Thank you Bob, Nancy, Keaton and Lauryn ?
Thank you to Bob, Nancy, Keaton and Lauryn. You arrived at the HATS-Haiti Mission one week late but absolutely much...
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.
Thank you to Bob, Nancy, Keaton and Lauryn. You arrived at the HATS-Haiti Mission one week late but absolutely much...
September 2015 found Luckner and I accepting two little boys, siblings, into our HATS-Haiti Children’s Home. These precious boys needed...
The true heartfelt thanks to Dickie, Sandra and Jim can not be put into words. Thank you does not cover...
Wonderful to see her arrive. Sad indeed to see her leave. She will be back in God's timing. We will...
Happy New Year everyone! A Happy, Healthy, Blessed, Fun, Enriching, Peaceful 2018 is wished for all our HATS-Haiti, and for...
A huge THANK YOU to Lew and Hope Rowsell from all of us at HATS-Haiti. Thank you Lew and Hope...
Student Sponsorship Hands Across the Sea has over 500 students in our educational sponsorship program from preschool to grade 13....
Karen has asked that I share a notice that HATS is currently without internet. They have been without internet since...
Monday morning, 27th. Standing alone, tears flowing, watching the van drive out through the mission gates. They just left for Port au...
Our trip to Texas was an enjoyable and a special time indeed. The memories we have of our time there...
Since I came to Haiti 22 1/2 years ago I have had much more appreciation for the availability of water...
I am writing to share some exciting new website updates. Let me know what you think! [one_half] USD Donations...
BRIAN BRIAN BRIAN BRIAN BRIAN Thank You Brian for Everything. Thank you for travelling down with Jocelyn, Luc and myself....
Greetings once again from Newfoundland. We will soon be on our way back home to Haiti. The first day Luc...
A picture is worth a thousand words. It is time for photos of our HATS kids to speak to you...
If you’ve ever considered sponsorship, now is the time to do it. Your donation truly does make a difference!
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
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.
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.
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.
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!
I have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!
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.
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.
This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.
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.
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