Somedays Encounter More Challenges than Others
Would you believe that today is Friday already? I’m here only until next Tuesday (Wednesday I leave early), and already...
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.
Would you believe that today is Friday already? I’m here only until next Tuesday (Wednesday I leave early), and already...
It’s getting late by Haitian standards (9:00 p.m.). I’m up at Karen’s house and can still hear a few little...
Beate So, Thursday night the local Disco blared music (rap) into the wee hours of the night…and Friday night, we...
I want to send out a big thank you to all of you Canadians who help support our Mission. Actually,...
Our last day has crept up on us so fast. It’s 8:45 p.m. and the day is winding down. We...
It was soooooooooooooooooo hot today. Luckily we got up super early to take a walk along the canal. 6:30 a.m....
Edited: Due to migrating the blog in 2016, the original pictures are no longer available. Here we are again, Beate...
Edited: Due to migrating the blog in 2016, the original pictures are no longer available. Would you believe that we...
Edited: Due to migrating the blog in 2016, the original pictures are no longer available. Beate here again with Vivienne....
Hellllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooo Everyone, Beate here with Vivienne. John Tiberio and his daughter Janessa had planned to travel here with us, but...
Beate It’s hard to believe that it’s Friday already. The time goes by so quickly. We’ve been a busy bunch for...
We had a nice relaxing morning getting ready for church which started at 9:30 over at the school. What a...
So… where did the day go yesterday??????? I just realized that we hadn’t written a blog, so here it is. I’ll...
Well today has been a busy day, and it is no where near being over. First thing this morning Sam...
This blog is a team effort because, as we have discovered, we work so well together and are so in...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
We have so enjoyed our time here. The work we have done has been fulfilling, the fellowship has been memorable and our hearts are forever impacted by the sweet, sweet children. A piece of HATS will always stay with each of us and who knows, maybe a few will return!
Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!
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