VBS at HATS Haiti

August 11, 2023 Posted by Karen Huxter

As some of you know, I cannot be in Haiti at this time because of the gang situation. I am very much still involved, however, and in touch with Luckner regularly..

Awhile back Luckner, our on-site HATS-Haiti Director and our IMKH School Director, told me he wanted to do something for the children in our area. He wanted to have them come for a week where they would be fed physically and spiritually and also have fun. I responded asking if he was talking about Vacation Bible School. If so, I was all for it! He was indeed. I gave a resounding Yes to move ahead on this. I really wished I could be there for it.

Luckner scheduled it for July 24th and purchased food and supplies for that week. He registered 100 kids as he thought that was all he could handle. Well, on the weekend prior to July 24th, the gang members returned to our area and caused a lot of trouble, especially in the Liancourt area again, killing, kidnapping, burning houses and businesses, including the town’s radio station. Everyone was terrified again, quickly leaving our area. Luckner needed to postpone the VBS for a week to see if it would be safe to try it the week of July 31st.

On Monday July 31st, the first day of VBS, the 100 registered kids turned up, plus 30 unregistered kids too, for a total of 130. Of course he did not turn any away and stretched the food prepared for the two meals for that day. He saw that the kids ate twice a day, shortly after they arrived and again early afternoon. (There is a very serious hunger problem in Haiti, in both children and adults.)

Fun for little ones

Kids enjoying lunch at VBS

Lunch time

The day was an awesome success. Day 2 saw 141 there. On Day 3 more older kids started to come, so he enlisted one of the two pastors he had already helping, to teach something different to those older kids. They were taught on Sexuality and God’s Word. He had originally enlisted the help of 2 pastors and four other people so VBS week could be run properly.

Teaching Time

On Friday, day 5, he had 150 in attendance. It was a great week for everyone, a tremendous success. The young teenagers and the older teens learned how to make shampoo, chlorox, vinegar and liquid soap, as well as learned from God’s word. With Bible references, they were taught on the subject: Being a Positive Model or a Negative Model in Life. Luckner had borrowed or rented from someone a small pool that the little kids had an absolute ball in. The older ones played soccer and other games.

The kids had very sad faces as they left the school yard on the last day. For some it was their only holiday week. Our kids in North America have so much and for these kids it was a vacation week. The best part of their summer was to be able to attend VBS, be taught from God’s word, to play and to be able to eat twice a day. When they left they were saying a lot of thank yous to those who ran it and to those in Canada who had made it possible and permitted them to attend the VBS week. A huge Thank You goes to our on-site director, Luckner Estimable.

Luckner wrote to thank our supporters: ‘Mesi, Thank You, Mesi, Thank you’ -so many times for this special week of blessing the children. He said he is asking God to continue to bless all who helped make this possible.

He told me how hungry people in our area really are. He asked if he could possibly do some Food Gift Packages to get into the hands of the most desperate. He has our kids who could work with him on the food preparation. Dickie (our Treasurer) has sent down some food money. For this Luckner is extremely thankful. He will take care of this, and many extremely hungry people in our area will receive some food.

He said thank you very much on behalf of all parents and children who will benefit from the food.

Matthew 25:35a ‘I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink’

Now for some sad news. There is a bad fever in our area right now, and this week 2 of our school students died. One was a pre-schooler and one was in grade 7. This grade 7 student was a friend of 3 of our HATS-Haiti kids.

Would you please pray for the families and the friends of these 2 precious children. And please pray for the other people in our area that this fever does not take more lives.

Thank you for all your past prayers for Luckner and the children. Because of this, they have been kept safe during very troubled and dangerous times. Thank you for your continuing prayers for the same reason and for the fever that is affecting too many people.

Love and God Bless you all,
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

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
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
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
A huge thank you to aunt Karen, who always seems to be doing something with her children and the HATS mission. The only time she takes for herself is long enough to spread some almond butter on a banana that she eats on the run. Thank you so much for all your hard work and unwavering dedication. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. We love you and our Haitian family very much. The longer I spend at HATS, the bigger piece of my heart remains. Take care of yourself and our kiddies until we see each other again.

Jocelyn Barnes
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
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
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
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
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