Home sweet home!! Karen and Luc are home again.

October 21, 2018 Posted by Karen Huxter

Children running, playing, yelling, singing, shouting, running back and forth throughout the day to hug their mama. Outside the walls, pigs squealing, adults yelling, people arguing, traffic roaring – home sweet home.

Welcome Home Mama

Our trip home was interesting as we were travelling on a day the country was shut down to protest against the corruption in the Haitian government. It was scheduled for the day after we were scheduled to arrive but the country started the protest a day early. The embassies closed down as did businesses so employees could stay home and stay safe. Roads were blocked in many areas. I was surprised to find that the once weekly Air Canada flight was far from full. I inquired about this and was told they had a completely full flight leaving Haiti for Montreal that same day but people did not want to come in until the protest was over. Made good sense to me.

Luc and Dieunel together again

We had people in Canada praying that we would get through and arrive safely at the mission site. God is good and he took good care of us during the drive home. Luckner drove and I prayed. We both laughed when we were driving through some well known hot spots. We saw many men standing outside some buildings watching a soccer match on TV, with Brazil as one of the teams, instead of out manning the road blocks, so we drove through or around. We passed through a couple of places swiftly before the soccer match finished. When close to home we drove through, and around, three road blocks, over a dug out trench to keep vehicles from going any further, again unmanned. We got through and over it all. When we arrived at the bridge just outside HATS we found it completely blocked, well manned, and tires burning where we needed to turn to enter the mission. Because of who Luckner is, the immense respect the people have for him here, they removed enough of the blockage to allow him ‘only’ to drive through. He drove quickly over the burning tires at the entrance to the road into our compound. we werer safely inside. All was well. Luckner then found a ride to his house with someone who had a motorcycle outside. If we had not made it here safely Tuesday, we would have found a hotel or other place to stay safely until the country was back to normal on Thursday. Luckner and I were not scared at all on Tuesday, but a little concerned because Luc was with us. Wednesday, the day the demonstrations throughout the country was actually scheduled for, things got a lot worse. People were injured and there were some deaths. The thing to do when the country is protesting is to stay home until things go back to normal. We, however, had our flights booked for months and they moved the protest forward a day early.

Road blocked on our drive home

We were home but . . . I had no internet, no data on either of my Haiti phones, and no way to get any money on my phones until yesterday. Welcome home Karen to the fun and games country. This morning Luckner drove to St. Marc to pay our monthly internet bill and to complain that I had absolutely no service, as he continued to pay for it regularly when I was away. When he spoke to them their response was “Oh yes we know that. We saw the problem and knew that HATS has had no internet since August 26th.” Luckner had paid August, September and now October months. They were happy to take the $100 US each month but did not fix it as we did not call and complain. The chance of getting any money back or a reduction of any kind is extremely slim. I started this blog on Wed, the day after we arrived, but of course could do nothing with it. Today Luckner was able to arrange for some money to go on my phone and so I am using the laptop for this blog by connecting to my phone by Hotspot. The internet company did tell him they cannot come fix it until Tuesday at the earliest. Hopefully they will indeed turn up next week.

Magdala

Judel

It was great to go to the school on Thursday and see the professors and students. In one way it seemed like we had not left. Students and teachers alike warmly welcomed Luc and I back. At the same time we are missing our family and all our friends in Canada.

With HATS other director, Luckner, in charge things continued to operate extremely well, although I do think he might be glad to have me back sharing the heavy load with him.

Today being Saturday, and things quiet again in the country I headed out, before completely light, with the children for a long walk of almost two hours. It was a very pleasant walk and we were so happy to be out walking together early mornings again. My two big boys decided their beds were far more important than going with us. The boys, however, have been very helpful to me, with getting several things done, throughout today.

Left to walk before fully light

Always better when we have full daylight

Just outside compound

On our walk

My two big boys working with me

Spending lots of happy time with the children, which we are all loving, while Mama Karen cannot do her necessary work. Tomorrow, Sunday, will be church and then more family time. Monday will see the children back to school and Luc back to homeschooling in the house.

HATS hair dressing parlour

Soccer Fun

Basketball at HATS

The HATS-Haiti Mission truly is ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN.

Love and blessings to 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

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
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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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 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
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
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
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
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
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