2000 photos…2000 memories.

May 23, 2021 Posted by Beate Rufft

Karen asked me to write a blog for the website, and the first thing I did was to look at all of my photos. Many hours later and thousands of photos later, I’m still at a quandary as to what I should write about. I have so many memories from my 8 visits to HATS. Going through my photos brought wonderful memories that warmed my heart, made me chuckle out loud, and brought tears to my eyes.

So, if I may, perhaps I can write a series of shorter blogs. You see, when teams visit HATS, there often isn’t a moment to sit down and really reflect on what we’ve experienced. Typically during a visit, the team members take turns writing a little something for a blog, while the others are working around the compound, or are over at the school, or are playing and working with the children, or helping out in the office. I think I will start my little series of “memoir blogs” with my first visit back in July 2010.

The earthquake in January 2010 shook not only Haiti, but the entire world, as we watched the tragedy unfold. I needed to help out…but how? No one just gets on a plane and lands in Haiti without connections. So, I put the word out that I wanted to get to Haiti to help in some way, shape or form. One thing led to another, and soon I was in contact with “this woman” from “this organization” called Hands Across the Sea. Karen Huxter had no idea who “this woman named BEATE” was either. And I can only say that it was God who put her and I together! We’ve been a great team ever since, and I treasure our wonderful friendship, and consider myself blessed to be a part of her many, many beloved friends and family.

So in super hot July of 2010, I arrived in Port Au Prince and was met by Luckner and Karen….Mariah, Karen’s granddaughter and I had met up in Miami, and I treasure the friendship we developed during those 10 days.

Karen and Mariah mmmm candy!

I experienced so many wonderful things, and immediately fell in love with the kids…just look at how young they are here!

Dieunel, “Ti-Luc,” and Moise

The “gang” during morning devotions.

What an honour to meet “Papa Luckner, “ and to know that to this day, this man of great integrity, is in charge of the Mission during these unprecedented times in Haiti.

Papa Luckner

On one of our adventures, Karen took me to the nearby Albert Schweitzer Hospital. What a thrill it was to see the beautiful newborns. I remember asking the young mother if I could take a photo of her baby. She agreed, and was thrilled to see the picture on my camera screen. You see, she would not ever have a real photo of her baby. I wish I had had the ability to print one off for her.

JJ, Mariah and Beate admiring the newborn

We packed so much into the short time I was there. Karen even planned a day at the river for the children and us. We packed 18 kids, 4 house mothers, huge pots of rice and beans, and yummy fried chicken into 2 trucks…that was both scary and thrilling for me. Now, when I go there, I look forward to riding in the open back of a truck…you know…just like we used to way back when. I think that is Karena sitting on my lap!!!!

Day at the River

Of course a trip to HATS is not complete without an early evening stroll down the canal. The kids get to have races, climb the huge mango trees, and we meet goats, cows, horses, a few “Adams” swimming in the river!

Canal walks check out the boots

I’ll end this blog with this last photo. For me, it perfectly represents Hands Across the Sea and Karen’s dream-come-true of providing helping hands for the children and community in Deschapelles. Oh how I long to get back.

Hands Across The Sea, Vladymi & Beate

About Beate Rufft

Beate Rufft, was introduced to Hands Across the Sea and our founder, Karen Huxter in 2010, after seeing the devastation of the earthquake and wanting to volunteer in the country. An elementary school teacher in Ontario, Beate has previously worked with homeless children in Columbia and orphans in El Salvador. Beate is currently serving as Board Secretary and travels to Haiti each year. She is a proud to support the vital work that HATS does for the children and families in the community of Deschapelles.

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Testimonials

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
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
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
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 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
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 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
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
They call Karen “the helicopter ” and after spending three days by her side I know why. She propels through life!!! If you want to get on the ride you better start running. It is an amazing work that the Lord is doing here through so many many dedicated workers…literally hundreds of children impacted every day with the love of Christ…but the task to do so is enormous. The dedication of staff is invaluable…they NEED US ALL!!

Barbara & Louis
HATS Visitors
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