Thank goodness for photos!

August 28, 2017 Posted by Beate Rufft

Blog from another family member of HATS-Haiti – Beate Rufft

Hello everyone

Thank goodness for photos! I take so many of them now (not like the old days when one bought a roll of 36 and hopefully half would turn out)…hundreds and hundreds in just a short week at HATS. I often think to myself “Do I realllllly need this many???” Well, I’m so thankful that I do take as many as I do. This Sunday morning with coffee at hand, I was finally able to sort through the hundreds of photos I took.

Beate getting love from Ti Fi.

Tracy, my wonderful new friend, joined me this year. I couldn’t have asked for a better companion. She was an incredible helper and the kids took to her like bees to flowers. Every time I turned around she was busy doing something that needed to be done. I loved the way that on the first day, I caught her vacuuming Luc’s room. She just overheard Karen say “boy, Luc’s carpet needs a good vacuum,” and voila, Tracy was on it. Her spirit is gentle and kind, but boy oh boy, did she play a mean game of soccer against the kids. And I loved the way Tracy became master water balloon filler upper for when we ambushed the kids in a water fight. But most of all, I loved walking in on her when she was just “being” with the children, colouring, or playing hair dresser or feeding Luc. Thank you Tracy for your commitment to helping HATS, and for loving the children.

Tracy gettin’ it done.

Tracy planning the attack

Tracy always helping out

Tracy and her new friend Sandra

It was a super busy time at HATS. I usually come by myself or bring one or two team members. So how awesome was it to be reunited with the super amazing Heather Kearney AND to meet her super incredible son Mackenzie. We sadly only had a couple of days together, but the magic of our friendship picked up instantly. It was so normal, and natural to be there with Heather. We are both teachers, and go through lots in a school year. We GET each other, and are able to share the good the bad and the ugly of our lives. It’s amazing to me how being with Karen and the kids, makes all the bad stuff go away. Thank you Heather for your friendship, and always the biggest thank you for your love of HATS.

Nothing like a ride in the back of a pickup

Friends

Getting to spend time with the infamous Jessie and Seth and their family was truly a highlight for me this time around. So often, I would stand back and just enjoy watching these two at work. They are incredible parents to not only to their own two beautiful children, but to all the children at HATS. I loved watching Jessie teach the kids stories from the Bible. She is someone I would LOVE to have the honour of working with at a school….wow….A+++++++ And Seth’s energy needs to be bottled and sold. He, Jim and Connie painted the new apartment in sweltering heat. AND you should see Seth on the soccer field…whew…never in my times at HATS have I ever joined a soccer game (at 48 degrees Celsius why would I????), but Jessie and Seth got me going (mind you I had to give up and become the “water-boy” after half time). Connie and Jim, you must be such proud parents. I truly enjoyed meeting you. Top shelf family for sure J

Jessie teaching and Karen translating. What a show

The little ones are entranced by the lesson

…so are the bigger kids

Beate the new water boy

winning team

I can write pages and pages of my experiences at HATS. I tell people about Karen and the kids wherever I go. Recently, a young high school student I met this summer in South Africa told me that when she got back to the US, she would send HATS a donation. And she did. Thank you Emilia. There are people from all corners of the earth who know about HATS…I’m so proud to be a part of this mission. And if you are reading this, thank you for listening, and caring and sharing….God Bless.

Besties

Thank you Karen and Luckner (big Luckner J) for the incredible work you do for the people of Haiti. I know in my heart that each and every one of the 500 plus students that go through our school will be uplifted in some way. Perhaps it will be meals they receive each day at school, because that may be their only meal of the day. And of course, the opportunity to learn, not only academically, but to learn kindness and giving, will hopefully uplift their families which could eventually provide hope and development to their communities. Hands Across the Sea is All about the children, because these children will grow up to become members of a society that has a long way to go in order to grow beyond the poverty that is endured here.

A woman with a vision

“It is all about the children”

About Beate Rufft

Beate Rufft, was introduced to Hands Across the Sea and our founder, Karen Huxter in 2010, after seeing the devastation of the earthquake and wanting to volunteer in the country. An elementary school teacher in Ontario, Beate has previously worked with homeless children in Columbia and orphans in El Salvador. Beate is currently serving as Board Secretary and travels to Haiti each year. She is a proud to support the vital work that HATS does for the children and families in the community of Deschapelles.

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Testimonials

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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