Luc visits Western Canada

June 21, 2018 Posted by Karen Huxter

Luc stayed in ON while Mama Karen returned to HATS-Haiti to work for awhile in May. While there he stayed with our good friend, Beate Rufft. He attended school with Beate, in her grade 6 class (same grade he had been doing this year by homeschooling) for two weeks, loved it, and made friends with classmates.

With dear sweet friend, Beate

Friends from his two weeks of school in grade six in Beate’s class

Luc loved his time in Toronto with Beate as did Mama Karen when she returned from Haiti. One highlight for Luc and Mama, with Beate and friend Tracy, was being able to attend the musical ‘Come From Away’. It was the second time for Tracy seeing it. If there were ever a second chance for Luc and Mama to see it, we would gladly do so.

Toronto-about to go in to see ‘Come From Away’ with Beate and Tracy on my birthday.

Then on to the west coast to visit with Luc’s big sister, Liette, and family, in Calgary. Luc again played on a soccer team twice a week while there. Too, he went with Liette and Mariah to their scheduled evening soccer games, practicing his soccer moves while they played.

Calgary soccer league

With friend, Eva, who he played soccer with last summer

Soccer boy

Dinner out with big sister, Liette

Mother and daughter beauties

Mama Liette with daughter, Ariane, and little brother, Luc.

Mama Karen with daughter, Liette (both appropriately dressed for comfort)

Mama K loves her birthday gift from Jocelyn

Luc wamts to help carry things back home

Little brother, big sister, happy to be together

Two days ago, Luc moved on to Kelowna to visit big sister, Dana and family. This visit will be followed by attending the awesome adoption camp, Harambee, with both sisters and some of his ‘so called cousins’. We are extremely thankful that Luc can spend time yearly with his big sisters.

Luc enjoying World Cup Soccer with Ronel in Kelowna

Luc,who is 12, was overheard telling someone recently that he has two BIG sisters, ages 47 and 50. He went on to say that he is younger than his big sisters children. This statement was apparently a little difficult for one of his young friends to absorb. Luc then explained that makes him their uncle but he calls them ‘his cousins’.

While Mama Karen returns to HATS-Haiti once more to work for awhile Luc will remain in Canada again in the care of friends. A huge thank you to everyone who helps take care of this special boy while Mama returns to work, and to spend time with the other children without him, due to the cost of air flights.

Mama Karen needs to go back and forth during the summer months to # 1 – spend time with the children and # 2 – to do some necessary work. HATS-Haiti’s other director, Luckner, does an amazing job with the mission, in many areas and many ways. He is EXTREMELY valuable but we must do what is necessary to provide him some help off and on during the summer months. HATS NEEDS WORKERS to join us and to help Karen and Luckner with the work load in running the mission properly, with integrity and honesty.

HATS-Haiti is ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN. We must do what is needed to keep it thus.

Thank you to everyone involved with HATS-Haiti.

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 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
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
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
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 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
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
It’s my hope that I manage to touch their hearts in some small way, the way that they have touched mine – in a major way.

Cherie MacDonald
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
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