Christmas is coming.

November 1, 2021 Posted by Karen Huxter

Christmas is coming. Children in Canada are starting to look forward to the special, fun, family time of Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Not so for my children in Haiti.

Our children are all well. Our school is running nicely, thanks to my assistant and partner there, Luckner. They, however, along with our employees, including our numerous teachers, all live daily like prisoners. They go quickly, in groups if possible, from home to work, home to school, and return. There is no freedom!

This morning my heart is heavy for my children in Haiti who are not looking forward to Christmas. The children who live in our Children’s Home at our HATS-Haiti Mission all want a certain something for Christmas – they want their Mama Karen to come home.

Due, however, to all the insecurity, the danger from kidnapping gangs, the ‘Level 4 Travel Advisory – Do not Travel to Haiti’, etc, etc. their Mama Karen is unable to be with them. My heart’s desire is to take Luc and go be with them at Christmas, to spend valuable time with them, to go with gifts for all 21 children, to have a very special Christmas dinner and fun time together.

This is impossible, so I want to be able to send funds down for my assistant, Luckner, to be able to purchase something for all of them, (likely new needed clothing), and supplies for a special Christmas dinner. I also would like to be able to provide a special Christmas dinner at school for our approx 400 students.

When times were better in Haiti my daughter, Liette, (often with a team) would join me there late November, bringing Christmas gifts, and stocking stuffers donated by Canadians for Mama Karen to prepare for Christmas day for all our children. Every year we tried also to give all our students, at our school, IMKH, a Christmas Dinner as well.

Thank you to the two people who have recently reached out asking if I plan to do something for the children this year, as you are willing to help. This was the motivation I needed as reaching out to ask for any kind of help is extremely difficult for me.

If any of you are willing to donate a little to help us do something for our kids at the mission, and at the school, for Christmas, it will be greatly appreciated. Funds can be sent to me (hats.haiti@gmail.com) or directly to our bookkeeper, Dickie MacDonald, in NS. (hatsa.yarmouth@gmail.com). Please designate funds to Christmas for children at HATS-Haiti. The funds will be sent to our bank in Haiti to be used for this purpose.

Thank you in advance.God bless you all.

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

Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!

Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter
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
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
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 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
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
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’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