you and God bless each one of you who have helped in a number of different ways. This includes sending me short notes of encouragement.

HATS-HAITI IS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN

With love ?,

~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 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
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
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
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
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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
Personally, this is my first time here. I’ve never done a mission trip of any sort before and I’ve certainly never been anywhere this hot before. I keep seeing things that are different from what I’m used to, and hearing about things even more unfamiliar to me. One of the most surprising things to meis how quickly I’ve grown to love all the people here. Everyone here is great, and the team is wonderful too. Watching everyone support each other warms my heart almost as much as the sun warms my skin. I’ve learned a lot from this experience, and I know that this trip has already had a profound impact on my life.

Matthew Sketchley
HATS Visitor