Rain Hats, Packing Tape, Gymnastics & Bonfires

April 8, 2017 Posted by Karen Huxter

Greetings from Karen and Ti Luc (or Luc as he is starting to want to be called.) He says he is no longer ‘ti’ (small) and so Luc or Luckner suits him better. It will take this mama some time to say his name regularly without the ‘ti’.

Haiti – Canada. We, Karen and Luc, have a love relationship with both countries. Our heartstrings are tied to both. When we leave one for the other we prepare for the vast differences in culture, and the people who await us on the other end. When we are in one or the other we accept and fit in that culture, and love spending time with those who await our arrival. When we have to leave one country for another we are sad to leave ‘home’. When we land in the other, of our two countries, we are always delighted to be returning ‘home’. Our two countries, Haiti and Canada, all that they entail, and all the wonderful people, are extremely special to us.

While in Canada right now Luc is receiving both Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy. He wants so badly to be able to speak clearly and to be able to take care of his personal needs, including feeding himself. While working on getting his arms to listen to his brain he decided to feed himself another way.

When hungry find a way to feed thyself

Last month, before leaving Haiti for Canada, we had a fairly heavy rain. Our trusty Canadian fellow worker, in true Keith style, arrived for dinner in a new type of rain hat. You just gotta love having him around.

Keif sporting the newest in rain hats

Also at that time exams were being written at our HATS school, IMKH. All the HATS kids were to do review and study up for the exams. Our Moise needs a lot more than encouragement to keep him sitting down with his book to start studying. Up and down off the chair, squirming, and looking around at everything was more his style. Our Keith stepped in to keep Moise on the chair.

Moise needed to be taped to the chair to study

Taping to the chair was not enough

Joan and Keith left for Canada the same day we did. The plan is for them to return to HATS in October. A huge thank you to them both for their commitment and work in helping keep things going onsite at the mission. Having Keif’s humour there makes our work loads easier to face. Thank you Keith. Having Joan there as teacher for Luc makes a big difference in his schooling and in how well he learns and understands. Thank you Joan.

While here in Canada Ti Luc is attending a recreational gymnastics class. He has our own Mariah as his personal coach and our Josiah as a helper so he is enjoying trying out new things.

Mariah introducing Ti Luc to the balance beam

Having fun with Jos at class

Luc loves to jump in the pit

Last week Luc’s other big sister, Dana, made arrangements for us, between his therapy appointments, to visit them in Kelowna. It was a fun and relaxing five days with her, Jared, Ronel and Alexa. Ti Luc was delighted to have time with the family, which included dogs and cats that he dearly loves.

Happy to see Ronel again

Ok, let’s go Jared

Bonfire with Jared, Ronel and Josiah

Guess who was the winner in the game of fishing with our feet

We will be travelling back and forth from one of our beloved countries to the other often during the next few months, as the other children at HATS need time with their mama too. ‘HATS is all about the children’ and returning to spend time with them is extremely important. We will blog from both Haiti and from Canada to try and keep you up-to-date somewhat.

Thank you everyone for all your past and ongoing support, including prayer and encouragement, for the children living at HATS, and all those attending the HATS school. What is done through the HATS mission is possible only through you – our supporters in Canada and the USA.

May God bless each and every one of you.

~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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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