A photo blog of Mama Karen’s children. Words not needed. One thing though to note – the photo of HATS […]
Children running, playing, yelling, singing, shouting, running back and forth throughout the day to hug their mama. Outside the walls, […]
Missing our Haiti home
In two and a half weeks time Luc and I will be returning to our home and our Haitian family, […]
It’s All About the Children
“It is all About the Children” This is our mission motto. This is just as it should be. The reason […]
Hands Across the Sea Needs You!
We are urgently looking for an energetic, fun-loving, hard-working individual who loves kids and adventure to volunteer in Haiti with […]
One of the reasons that I fell in love with the Hands Across the Sea Mission, is that Karen Huxter, […]
Our time at HATS Haiti has been a whirlwind adventure with lots of laughs, smiles, hugs, great food, lessons in […]
Anyone who camps knows there is a certain amount of natural outside noise to be expected at night. At home, […]
Before we leave to come here, and after we get home, people always ask what we do when we’re in […]
I’m In My Happy Place
Ah Haiti….Ah HATS…How can I ever express to you all how happy and blessed I am to be back? There’s […]
Focus Your Lens
The last few years, I have missed Karen’s special Saturday morning walk because of rainy weather that made the walking […]
Hugs from Haiti! ?
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little more nervous coming to Haiti this summer, considering the unrest […]
Last Saturday dawned bright, sunny, hot and humid in Ottawa for the 2nd annual HATS Golf Tournament. For several years […]
First off, a huge thank you to our past and present sponsors. We are looking for our amazing followers to […]
Luc visits Western Canada
Luc stayed in ON while Mama Karen returned to HATS-Haiti to work for awhile in May. While there he stayed […]
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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!
Jess MacDonald
HATS Visitor -
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.
Rick
HATS Visitor -
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 -
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 -
Such important work done with LOVE and commitment!
Dana Wight Kayal
HATS Supporter -
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 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 -
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 -
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’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
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