Markenson, Jonathan and Dickieson with others at dinner

Three More Children

May 23, 2020 Posted by Karen Huxter

Hello again. This is the fourth and last blog about the precious children at HATS-Haiti that I love and miss.

Jonathan Saint-Louis

Jonathan, age 8, (9 in September) joined our family when he was one month old. Jonathan’s mother died shortly after giving birth. His dad brought the baby asking us to please give him a chance at life. His dad was not well, is still unwell, had no one to help him, and already had other children to care for, with no means to do so.

Jonathan is doing grade 3 this year. He does well in school. We are all hoping he keeps this up instead of following the example of two older brothers who like to hide away instead of responding when called to do homework and go over his lessons for the next day. Jonathan is sensitive and caring. He loves to pick a flower in our yard and bring it to his Mama Karen or to my sister, Sandra, when she and Dickie are there to help. He is often asking if I can give him some work to do for me. Since Markenson and Dickieson joined us he and Markenson, who is only a few months different in age than Jonathan, are usually found together. He loves trucks, cars and anything on wheels. He also likes to kick a soccer ball, climb on the swing set, dance and race. He is a happy, well adjusted child and an additional blessing to our family.

Jonathan singing – Our God – with cardboard for his songbook

Markenson and Dickieson

These two sweet boys are biological brothers. I will share some photos of them together and also separately.

Markenson turned 9 and Dickieson 7 last month. They were four and two when they joined our family. These boys arrived at HATS in bad shape, both malnourished with red hair, and big stomachs. Markenson could not walk without his knees touching. Dickieson has Sicle Cell. Dickieson must be taken to the hospital every month for an injection and meds he needs to take daily. Today Markenson’s legs are now straight. He can walk normally and runs as fast as the other children. Dickieson too, apart from Sicle Cell, is healthy and happy.

Markenson

Markenson is a sweet boy who loves to play soccer and ball hockey. He is strong and does well at both. He loves anything that moves, anything with wheels, and is quite a climber. I see him often at the top of our swing set. He loves to draw, with cement chalk or on paper with coloured pencils. He is a good dancer – really has the moves. Sometimes he will take things from his younger brother, Dickieson,, but he will not accept for anyone else to do so. He can stick up for himself and also does so for Dickieson. A couple of days after joining our family we put him into our school. I borrowed one of Jonathan’s uniforms for him to wear until we had a couple made for him. He proudly came to see me before school on his first day showing me how handsome he was in his uniform. He would turn around and around saying “Look Mama. Uniform. I go to school too.” The uniform shorts had pockets. He was delighted and kept saying, “Look Mama, pockets, pockets.” With good nutrition, love and prayer Markenson now has now straight legs and has become a healthy happy boy.

First day of school in one of Jonathan’s uniforms

Dickieson

Dickieson is an adorable lovable little boy. When he first arrived he was not too sure about this white lady that all the children called Mama. His mama had died when he was born. Too, he and Markenson had been living in the mountains and were not used to seeing white people. A few days after being with us, I heard a sweet voice calling “Mama, Mama”. I left my office to find Dickieson and Markenson sitting outside looking for me. Markenson said “You are our Mama now?” Yes son I am. “Okay, we came to play and get hugs.” The other children had told him their mama would play with them and hug them. Wow, needless to say I hugged and played with them for hours, leaving all my work for later. Dickieson loves cars and trucks, and now also loves to kick a soccer ball. He loves to swing as high as possible, climb on and over everything, dance and draw. His health is good with his monthly hospital visits.

This completes the four blogs about our precious children. My heart longs to be back with them, but like everyone else I await until it is safe to travel.

James 1:27a “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”

Thank you to all who take the time to read the blogs, to comment and to share them. Thank you for every means of support for all at HATS-Haiti, prayer, finances, and encouragement. All are needed and greatly appreciated.

God bless you all. Continue to stay safe.

Love, 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

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
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
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
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
The time has passed so quickly. We know what we’ve done this week is important and makes a difference here at Hands Across the Sea. But it’s easy in Haiti to feel that anything we do here is simply a drop in the ocean. So much need on so many different levels: political, organizational, educational, social, spiritual…But we remind ourselves that each individual life is of infinite value so changing the life of one child and one family is worth the effort.

Liette Wilson
HATS Visitor, Supporter & Board Member
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
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
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 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