Greetings everyone,

December 1, 2020 Posted by Karen Huxter

Many of you have been waiting and watching for some word from Hands Across the Sea-Haiti. I must ignore my sad heart and wet eyes about not yet being able to return there and write an update as best I can from Canada. I last blogged about our school having reopened. The previous school year, 2019-2020 was completed and early this month the students moved on to their next grade. As mentioned before in Haiti governmental exams must be written in grades 9 and 13 (graduating year). Our students wrote these exams in October. The grade 9 results were received this month. The results for our school were fantastic. 40 students wrote the exams. 40 students passed. I am one pleased and thankful lady. All thanks for these perfect results go to Luckner Estimable, who continues to do a great work at our school and at HATS generally. Luckner and our grad class are still awaiting the results of their final exams.

HATS School yard

I hope that you, our students’ sponsors, will understand that, it is also impossible for my daughter, Liette, to go to Haiti this year. Liette is in charge of the sponsorship program for HATS-Haiti and she has been faithfully, along with some helpers, going to Haiti every November to see that our students have their photos taken and write their yearly letter to you, their sponsors. It is impossible to have things done as other years but we are working on a way that you can at least receive something about your student this year. I ask for your understanding during this pandemic, which along with a lot of insecurity in Haiti, keeps Liette and I both in Canada for now.

Our Secondary Section

Thank you to all sponsors who have donated for your student(s) for this school year, 2020-2021. Our school is continuing to run well under the very capable direction of HATS’ own Luckner.

Thank you, too, to all who have donated towards a Christmas gift and special dinner for our children at the mission. Other years Liette would arrive at HATS to do her sponsorship job, toting donated gifts for our Childrens’ Christmas. Like everything else this year, things for Christmas for the children will be done differently.

Thursday past saw my eldest one there, JJ (Jean Jacques) reaching the age of 19. I accepted the orphan baby boy at four days old. Not being able to celebrate this milestone with my son was difficult for us both but HATS other director, Luckner, also known as Papa Luckner to our children, again came to the rescue and saw that JJ had a birthday party with friends to help him celebrate. JJ is now working with the mission for which I am extremely grateful.

JJ age 19

No matter what traditions you have been used to for celebrating the birth of Jesus in the past, this year’s celebrations will likely be different for many. You may not be able to see family members or friends as in the past. Travel plans may have had to be cancelled and normal plans of getting together with friends left unorganized. This Christmas, however, may we all remember the birth of our saviour and Lord. May we celebrate by remembering those less fortunate, those around us who need a helping hand and an encouraging word. May we, instead of focusing on those who can’t travel to join us this year, put our focus on helping provide for those who need our help right where we are. A small gift and encouraging words can go a long way to lifting the spirit of others.

School Wall and Entrance

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who have been a part of our HATS-Haiti Mission during this past year with your prayers, encouragement and finances. You, our supporters, are the reason the mission work in the Artibonite Valley in Haiti has continued during this extremely difficult year.

May God bless you and keep you all safe.

With 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.

Archive by Month

Testimonials

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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