Merry Christmas

December 10, 2019 Posted by Karen Huxter

Greetings for a very merry Christmas to family, friends, and supporters of the HATS-Haiti Mission. May you all enjoy family fun times as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

My emotions about the Christmas season are all over the place this year. I feel both glad and sad at the same time.

I am glad Luc can celebrate his first Christmas in Canada this year. At the same time I feel very sad for the other children at HATS-Haiti who will spend a very different Christmas this year than they have become accustomed to with Mama Karen there. They are used to having the compound alight with many Christmas lights, a large decorated Christmas tree, a filled stocking for all of them on Christmas morning, and a lovely gift each. Stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts, in other years, have been donated to our mission by generous Canadians. Also they are accustomed to mummering with their Newfie mama after Christmas day. When I think of the different Christmas they will have this year my heart becomes quite heavy and eyes quite wet. I pray they will continue to remember this year the true meaning of Christmas and realize that when their mama can return a big ‘reunited’ party will take place at the mission.

Luc is doing very well in Canada. He is in good shape physically, spiritually, emotionally and academically. He loves attending school here, has phenomenal teachers and support staff. His first report card for this school year, grade 8, shows a 91% average. Luc is now 4 inches taller than his mama, and heavier as well. Recently he attended his first prom at his school, albeit a tad nervous, but returned home happy and relaxed having enjoyed dancing and laughing with friends.

Like me, Luc looks forward to returning to Haiti for some time. When we are there he continues his studies by being home schooled. Hopefully the next blog will come to you from Haiti.I am extremely thankful for:

– Canada being a safe haven to wait out the upheaval of political instability in Haiti.

– My improved health by being in Canada.

– Availability of good free health care here for both Luc and me.

– Being able to spend quality time with Canadian family members, and being in touch with good friends.

– Acceptance, love and extreme kindness shown to Luc and me by our church family.

– A great school for Luc with awesome staff members.

– My family members, who while here for Don’s 80th birthday recently, purchased and set up a small Christmas tree and wreath in the place we call home while here.

At the same time I feel sad for:

– The children at the mission without their mama for several months. They are well looked after, thanks to HATS other director, Luckner, but are missing Mama Karen and Luc.

– Luckner, having all the work of running the whole mission on his own.

– Our school students and their families, our teachers, and our awesome principal (Luckner) for having lost so much school time this year due to the danger to those trying to reach the school. The good news, however is that our HATS school IMKH has been in operation again for some weeks now. All teachers, students and families are happy and relieved to be back at school regularly.

– All the good and innocent people in Haiti who are in dire need of seeing changes in their country so they can – find employment, be able to take care of their families, provide food for themselves and their family members, be able to get to work if they have employment, be able to safely send their children to school, have electricity daily, be able to find and afford medical help when needed.

Thank you to all who have continued to support the Hands Across the Sea Haiti mission with prayer, encouragement, and finances. May God bless you all as you have been a tremendous blessing in helping the work with the needy ones of Haiti to continue.

Celebrate Christmas as you see fit, but remember – Luke 10-11: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

Karen, Luc and all at HATS-Haiti.

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
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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 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
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
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
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!

Jess MacDonald
HATS Visitor
I have learned much about Haiti in my short stay here, much about generational, entrenched poverty, and much about hope. We can only be part of the bringing of hope if we become one small actor on the huge stage that is poverty. Thank you, Lynn Clark, for inviting me to share this life changing experience with you, and thank-you, Karen Huxter, for investing so much of your life in a work designed to bring hope to those who need it more than any Canadian could ever imagine.

Linda
HATS Visitor
After years of thinking about it and months of planning for it, it seems strange that our time in Haiti is over. We have been asked by a few if it was like we expected. Well, no. I’m not sure what we expected, but our minds could not have fathomed what we have experienced, and we can hardly believe that our 3 month stay has come to an end. HATS really became home away from home for us. We knew we would enjoy getting to know and spending time with the kids but we had no idea how difficult it would be to leave them. They sneak in and steal your heart without you even knowing it. We have left a piece of our hearts in Haiti and can’t wait for the day when we can return.

Mike & Nicki White
HATS Visitors
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